“No!” she sputtered. His mouth came down on hers hard, making her incapable of speech. His leg was moving between hers and if she didn’t cling to him, she would have tripped.
He gentled the kiss, but didn’t let her mouth go. It was sweet, tasting of champagne and strawberries, and for now she wasn’t fighting him. He was tired of fighting too. He just wanted…everything.
* * *
Taylor sighed with pleasure. They were kissing on the starry-lit grassy dance area, in front of guests, her family, beneath the moon and the stars. It felt so right, so good, so magical. His arms held her like a safe anchor where she could dip and twirl and be more than herself, and he’d be there to keep her from harm.
Maybe it was too much champagne, but she let herself relax in his arms, and allowed him to guide her though the moves. He was a wonderful dancer—another surprise. It was as if a more sophisticated Colton Travis had come out to play. Dressed in his new suit, he was self-assured, polished, exciting in ways that the hunky shirtless, self-deprecating guy she knew was not. Although that Colt got under her skin too.
She looked at his face in the moonlight, and her breath caught. The sharp angles of his face, his full mouth, blue eyes and fair hair made her weak-kneed with want. He looked so impossibly handsome. Swoon worthy, but of course, she was not a swooning kind of girl.
No sirree! She pulled herself upright, and took a step back evaluating what to do next. Put an end to this nonsense, or for once in her practical life allow the emotions swirling inside of her to guide her.
“What are you thinking?” he asked with caution. “I prefer when you don’t think.”
She laughed. “I bet you do.” Her eyes roamed over his face. “You look incredible. Like The Gatsby. That’s what I was thinking.”
“Hmm. Okay, you can think some more.”
“Really? I have permission?”
“If you’re going to get cheeky about it, then no.” He pulled her up close again. “Just think about us, and how good I can make you feel.”
“That’s the worst thing I should think about.” Her steps faltered. “I want to think about the moon and the stars, and the beautiful wedding—and the fact that my sister is so very happy, and so dearly loved.”
“Okay. I’m good with that.” His hand was warm on her back, sliding up and down, making her feel very…very unpractical.
“Now you’re telling me what I can think.”
He smiled, not taking offense. “No. I’m just happy you’re having good thoughts.”
“I guess that’s okay then.” She snuggled up to him. “Could we maybe go for a walk on the beach? I’d like to kick these heels off. They’re starting to pinch.”
“Let’s go.” He took her hand and they left the music behind and strolled down toward the sand. Just before the mangroves, he bent down to remove her shoes, and then before she knew what he was doing, he picked her up in his arms and carried her across to the other side.
“Are you crazy?” she asked, laughing and clinging to him.
“Not yet,” he replied, sliding her down his body, and taking possession of her mouth. “But I’m going to be.”
“Crazy good, or crazy bad?”
“How about wickedly wonderful?” he said, dimples flashing.
“You are different tonight.”
“In a good way?”
“Uh-huh. I think so.”
“Fine. Anyway you want me, you’ve got me.”
Then they were kissing again. The walk on the beach didn’t seem as important as his mouth on hers. The warmth of his body made her feel achingly hot. So hot. So needy.
Her tongue delved inside his mouth, eager to taste and explore and know the essence of him. She knew a lot about Colton Travis, but not like this. He was different. Exciting. Confident in ways she’d never known him to be before.
She knew where all this kissing would lead, but for once, one night, she wanted to forget her fears, and just go for it. If there was the slightest chance to have the same happiness as Kayla, she had to take a risk. She had to try.
Instead of being ruled by common sense, she wanted to feel emotions that she’d never felt before. Not with Jack, or with her New York live-in boyfriend—not with anyone.
Colt wanted the same thing she did. Passion. Passion in Paradise, and she intended to give it to him before she convinced herself otherwise. She didn’t want to stop! She didn’t want to think! She wanted to toss the dice and make love to this beautiful man, and deal with it later if the gamble didn’t pay off.
“Come on!” She tugged at his arm.
“Where are we going?” He swung her shoes in his hands as he followed her along.
“Your boat. It’s waiting, isn’t it?”
“My boat’s been waiting a long, long time.” He shot her a look. “You’re sure about this?”
“As sure as I’ll ever be. And you should know better than to ask. Don’t let my head get involved, and we should have a very nice time.”
He laughed. “I don’t want to make love to your head. It’s your body, your gorgeous sexy body that’s been driving me crazy. The things I want to do with you…”
She wavered for half a sec. Visions of what he had done, and would do again darn near scared her. The intensity of their love making was nothing to trifle with. She knew after tonight she might never recover.
“Yes.” She released a long, shaky breath. “Colt. I want it too.”
“I’ve waited a long time to hear that.”
“Then let’s go.” She hiked her long dress up to her thighs and gave him a teasing look. “Race you there.” She was off and running and heard his footsteps right behind. She was racing toward something unknown. A new day when she could stop worrying so much about the future that she missed out on the present. Accept the here and now, and find happiness in the moment.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
They reached his Hatteras, puffing and sucking in wind. “You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah.” Laughing, she lifted her heavy hair from her damp neck and fanned her face. “I’m such a tomboy,” she confessed. “Just can’t help myself.”
