by J. Kenner
But still, I imagine it’s Tony.
Beth is next, and I’m feeling a little bolder now. I put a line of whipped cream right under my belly button and then let it trace up to between my breasts. She smiles shyly at me as she kneels down between my legs and then without another word, she puts her tongue on my clit—completely bare of cream—and strokes slowly upward until she actually reaches a patch of skin I’d decorated.
I suck in air, not expecting that intimate a touch. I can’t deny that it feels good though, and that Beth is cute. I consider the possibility of inviting her to the cabana with me and Tony, but dismiss it immediately. It’s not that I don’t think Beth would be fun. I do. But I don’t want to share Tony, and I’m not interested in leaving him for an evening to be with somebody else.
Once again, this is not like me. Somehow, this island has befuddled me.
Instead of sliding into debauchery, I seem to be sliding more into cohesiveness.
That makes sense though, right? After all I’m here on assignment, not on vacation.
Beth lifts her head and smiles at me, the kind of smile that suggests she’d like to meet privately after this get-to-know-you game is over. I manage a non-committal smile back and close my eyes as if in ecstasy as she follows the line of cream up my belly. When it’s all gone, she whispers her cabin number in my ear and tells me that she and Scott would be very happy for me to drop by at any time. I make another noise that could be acquiescence, and then it’s Tony’s turn.
This time I’m more enthusiastic with the cream. I put a thick layer on my clit that will undoubtedly require a significant amount of licking to get it off. Then I trail it up my belly and dab it on my breasts and beside both ears, giving him a way to whisper to me without being obvious. I’m hoping he had a chance to whisper to Amy—and I want to know what she whispered back.
My knees are up when Tony approaches, and he puts his hands on them as he kneels between my legs, gently pushing them apart. Because of all the cream, I’m less exposed to him than I was to the others, and yet this feels the most intimate of all. It’s because I want it. Want him.
And I know that I should be concerned about the information he may have gathered from Amy, but right now all I want is for him to bend over and have his dessert.
Fortunately for me, he seems to want it too. He holds my legs apart, and I feel the stretching in my thighs as he bends forward, his breath hot on my skin, as hot as the sun that’s beating down on us.
The whipped cream is getting melty, and as he licks it up, I squirm under his touch, wanting more. And when he slides two fingers into me, the first of the group to have been so bold, I arch up and gasp and bite my lip to keep from begging him to do even more than that.
He continues to lick me clean, holding my hips to keep me from squirming. Then he slides his body up, sucking the cream off both my breasts before letting his weight bear down on me, his erection pressing against me as his mouth trails over my cheek to lick up the extra cream by my ear.
“It’s not her,” he whispers. “I told her my name, got no reaction. I mentioned snakes, don’t even ask me how. Again, I got no reaction. Unless she thinks we’re being watched, and is being cautious, I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s not her.”
“Yes.” I add a moan to my voice and hope that he realizes I’m responding to his comment, and not to any particular thing that he’s doing to me at the moment.
Although to be honest, my body is responding to what he’s doing, which happens to be not much of anything. I’m simply hot, tight, and needy all because of his proximity.
Mentally, I curse. I need to stop this. I need to get my focus back. My edge. I have a reputation in this industry, and it’s not the reputation of a little girl who goes to jelly when the cute boy kisses her.
“Your turn,” Tony says, and it takes me a second to realize that it is my turn to stand and be the aggressor. But I can’t bring myself to do it. I trust Tony’s judgment. Amy is not our girl, and I don’t want my mouth on Beth or Clara or Amy. I don’t want to be intimate with Scott or Roy. I want to find The-Asst, and I want Tony.
Base needs, maybe, but I justify my desire by saying to myself that it’s practical. Why waste time on finding a witness when I know damn well there is no witness in this pool of people.
So instead of going to the line, I hold on to Tony’s hand before he can lay down on the mat. “Sugar pie, I forgot we signed up for that session in the dungeon.” I flash an apologetic smile. “We can’t stay any longer.”
