“Well it does add a certain excitement in the air, that’s for sure. Long as no one gets hurt, and the property is not damaged, then I’d say it livened up things around here.”
“Oh, Mom! Really? Do you know what it’s like to go through something like this? Have you any idea?”
“No, and neither do you.” Anna didn’t take any offense, just grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge for the ride to Key Largo. “We were very fortunate not to have been hit by Sandy. Those poor, poor people. I swear it broke my heart seeing what they had to live through. I’m not callous. I just try to make the best of a bad situation. I’m worried as much as the rest of you.”
Somehow Taylor doubted that. “Fine. I’m glad to see you have common sense. But please—let’s wait until this storm is over before we start celebrating, shall we?”
“Yes, dear. Well, I’m off to pick up Juanita and Meri. I’ll call you when we get to Kayla’s.” She kissed Taylor’s cheek, then put a hand on Colt’s arm. “Take care of my daughter, won’t you?”
“It will be my pleasure.” Colt winked at Taylor. “She’s in good hands.”
“I know that. And once you get all your work done, we hope to see you at Kayla’s. If not, stay tucked in here and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
With that last comment and a saucy grin, she was off. Taylor was happy to see her go. She turned to Colt, with an embarrassed look. “She’s really something, isn’t she?”
He moved slowly to her, and put his arms around her waist, drawing her near. “She has her own way of coping. Her life hasn’t been easy, and if this helps her keep her sanity, then who are we to judge? It’s you I’m worried about. You take too much on. You should have left with her. Let Miguel and me, and Raul do what we need to do.”
“This is my home. My responsibility. My livelihood. I need to be here.”
“I won’t argue. As long as you’re here, I intend to keep you safe.”
Her insides warmed at the thought. If she needed anybody by her side, it was Colt.
For several hours Taylor joined the men boarding up the cottages that faced the beach and would be most affected by the storm. They boarded up Birds of Paradise, but they couldn’t protect all twelve units though they did their best. The cafe had a generator so the industrial refrigerator would keep most of their food from spoiling. How long they’d be without power was anyone’s guess. But not losing it at all would take some kind of miracle.
Colt and Miguel left for a few hours to board up their own homes, then Colt returned alone. He brought half a dozen good size lanterns, and a radio with a package of batteries.
“Miguel’s on his way to Kayla’s.” He didn’t look at her as he spoke. He put the new batteries in the radio, then walked around the cabin, placing a lantern in every room. “Thought you and I might sit it out. Unless you want to join the others?”
She knew what he was asking, and her heart thundered in response.
“I’m staying. I couldn’t leave.”
“I hoped you’d feel the same way.” He went to the wine rack and picked up a good bottle of red. Without asking, he opened it.
“You hungry?” he asked. “I haven’t eaten since this morning.”
Her mouth watered. “Neither have I.” She felt a little tongue-tied, wondering how she could eat with Colt so close, so dear, so near.
“Let’s finish up some of those leftovers. Then hunker down.”
Her pulse raced. Not for the food, but the thought of hunkering down with Colt—alone for a whole night with no one to answer to, no one to think about. There was no one she’d rather ride out a storm with.
Taylor poured two glasses of wine, and gave him one. “Sounds like a plan.” She took a sip then put the glass down. She kissed him, her lips tasting like the full-bodied wine.
Colt seemed eager to get the food out of the way, and so was she. They pulled out containers from the fridge and nuked it in the microwave. They turned on the radio to listen to the news. They kept their spirits up, ignoring the sound of the wind howling around them, the cracks of lightning overhead, and the very real threat of danger they faced.
They polished off the wine, sitting on the sofa together. It had been a physically demanding day, and she snuggled into him, loving the warmth of him, the sexy smell of his aftershave.
“Are you worried?” she asked him, her head resting on his chest.
“Not really. We’ve prepared the best we can. Now it’s all up to nature.”
She lifted her head and gave him a weak smile, her hand on his chest. “I’ve never had so much to lose before.”
He kissed her forehead. “Believe me, I understand. It’s the same with me. I have everything sunk into that boat, and my home. They might not be much, but it’s all I’ve got. Your resort and cafe is a whole ’nother story. It’s an enormous responsibility and investment. And I know how much you love it.”
“If anything happens…” tears welled in her eyes and she couldn’t go on.
He lifted her chin, and kissed away her tears. “Paradise Cove has been around for at least twenty years, right? This place has weathered many storms, probably a whole lot worse than this.”
Her mouth trembled. “You’re right. Of course we’ll be fine. I just couldn’t bear it…you know?” Her voice broke and she buried her face in his neck.
* * *
Colt held her for a long, long time. He let her cry it out, knowing that she’d been so strong for so long, and that the floodgate had finally broken. Wet tears slid down his shirt melting something inside of him. Everything about this woman was precious, and he wanted to protect her, hold her, comfort her as he would a child. No, not like a child. He needed to be honest about his feelings. He wanted to comfort her—as a woman. A very desirable woman.
Oh, God, he hurt with wanting her. He kissed the soft side of her cheek, and put a hand in her hair, making a fist of the lush thick curls. She turned her head, offering him access to her slender neck. His lips tasted her skin and she shivered. But she didn’t move away.
