Chapter Three
You’ll be fine!
Stop worrying about last night. He’ll get over it. And quit thinking of him as
your private boy toy. He’s nothing more than a job.
Jess hurried
down the dock toward McCloud’s yacht. A simple cotton sundress floated around
her legs in the morning breeze, but the weight of her Buck knife strapped
against her thigh reminded her she wasn’t on vacation.
Maybe I
should’ve packed more professionally. Dale said to come prepared for fun though.
Damn it! I hate this.
It was too
late to do anything about it. A currier service had picked up and, with luck,
delivered her bags already. Her cell rang as she contemplated calling Harold
and telling him she had the flu or worse. She picked up without looking at the
number.
“Summers,
what do you need?”
Sean’s deep
chuckle rumbled through the phone. “Nothing you’d be willing to give me, Grandma.”
He didn’t
sound angry. A weight lifted from her chest and the sun brightened. “Stop
calling me that, brat.”
“As soon as
you quit calling me brat.”
“Okay, truce.
What do you need?”
“We’re about
ready to cast off. Where are you?”
She hung up
the phone and cleared her throat. “Did I keep you waiting?”
Sean spun
away from watching the other boats. His grin welcomed without sign of
irritation. “Mom worried you wouldn’t show up.”
Sean offered
a hand to help her over the rail and find her feet on the gently rocking deck. She
didn’t need his assistance but the temptation to feel his touch no matter how
brief coaxed contact. His warm palm closed around hers in a surprisingly firm
grip. Why couldn’t his hands be limp dead fish, so she’d quit dreaming about
them trailing lazy passion over her trembling body? I need to get laid and
not by Mr. Silver Spoon.
Jess tugged
her fingers from his grasp as she stepped fully onto the boat. “Where’s Dale?”
“Inside. Go
on to the main room. I’ll be along as soon as we’re underway. I want to speak
to the captain.”
“I’d rather
be on deck as we leave the harbor.”
“Nothing’s
going to happen this close to shore.”
“I know. I’ve
never been on a boat like this, but you’re right. I’m here to do a job, which
doesn’t include enjoying the scenery. Excuse me.”
She turned
away before he could comment on her stupidity. How could she have been so dumb
as to admit she’d never been on a yacht? He didn’t need confirmation of the
distance between their social circles.
She stepped
inside the lounge with a forced smile. She hadn’t paid much attention to the
room when Sean was in it the day before. She had a hard time focusing on
anything besides his body when he was in the picture. The elegant area looked
more like the lobby of a fancy hotel than a boat. Sleek, tan leather sofas sat
in a U-shape facing enormous windows. The teak bar and bookshelves screamed
money as did the crystal light fixtures and the elegant lady perched on the
edge of a bar stool. A champagne flute sat empty in front of her.
“Morning,
Dale. Did you start the celebration without me?”
The older
woman smiled as she turned from watching the busy dock. “No, only orange juice
I’m afraid. I’m glad you came, Jess. Tours like this can get tedious without
another woman on board. The staff doesn’t like to talk much, and Sean seems to
think I should be wrapped in cotton and tucked away in my cabin between stops. I
don’t know when I suddenly became frail. Lord knows I worked hard enough most of
my life. I really don’t need to be coddled.”
Right. “Rest
assured I’m always up for a talk so if you need to chat, holler.”
“I couldn’t
ask for more. I promise not to be a pest since you’re here to watch over Sean
not me.”
“Not a problem.
I can be a bodyguard and a friend, can’t I?”
Sean stuck
his head in the door with a grin. “That’s the spirit. No worries.”
Dale smiled
and patted the stool beside her. “Join us, son.”
“I would, but
we’re casting off. Jess wanted to watch. Will you join us?”
“Heavens no. You
know it takes me a couple days to find my legs. I’ll be fine right here. You
two have fun.”
