He realized with a start the car had stopped. When he glanced through the windshield, he discovered, shocked, they were parked in a small public lot where the street curved to the left. Beyond the lot was what he presumed was a public beach and an open view of Hibiscus Bay.
“I can only assume you are struck dumb by the quaint beauty of our little village,” Pepper said, her words edged with laughter. “That’s why you haven’t said a thing for the past ten minutes, right? Not even to answer my questions?”
Kyle hoped his face wasn’t red. He’d been unforgivably rude, but how could he tell her he was mesmerized by her sensual beauty and couldn’t think of anything except getting her naked and being inside her wet heat? He climbed out of the car, adjusting his jeans again before turning to her with what he hoped was a natural grin on his face.
“Actually, it was your beauty I was admiring.” He winked at her.
“Flattery is not required.” A faint blush crept up her cheeks.
Didn’t people pay her compliments? Were all the men in this town blind?
“It’s not flattery,” he assured her. “It’s the truth.” He took her hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do. “Let’s take a walk along here and you can tell me all about Bayview. And give all the folks who I’m sure have heard about your fiancé a chance to gawk at me.”
She laughed, and the tension he’d seen in her body eased a fraction.
“Okay. Good. You’re right.” She tugged him along. “Come on. Let’s wander until lunchtime. Be forewarned. You may run screaming from here before the tour is over. I love it, but Bayview isn’t for everyone.”
Some perverse urge inside him had him holding onto her hand as they strolled along the wooden walkway from the beach back to the sidewalk. Even when they stopped in each of the little shops, he never let go except when he had to shake someone else’s hand in greeting. He couldn’t begin to say why. Holding hands signified an attachment that usually sent him screaming into the night. It smacked of attachment, the word that gave him chills.
He was so out of his element, but he tried to take careful note of everything as they wandered from store to store. His experience with small towns was very limited. He’d always been addicted to a metropolitan environment. That was why he’d been so successful developing sites for Montgomery Hotels.
But if his parents were dead set on buying this place, he wanted to see what it had to recommend itself as a destination stop. Tourists wanted kitschy places to shop, restaurants with good food and atmosphere, activities to entertain them. Everywhere he walked, every place he looked, that seemed to be the case. In his mind, he was already laying out the marketing tools and drawing up a plan. This might not be his cup of tea, but there were definite possibilities to consider.
He still had the unreal feeling he’d walked onto a movie set, all of it so stereotypical. He’d have to pay close attention to every detail while he was here because he couldn’t for the life of him imagine why his parents thought this would be a lucrative deal for them. Starting a new division with B&Bs…. Well, there had to be a hundred other spots to choose from. Smaller cities, for example.
Then a thought struck him. Maybe his parents were thinking about retiring here. No, not possible. He couldn’t imagine them outside the busy world of Dallas. Of course, stranger things had happened. At least one good thing had come from this trip. He could spend his time here as the fiancé of the very sexy, very smart Pepper Thornton. An unexpected bonus.
Their little walking tour was certainly an exercise in…something. Everyone in Bayview seemed to know Pepper, which was good for business. On the other hand, they all seemed to be all up in her business, giving him the third degree that he supposed was common in small towns like this. Knowing this whole thing was a charade, he felt a twinge of conscience now and then. He was impressed with the way Pepper handled it all with grace and humor and made their escape whenever the questions got too personal or irritating.
“Well, that was interesting.” They were back out on the sidewalk after the last stop and quiz session.
“This afternoon, I’ll show you the residential area,” Pepper told him. “I think I’ve subjected you to enough third degree for the moment. I can’t believe you didn’t pop someone in the nose.”
He cupped her chin, stroking her jawline with his thumb, unable to keep himself from touching her. And what was that all about? “See, now, that wouldn’t have made a good impression on my fiancée’s friends, right?”
Pepper shook her head. “How did I get so lucky with you? I throw myself and this whole thing at you out of the blue and you play right along with it.”
God, he wanted to kiss her right here on the street. “How many men get to have a beautiful woman show up out of the blue and throw herself at him?”
“Literally, I might add.” She giggled. “I can’t believe I had the nerve to do that. It’s just that—”
“That your family’s been driving you nuts,” he guessed.
“How’d you know?”
“Mine has a tendency to do the same thing.” Tendency? his inner self asked. More like obsession.
“We’ll have to compare families,” she teased. “But right now, I could use some lunch. How about you?”
He chuckled. “I can always eat. What do you suggest?”
“I’d say the new restaurant over there by the marina, except that’s where my folks want to take us to dinner.”
And that rang a bell with him. “Weren’t you supposed to call your mother about that?”
She frowned. “Yes, damn it.”
“Damn it?”
“In spades.” She dug her phone out of her purse and read the screen. “Ten missed calls.” She shook her head. “I had it on mute so it wouldn’t go off while we were in the shops. Mama’s probably gonna kill me. This thing’s probably been vibrating itself into an orgasm.”
Kyle stared at her then burst out laughing.
Pepper stared at him. “What? Didn’t you ever hear a lady use the word orgasm?”
