PASSIONATE ENCOUNTERS

by Tory Richards

  After a few more minutes Emma moved and they both busied themselves with fixing their clothes. Their gazes met once they were back on their seats facing each other. The wild seductress was gone. Sitting opposite him was a vulnerable woman filled with doubts.

  “I don’t want to hurt you, Emma. I don’t want to get emotionally involved with any woman right now.” Shit, smooth move, Denton. You rank right up there with the fuck ’em and leave ’em jerks.

  There was a slight hesitation before she said, “Are you saying all we have between us is sex?”

  “Not exactly.” That’s all Mike could think to say without contradicting himself more. How could he expect Emma to believe that crap when he didn’t believe it?

  He took a deep breath, and glanced up at the sky. The sun was slipping behind a gathering of storm clouds. For the first time he noticed the temperature had dropped.

  When he’d asked Melissa to check the weather that morning, she hadn’t said anything about rain being in the forecast. Still and all he should have acknowledged the signs. Maybe he’d purposely ignored them just to be with Emma.

  His gaze returned to her. “I think we’re in for a storm.”

  “Not if we’re smart about it.”

  Is that amusement in her eyes? Laughter erupted at her misunderstanding. “I mean the weather,” he explained. “We should pack it in and head back to shore.”

  Mike no sooner said it when Mother Nature backed up his decision. The first drops of rain began to fall. Emma shuddered and Mike realized she was feeling the chill.

  “You’d better put your sweatshirt back on. As it is I’m afraid we’re not going to make it back to your place before the sky opens up.” He packed up their fishing gear as he spoke. Then dug around for something at the bottom of a duffel bag.

  “Here, put this on.” Mike handed Emma a yellow rain poncho.

  “What about you?”

  There was concern in her tone.

  “I think a cool drenching will do me some good.” Like hell it would but he was willing to try anything that would take his mind off Emma and what she did to his libido.

  The talking stopped once they were underway. Mike turned the motor up high in an effort to get to Emma’s before the storm hit. They practically made it too. Until her pier came into view and then the sky opened up as he’d predicted, pouring buckets of ice water on them.

  Emma snuggled beneath the poncho, keeping her face down. In spite of that a good gust of wind swept over them and suddenly her hood flew back and in a matter of seconds she was drenched. She grabbed for it, laughing, before finally giving up. The wind was just too strong for her.

  “Another five minutes and we would have made it!” she shouted above the roar of the motor. “You must be freezing.”

  If she only knew. Mike smiled because she was smiling. He noticed that about Emma; she liked to smile. He wondered if she knew how radiant her face became when she laughed, or the way her eyes came to life. Especially in passion. Even now with the rain beating down on her she found something to laugh about.

  Face it, Mike, you’re hooked.

  Accepting that realization took the smile right off his face. He glanced up, slowing the boat down as they neared the dock. He could feel Emma’s eyes on him but resisted the urge to glance back. She made it hard to look away once they made eye contact. If he could make it through the next few minutes he’d be home free.

  Then he asked himself why he was worried about it. They’d already had sex. Only he wanted Emma again.

  “Hold on.” Just as he’d expected, the rough water caused the boat to hit the dock hard. And for a few moments they bounced helplessly against it until he tied it securely in place.

  He turned to Emma, surprised to see she was already on her feet and moving toward him. “Give me your hand and I’ll help you out, it’s slippery.”

  No sooner had the words left his mouth than she slipped, slamming into him. Mike braced his body for the impact, aware it wouldn’t take much to send them both over the side. His arms automatically went around her to steady her.

  “Sorry. She chuckled, not sounding sorry in the least.

  She turned her face toward his, causing Mike to nearly choke on his tongue. Her mouth was parted and glistening with rain. He almost had heart failure when her tongue came out to catch the large drops rolling over her top lip. Groaning low in his throat, he lowered his head until realizing what he was doing.

  He pulled back; their eyes clung for a moment until the air was split with a rumble of thunder. Mike took the hint that a higher force was trying to warn him of something and he quickly released Emma, guiding her up the crude three-step ladder.