Sean held out
his hand. Jess’s stomach tightened then jumped up and down in glee. She had no
business contemplating alone time with fantasy boy, but in this case, it was
her job. She had no choice but to spend time with the man, right?
She looked at
Dale once more. “You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“Then yes, I’m
coming.”
Sean led the
way to the upper deck where the view spread out unimpeded. The captain
maneuvered the yacht out of the private marina and into open water. Boats of
all sizes and shapes hurried to and fro around them, shattering the morning
peace with occasional blasts from horns too loud for such beauty.
The air
carried the scent of the sea and a mood of adventure. It teased the hair on her
neck and tantalized her senses. She leaned over the rail to catch the salty
spray against her cheeks.
“So what do
you think? Glad you came along for the ride?”
“I love it!”
She spun to look up at him but didn’t expect him to be so close. An involuntary
scream burst from her throat before she laughed. “I can’t believe you startled
me. People never sneak up without my knowledge.”
His slow grin
said he didn’t believe a word of it as he tucked a few loose strands of hair
behind her ear. “How’s that possible?”
“It’s my job
to be alert. I have a hard time letting down my guard.”
“Then this trip
will do you good, a chance to relax without worrying about who might attack.”
“Sorry, nice
try but it doesn’t work that way. I’m here to do a job. If my services aren’t
necessary, wonderful.”
“So you don’t
plan to relax the whole trip?”
“I’ll have to
at some point. I can’t go fourteen days without sleep. I’ll die and then what
good would I be?”
“We can’t
have that now, can we?”
His voice had
dropped back to sensual mode and she wanted to cry. Two weeks of keeping her
hands to herself while a fantasy man stood around looking like some gorgeous Scottish
warrior. How the hell am I going to survive this?
“We’re in a
pirate free area, Jess. Time to relax.”
“I have to
talk to the crew.”
He stood way
too close. Did the man have zero concept of personal space?
“There’ll be
plenty of time for that after we reach open water. Go slip on a swimsuit and
join me for breakfast.”
His solid
pulse throbbed at the base of his throat. What would it feel to press her lips against
that warm steady beat? She cleared her throat and tried not to stare. “I ate.”
“Coffee and
sunshine then.” He traced the narrow strap of her sundress with the back of his
fingers. “Vitamin D builds strong bones essential for all good little bodyguards.”
Goose bumps shivered
over her arms despite the Florida sun. “I can’t.”
“You can.” He
eased closer still. Mere inches separated their chests. “What’s wrong? Afraid
of me?”
Damned
straight!
“Of course not.”
The corner of
his mouth quirked and his eyes sparkled. “Liar.”
She ducked
beneath his arm so she no longer stood trapped between the rail and his
muscular body, away from his tantalizing mouth and the tan skin peeking through
the collar of his shirt. “Grownups have more important things to do than sit
around in the sun.”
His chuckle
vibrated through his chest. “Back to that, huh? Wouldn’t want me to see your
old, saggy body in a skimpy bikini. I could go blind.”
The obvious
play on her ego rankled. “I do not sag.”
“Then show
me.”
“Some of us
have to work, Seany baby.”
He groaned
and narrowed the space between them again.
She retreated.
He followed
until her butt bumped against the backrest of a lounge chair. “Stop calling me
a kid, Jess. I’m not that young.”
“Young
enough.”
“Young enough
to make love until you beg for mercy.” His thighs warmed hers and his erection
nudged against her stomach. “Until you cry my name or whisper, ‘Please don’t
stop.’”
White hot
fire sparked and flared through every nerve with his touch. The man used lines
that shouldn’t work on a woman with half a brain, but heat curled then settled
low. What happened to the guy who left the dance floor like a spoiled child? Him
she could deal with. She could not handle this incredible, sexual being who
encouraged reckless abandon.
Sean braced
his arms on either side of her, pinning her against the chair. If she shifted
upward a few inches, his rigid cock could nestle between her thighs. “Would you
like my hands on your lovely breasts, tweaking and playing until your legs give
out?”
