Chapter Four
Jess took
notes as Captain Merek showed her around the yacht, pointing out each ladder or
opening through which an attacker might gain access. Sean had introduced her to
the four person crew: the captain, his assistant, a cook, and a housekeeper. Then
he followed. His eyes never left her. Sexual awareness burned into her every
pore. Once they’d reached the top deck, he leaned against the rail, arms and
ankles crossed, killer smile unwavering.
When he joined
her earlier, she’d longed to tell him to screw off, to get out of her sight and
out of her head, but the more he knew the better prepared he’d be. She was
there to keep him safe. She couldn’t do that if she avoided him whenever he
made her uncomfortable. She could think of no reason other than the truth to
justify sending him away. No way in hell would she admit he shattered her concentration
every time he smiled or bumped against her.
It had taken
her nearly an hour after he’d left her cabin to get beyond the desire to follow
him to his room and strip him naked.
I want you. Plain
and simple.
How did a woman ignore a statement like that? His sexy mouth and hot body drew
her gaze again and again when she should be focused on Merek. I want you. Plain
and simple. When had she deteriorated from a sane, reasonably intelligent
woman and become a stupid, gullible fool?
“Anything
else, Miss? We’ll hit Grand Bahama in a couple hours.”
Had the
captain been waiting long? Twice in two days she’d allowed Sean’s presence to
cloud her mind. She shook her head as she shook Merek’s hand and forced herself
to focus. “No. That’s all for now, but I’d like to speak with you and your
staff later about how to handle things if we’re boarded.”
“Whatever
works for you.”
“About four
this afternoon then?”
“Sounds fine.
If you’ll meet us in the staff lounge, that might be easiest.”
“Excellent. I’ll
see you then.”
Sean’s nonchalant
behavior vanished as soon as the captain disappeared from sight. He rose to his
full height and stalked toward her, a panther on the prowl. “I thought he’d
never leave.”
“Don’t.” She
held her hand up to ward him off.
He kept
coming.
She palmed
the butt of her revolver. Solid and familiar, it represented the one thing
about her that did not spin out of control whenever Sean came within a hundred
yards. “Damn it, I said stop.”
“Why?” He
chuckled. “It seems like I’ve asked you that same question a hundred times in
two days.”
“Then you
should know the answer by now.”
“I know it. I
don’t believe it though.”
“Too bad. Now
back off.” She could take him down, but she didn’t want to hurt him. As much as
he flustered her, the idea of him actually leaving her alone created a hollow
ache beneath her heart.
“Poor,
uptight, toughie.” His hand closed over hers where it clutched her Smith & Wesson.
He stood so close his chest nudged her breasts when he inhaled. His fingers
stroked hers while his other hand rose to cup her cheek. “Someday, you’ll
regret the time wasted protecting yourself from your own desire.”
She retreated
but he followed. Confidence and sex radiated from him. “Could you be any more
arrogant?”
“No. What
about you?”
Jess bit her
bottom lip to keep from grinning at the mischief sparkling in his eyes. She
caught his wrist with her free hand and tugged it away from her face. “I could.
In fact, every moment I allow you to remain on your feet is testimony to my restraint.
Never doubt that, brat.”
His laughter
swelled between them as he nuzzled beneath her ear. “And every second you’re
not in my bed is a demonstration of mine.”
His lips
covered hers with a deep, slow kiss. She rose to her toes, eager for the
contact despite her reservations. He tasted of mint and smelled of heaven. Her
revolver dug into her palm as she sought its strength. Her other hand pulled
his head closer, fingers threaded through thick hair, the soft texture an added
caress, his kiss better than any other she’d ever known. He wrapped his arms
around her, urging her higher, nearer. His tongue teased her lips and the roof
of her mouth. Persuasion rather than invasion coaxed her to believe his charm.
Then he was
gone.
Her knees
buckled and she had to grab a nearby chair for support.
He strolled
across the deck toward the stairs as if he hadn’t tilted the world on its axis.
She licked
her lips savoring his flavor and watched him leave. He glanced back with a wicked
smile then disappeared. Her hands trembled as she tightened her ponytail and
straightened her shirt. The man was a seductive demon. How the hell could she
fight that? “Lord, help me get a grip. I can’t do this on my own.”
****
Evening came
quietly. The sun sank into the ocean without fanfare. Golden light dissolved to
dark. Only the faintest breeze disturbed the waters, barely creating a ripple
even so close to shore that he could see the outline of lit buildings in the
night. The engine’s faint hum mingled with the cries of gulls and the pulse
that throbbed in Sean’s cock. He’d watched Jess all morning as she evaluated
the safety of the boat, talked and laughed with the crew, bent and climbed and
basically made him horny as hell.
Such a stupid
thing, longing for a woman who obviously did not want to want him. Logic could
not banish the need to have her in sight though, preferably within reach. By
the time she arrived for dinner, he hadn’t been able to hold her chair for fear
she’d notice her effect on him.
Watching her
eat drove him near insanity. Her lips caressed the fork with every bite. Her
eyes had closed in pleasure when she tasted the rum-laced crème brûlée
and intelligent
conversation became impossible. He could only stare while his sexual ideal ate,
drank, and chatted as if her every move wasn’t designed to torture his
imagination.