  “Head up to your place,” he ordered lightly, and turned to get the picnic basket. “I’ll be right behind you.”

  It was a miracle neither one of them fell as they ran the short distance to her condo. The ground was soaked and muddy in places. Puddles the size of small swimming pools provided them with an obstacle course fit for a cross-country runner looking for a workout. Mike didn’t know why they were running; they were already soaked to the bone. Well, at least he was.

  When they reached the covered entranceway to Emma’s place, they stopped by the door and she turned to face him. Her hair was plastered to her scalp and she ran her fingers through, shaking out some of the water.

  “You’re welcome to come inside and dry out in front of the fire. We still have that picnic lunch I prepared,” she offered, suddenly looking shy.

  Mike stared at her long and hard. If he went inside with her he knew they’d end up doing a hell of a lot more in front of the fire than just drying out. Furthermore, he sensed she knew it too.

  Does she want me as much as I want her? Maybe she doesn’t mind sex without commitment. The image of them fucking again raised his libido.

  “Depends on what’s in the picnic basket,” he teased, reaching forward to brush a wet strand of hair out of her eyes. “If it’s peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you have a date.”

  Emma’s eyes flared with pleasure, warming Mike’s heart. “That’s exactly what I made!” she said with breathless surprise. “What’s a picnic without peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?”

  He’d been kidding when he said that. Mike hadn’t eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich since he was a kid.

  “Well, Detective?”

  He decided to be honest with her. “We both know what might happen if I go through that door. I can’t seem to keep my hands off you.”

  A curious mixture of emotions crossed her face. But it was the desire in her lovely eyes that decided it for Mike. Instead of the out he’d been hoping for she was clearly giving him the signal that anything they did beyond the door was okay with her.

  He was the one who didn’t want a relationship. The smartest thing he could do was turn and leave. When Emma lowered her gaze, he reached forward, put his finger beneath her chin and raised her gaze to his.

  He knew he was lost. “You might be inviting in the wolf,” he said with quiet emphasis.

  That statement returned the gleam of mischief to her eyes in spite of the seriousness of his tone, raising Mike’s blood pressure a little.

  “Are you implying I’m ‘grandma’? I know what happens to grandma.”

  Mike couldn’t help the grin from spreading across his face anymore than he could stop the next rolling clap of thunder overhead. “Definitely not,” he replied.

  “Not one of the three little pigs,” she rushed out in feigned shock, her brows lifting above rounded eyes. Several flashes of lightning too close for comfort quickly put an end to their playful banter. Emma took hold of Mike’s arm. “Come on, it’s dangerous out here.”

  Not half as dangerous as it was inside. Mike let Emma drag him behind her.

  Chapter 16

  Emma took the picnic basket from Mike, and turned to walk to the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. She heard Mike close the door. “You have to be freezing, Mike.
Get out of those soaked clothes and I’ll toss them in the dryer. There’s a robe on the back of the bathroom door.”

  “I suppose it’s better than catching cold,” he agreed.

  Emma set the basket down and proceeded to struggle out of the rain poncho, surprised to see him still standing there when she brought the garment up over her head. She quickly glanced down; half-expecting to find her shirt had come up again. They both grinned over the memory.

  “I’d love a hot shower, but I don’t think I want to chance getting struck by lightning.”

  “Perhaps you’d better wait. I’ll build a fire after I change.”

  “I love lounging by the fire, and, uh…” Why didn’t she just spell it out for him? She could easily picture them making love there. She glanced away, embarrassed by her thoughts and worried he might guess them.

  “Sipping warm chocolate?” There was a teasing glint in his eyes.

  She offered him a thankful smile for not stating the obvious. They both looked like drowned rats. The poncho hadn’t done much to keep her from getting wet. She shivered, but it wasn’t from the cold. It was the look in Mike’s quiet scrutiny that unnerved her, reminding her of the incident on his boat.

