His gut ached at the thought of never satisfying his taste for her.
A strolling violinist stopped at their table and played a soft, romantic melody.
Lucy teared up as she listened. She’d told him how much she enjoyed rap music but had neglected to mention her emotional reaction to classical music.
Something stirred inside him as he watched her. Before the musician strode away, Dex handed him a five-dollar bill. “I had no idea you’d enjoy this sort of music,” he told Lucy.
Wiping moisture from under her eye, she nodded. “I love Mendelssohn. That’s one of his most romantic pieces.”
She never failed to surprise him. And appeal to both his libido and his intellect at the same time. Unfortunately, he wanted to kiss Lucy more now than he had a little while ago.
As the waitress passed, he handed her his credit card, then checked his watch. The sooner they left, the quicker he could drop Lucy back at her store and stop torturing himself.
“Dex?” She tilted her head. “What’s going on? You’re not bailing on me, are you?”
He swiped a hand over his face and sat up straighter. “No, I told you I’d be your husband, and I will.” Difficult as that was going to be. “Unless someone else suddenly volunteers for the job.”
“There’s no one else. If you don’t do it, I’m afraid we’ll have to let down my aunt.” She riffled through her purse, then applied pink lip gloss.
Leaving him completely helpless to watch, mesmerized, and shove all the reasons he shouldn’t kiss her again out of his mind. “I can’t possibly do that to a sweet old lady.”
She puckered her lips. “In that case, thank you. From me and my mom.” The sparkle returned to her dazzling blue eyes. “But I warn you. I’m not paying you a dime of alimony in the divorce, and you can forget about getting any part of my business.”
The woman always knew how to brighten his mood. He chuckled as he threw his napkin on the table. “Then you’ve got a fight on your hands, my dear wife.”
She turned her chair a little away from him and crossed her legs, giving him the best view in the place. Too bad that his desire for her hadn’t relented even one iota.
He had a feeling they’d set off fireworks in bed. But it was a moot point. They’d never make love, because as much as he yearned to, he wasn’t even going to kiss her again. The temptation to keep going would be too difficult to resist.
After he’d taken care of the bill, he rounded the table and offered Lucy his hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
She met his gaze with interest. He breathed in her feminine scent, which had grown muskier since earlier in the evening. Yes, it was desire he smelled, more intoxicating than wine. And with Lucy, a lot more dangerous. They headed to his car, not speaking a word. When he opened her door, she brushed past him, letting him feel her heat.
Carnal need pumped through him. After a moment to rein in his desire, he circled the car and got behind the wheel.
“It’s a beautiful, clear night.” Her voice had grown breathy and a little shaky. “Are you up for an adventure? I know a way into one of the city high-rises where you can actually sneak up onto the roof and walk along the ledge. It’s a great view of South Beach and all the night clubs. You can even hear the beat of the Latin music from there.”
Something Caroline might have suggested. “Sounds like a wonderful way to fall to your death, too.”
Much as he knew he should take Lucy straight to her shop, he couldn’t resist the opportunity to spend more time with her. “There’s a nature preserve up the road. Great view, but a lot safer. Want to see it?” He slid her a sideways glance.
“I’d love to.”
He turned in to the park and found a secluded spot overlooking the beach. When he lowered the windows, the salty scent of the ocean and the sound of waves lapping the shore filled the air.
Lucy lifted the armrest between them and moved toward him, surprising him. Was the reason her aversion to water? Or did she merely want to get nearer to him? The latter made it even more difficult to resist her pull. “Would you rather go somewhere else?”
“No, this is fine.” But she burrowed deeper against him. “We’ll have to appear comfortable sitting close together in front of Aunt Bev.”
“Aunt Bev, of course.” Yet he sensed it was more. “Is being near the ocean scaring you?” His teeth automatically clenched when he thought about her jackass father almost letting her drown.
Shrugging, she remained silent.
He held her tight. “Nothing will hurt you. Not while you’re with me.” But having her so close was pure torture, since he couldn’t act upon his arousal.
“What a good husband.” She gazed up at him and smiled. “The moon looks so big and bright over the water.”
Perfect for romance. The longer they remained cuddled against each other, the harder things grew. Literally. He shifted in his seat, had to put some space between them or he’d give in to temptation. “Let’s walk.”
Without waiting for her reply, he exited the car and came around to open her door, then took her hand to help her out. “There’s a path that borders the woods on one side and the dunes on the other. Can’t even see the water from there.”
She squeezed his hand. “Perfect. That’s very thoughtful. Thank you.”
As they started along the path, another couple passed them going the opposite direction, but he didn’t see anyone else around.
The woman he’d been dreaming about was at his side, wanting to kiss him. How the hell was he supposed to resist? But did he really have to?
It was only a kiss. They’d have to do this sort of thing at the inn over the weekend. It didn’t have to lead to anything more dangerous. He stopped walking when they reached a fountain and drew her against him. Brushing his lips over hers, he threaded his fingers through her silky hair, then deepened the kiss.
She opened to him, invited him inside.