He glanced at her flushed face, heaving chest, and the perspiration shining on her skin. Drops of moisture slowly slid down her neck and into her bra, and his tongue longed to follow. He pulled her into his arms. “Tomboy or not, you’re the hottest girl I’ve ever met. Even if you are feisty.”
“I’m not feisty.” She lifted her chin and frowned. “Maybe just a little bit.” She gave him a quick kiss. “So, are we going to stand here all night, or are you going to invite me on board?”
“Come on.” Grabbing her hand Colt helped her aboard, then unlocked the cabin door.
When he left the boat earlier this evening, he’d put some low lighting on in the event that Taylor would change her mind after their kiss on her porch step. He kept it dim, going for a romantic mood.
“This looks nice.” She glanced around the salon, at the white leather corner settee, the table top with an ice bucket and a chilled bottle of champagne. A bowl of strawberries sat next to the two fluted glasses. “You really did prepare for me.”
“I had high hopes.”
She turned around and slid up to him. She put her hands around his neck. “I have high hopes too,” she whispered, and kissed his neck. His hands slid around to her bottom, and he pulled her in close. He gave her a hungry kiss, she answered back. After a minute or two, she pulled away.
“Your boat suits you. Kind of elegant, you know?”
“Elegant?” He ran a hand over his chin. “Never thought I’d hear that word applied to me.”
“Surprised me too,” she admitted, her brown eyes flashing. “I’ve never seen you like you were tonight.”
“Because I was dressed? With a tie?”
“It was more than a suit.” She crossed her arms and leaned back against the counter. “It was how you held yourself, your demeanor. And the way you came on to me.”
“I always
come on to you.”
“No. Not like you did on the dance floor. You weren’t taking no for an answer, and I liked that.”
“No problem. I’ll assert my will from now on.”
She laughed. “Don’t get me wrong—I’m fond of the half-naked fisherman with great abs, but I caught a glimpse of the real you—a man who knows his worth. You looked like someone just as much at home in a yacht as you’d be conducting million dollar deals from a penthouse suite.”
The comparison stung. He knew she meant it as a compliment, but it hit too close to home. “I’m the same guy. Different suit.”
“You’ve never told me about your family. Your upbringing. I would like to know more about you, Colt.”
He grabbed the bottle of champagne. “Let’s have a toast and then you can get to know me a whole lot better—in bed.”
She blinked and dropped her hands to her sides. The mood was detouring downhill as she asked, “Do you mind me asking you questions?”
There would be no going forward if he didn’t answer at all, so he opted for honesty. “Not really, but I would rather do something besides talk about my past.” He put the bottle down and reached for her hand.
“Fair enough.” She let him tug her forward. “Maybe I can dig out some secrets after post-coital sex.”
He dragged her face close so he could kiss her mouth and shut her up. “Stop talking.” His lips moved against hers, and he cocked his head to take the kiss deeper. He heard her soft sigh and felt her body surrender.
His hands slid around her back, riding low, feeling the soft curves of her behind. “You want that champagne, or would you like to see my boudoir?”
She giggled and kissed his neck. “I’ve had enough to drink. Take me to bed before I change my mind.”
Colt quickly led the way to the master suite. Hoping for a miracle, he’d put clean sheets on the bed and filled a small fruit jar with some roses for the bedside table. She smiled when she saw them.
“You told me you had champagne and roses. How did you know I’d come? I wasn’t sure myself.”
“I didn’t.” He kissed her fingers. “But I hoped you might want me, too.”
“I do.” Her eyes were warm with appreciation. “This is so sweet and thoughtful.”
“Like you are.”
Her mouth trembled, and her skin turned pink. Damn but he loved that about her. Hell, he didn’t want her any more perfect than she already was.
“Can I help you off with that dress?” His hands were on her back zipper, and when she whispered, “Yes,” he slid it all the way down. He bent and lifted her feet, one at a time, then flung the dress over a chair.
She stood before him in a pushup bra and matching silk underwear and he grabbed the back of the chair, his body on fire. “God, Taylor. You are so beautiful.”
Holding his gaze, she undid the back of her bra and let it fall. His heart thumped.
“Hurry,” she whispered.
Not needing further encouragement, he unbuttoned his shirt and flung it aside. When he undid his belt buckle she jumped into bed, her eyes glowing in the dark. “Hot damn, Colt. But you’re beautiful too.”
He dropped his pants, and peeled down his boxer shorts. He was already hard and swollen, and he heard the sweet sound of her gasp. He fumbled for a condom from the top drawer next to the bed and slid it on. He ripped the sheet off of her and lay down, taking her into his arms.
They kissed for a long, long time, until her kisses became more heated, and she started moving against him. He suckled her breasts, teasing the nipples into perky rosebuds. She let out a whimper of pleasure, and he kept that up until she squirmed, placing a leg over his.
“Don’t tease me any longer, Colt. I can’t stand another minute.”
He slid his hand into her panties and found that she was hot and wet. In a quick movement he had her underwear off, and was on his knees, straddling her. He gave her deep throated kisses that had them both groaning and arching toward one another. Their bodies were slick with sweat and heavy with desire.