  She felt a tingle of awareness travel down her spine. She couldn’t afford to let him see she wanted him again. Emma understood his reasons for not wanting to get involved right now. But they were already involved, sexually at least, whether Mike liked it or not.

  “I’m going to change; I’ll be right back.” She forced herself to casually walk past him, intensely aware his eyes were watching her as she disappeared down the hall to her bedroom.

  She closed the door and leaned against it, giving her racing heart time to calm down. Inviting Mike in wasn’t a good idea. Though Amanda would disagree with her. Thinking about Amanda caused Emma to look at the clock on the nightstand. She’d invited her and Troy for dinner that evening, but they were coming over early to watch a movie first. Thank God they weren’t due to arrive for at least two hours.

  Time enough for her and Mike to… She quickly reined in her thoughts. Her hands covered her suddenly hot cheeks. Hearing the guest bathroom door close galvanized her into action. She sprinted to her bathroom to dry off, before going to her closet to change.

  Mike was going to be in Troy’s robe when she emerged. He’d left one behind so he’d have it when he came over to go swimming. But she didn’t have any excuses not to be dressed when she rejoined him in the living room. She quickly stripped, and threw on a cashmere sweater and pair of jeans. Then ran her fingers through her nearly dry hair while cramming her feet into a pair of warm slippers.

  As soon as Emma opened her door and entered the hallway, she felt the heat of the fire Mike had built. The sound of dry wood crackling reached her ears, and something else. He’d turned the radio on low and suddenly the atmosphere he’d created reeked of intimacy.

  Emma’s steps slowed as she neared the end of the hallway, afraid of what she’d see when she finally stepped into the living room. Visions of Mike lying naked on a bearskin rug. Or in this case, the multicolored throw on the back of the couch, waiting for her before the fire. Her pulse raced and she caught her breath.

  Nothing prepared Emma for the sight that greeted her when she peeked around the corner. “Oh my…” she said and gasped behind her hand.

  Mike stood and swung around. He slapped his hands on his hips, which only caused the purple flowered robe he was wearing to part all the way down his magnificent chest. Emma’s mouth went dry at all that exposed masculine flesh.

  “Is something funny?” he asked in mock anger, the look in his eyes daring her to laugh at him.

  It was too much to take in all at once. Emma’s startled gaze began with Mike’s neck, taking in the width of his broad shoulders before traveling down the well-defined muscles of his sculptured chest and abdomen. A crisp blanket of hair covered his torso, narrowing all the way to his lean hips before disappearing behind a large pink rose.

  Oh my! Not bad for a forty-year-old man. Was he completely naked beneath her robe? Her cheeks grew warm as her imagination worked overtime. To keep him from noticing her preoccupation with what was hiding behind that enormous flower, she skimmed down the rest of his body, taking in his muscular thighs and long legs.

  Lord, even his feet were beautiful.

  “Well?”

  “Well?” she breathed softly, clearly confused at what he wanted. Had he asked her something?

  “I asked you if you think something’s funny,” he repeated.

  “No-no!” she quickly said, biting her lip to keep from laughing. However the urge was so powerful that Emma knew the only way she was going to conquer it was not look at him at all. She glanced around the room, touching on everything but him.

  “Good. Because if you laughed, I’d be forced to do something about it.”

  His challenging tone caused her gaze to swing back his way. “That’s not fair, Detective.” It wasn’t her fault he was wearing her robe. Troy must have taken his with him the last time he was there. Her lips quivered as she returned his stare, before she finally gave in and burst out laughing. “I’m sorry, Mike. I can’t help it.”

  “I warned you…”

  “What are you going to do?” As he advanced she retreated, holding her arms out as though to ward him off. “It’s not every day I get to see a big, tough, detective wearing my satin robe.” She backed into a chair and quickly skirted around it. “The color brings out the fading purple around your eye,” she teased.

  Mike made a grab for her. She squealed and just managed to dash out from beneath his hand. Laughing, she headed for the kitchen, not realizing she’d backed herself into a corner until it was too late. She swung around to backtrack but he was there, effectively blocking her escape.

