by Stark, Cindy
She kept her gaze pinned to his, and he could feel her tugging at his emotions. "It doesn't have to be complicated."
"You sure about that?" He laughed then to break the tension because at the moment, he was positive his dick was functioning at a higher level than his brain. "In my experience, the more two people are together, the more convoluted things become. I learned that the hard way with my last girlfriend."
She started walking again, and he fell in beside her. "What happened?" Concern settled on her face. "If you don't mind talking about it, that is."
He didn't know if he minded or not. Up until that point, he hadn't said much about it to anyone, not even his sister. "Our relationship lasted off and on for almost two years. We didn't want kids, so there was no reason to get married. Should have been an easy relationship, right? I found out the opposite was true when she left me for another guy. They married after dating for a month." He shrugged, trying to pretend it didn't hurt. "One month. Guess I waited too long, huh?"
"Did you love her?"
Good question. "I don't know. I must have. I stuck with her for two years."
"That doesn't mean you love someone. I was with my ex for sixteen years. I'm not sure he ever loved me."
"Did you love him?"
She blew out a breath. "I did. At first, anyway. I'd married him expecting we'd raise a family and grow old together. You know the fairytale, the happily-ever-after." She looked up at him, a sad expression on her face. "He had other ideas. He wanted someone to control, someone to push around, someone to cater to his whims." He could hear the pain hiding between her words.
Joe swallowed. "Did he hurt you?" He wasn't sure he could handle the idea of someone being cruel to Elena.
She shrugged. "Not so much."
"What the hell does that mean?" Either the bastard did or he didn't.
"He smacked me a couple of times. Mostly, it was emotional abuse, though." She paused. "Sometimes that's worse. People don't see the scars, so it's easier for them to pretend they don't exist. A woman leaving for emotional reasons doesn't always find a lot of support."
He exhaled a weighty breath. "I'm sorry." He didn't know what else to say.
She smiled, adding a little bounce to her step. "It's done. It took me a few years, but I finally found the courage to leave. Things are much better now." She squeezed his hand. "And now you can see why I'm not looking for complicated, either."
Out of the two of them, she certainly had stronger reasons to be leery of jumping into another relationship. No wonder she attracted him. "So where do we go from here?"
A wicked glint formed in her eye. "Wherever we want. No commitments, no obligations. I'm only interested in glorious sun-filled days and sultry nights."
That was exactly what he'd come to Cabo for. "Can I play, too?" He grinned, and she matched it.
"Absolutely."
One more thing. "Promise you won't leave without saying goodbye tomorrow morning?" That would be his job. Despite the fact that he felt a whole lot better about being with Elena, he still had a point to prove.
She looked properly chastised even though that hadn't been the reason he'd brought it up. "Sorry about that."
He lifted his brow higher, loving the way she nipped her bottom lip. He'd let her off the hook in a minute, and then he'd take her in his arms and kiss her like there was no tomorrow. Which, of course, for them was true. "Forget about it. We're in Mexico. No one has expectations around here."
They both laughed, and a weight lifted from Joe's shoulders. He liked the idea of hanging out with her for a while longer. No strings, no worries. Just fun. "Are you up for a moonlight sail?"
"Really?" Her face lit up. "Tonight? As in being out on open water at night?"
"Scared?" he teased.
"I don't know." She laughed. "Alone, in the dark, with you? What could possibly happen?"
CHAPTER EIGHT
In less than fifteen minutes, Elena had packed an overnight bag, left a message for Mercedes that she may or may not get, depending on if she bothered to come home, and met Joe at their designated spot. A short while later, they pulled out of the marina. Never in a million years would she have believed she could leave her inhibitions behind and accept what came her way solely for the pleasure of it, responsibilities be damned.
She sat in the same chair that she had earlier that day, watching Joe maneuver them out into open water. His dark hair curled over the top of his collar, and for the moment, Elena stifled the urge to drag her fingers through it.