A second later she took him in her hand and guided him home.
He continued to kiss her even while he was buried inside. His tongue made love with hers, matching the motion of his hips as he thrust deep, then receded, going back again and again and again.
He built her up slowly, caressing her breasts, nibbling on her neck and shoulder. Then he flipped them so she was the one on top. He let her set the rhythm, keeping his hands on her hips to guide her and slow her down when needed.
* * *
She collapsed on top of him, panting, her head resting on his chest. He caressed her hair and kissed the top of her head. His hand stroked her back, and she could feel the rise and fall of his chest, as they both tried to recapture their breath.
She didn’t think she could ever move again. He had sucked every ounce of strength that she had. “I’m just going to lie here forever,” she whispered. “Is that okay?”
She felt the ripples of his laughter. “Help yourself. I’m not going anywhere. Jamie’s with his mom, and I’ve got all night.”
“You don’t understand. I mean forever. I feel like a sponge. Boneless.”
“I feel a bone,” he said, stroking her ribs. “And another one. Can I kiss it?”
“As long as you don’t have to move.”
He flipped her over before she knew what was happening, and he was back on top. Kneeling beside her. She looked into his smiling blue eyes. “I’m not done with you yet,” he said and dropped his head to nuzzle her stomach.
“I can’t move,” she said, giggling as it tickled.
“Just stay still. I’ll do all the work.”
“You’ve got to be joking. We’re good. More than good. We’re depleted. Aren’t we?”
“Not even close. That was only a warm-up.”
“Seriously. How can you have such stamina?”
He gave a wicked grin. “I haven’t done half the things I plan to do to you. Lay back and enjoy it.”
“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“When it comes to pleasing you, I am.”
“Oh, Colt. That’s so sweet.”
Then his head went lower, and she convulsed when his mouth found her sweet spot. She stopped talking. She stopped moving. She stopped breathing. Colt was right about everything—he did know what she liked, more than she’d known herself.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Taylor must have fallen asleep because when she woke up, she was still wrapped in Colt’s arms. The sky was dark and the stars were out. How long she’d slept she had no idea. Colt snored softly beside her. He looked so endearing, all rumpled, and sexually sated.
As he damn well should! She’d never known anyone so inventive. She’d always thought sex was two dimensional. On top or on the bottom. But Colt had thrown that theory out the window—finding numerous new positions in which to enjoy her better.
Not that she was complaining. Heck no! She’d never felt so well loved, so appreciated and desirable. He’d made her feel like something special, and his appetite had been insatiable. Taylor had never thought of herself as the type of woman that a man couldn’t get enough of. But Colt had been like a man starving—afraid that this might be his last meal.
Hearing a soft snore and a whimper, she felt a tug inside of her. Knowing she shouldn’t, she brushed the back of her fingers against his cheek. She didn’t want to wake or arouse him—he needed his sleep. He had to take Sean’s family out fishing in a few hours. She only wanted to touch him a little more before she left.
It was true that women, most anyway, couldn’t have casual sex without their feelings getting involved. Her heart felt like it was bursting out of her chest. She didn’t expect him to feel the same way. He’d wanted to get laid and he’d been laid good. She didn’t regret it. Matter-of-fact, she wanted to do it again.
Call her foolish, but maybe there might be a slight chance for them after all.
The sheet was only bare
ly covering him so she took another minute to feast her eyes. She already knew what his chest looked like since he paraded around half naked most of the time. She could practically name every rib he possessed, possibly every ripple in those delectable abs too. Her eyes were not used to feasting on the slim hips, the muscular legs, the tantalizing sight of…
Oh My! Was he hard again?
She felt her skin get prickly and knew she was getting turned on again. Sliding slowly, ever so carefully she crept to the edge of the bed. She had one leg out when she felt a hand grab her.
“Where are you going?”
“Home. I don’t want anyone to know.”
“They know. We were sucking face on the dance floor last night. And trust me, they don’t care.”
Her cheeks flamed. “I remember that, and you’re probably right, but I care. We shouldn’t have done that—not at the wedding. It was Kayla’s big night, and we kind of made a spectacle of ourselves.”
“I’m sure she’s very happy for us. Your mom too.” He ran a finger down her arm. “Get back in here. Before I tie you up.”
“What? You wouldn’t dare!”
“I might have to. Besides, that’s something new I haven’t tried.” He grinned. “Got a rope down here somewhere. You want me to blindfold you too?” He gave her a teasing smile, but she grabbed a pillow and tossed it at him.
“You’re incorrigible.”
He moved quickly, pulling her down on top of him. She felt the naked length of him, his arousal prodding her tummy. She tried to ignore it, but her body quickened with desire. She put a hand down and stroked him.
“Just one more hour.”
Again he took her, and pleasured her like no other man. When it was over, she clung to him and wept.
“Why are you crying?” he asked softly, brushing her hair off her damp cheeks.
“Because.”
“Because why? Did I do something wrong? Are you having second thoughts?”
“No, and no. You did everything right. So much so, that I’m not sure how I’m going to do without you.”
HOOKED ON YOU (Paradise Cove) Page 20