He looks at me, baffled, and then I see the dawn of understanding on his face.
“I’d completely forgotten.” He turns to everybody. “I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to meet all of you,” he says, his gaze lingering on those of us who had been on the ground. “I’m sure we’ll see you around.”
He leads me away even before giving them a chance to respond, and we walk quickly down the path. Wouldn’t want to be late to the dungeon, after all.
“Are we finding Tracy Ann next?” I ask.
“Not just yet,” he says, steering us onto the path that leads to our cabana. For the first time, I notice that he grabbed one of the whipped cream canisters off the table. “First,” he says, “I think you need a snack.”
Chapter Eleven
“Well, we knew it probably wasn’t Amy,” I say, as I lay on top of him, our bodies sticky from whipped cream residue. I’d licked off every bit of cream he’d put on himself, and then I added a few more squirts and had a second helping.
We’d fallen asleep, then awakened hours later for a repeat performance. Now both our bodies and the bedsheets are sticky, and I really couldn’t care less.
“Tracy Ann does make the most sense,” Tony says. His eyes are closed, but he opens them now and smiles at me, his expression full of sensual satisfaction. “The trouble is we haven’t found her yet.”
“At least we know she’s here. She was in her room, right? Let’s go ask Mindy if she’ll give us the room number.”
He groans in protest, then takes my shoulders as he rolls us both over. He ends up on top of me, his hands on either side of my shoulders as he lowers himself to kiss me. The kind of kiss that’s slow and deep and very possessive. The kind of kiss I’ve shied away from with past lovers, wanting to keep things light. With Tony, though, I want more, and I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him close, wanting this kiss to never end.
When it finally, inevitably, does, we’re both breathing hard. He shifts his weight so that one leg stays hooked over mine as he props himself up on an elbow beside me. “As much as I want to stay right here, I think you’re right.”
He’s fried my brain enough that I have to scroll back in the conversation to figure out what I could be right about. “Oh. You mean about Tracy Ann. The problem with that plan is that we actually have to go find Mindy, and that means getting out of bed.”
“And getting dressed.”
I pretend to consider that. “Actually, I don’t think that we do. But I’m going to opt for clothing just the same.”
He grins, then pulls me out of bed and into the shower. Which, of course, means it takes us another forty-five minutes to get out of the cabana after one thing leads to another. But, hey—that’s the theme of the island, after all.
We’re both in shorts and T-shirts as we walk down the path toward the main building. It’s past seven now, and the plan is to grab a light dinner from one of the outdoor takeaway stands, then find Mindy. I’ll tell her that we had a terrific time with the dessert game. A surprisingly true statement, especially if you only consider the round of the game played in our room.
Tony will tell her Amy wasn’t really our type, but that we had such fun meeting other people that we really want to meet Tracy Ann. Then we’ll ask if Mindy could point us in her direction.
We start to take the path that goes directly to the main building, but stop short when we see a man taking nude pictures of his partner. Not wanting to interrupt t
heir photo session, we take the alternative path, intending to circle around the fitness center and the volleyball court and come up to the offices that way.
We’ve just reached the court, when I notice Scott talking with a dark-haired woman in a baseball cap. I can only see her back, but she’s wearing a tiny sun dress that is probably doing double duty as a swimsuit cover-up.
Scott waves to us then says something to the woman who turns around and looks at us. She’s younger than me, probably late twenties, and she waves, then mouths a thank you to Scott before hurrying toward us with a wide smile.
“You must be Tony,” she says.
He and I glance at each other as he nods. “I am. Who are you?”
“Tracy Ann. And I’ve been scouring the island looking for you.”
My heart does a little leap, and beside me Tony reaches for my hand, then squeezes. We were right. Tracy Ann. TA. The-Asst.
This is the woman who can tell us where The Serpent is. At least, that’s what she claims to be able to do. There is still the possibility that her dark web message was a trap. That thought reminds me that we had to come to this island unarmed, as the resort has a strict no-weapons policy that it backs up with a detailed luggage search.