Her knees
buckled and she clung harder to the chair desperate not to embarrass herself.
It had been too long since she allowed a man closer than arms’ length. Sean
blew through her defenses without effort.
“Would you
welcome my cock buried inside you, stroking away your inhibitions?”
Yes! Oh God! “I work for
your mother.”
“Mom
retreated to her room where she’ll stay for a couple days until seasickness
passes.”
“The crew.”
“Is paid well
to look away.”
Passion
disappeared in an instant. He probably did this all the time. No man could be
so confident without the expectation of success. She shoved him back, desperate
to get away before she became a notch on his headboard. “Sorry, rich boy, I don’t
play those games.”
“What games?”
She dodged his
outstretched hand and ran down the steps to her stateroom. The door vibrated as
she slammed it shut. Frickin’ playboy!
****
Sean watched her
disappear below deck. Should he follow? She’d probably locked her room. A room
with the single bed barely wide enough for the two of them fuck. Her petite
form pressed beneath his much larger one, or better yet on top. Thighs wide as
she rode him. Her tasty tits jiggling until he had to have them in his mouth.
Damn it! With a groan,
Sean turned to stare across the water. He’d rushed her even though he knew
better. Their age difference bugged her. He couldn’t change that. “Well, she
can get over it already.”
“Pardon, sir?”
Sean turned. The
captain’s assistant stood behind him. “Sorry, Miguel. Talking to myself.”
“Women, huh?”
“Just one.”
“Si. A
beauty, no?”
“Yes, stubborn
and defensive as hell.”
“Ah, the way
of beautiful women. You must show her she need not fear. She will be as you
wish.”
“I don’t want
her to change.”
The older man
chuckled. “That, she will want to know.”
Sean waited
until the crewman left before he headed for Jess’s room. Common sense said let
her cool off. Give her time to accept that she wanted him as much as he desired
her. Fuck common sense.
He knocked
softly on her door. “Jess, let me in.” Stillness. Had she fallen asleep that
fast? “Come on. Quit hiding.”
“I don’t
hide.”
He chuckled. Pride
was such a lovely tool. “Then let me in. We need to talk.”
“Talk out
there.”
“Chicken?”
“No.”
“Bwaak…Bwaak Bwaak
Bwaaaak.”
The door
jerked open. Jess’s eyes sparkled with anger. “What are you? Five?”
She looked so
damned adorable he couldn’t resist stepping into her room and closing the door
behind him. “Got you to open the door, didn’t it?”
“What do you
want?”
“To talk.”
She moved as
far from him as the small cabin allowed. Ass against the desk, she crossed her
arms beneath her breasts with a huff. “So talk.”
Coherent
thought fled. Despite her slight stature, her legs looked long and sleek
beneath the hem of her dress. The soft material outlined her curves for his
hungry eyes. The sundress would rip easily from her body and allow him to feast
upon her sun-kissed skin. He ached to wrap her legs around his hips and force
her to acknowledge him as a man. “Why do you run whenever we’re alone?”
“I didn’t run
last night. You did.”
He stuffed
his hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts. She didn’t need evidence of her
effect on him. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Why?”
He chuckled. “Why
am I sorry?”
She smiled a
one sided smile. “Why did you run? What’d I say?”
“Nothing. It
was stupid.”
“Sean?”
“You really
want to know?”
“Yes.”
“Fine.” He
dropped onto the corner of her bed. Probably not the wisest choice, but the
lack of furniture left few options. Maybe if he were honest and upfront with her,
Jess would meet him half way. “Women like my money.”
She took
forever to respond as if waiting for him to expand on the obvious. “That’s it? That’s
all you’re going to say? ‘Women like my money’?”
“What else is
there?”
She grinned
as she walked to the head of the bed. Bold and timid at the same time.
His heart
rate kicked up a notch. “My fiancée left the moment I asked her to sign a pre-nup.”