  Now he was the one grinning, his electric eyes alive and pinned on her wolfishly.

  “You’re in trouble now, sweetheart.” He advanced slowly, in no hurry to catch his quarry. Like a cat playing with a mouse.

  “You can’t pull off tough in a floral robe,” she said and chuckled, standing her ground. “What about lunch? Aren’t you hungry?” She glanced pointedly at the picnic basket, backing up until she couldn’t go any further. The next thing she knew, she was up against the kitchen sink.

  Mike placed his hands on either side of her against the counter, leaning in close, making her stomach do flip-flops.

  “Looks like you’re trapped. I bet you’re sorry you laughed at me now.”

  Emma was still laughing. Her hands fell on his shoulders and she leaned away from him as much as the counter would allow. But that only caused the lower half of their bodies to collide. As she gasped loudly, her smile quickly disappeared. She tried to swallow, all too aware of his hard flesh pushing against her. Her eyes flared with renewed desire. He’s already hard!

  “You’re not laughing now.” Mike leaned into her.

  Neither was he. “This isn’t a laughing matter,” she returned huskily, her gaze falling on his sensuous mouth. She took a deep breath and raised her eyes to his once more. The sensuality stamped on his face turned her knees weak. “I’m ready to accept whatever punishment you deem necessary. I clearly deserve it.”

  A husky laugh rushed past Mike’s lips, running over her senses until she melted against him. No longer was she straining to get away. He was going to kiss her again; she sensed it. She wanted it. Mike was a healthy male and thorough lover.

  Realization that she wanted his mouth on hers rushed over Emma in dizzying waves. She began to breathe heavily. Her breasts swelled with aching arousal, tingling against his hard chest. For once she was glad she’d left her bra off, relishing in the feel of the soft cashmere against her ultra sensitive flesh.

  He lowered his head, closing the distance between them with purpose in his darkening eyes.

  “Mike…”

  “This is going to hurt me more than it’s going to hurt you,” he said outrageously, continuing slowly. �
��But someone has to do it. And it’s not as if I didn’t warn you.”

  “I’ll suffer in silence then.”

  “It’s only a kiss.” His mouth abruptly cut off Emma’s smile of mischief and any smart remarks forthcoming.

  Her soft moan of surrender was immediate, producing a low response of pleasure from Mike. They moved at the same time; his arms slid around her waist to pull her more firmly against him. Her arms encircled his strong neck as she welcomed his tight embrace. Their mouths moved against each other’s in a sensual attack that escalated when their lips parted simultaneously, allowing a more thorough exploration that included warm breath and velvet tongues. Wet heat.

  Did he say only a kiss?

  Emma’s mouth burned with fire. It was a kiss like none before. The meshing of two hungry souls until they became one. Both moved willfully against each other, taking their time down the path of promised rapture, each seeking a pleasure beyond the reality.

  Sounds of mutual desire filled the room, drowning out the low beat of a country western ballad on the radio. She cried out with protest when he suddenly tore his mouth from hers, but it was only to follow the line of her jaw and glide down the side of her neck, teasing and tantalizing her skin as he moved leisurely along, testing her eagerness while revealing his.

  “I don’t know if I can take much more of your particular brand of punishment,” she gasped as ripples of pleasure traveled over her. She turned her neck so he could have better access. His teeth raked over her with barely controlled desire, producing another wild shiver.

  “I want you.” She hadn’t meant to say it out loud and it created an instantaneous response from Mike. He jerked back, his startled gaze locking onto hers. His expression was dark with desire, his nostrils flaring with need and making Emma think of a wild, hungry animal. His cock was hard and demanding.

  She saw the indecision in Mike’s eyes, sensed he was fighting with himself not to let things go any further. Yet even as he warred with emotions trapped inside, his body revealed his weakness by thrusting against her. All at once his hands dropped to her hips, holding her tightly before abandoning them to glide up her sides and cup her aching breasts.