He had nice legs, she thought, enjoying the view of his body while his attention was on the water. Strong, muscular. A nice behind, too. Her body hummed with remembrance. When they'd made love, he'd fit her perfectly. Even though they'd been strangers, there had been nothing awkward between them, which had surprised her. He was hotter than a jalapeno, and hers for at least one more night. She allowed herself a moment to appreciate the anticipation of what the next few hours would bring.
She moved her gaze higher and found herself staring into a pair of the sexiest eyes she'd ever seen. Oops. She sucked in a quick, excited breath. He wasn't concentrating on steering the boat any longer, and she felt like a bandito caught with stolen goods.
"Stop that." His words rumbled out in a deep timbre, radiating a shiver through her body.
"What?" How obvious had she been?
He flicked a quick glance between her and the ocean ahead. "I can't focus on getting us to open water while you're undressing me with your eyes."
"How do you know what I'm thinking?"
"Because that's what I've been doing to you since the moment I first saw you. Now get over here."
Interested, Elena got to her feet, unsure of what he intended to do while the boat was in motion. When she was near enough, he tugged her into position in front of him, her back against his chest, and trapped her between his arms and the wheel.
Not a bad place to be. His scent reminded her of cool ocean breezes on a warm summer morning, encouraging her to breathe deeper. She leaned against him, loving the feel of him next to her.
"Have you ever captained a boat before?" he asked, his breath warm against her ear. He lifted her hands and placed them on the wheel, resting his on top of hers.
"No." She gave a nervous chuckle. "And I'm not sure I should start now." The wheel moved slightly in her hand from the current of the water. Out ahead of her, moonlight sparkled on the ocean, lights from the front of the boat illuminating their way.
"Just hang on to the wheel and keep us pointed straight ahead. Whatever you do, don't let go. You'll be fine." He removed his hands, running them up her arms, over her shoulders and down to her waist. "Mmm…" He pushed aside her hair and kissed the crook of her neck, sending shivers to her core. Then he stepped back, and she missed him immediately.
She wanted to turn to look at him, but didn't dare take her eyes off the water. "Wait. Where are you going? I can't drive this." A small panic flared inside her.
"Sweetheart, you aren't driving. You pilot a boat. Just keep us pointed straight ahead, and I'll be right back. There's nothing on the radar in front of us, so don't worry about hitting anything. I need to check something."
Elena listened to his footsteps as he walked away. She glanced quickly behind her to see if he'd really deserted her. Oh, Lord. He had. She refocused on the water, trying to keep the moon at the same point in the sky. What was the man thinking, letting her pilot?
She listened for any sign of him and heard nothing but the steady hum of the boat's engine. This was crazy. She released a nervous breath, a splinter of excitement replacing it.
She was driving…er, piloting a boat. Not a little boat, either. Elena allowed herself a smile. She was piloting an amazingly attractive man's big boat at night in the Sea of Cortez. If someone had told her a year ago that she'd be doing this, she never would have believed it. Damn if she wasn't living again. At least for the moment.
Her phone let out a muffled tune from inside her purse
, startling her. Shoot. She kept one hand on the wheel, her eye on the dark horizon as she tried to grab her purse. Of course, it was just out of reach, and she didn't dare let go of the wheel.
A second later, Joe returned. Hearing the ringing, he handed the purse to her and took the wheel.
"Thank you." She moved out of his way.
"Don't go too far," he murmured.
"Hello?" Elena smiled when she saw that it was Cassie calling.
"Hi, Mom. How's your trip?"
"I'm having a great time, honey." Her daughter would be shocked at what she'd done the previous night. Elena glanced at Joe who watched her with dreamy brown eyes that melted her insides. Cassie would be even more shocked at what she intended to do again, later on. "It's beautiful down here. How's everything at the shop?"
"It's okay, but…"
A telling silence crept across the line, bringing along a tinge of anxiety. "What is it?" Though her nineteen-year-old daughter was more than capable of running the flower shop for a few days, Elena still worried. "Is everything okay there?"