He shook his head. “Pepper, you are one unique woman. You’d better make your call, though.”
“I know. Listen, before I do, please know I am sorry to subject you to this.” She shook her head. “You know there’ll be a third degree and all kinds of questions about your intentions. I just wish I had a way to get us out of this. I told you. You’ll probably run screaming into the night before it’s over.”
“I can handle it.”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She sighed. “You’re already doing me a huge favor. I don’t want to impose too much on your good nature.”
“I think my good nature can take it. Make your call.”
It was interesting, listening to her end of the conversation. He could tell it was an effort for her to keep her voice calm, and she constantly raked her fingers through her hair in frustration. He’d like to rake his fingers through that soft, auburn hair. He wondered if her curls covering her mound were as dark, or maybe darker. And soft. Would they be soft to the touch?
Jesus, Montgomery. Get your head out of her pants.
He was already having trouble controlling an erection that didn’t want to die. And he was right out here on the main drag where everyone could see him. Nice impression to make on her friends and acquaintances. This whole trip was beginning to take on a surreal look.
“That’s that.” Pepper stuffed her phone back in her purse. “We’re on for eight o’clock. Sorry.”
“No problem. All parents like to meet the intended.”
He was only glad his own folks weren’t here to see what was going on. They’d have the venue booked and the invitations printed before it was time to go to bed.
“You like to eat late?” he asked.
“Out of necessity. I do wine and cheese at Hibiscus House at five. Then I need time to straighten things up, make sure everyone’s taken care of for the evening, and get myself cleaned up and dressed.”
The image o
f Pepper Thornton in the shower, naked, water streaming down her lush, sleek body filled his mind. He’d love to be in there with her, spreading soapy bubbles over her perfect breasts, down the soft flesh of her tummy, and into the core of her between her legs.
Damn!
He was going to be perpetually hard if he kept this up. What killed him was he’d just met the woman. He’d dated plenty of females but never had this instant lust for any of them. Oh, they always played the little game of temptation, each of them knowing exactly how the evening would end. But this? This was way out of his wheelhouse. He couldn’t remember a time he stood on a public street, having sexual fantasies about the woman he was with.
“Kyle?”
Pepper’s voice again broke into his thoughts. Man, he was really losing it here.
“Right here.”
“Are you sure?” She frowned. “You keep drifting off someplace. Listen, I know this is way more than you expected, to say the least. If you want to back out, no problem. I totally understand.”
She nibbled on her full lower lip, something he’d like to be doing himself.
“Are you kidding? Who’d turn down the chance to be engaged to a gorgeous woman, even if it’s only pretend?”
“I keep telling you, flattery isn’t required.”
He put his finger beneath her chin and tilted it up.
“And I keep telling you it isn’t flattery.” He couldn’t resist the urge. He lowered his head and brushed his mouth against hers, the light touch so electric he was sure the air around them sizzled.
For a moment, Pepper stood there, the kiss connecting them. Then she jerked back with a sudden movement.
“You know we just gave half the town food for gossip for the next week.” Her lips curved in a tremulous grin.
“In that case, I need to distract myself with lunch. Lead on. And you can tell me all about why none of the men in this town are smart enough to want you for their own.”
“That’s not the problem,” she told him. “I don’t want any of them.”
“Okay. This I have to hear.”
5
Pepper gave a sigh of relief that at last she was in the sanctuary of Hibiscus House. To her, the evening had been interminable, the steady barrage of questions from both of her parents like swords falling on her head. And Kyle? Lordy, he had been beyond wonderful. Where did someone get that kind of discipline and charm? Too bad their engagement was only a fake.
She wondered what on earth he did when he wasn’t pretending to be in love with her. No doubt he had women falling all over him. She’d certainly been ready to fight them off today as they did their walking tour of Bayview. No matter the age, they shamelessly let their tongues hang out wherever she took him. So much so that she eagerly let him hold her hand in his as they walked along.
Tonight at dinner had been next to unbelievable. Mama had spent half the time waving people over to introduce “Pepper’s fiancé” and tell them to watch for the Save the Date postcard. The other half, she joined her husband in giving poor Kyle the third degree. She could hardly believe the personal questions they asked him, but she gave him props. He handled all of them with flare, and she was sure she was the only one who noticed he gave out very little real information.
She had one tiny nervous moment when the bill arrived and he insisted on paying. When he dropped his Black American Express card on the credit card folder, her mother’s eyes widened so much, Pepper was afraid they’d fall out of her head. Even in tiny Bayview, they knew the Centurion Card was issued only to the wealthiest of the wealthy. Who in hell had she gotten herself engaged to, anyway?
Then it had been a struggle to cut themselves loose after that, especially when Mama tried to insist they have breakfast. Finally, they managed to make their escape. On the ride home, she had been silent, wondering who Kyle Montgomery was, exactly. How did he make his money? How rich was he, anyway? Not that it would matter after this little interlude.