He feasted upon her tongue and swallowed her soft moan. How many times had he dreamed of this? And more. Of peeling away her sexy clothes and making love to her?
But all too soon, she centered a hand on his chest and gave him a gentle shove away. “M-maybe we’ve practiced enough.”
Now that he’d had a taste, he craved more. He stroked his thumb over her cheek. “You’re an interesting contradiction, Lucy. Your clothes are extremely provocative. Everything about you exudes sex. But you seem to work at closing yourself off.”
He felt her stiffen, but she didn’t say anything.
Maybe he should have kept his observations to himself, but he wanted to get to know her on a deeper level. Opening up to him about her fear of drowning was probably a huge step for her. But the last thing he aimed to do was make her uncomfortable. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”
Hooking her arm through his, she started walking again. “It’s okay. I’m just…a loner. Always have been, always will be.”
“Sounds lonely.”
She shook her head. “Don’t go playing armchair psychologist on me, okay? I’m just fiercely independent, that’s all. No deep scars or anything.”
“Whatever you say.” He doubted that was the whole story, but he let it go. “Tell me something about you that your husband would know.”
She gave him that lovely smile. “Okay. I passionately believe women should wear beautiful, well-fitting lingerie, which is why my business is successful.”
And why she always looked so incredibly hot. “Can I ask you something personal?”
She laughed, a musical sound that always lifted his mood. “I thought that was what you’ve been doing all evening.”
“I’m curious. Do you personally try on every style of underwear you sell at your store?” He couldn’t help himself as he imagined what she’d look like in a skimpy bra and g-string.
Another laugh. “Why do you want to know?”
Because I want my own private fashion show.
His pulse pounded. Had he really believed he coul
d have been satisfied merely with tasting her mouth? But he had to be. He stuffed his hands into his pockets.
Despite his attempts to ignore their growing desire, it wasn’t to be. Lucy stared up at him with those big, gorgeous eyes. She parted her lips, and her gaze fell to his mouth.
Damn it. All his resolve dissipated in the salty sea air.
Now could be his one and only shot at making love to her, of getting Lucy out of his system once and for all before the merger went through and she was off-limits forever.
Grasping her arms, he pulled her against him, let her feel what she did to him, how much she turned him on as he pressed his mouth to hers. She tasted of red wine. And passion. “I think we need more practice. Acting like husband and wife.”
Lit only by the moonlight, her cheeks colored as she grinned up at him. “Work, work, work. I suppose you’re right. Let’s go back to your car and get comfy.”
They quickened their steps and made it back to where he’d parked in a few short minutes. When they got inside, she slid across the seat toward him and hooked her hands behind his neck. She took off his glasses and dropped them onto the dash. Their gazes collided, and her breath caught. “Before we met in person I had this picture of you in my head. I figured you were short, balding, maybe with a comb-over, and a deep, sexy voice that totally didn’t match your looks. Never in a million years did I expect my accountant to be so…hot.”
Sliding his hands up and down her sides, he felt her shudder. “I didn’t have to meet you in person to know you’d be pretty. Hell, I’d already ascertained that you were sexy from our conversations. Witty and smart. It stood to reason that you’d be the whole package.” He ached with need.
She gave him that amazing smile again. “The whole package, huh? You say the nicest things.”
“It’s true.”
“Good thing we took your car. This would be really awkward on my bike.” She nipped his ear.
Checking out the view of her deep cleavage, he inwardly sighed. All his blood headed south. “I have a picnic blanket in the trunk. We could find a spot in the woods.”
“You want to make out in public? Right out in the open?” She laughed and shook her head. “I had no idea you were such a rule breaker, Dex. What happened to the Boy Scout? You’ve got that Clark Kent vibe on your professional side. Maybe a little Superman under the hood, hmm?”
He wanted to do more than make out, as she put it. Damn it. His whole life he’d done everything he was supposed to. Growing up, he’d made good grades and stayed out of trouble. Then he’d joined the service for the GI bill to save his parents from having to pay for his college and grad school. But he was through denying himself when it came to Lucy. Only this once, just for tonight, he had to have her. “Or we could…go to my place.”
She immediately backed away and shook her head. “If you’re asking what I think you are, I’m not sure that’s wise.”
The Marine in him refused to give up that easily. “Ever had eggs Benedict in bed? Act now, and we’ll include bananas Foster for dessert.”
Threading her fingers through his, she sighed. “Sounds romantic, but probably not a good idea.”
His gut clenched. The atmosphere grew cool as midnight.
She cupped his cheek for a moment. “We haven’t known each other long, but I like our working relationship and the friendship we’ve established with it. And it would kill me if things got weird between us. I don’t do the relationship thing.” She dropped her gaze. “Sorry, I never should have let the whole practicing-to-play-married-people thing go so far. After this is all over, I want to know that things will still be cool between us, like the way they were before.”
Rationally, he knew that keeping a lid on his attraction was the prudent thing to do. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t disappointed as hell. Not to mention that he was now in need of a cold shower.
She squeezed his hand. “I think you should take me back to my shop.”
Not much of a consolation. He couldn’t bring himself to say much on the way as she chattered about a new movie that was coming out soon, which he suspected she was merely doing to fill the slightly uncomfortable space between them.