"Yes, it's fine. It's just Dad."
What had he done now?
Cassie sighed. "Dad's giving me crap again about staying at Berkeley. He set up an appointment for me to meet with the head of the business department at Stanford without even asking me. Stanford, can you believe it? He knows I don't want to go there. He knows that I want a degree in art, not some stuffy business degree like he has. Just because he graduated from Stanford, doesn't mean I have to. I want to stay at Berkeley with Jacki."
Now it was Elena's turn to sigh. The drama of being nineteen. She wasn't surprised that Richard had contacted the business department on Cassie's behalf. Control was his middle name. Unfortunately, her daughter had not been able to escape his dominating ways like Elena had. "Honey, don't worry. You don't have to go to Stanford. He can complain, loudly if he wants, but you're in charge of your future. Don't forget that."
She wished she'd had someone to tell her the same thing years ago, when she first realized she'd married a dictator, but her mother had been a meek lady, completely awed by Richard's suave and wealthy ways. Just like she, herself, had been at first.
"But, Mom, you know he controls the money, and therefore, me."
"No, Cassie, he only thinks he does. If you want to stay at Berkeley, then you'll stay at Berkeley. We'll manage. Don't let him bully you. This is your life." Elena released a breath, trying to calm her nerves. Her ex-husband always had a way of making her feel cornered.
"Okay." Her daughter sighed again. "But you know he's not going to like it."
"That's his problem." Elena shifted a glance at Joe, wondering what he thought of her conversation. "How are things at the shop?"
"Fine, but Dad's mad about that, too."
He really couldn't stand her success, could he? "What do you mean?"
"I told him I was holding down the fort while you were gone, and he freaked. He said it was bad enough his wife was behaving like the hired help, but he wouldn't have me doing it, too. I don't know what his problem is. I told him about you getting the contract for the mayor's re-election ball, thinking that would make him happy to know you were still hanging around his friends, but it just pissed him off worse. I'm sorry."
She groaned inwardly, not wanting to share her frustration with Cassie. The arrogant asshole. When would it sink in that he no longer had any say where she was concerned? Just because he had money, did not make him God. "Don't you worry about that, either. He doesn't get to say what either of us do." And that's ex-wife, thank you very much. "Let me call you tomorrow when I get back to my room."
"Okay…wait. You're not there now?" She paused. "And you won't be back until tomorrow?"
Elena froze as her mind scrambled.
"Then where are you, Mom?"
Uh-oh. "I am, um, out and won't be back until later. I don't want to keep you up waiting."
"Really?" Elena could hear the smile in her daughter's voice. "At a club, or what?"
"Yes, and I don't plan on being back until late."
"Hmm…it sounds pretty quiet for a club." Her daughter hesitated. "Are you with someone? Someone besides Mercedes?"
Elena's gaze jumped to Joe. "What? No." Joe beckoned with his finger, and she shook her head. "Why would you say that?"
"I don't know. I guess I was hoping you'd find someone cute to hang out with."
Elena smiled. If Cassie only knew. "I don't think that will be happening, and if it did, I doubt I'd tell you."
"Yeah, sure, Mom. Whatever. Call me tomorrow."
Elena clicked off the phone, a tinge of guilt pricking her because she'd lied to her daughter. But what was she supposed to do, confess her sins?
"Problem?" Joe raised an eyebrow. "Anything I can help with?"
"No." She swallowed some beer, not sure if she wanted to discuss her life with Joe or not. When she stopped to think about it, it kind of shocked her that she'd already revealed so much information to a stranger. Or maybe that's why she'd done it. It was easier to talk to someone who knew nothing about her.
"That was my daughter, Cassie. She's having problems with her father. He wants to control everything, always has, but I'm happy to say that she's got enough fight in her to stand her ground."
"Good for her." He beckoned again and smiled. "Come here."
