Don't Tempt Me

by Julie Ortolon

  Without breaking the kiss, he scooped her into his arms and strode past the sofa to the bedroom. Bracing one knee on the bed, he lowered her to the mattress. His mouth returned to hers again and again as he undressed her, then himself.

  She welcomed him into her arms when he lay down beside her, their bodies finally skin to skin. He splayed a hand over her stomach, feeling the heat and softness of her skin. She arched enticingly, drawing his attention to her firm breasts, the dip of her waist, the flair of her hips.

  He dragged his gaze to her eyes and smiled. "Every night," he said, drawing her against him, "for the past month, I've imagined having you here with me. Imagined how I'd touch you." His hand glided over her hip, down her leg. "Pleasure you." He swept his hand to the inside of her thigh and up, slowly. "Make you moan."

  "I've imagined you, too." She sighed, her eyes heavy as she shifted her legs, beckoning his touch. For this one night, Jackie decided, she wouldn't question; she'd simply enjoy.

  His fingertips moved upward, barely brushing her dark curls. "Is this what you imagine?"

  "Yes." She flexed her hips as heat built inside her, but he only turned his hand over, brushing her curls with the backs of his fingers. "Touch me."

  "I plan to." He smiled as he moved down her body to trail kisses over her stomach. Her trembling started again, but this time from desire as he licked his way back up, teasing her breasts as his fingers continued teasing below with feather-light touches. She arched her back, wanting the frenzied oblivion he'd given her before. Instead he seemed bent on going slow.

  Needing more, she ran her hands over his back, then drew her fingernails upward along his skin in a silent demand for heat and speed ---the flash of physical fulfillment.

  Chuckling, he settled his body over hers, his weight pressing her into the mattress. She smiled in anticipation, thinking he'd take her now, quickly, and end weeks of longing. But he surprised her by taking her wrists and pinning them to either side of her head. He loomed over her, his eyes smoldering. "Are you rushing me?"

  "I want you." She squeezed his waist with her thighs, trying to relieve the hot restlessness inside her.

  "So demanding," he scolded and brushed his lips over hers. She lifted her head to deepen the kiss but he pulled back an equal amount. When she dropped her head back down, he chuckled, then nipped her bottom lip with his teeth. "This time we do it my way. I want to pleasure you. And ... I want you to let me."

  She frowned at the ominous note in his voice as he released her wrists and slid down her body, stopping at her breasts to torment her with light licks. Her nipples tightened to hard peaks, making her moan.

  "Mmm, you are sensitive," he said.

  "Yes." She arched into him, wanting his whole mouth. "More."

  "You're demanding again." He scowled up at her. "Am I going to have to tie you down?"

  She shivered at the thought, but shook her head.

  "Then relax and let me play. It's more fun when it's not fast."

  It's also more frightening, she wanted to tell him. When it's fast, there's no time to feel beyond the physical.

  "Trust me," he said as if reading her eyes. "Let go."

  Determined to have his way, he lowered his head and resumed teasing her breasts with light brushes of his lips and tongue. Both of them knew he could make her climax with nothing more than sucking on her nipples ---but he never even took one into his mouth. She was whimpering in frustration when he finally shifted enough to trail one hand down her stomach toward her aching center. She squirmed eagerly beneath him, lifting her hips.

  "Hold still," he admonished, and took one of her nipples between his teeth in a clear warning.

  Her breath caught and froze as he slipped one of his exquisitely long fingers slowly inside her. Then she melted with a moan into a puddle beneath him, her legs dropping to the side, her head falling back against the pillow.

  Too many sensations came after that to separate one from the other. The suckling pull of his mouth at her breasts, his hand stroking her hot need. He focused all his attention and skill on her, wringing control bit by bit until she stopped caring and gave herself over to him completely.

  The tight fist deep inside her that kept her emotions in check relaxed, and feelings rushed through her in a blinding flash that was passion and pain all at once. It lifted her back off the bed as pleasure followed, pushing all else aside. She hung suspended for a moment, then drifted down, her eyes wide.

  He settled over her, smiling down at her. She stared back, shaken by all he made her feel. This was what he meant by letting go. Barriers inside her had crumbled, exposing all the needs and desires and yearnings of a lifetime.

  He braced himself above her and joined his mouth to hers as he joined their bodies. She wrapped her arms about him, and held tight as he kissed her endlessly, as their bodies moved together, climbing toward a common goal. This time, when the pleasure came, he was right there with her, riding the crest. They clung together as the aftershocks rippled through them.

  Slowly, his body relaxed into hers. She kept her arms about him, staggered by the newness of emotional intimacy coupled with physical pleasure.

  Lifting his head, he smiled at her, but the smile vanished when he saw that tears filled her eyes.

  I'm sorry, she longed to tell him. I'm not used to this.

  Understanding softened his face just before he flashed a cocky grin. "See, I told you it can be more fun that way. You don't always have to be in control."