Presumably if we did, then she did, too. But that’s not an assumption we can bank on. She chose this island for a reason, after all.
At the moment, though, we’re under no visible threat, and I hold out my hand and offer a friendly smile. “I’m Kari. It’s so great to see you here.” I glance at Tony, who’s silently watching her. The corners of his eyes are crinkled, something I’ve already learned suggests that he’s pondering something.
I clear my throat, then make a motion with my head to indicate Scott and a few other guests within hearing distance. “Don’t you think we should go someplace secluded to talk.”
“Talk,” she says, and giggles. “Yeah. I think that sounds like the best thing to do.”
She tells us that she knows of a natural hot spring over by the beach.
“It’s not a place Mindy tends to point out to first timers,” Tracy Ann tells us when I mention that we didn’t know such a spring existed. “There’s so many other things to do, and that spring is so secluded. It’s almost like a perk for repeat visitors.”
“Is that why you chose this island?” Tony asks as we walk the path. “Because you come here often?”
Her smile is as bright as the afternoon sun. “Why wouldn’t I choose it? What’s not to like about this place?” She pauses on the path, then slowly looks the two of us up and down. “After all, you meet the most interesting people.”
I manage a laugh and a forced smile, and Tony does the same. I haven’t yet figured this woman out, and I don’t think Tony has either. But hopefully everything will become clear once we get far enough away from the bustle of the resort. Right now, she probably doesn’t feel comfortable talking about The Serpent and why she reached out to Tony in the first place.
We walk in silence for another five minutes or so, then we move onto an even smaller path before cutting through a swath of greenery that opens up on a hidden lagoon. Rocks surround the sandy area, and there, tucked in among some creeping vines and dense grass, is a natural spring.
Tracy Ann flashes a triumphant smile. “Awesome, right?” she says as she pulls off her dress, leaving her curvy body completely naked. So much for my guess about a swimsuit.
She walks to Tony and starts to unbutton his shorts. “Don’t be shy,” she chides when he takes a step backward, his eyes darting to me. “Let’s get in. Unless you don’t want what I’m willing to offer,” she adds, glancing at me as if to indicate that I’m invited to this party, too.
“No,” Tony says, then clears his throat. “We’re, ah, definitely interested.”
I watch as he peels off his clothes, already feeling possessive about that magnificent body. His eyes seek out mine, and he subtly cocks his head as his eyes widen in an if-I’m-in-so-are-you kind of way.
Apparently he doesn’t intend to play this game by himself. Honestly, I’m glad.
Tracy Ann glances over her shoulder at me, then moves to get into the spa.
I strip and hurry into the water as well. I’m feeling a little too exposed even as I’m chastising myself for acting like a prude. I used to have an edge, and I fear that somehow meeting Tony has dulled it.
As if to prove my own theory wrong, I slide close to Tracy Ann. “You’ve been looking for us,” I say. “Or you’ve been looking for Tony, anyway.”
“Oh, you, too,” she says, then brushes her fingertip over my lips as she smiles into my eyes. She has a beautiful body, not too thin, with all sorts of delicious curves. And her other hand is on my thigh. If this were a party a year ago with some casual acquaintances in Santa Monica, I’d be fantasizing about getting lucky tonight.
Come to think of it, that’s exactly what I’m fantasizing about. Only not with Tracy Ann. The only one I want to get lucky with is Tony.
I frown, not sure I’m comfortable with this new me or my so-quick, so-hot reaction to this guy. And as if I can counteract my own confusion, I reach up to catch her finger on my lip, then gently draw it into my mouth.
She makes a little moaning sound, and I close my eyes. And when I do, it’s Tony I imagine.
I open them to find him watching me, still standing on dry ground. I detach myself from Tracy Ann and hold out my hand to him.
“I don’t know,” he says. “Maybe I just want to watch.”
“What if I want you in here?”
“What if we both do?” Tracy Ann adds.
Tony’s eyes stay on me, and I silently mouth, Please.