He parked next to her bike. “I’ll follow you back to your place, to make sure you get home safely.”
“That’s not necessary.” She opened her door.
“I want to.” He came around to her side and helped her out.
“Are we okay?”
He managed a smile. “’Course we are.”
She hugged him tightly, which only reminded him how much he still desired her, that he wasn’t ready to give up. After a few seconds, he held her at arms’ length. “We’ll play a better married couple than any of the real husbands and wives at the wedding.”
Her brow furrowed. “Aunt Bev is quite perceptive. I pray she buys it. Goodnight, Dex.”
He couldn’t help but watch the sway of her backside as she strode toward her bike. Lucy was different from any other woman he’d known, a thousand times more interesting and enticing. Spending three days—and three whole nights—with her without touching her was going to test his muster.
Unless…
She was obviously attracted to him as he was to her. Maybe he could convince her that in the name of realism, and not driving themselves crazy with longing, they should sleep together, just for their time at the inn.
Sure, he was only half serious, but being around her without touching her could send him over the edge. Then again, he was a Marine, always up for a challenge. He thought about his favorite USMC motto.
Improvise, adapt, overcome.
…
Half an hour later, Lucy dropped the Ninja in the covered parking area at her condo complex as Dex waited. Then she got into his car. “I’m around the corner to the left. Number 4-A.”
She seldom brought guys to her place. Too tough to make them leave when she wanted her space. But Dex had insisted on following her home from the store, and to tell the truth, she hadn’t protested much, even if it made her look like a helpless little girl in the big, bad city.
It wasn’t the city she feared, but Dex. He was sweet and interesting and totally anal about a lot of the same things that her father had been. Yet she felt an attraction for him that was all new to her, unlike anything she’d experienced with other men. And the notion frightened the hell out of her, as if she were crossing a shaky bridge during an earthquake.
“The second door,” she told him. Normally she didn’t care if people saw her condo, but Dex’s head would probably fly off if he glimpsed the complete chaos inside, with clothes and accessories and makeup everywhere. Not that she was going to let him in. Hell no.
He shut off the car and came around to her side—probably to walk her to the door, damn gentleman that he was—before she’d unbuckled her seatbelt. Damn. Now she couldn’t hurry out of the car with a wave and a thank you, as she’d planned.
When she opened the passenger door, his gaze tracked down her legs. Goose bumps spread over her skin even though the outside air was warm and Florida-summer humid. Instead of accepting the hand he offered, she stood unassisted. “Well, good-night. I’ll see you Friday morning.”
He skimmed his fingertips along her arm, and just that small touch was enough to stop her in her tracks. “You sure we don’t need to do any more…practice?”
She licked her lips. Way too tempting.
Swallowing back a lump in her throat, she shook her head. “We shouldn’t.”
He frowned. “Okay, but I want you to know that I enjoyed it. A lot.”
She gulped. “Dex, I—” She looked into his eyes and abruptly swallowed her half-hearted protest.
He touched a finger to her lips, which not only stopped her from speaking, it also ramped up her arousal.
Taking her head in his hands, he drew her to him and kissed her. No, it wasn’t a kiss so much as an appetizer, a teaser promising a gourmet feast.
He sucked on her tongue, explored and plund
ered, leaving her breathless and panting. When he finally broke away, he slid his hands down her arms and mated his fingers with hers. “Just practicing. For authenticity, remember? You’re the one who said that your aunt would get suspicious if we don’t appear genuine.”
She could hardly breathe. “Th-that’s true.” Geez, he had her tongue, and her brain, tied up in knots.
He kissed her again. Holy cow. If Clark Kent had done Lois Lane like that, it wouldn’t have been a G-rated affair. Luckily he had her pinned against the wall or she’d have collapsed. The man left her weak in the knees.
“We’ll give your aunt a convincing show. Like this.” He nibbled on her neck and raked his teeth over her earlobe.
She shivered with pleasure. But the very notion made her tremble. Just because he knew how to turn her on like the romantic lead of a blockbuster movie was no reason for her to let her guard down. In fact, his effect on her gave her all the more reason to redouble her fortifications.
She backed away and cleared her throat, trying to get a hold of her emotions, and her libido, which had ramped up to warp speed.
But once before, she’d mistakenly fallen for a man with too many similarities to her father. At first, Richard had been sweet. He’d never berated her for not doing something his way until they’d been together for months. Yet she’d foolishly believed she could change him and make him right for her, somehow conquer the demons from her childhood. Didn’t have to be a shrink to figure that one out.
She wouldn’t make a stupid mistake like that again. “Um, I’ll let you know the details of the wedding. Thanks again for seeing me home.” With that, she extricated herself and shut the door on him. Setting her hand on her chest, she waited for her heart to slow down.
He was right about them having to be more convincing for Aunt Bev. Especially after Lucy had glimpsed doubt in her eyes at the rehearsal dinner. But what if Lucy let her emotions get into the act? And fell for a man who was a hundred percent wrong for her?
The Surrogate Husband Page 7