Some of her tension eased as she walked toward him, and a feeling of excitement took its place. "What?"
"Just come here. I want to be able to touch you." He tucked her in front of him again, turning over the piloting to her.
She took the wheel, feeling the vibration of the engine, still surprised that he'd allow her to control his boat. She was even more surprised by how much she liked it.
He stood behind her, his hands warm on her shoulders. As he sunk his thumbs into her flesh, massaging her muscles, the rest of her stress fizzled away.
"Is Cassie an only child?"
"Yes. She's attending Berkeley this semester, and she wants to earn her art degree. Her father doesn't believe an art degree has any value. He wants her to go into business. To follow in his footsteps, so to speak."
"That's tough. It's hard when someone is pushing you to do something you don't want to do."
"You understand." Elena nodded. "He's gone so far as to set up an interview with the head of business at Stanford." Another point of contention to add to the list.
"And she's balking."
"You bet your sweet ass, she is."
Joe chuckled, and Elena looked over her shoulder to find him grinning at her. "What's so funny?"
"You, saying 'sweet ass'."
She blinked back her surprise. "I'll have you know that my family tree has roots in some questionable dirt, so it's within my breeding to say sweet ass whenever I feel like it."
"Hey," Joe started massaging her shoulders again. "I don't have a problem with it. In fact, I kind of like seeing you a little feisty."
"Feisty, huh?" She gave a derisive chuckle. She'd like to let go a string of curses directed at her ex, if the truth were known. "You know, it doesn't matter how hard I try not to let him upset me, sometimes he can irk me just by breathing."
Joe slid the strap of her tank top off her shoulder and placed a soft kiss on her skin. "How about if I un-irk you?" He moved his lips to the sensitive area under her ear.
"You're going to make me wreck your boat." It was difficult enough to concentrate with him standing nearby, let alone while he fanned her flames like the Santa Ana winds.
"There's nothing out there but ocean."
"It won't matter. Eventually, I'll hit Russia or something." She wiggled a bit to discourage him.
"Fine. I'll leave you alone until we stop." He stepped away, leaning against the side window. He might have taken his hands off her, but the effect of his gaze was almost tangible. She shivered under the sexual scrutiny.
"Tell me about your shop."
For not wanting to divulge any details, she sure was giving out plent
y of information. But it felt great to talk to someone about the things she loved, and it kept her mind on piloting and not on running her fingers over his bare skin. "I own a floral shop back in California. In Carmel." There. She'd trusted him enough to give more personal information, and it hadn't hurt her a bit.
"Oh. Carmel." He nodded. "Next door to where I grew up in Santa Cruz. And you didn't say anything last night when we talked about it, because…" He raised an expectant eyebrow, and then she saw the realization dawn on his face. "Because you had no intention of taking it further than one night. No baggage, right?"
She smiled. "Something like that. I didn't know you very well, and I—"
"You knew me well enough to sleep with me." He grinned, and a warm flush rolled up her face.
"I did, didn't I?" She shifted her weight to one foot. "Well, that's not something I typically do." She wanted to ask him if he behaved similarly, but it was most likely an answer she didn't want to hear.
He stepped toward her, turning her chin and looking directly in her eyes. "I made you blush." He smiled and planted his lips against hers, giving her a mouth-watering kiss. "Better hand over the wheel now. We're almost there."
She looked out into the dark night as she stepped aside, seeing nothing but black water ahead of them. "How would you know that? I can't see anything out there."
"Oh, I know, sweetheart. I know exactly where I'm taking you, and exactly what we're going to do." He removed one hand and wrapped it around her waist, pulling her close to him. The top of his thumb brushed the underside of her breast as he held her.
She froze, waiting for him to become more intimate, waiting for him to seek bare skin. He didn't. He held his hand still and all her thoughts became focused on that one spot, that one connection between them.
He turned the wheel slightly, adjusting their course. He bent his head close to her ear, his breath warm against her skin. "See that point out there ahead of us?"