Something else kept buzzing in the back of her brain. The entire day had been filled with unexpected, unacknowledged sexual tension. She sure hadn’t expected it when she practically attacked him that morning, and she’d tried to chalk it up to the weirdness of the moment. But it kept getting stronger instead of weaker. She knew that Kyle was feeling it, too. She could tell from the glances he kept casting her way. The way he made it a point to hold her hand and squeeze it. Other things. She’d had to call on all her discipline just to get through everything.
She definitely needed something to settle the sizzle in her system. “I’m going to have a cup of tea,” she told Kyle as they entered the kitchen. “Can I offer you one?”
“Not tea, but I’ll take coffee if you don’t mind working that wonderful machine of yours.”
“Aren’t you afraid the caffeine will keep you up?” she asked, as she busied herself with the ingredients.
“Not really. I discovered a long time ago I have a pretty high tolerance for it.” He laughed. “Not much help when I need to work late and want something to keep me awake.”
She waited until they were both seated at the island counter before she asked the question that had been banging around in her head since dinner.
“So. A Centurion Amex card. Exactly what is it you do, Mr. Kyle Montgomery, that puts you in that elite circle? And feel free to tell me it’s none of my business.”
He looked at her over the rim of his cup. “Not much to tell. Like I said, I’m in real estate development. Sometimes it can be very lucrative.”
“I guess so.” She studied him, his lean muscular body with the broad shoulders, his square-jawed face with the dark-chocolate eyes that could hypnotize so easily. “But don’t you think we should know a bit more about each other?”
Oh, good one, Pepper. In a few days, he’ll be gone and so will this charade. He doesn’t have to tell you anything about himself. Why should he?
“Sometimes talking is overrated.” He set his mug down, slid off his stool, and came around to where she was sitting. “Don’t you think so?”
Ohmigod! He’s going to kiss me.
Her breath caught in her throat. She knew she should move away, but she was rooted in place. The increase in her pulse rate and the heat that streaked from her nipples to her core were significant signs that she wasn’t going to tell him no. She wanted him to kiss her. Had, in fact, ever since that surprise kiss when she’d thrown herself at him that morning. She knew with a certainty what had been brewing between them all day was about to explode.
He was so close to her now that she could count his eyelashes. His very clean, very male scent engulfed her, waking up her dormant hormones and sending them on a happy dance through her body. He had yet to touch her, and already the pulse in her core was thrumming so hard she had to squeeze her thighs together.
“I’ve been wanting to do this since this morning.” He stroked his knuckles across her cheekbone. “If you want me to stop, this is your last chance to tell me.”
He was so close now she could feel the gentle breeze of his breath on her cheek. She knew she should put an end to this, but her body was yelling Go for it! She hadn’t had a serious relationship in forever, focusing everything on Hibiscus House. This man was leaving in a few days, and suddenly she thought, Why not? Why not enjoy myself?
She’d probably never see him again. Maybe she could have a wild fling, enjoy off-the-wall sex, and not have to worry about repercussions.
Get real, Pepper. He doesn’t have to come here for that. That’s pretty evident.
But while her mind was in turmoil, he moved his head closer and then his mouth was on hers. The contact was gentle at first, like the touch of a butterfly’s wings. But then the pressure became more insistent. Just like that morning, he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, back and forth, until she opened for him and he thrust inside.
Every part of her body came alive. Her breasts ached for his touch, the thick fabric of her bra abrading her painfully tight nipples. She was
seized with an uncontrollable desire to rip off her clothes and climb up his body, and all he’d done was kiss her. But, damn, that kiss was potent. His tongue was an electric flame in her mouth, generating enough heat to scorch every one of her erogenous zones. She thrust her fingers into the thick chocolate velvet of his hair, holding his head in place, drinking from his mouth as he was feasting from hers.
He slid one hand down her spine, fingertips tracing the line before he reached down to cup one cheek of her bottom. Her body tightened, her inner muscles clenching with a sudden desperate need. Breaking the kiss, he slid his lips across her cheek and dropped a light string of kisses along her jawline.
Oh god. She wanted him with a sudden, unexpected desperation. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she wanted a man more than she wanted her next breath. This man.
“Pepper?” He raised his head enough to lock his gaze with hers.
“Yes?” She barely got the word out.
“If I’m out of line here, please feel free to tell me. I don’t want to do anything to make you mad, but something’s happening here. I can’t believe how much I want you. Do you feel it, too?”
She nodded, robbed of speech.
“So if I ask you to come upstairs with me, you won’t damage my manhood? Toss me out on the street?” He gave her a tiny grin. “Scream for help?”
Pepper managed to find her voice. “No screaming,” she whispered. “I promise.”
He lifted her down from the stool and took her hand in his strong, warm one. Just that contact lit flames beneath her nerve endings.
She breathed a sigh of relief that no one was coming or going in the lobby as they crossed it, nor did they meet anyone on the stairs as they climbed them. Then it was a short distance down the hall to the door of the suite. Kyle unlocked it, ushered her through, and closed the door behind them. Then he stood for a long moment looking at her, undressing her with his eyes.
“I want to rip your clothes off,” he told her in a voice hoarse with desire. “But I want to go slow, too, so I don’t miss a thing.”
Take Me to Bed: A Collection of Naughty Bedtime Stories Page 64