Jess sat
beside him and took his hand. “Poor baby. Did she break your widdle heart?” Her
shoulders shook.
Was she
laughing?
“Is my life funny to you?”
“No.” Her
lips quivered before she laughed aloud. “Maybe a little.”
“Fuck you,
Jess.”
****
Hurt flashed
in his beautiful eyes. God, I’m a bitch. He stood to leave, but she
grabbed his arm with both hands and pulled him back onto the bed. “I’m sorry.” She
leaned her forehead against his shoulder unwilling to see how her callous words
had wounded him. “If she hurt you, I really am sorry.”
He turned
toward her and tipped her face to meet his gaze. “Would you have signed it?”
Was that a
rhetorical question?
“I’ve never thought of money as a problem other than not having enough of it to
pay the bills. If she walked away because you wouldn’t give her free access to
your family’s bank account, then you’re better off.”
“It’s not
family money. It’s mine, earned before she came along.”
“What’s that
mean?”
“It means I
understand the value of a buck that comes hard.”
She gestured
around the room. “This wasn’t handed down from Great Grandpa So-and-so?”
“No. The boat
I rented. The money I earned. Some from talent, most by sheer luck.”
“Doing what?”
“I design
computer games.”
A generation next
job.
What other profession would a self-made rich kid have? “Of course you do.” She
let go of his bicep and scooted away. “You have to go.”
Surprise
swept across his strong features. “What? Why?”
Because every
word that comes out of your mouth reminds me of how old I am. A woman who grew
up with Pacman and Donkey Kong should not want to jump a modern gamer. “Because I’m
out of my mind to be here, with you, like this.” She forced herself to rise, to
move away from the bed and the illogical allure of his presence.
He stood,
blocking the narrow path to the door. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“What’s wrong?
Every time I’m around you, I start thinking things I shouldn’t, that’s what.”
“Really? Anything
you’d like to share?”
His cheeky
grin teased her senses. She longed to kiss it, to soak up his sexiness for
later. “Get out of my room, brat.”
He trailed a finger
down the side of her face and across to slowly outline her lips. Heat pooled
hot and heavy between her legs. “Don’t send me away, Jess. Not when I want to
stay so very much.”
How did he
know exactly what to say? Did someone teach that to young men? Guys of her
generation didn’t have a clue for the most part. “Damn it, kid. I’m twice your
age.”
“You are not,
and even if you were, who cares?”
“I don’t want
to want you.”
“But you do. I
see it.”
“Bullshit.”
His grin
flashed again. “When you look at me, you lean ever so slightly forward, and
your nipples tighten under your top.”
“They do not.”
“Do, too.” He
chuckled and edged closer. His long, muscular hands circled her waist and kept
her from collapsing in an embarrassing puddle at his feet. “You also lick your
lips, wetting them for my kiss. I wonder where else you’re ready for me.”
Everywhere. “Damn it,
what do you want?”
He brushed
his mouth over hers, more graze than touch. “I want you. Plain and simple.”
“Last night
you walked away like I had the plague.” Her entire being tipped toward him, anxious
and eager.
“I already
apologized for that. I had to get my head on straight.”
“And hitting
on a forty-year-old woman demonstrates clear thinking?”
His hands
slid upward, his thumbs brushing the underside of her breasts. “It does when
she’s you.”
Heat coiled
in her stomach. She could not step back. Her fingers curled into his T-shirt. He
smelled of the sea and something so innately male that her hormones reared to
full alert. “Please, brat, I really can’t do this.”
His beautiful
eyes narrowed before he pushed her to sit on the bed and brushed a gentle kiss
on top of her head. His hands dropped to his sides, leaving her bereft as he
stepped away. “All right. I won’t press. But don’t expect me to be patient too
long.”
He ducked
under the low doorway and disappeared as quickly as he’d come. Of course he
wouldn’t be patient? He grew up in a time of instant gratification. Why would
he have patience? “God, I am so screwed.”