Finally, his
mother said good night and went below leaving them alone. Jess stood at the
rail with her back to him, her hair caught in its usual ponytail. A fitted blue
T-shirt followed subtle curves to her hips where white cotton shorts cupped the
swell of her ass. Even the Smith & Wesson strapped low on her hip did not
detract from her femininity. Jess conjured images of goddess warriors and
untamed Amazon princesses who battled through his games with skills equal to
their male counterparts, his fantasies personified.
Sean remained
at the table rather than join her so he could appreciate the view and hide his
raging erection. She triggered every primitive instinct. He wanted to drag her
to his room and ravish her until she cried for mercy. He also wanted to kick
his own ass for even thinking that way. He wanted to fuck her, cuddle her, coax
and tease until she laughed or screamed for more.
A shiver
shook her shoulders. Sean left the relative safety of the table and crossed the
few yards to where she stood. Goose bumps dotted her arms, though she tried to
rub them away. He placed his hands over hers and stroked up and down. “Are you
cold?”
“Not really.”
She sidestepped his touch. “Where’d Dale go? I thought she was coming back.”
“She called
it a night. The first few days at sea mess with her equilibrium.” Just like
you mess with mine.
She turned
toward him. Her nipples pressed hard against the thin material of her top,
begging to be sucked and nipped. He stuffed his fisted hands in his pockets.
“Then I’ll go
below as well.”
He shifted between
her and escape. “Why?”
She glared
without answering.
“Still
thinking things you shouldn’t?”
Her wide-eyed
gaze met his then dropped before returning with unwavering bravado, determined
and tough. Dark lashes against fair skin added an exotic touch to the emerald
irises. Her pink tongue snaked out to moisten her bottom lip before she bit
down on it.
His dick
jumped. He placed his hands on the rail, either side of her hips, and leaned in.
“Care to share those thoughts?”
“No.”
He had to
taste her. He tucked her hair behind her ear, exposing her tantalizing throat,
then kissed the tiny hollow beneath her left ear. He traced the soft flesh with
the tip of his tongue and her breath hitched in her chest. Faint perfume teased
his nostrils and hardened his cock further. “Please?”
A shiver
shook her small frame. “Don’t do that.”
He nibbled
lower, following the curve of her neck to her clavicle. He explored the fine
bone with his tongue. “Tell me your fantasies, Jess.”
A moan so
soft he almost missed it escaped her throat. “Why are you doing this?”
“I can’t
resist.” He lifted his head intending to back off if she asked directly, but
her moist mouth derailed good intention. He tugged her gently against his chest
and covered her lips with his. She tasted of caramel and cinnamon as her tongue
slipped inside his mouth. He caught the back of her head in one hand, holding
her steady for his kiss. The other slid beneath her shirt, up her side to cup
her breast. The soft mound nestled in his palm. The delicate lace bra did
nothing to restrain her budded nipple. It pressed against his thumb, shyly at
first then taut and insistent. A low groan started in his gut and worked upward
as he closed his fingers around the tight tip, manipulating it through the
fabric of her bra.
Her back
arched pressing her breast into his hand. Blind desire threatened finesse and
modesty. He had to get her out of the public eye. He broke away from her hungry
mouth slowly. Reluctant to allow her time to think, he rested his forehead
against hers as he sucked cool ocean air into his lungs. “Damn, I want you.”
“Only because
I said no.”
He chuckled
at the warped logic. “If that’s true, say yes and you’ll have nothing to worry
about.”
“Tell me how
old you are.”
“You won’t
like it.”
“I don’t like
not knowing.”
“What
difference does it make?” He lifted his head and studied her reaction as he nudged
his knee between her legs. She rode his thigh, toes barely on the deck. A sigh
parted her full lips. He plucked at her nipple, pinching it lightly then
releasing until her eyes glazed over. “Would it change the way you react to me?”
“I’m old
enough to be your mother.”
“My mother’s
seventy-one. Old enough to be your mother.”
“You look
barely legal.”
He grinned. “For
consent or alcohol?”
Jess laughed.
“You don’t look sixteen, but I’m not sure you’re old enough to drink.”
“I’m twenty-eight.”
“Oh. Wow…that’s—”
She wriggled
to get down but the movement rocked her against his leg. A soft whimper filled
the inches between them. Blood pounded through his cock. “It doesn’t matter,
sweetheart.”
“It does.”
He pushed his
thigh farther between her legs until her feet left the ground and her back
pressed against the rail. Her breasts arched forward. Her fingers dug into his biceps.
He tightened his grip on her waist to balance her as he rolled her nipple with
his other hand, working it between his finger and thumb. He wanted it in his
mouth. “Come to my room. Let me show you you’re wrong.”
She shook her
head no but her entire body trembled. If he didn’t get her off the deck soon,
she’d come right there and never forgive him. Her choice no longer mattered. Her
surprised gasp nipped his conscience as he swept her into his arms. He’d stop
if she asked him to, if she said she didn’t want him. Even if it was a lie.