He nods, his focus on me alone as he gets into the small, natural pool, sighing with pleasure as he sinks into the heated water.
The spot really is luxurious. I’m not sure what I think of Tracy Ann, but she definitely picked a good location to talk. I also know why she arranged to meet on this island. Clearly she comes here often. As a regular, it’s a safe bet that the staff looks out for her. She’s taking a risk, too, by reaching out to Tony. If she goes missing, the staff would undoubtedly notice—and try to find her and help.
Coming here to this familiar place is one extra level of protection for her.
Tony settles onto the stone ledge near me, and immediately Tracy Ann moves over and straddles him. She shoots me a grin. “Joining or watching?”
Since there is absolutely no fucking way I am watching her screw my partner, I slide over.
“You have a condom?” she asks.
And even though I know he has one of the island-issued condoms in his pocket, he says, “Sadly, no.”
“Oh, well,” she trills, reaching for his hand and slipping it under the water and between her legs. “We’ll have to make do,” she murmurs as I steam—and not because of the overly warm water.
He opens his mouth—presumably to say something—but she leans in and captures him in a kiss. Then she breaks it and urges me closer, cupping me around the neck and pulling me in close for a long, slow kiss.
I don’t back away. If this is the way to get to know our contact, then so be it. And the truth is, I don’t entirely hate the situation. For one thing, she’s a damn good kisser. But what is really turning me on is the way Tony has lifted my other hand and is now sucking on my finger. Hard. So that the sensation goes all the way to my core. A core that he is decidedly not touching—and a cold slash of jealousy cuts through me when I remember what he’s doing with his other hand.
I break the kiss, pulling away from Tracy Ann to meet Tony’s eyes. His hand emerges from the water, sliding up her body to tease her breast. I feel my eyes narrow, and I’m certain he can tell I’m jealous. Strangely, I don’t care. Then he smiles, and I feel his other hand on my thigh, and I swear I start to melt. Especially when he reaches around to cup my ass and urge me closer. I comply, and soon he’s using that hand to part my thighs, something I help with eagerly. And when I feel his thumb on my clit—
when he slips two fingers inside of me—I close my eyes and whimper.
I open them again when I feel the light touch of fingers on my breast. I expect them to be Tony’s, but the fingers belong to Tracy Ann, who leans in and claims my mouth. I tense, thinking about Tony, but his fingers thrust more deeply into me, and since this obviously doesn’t bother him, I lose myself in the kiss and the incredible sensations that Tony’s fingers are sparking in me. And, yes, the thrill of knowing he’s enjoying watching.
I reach out my own hand and find his cock, stroking it under the water. We’re a tangle of limbs and sensations, and while I like the feelings that are spinning through me, what I like more is the fantasy that it’s just me and Tony alone under the darkening sky.
Tracy Ann’s fingers twine in my hair, pulling me closer as she deepens the kiss. Tony’s fingers are stroking me expertly, but it’s not until he puts his hand over mine and stops my motion that I open my eyes. Only you, he mouths, and it’s as if he’s spoken an incantation. Suddenly, waves are breaking over me. I pull away from Tracy Ann, arching back as I reach out for Tony. He takes my hand, then pulls me the short distance across the water and kisses me, long and hard as the last tremors wrack my body.
“Now that could make a girl get jealous,” Tracy Ann says.
“I confess I’m not sure of the etiquette. Do I owe you an apology?”
She shakes her head. “Oh, no. You got me primed for the rest of the night.” She shoots a sultry look in my direction. “You both did.”
Tony shoots me a wicked grin, then turns back to her. “Maybe now we should talk about The Serpent?”
Tracy Ann’s eyebrows raise, then she casts her eyes down. “Is that what you call him? My ex called him Roger. I never understood that.”
“No,” I say. “Not Tony’s assets. The Serpent. Isn’t that why you found us?”
Tracy Ann’s brow furrows as she slowly shakes her head. “I was looking for you because you were looking for me. Mindy said so.”