Colt gave her neck soft kisses and little nibbles, then followed the path down to her shoulder. He pushed the t-shirt aside, dropped heated kisses on her tender skin, eager to go lower. Much lower. Patience, he warned himself, don’t rush this.
His lips returned to her neck and he nibbled her left ear. She moaned his name.
His hand tugged at her hair, gently pulling her head back—covering her mouth with his. Hot, needy, tongue plunging in, taking, seeking, engaging in a duel that had his pulse soaring, his body aching. He needed this woman. And, by God, he would have her tonight. Finally.
“Colt?”
“Hmm.” He wouldn’t remove his mouth from hers. If he did, he might never find it again. His free hand roamed over her breast. It was taut, firm, full in his hand. He let out a low growl, and flicked his thumb over her nipple.
Instead of pushing him away, she moved closer. Her hand lowered down his back and rested on the curve of his ass. He took that as a sign of encouragement and tilted his hips ever so slightly. His groin made contact with her center.
Taylor shuddered and opened her mouth wider, kissing him with more passion than he’d dared hope. She arched her back and pressed her breast into his hand.
“Colt?”
This time when she said his name, he had the presence of mind to listen.
“Hmm?”
“My bedroom is on the left.”
He loved forward-thinking women.
He grabbed her hand and hurried her down the hall. She began to laugh. “Slow down. I’m not about to change my mind.”
Colt grinned at her. “You’re sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly, gently, with all the tenderness in his soul. He wasn’t sure how much there was, but what he had belonged to her.
“Did anyone tell you that you’re a great kisser?” she murmured.
He decided
not to answer, but to prove his skill instead. With his mouth still hot on hers, he walked her backwards to the double bed. A blue and white lightweight quilt, with two ruffled pillows, and a smaller heart-shaped one.
He tossed the heart on the floor, and whipped the cover off the bed. Then he laid her down and sat next to her. “Taylor…you are so beautiful. I want this to be special.”
She put a finger on his lips and smiled sweetly. “Don’t spoil it by talking. For once in my life, I just want to lose my head.”
He chuckled. “I can help you with that.”
He ripped off his shirt, and got to his feet, dropping his pants. He was commando and his manhood stood on high alert.
Taylor’s eyes widened but she sat up and removed her t-shirt, then shimmied out of her shorts. She lay back down in a white lacy bra and matching panties, her hot gaze on him.
She reached and stroked him. His cock pulsed in her hand. He knelt over her and kissed her hungrily, knowing he had to have her soon. He had waited too long for her, and his patience was gone. He would take what she was offering, and give it back again and again.
He bent to suckle her nipple through the lacy material, and it budded and peaked inside his mouth. She squirmed under him and he knew she was impatient too. He unsnapped her bra and tossed it aside, filling his hands and mouth with her luscious breasts that reminded him of two perfect peaches. Being an expert on breasts, he’d already known the shape of them through the shirts she wore each day. The tiny budded nipples that exploded in his mouth were a delicious surprise. He could make her peaches into a steady diet for a long, long time.
At his nudging she widened her legs, allowing his painful arousal a place to call home. Through her underwear, he pushed against her, feeling her wetness, her answering need. She lifted her hips wanting him. Pushing the lace aside, he slipped a finger in and then another. She moaned and bit his shoulder.
She was breathing hard, pushing against him, and he couldn’t take it anymore. He sat up and slid her undies down her long, slim legs, over her toes and to the floor. He stayed there for a second and took one toe in his mouth and sucked gently. She called his name. He waited, running his tongue along the bottom of her foot, over her ankle to her calf muscle, continuing to the soft skin behind her knee. Moving northward, his tongue lingered on the tender skin between her thighs. He felt her quiver, and his heart thundered in response. Damn, this woman turned him into mush.
He’d never wanted to please a woman the way he did with her. His own needs were forgotten as he watched her wither under him. Her body was flush and sweet, and for the moment it was his. He intended to enjoy every morsel and take his time doing it too.
He knew she was ready, almost over the edge, but still he waited, giving her soft kisses, his fingers doing their magic. She cried out, and his mouth followed his hand, but she pushed his head away. Moving quickly she grabbed a condom from the side drawer, expertly slipping it over the length of him.
“Where did you get that?” he asked in surprise.
“In Brittany’s drawer. She shared a room with Mom and must have forgotten a fresh pack. Unless it’s Mom’s, but I don’t want to think of that.” She glanced up at him. “I want you to make love to me. Now.”
His eyes held hers as he moved steadily toward her. She opened her legs with a welcoming smile. Clasping hands, he straddled her, then pushed hard. Once, twice, and was in.
Her legs wrapped around him and took him deep. Her hands held his head as she kissed him long and hard.
In his wildest fantasies, he had never imagined Taylor like this. He’d always thought she would be sweet and demure, warm and affectionate but instead she was like a hungry tigress.
He filled her completely, pounding inside of her until she whimpered and came. He didn’t stop. He pulled out and kissed her tenderly between the legs, and then he built her up and did it all over again.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Throughout the long, blistery night they slept wrapped around each other, and it was near dawn when Taylor woke up to feel a hand curved around her breast, and one leg over hers. She peeked over at the face next to hers. Colt’s blond hair was on her pillow. They were cramped in the double bed, and yet she had no desire to move.
She took a moment to study him as he continued to sleep. His breathing was steady, his lower lip slightly open. He had a full, sexy mouth that could do amazing things to her. She had experienced them all during the night. She loved his mouth. She glanced down at the hand covering her breast. That hand had touched her in places that would burn her memory for a long time to come. Speaking of coming, oh my! She had never known she was capable of more than one. And what a climax it was. It went on and on, like she couldn’t shut down.
She smiled, thinking about it. Frozen? I don’t think so! No sirree, buddy. She was like her sisters after all. Passionate in nature.
She glanced at him again and then bent over to kiss his lips.
His eyes popped open. “Taylor?”
“That’s right. It’s me.” Hurt made her ask, “You forgot already?”
His lips curved in a smile. “Forget? Are you kidding me? I will never forget one thing about you. Or this night. Just wanted to know if you have any more?”
“More what?”
“Condoms. We used three last night.”
She rummaged in the drawer. “Sure. It was a full pack.”
“I just need to use your bathroom for a sec, then I’ll be right back. You want some water or something? This could take us awhile.”
“A while for what?”
“To work through the pack.” Then whistling a happy tune, he strolled down the hall.
She watched his fine ass until it was out of sight, then giggling, she hid her face under the covers. She was thirty years old and had just discovered her sexuality.
And she damn well liked it.
Hours later, they sat at the kitchen table eating ham and scrambled eggs with whole wheat toast. They were on their second cup of coffee and listening to the news on the radio when they heard a knock on the door.
Colt opened the door to Miguel, and the older man glanced at Taylor, seeing her wearing nothing but a silk robe. She was seated at the table, spreading mango jam on a piece of toast.
She smiled. “Good morning, Miguel. Want a cup of coffee?”
“Uh. No.” He glanced from her contented face to Colt’s, then halted near the door. “The storm has been reduced to a category one. Should be hitting south of here possibly by mid afternoon.” He looked uncomfortable, his eyes shying away from the new lovers. “Kayla sent me. She wants you two to come and stay with them. She called last night and again this morning but never got through.” He glanced at the floor. “It’s safer and more comfortable there.” He shrugged. “No boards. Her windows are hurricane proof.”
Taylor glanced at Colt, stomach churning. She wanted longer with him, and didn’t want to lose this fragile new connection. Once this storm disappeared, likely they’d return to friendship status, but she wasn’t ready for that yet.
“What do you think, Colt?” Say no, she said silently, hoping he’d have the same strong reaction as her. This was too new, too wonderful and she wanted to extend this moment together. Was another night too much to ask?
“Up to you. It won’t be pleasant staying here.” His face was devoid of expression and she couldn’t get a read on his true feelings. Once again, he was hiding from her. He shrugged, almost carelessly. “You might want your family around.”
Really? He thought she’d prefer her family that she lived with day in and day out, instead of another night making passionate love? I mean really? She wanted to kick him, she felt so disappointed. How could he let her slip so easily out of his arms?
She jutted her chin out. “I’m not going without you,” she said her eyes steady on his. “You want to go?”
“We’re safe enough,” he said, “but we could lose power. It will be stifling hot in no time, and the place will be like a ca
ve, all boarded up.”
“So what do you suggest?” Taylor asked, trying to hold in the hurt. She had to be a big girl. If the night and morning of incredible sex was enough for him, well, then that’s all it would ever be.
“We should go,” he said immediately. “Pack up enough for one night, and return tomorrow.”
“I agree. That’s a good decision,” Miguel said. He nodded at her. “I’ll wait in the truck.”
“No, Miguel, go and tell the others we’ll be there soon. I need to shower and dress and gather up a few things. We have board games. Monopoly. Checkers. I’ll bring those too.”
Miguel left and Taylor turned to Colt. She put a smile on her face when she asked, “You didn’t want to stay?” Her voice almost cracked, but he didn’t seem to notice. She clutched the back of the chair with knuckles that had gone white.
He glanced away from her. “Of course I did. But it was obvious that we’d slept together. Not that I care, but I figured you might.”
“Should I?”
“I don’t know how to answer that.”
“Then don’t.” She left him standing there and went in to shower. Sadly, she washed away his scent, but she knew no matter how much she lathered, she’d be unable to scrub away the hurt. Was it over then? One night had satisfied him? How could that be? The way they’d made love—he seemed totally into her. And she was certainly hooked on him. After last night how could she not have strong, loving feelings? He’d touched her in ways that no man had ever done. But she had her pride and could never let him know.
Once she was dressed, she returned to pack up some food from the kitchen and collect the board games. Colt took his shower, then grabbed a few of the lanterns and the radio in case the storm knocked out the power at Kayla’s waterfront home.
Within an hour they were reunited with her family. Kayla glanced at her and Colt, and smiled with satisfaction. “Did I drag you away from something?” she whispered, giving her a hug.
PARADISE COVE - 3 BOOK SET: PARADISE COVE SERIES Page 36