  "More fun?" She nearly told him it wasn't fun at all, it was frightening, but it was also thrilling. And tender. And sweet.

  "As fun?" he asked, his eyes laughing.

  She smiled in gratitude, wondering how he always knew what to say to lighten the mood. "Maybe."

  "Well, all right, if you still prefer being in charge" --- he sighed heavily and rolled to his back ---"I'll happily lie here while you ravage me now."

  "Perhaps in a bit."

  Chuckling, he pulled her against him. "See, you're not so tough after all."

  She settled her head on his shoulder, fearing he was right. Underneath it all, she wasn't tough at all.

  Chapter 20

  Adrian dressed in the dark as quietly as possible, so he wouldn't wake Jackie. He thought of leaving her a note telling her good morning and to make herself at home. In the end, though, he couldn't leave without one last kiss. He returned to the bed, where she lay in a nest of rumpled sheets, her face soft with sleep.

  Bracing his hands on either side of her head, he bent down and brushed his lips along her cheek. She mumbled in protest and snuggled deeper into the pillow."Wake up, sleepyhead," he whispered, nibbling his way along her jaw. "I need to tell you bye."

  Another mumble followed a limp swat of her hand.

  "Jack-ie," he coaxed softly and kissed her other cheek. When she still didn't wake, he pulled back to study her face. Maybe a note would be better. Definitely more considerate. Just then she let out a sigh of utter contentment, and the smile that curved her lips was too sexy to resist.

  He lowered his mouth to hers, enjoying the feel of her plush lips, tasting and shaping them until they started to respond. With a moan, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her body arched toward him, reminding him she was naked and warm beneath the covers.

  His body hardened with thoughts of climbing back beneath those covers and running his hands over her smooth skin, exploring every dip and curve. When her tongue licked sweetly into his mouth, he tilted his head enough to see the clock on the nightstand. He had about ten minutes before Rory and Alli arrived in the kitchen to help him with breakfast.

  Breaking the kiss, he trailed his lips along her cheek. "I gotta go, sweetheart. I just wanted to say bye. Sleep as long as you want. I'll see you after breakfast."

  "Mmm, no," she mumbled, tightening her arms. The covers slipped down, exposing her breasts. "Stay."

  "Can't. Time for work." Even as he said the words, his hand cupped one of her delightfully sensitiv
e breasts, stroking the nipple with his thumb. A moan rumbled deep in her throat, flooding his body with hot memories. He indulged in one last kiss that lengthened and deepened as their mouths played.

  Her hands slipped down his back and she tugged at his T-shirt. He lifted his head. "Really, I have to go."

  "Clothes," she grumbled with apparent displeasure and managed to get one hand beneath the shirt to caress his rapidly heating skin. He glanced at the clock again, thinking of the bread he needed to get in the oven.

  Jackie nibbled his neck, making his pulse jump. "Stay."

  "I can't. I'll be late," he tried to explain. Although it only took five minutes to walk to the inn. Three if he walked fast.

  "Late," she echoed drowsily as her hands drifted around to his stomach. The snap on his jeans made a soft popping noise in the quiet room, followed by the sound of his zipper.

  For the first time since the inn opened, Adrian was late to work. When he entered the kitchen, whistling, Allison turned and raised a brow.

  "I take it your moping days are at an end?" she asked.

  "You might say that," he laughed. At least he hoped so!

  ~ ~ ~

  Jackie woke to find sunlight streaming into the bedroom. Bolting upright, she looked at the clock on the nightstand and relaxed. It was only eight o'clock, not nearly as bad as she'd feared. Still, she needed to get dressed and down to the ship. Ti would know she hadn't returned last night, but with luck, the rest of the crew would assume she was returning from having breakfast at the inn.

  Retrieving her sundress brought a blush to her cheeks as she remembered how attentive Adrian had been the night before. The man did love to cuddle. Even when they weren't making love, he'd wrap his arms around her and hold her close as they talked or dozed. The few men she'd been with in the past hadn't been like that at all. They either left the bed as soon as they could, or moved to their own side so they could sleep undisturbed. Not Adrian. He was most definitely into snuggling. And being playful. And making her laugh one minute, then gasp in ecstasy the next.

  The warm memories made her smile. Being held was new for her, but she liked it. It made her feel cherished.

  Into that contentment came the disturbing image of him with other women. Was he that snuggly with all his lovers? Affection came easily to him, so probably he was. That didn't diminish the care with which he treated her, though, did it?

  She pushed the thought away as she headed for the bathroom to clean up. Undoubtedly there had been many women in his life. Thinking about them would only depress her. Better to simply live in the present and enjoy being with him for however long it lasted.

  Dressed, she stepped into the hall with the intention of heading straight for her ship. The open door across from her caught her eye, though, and she peeked in to see what he kept in his spare bedroom. She found free weights lining one wall, floor-to-ceiling mirrors on another, and a workout bench in the middle of the room. Apparently yoga wasn't solely responsible for that gorgeous body of his, and here at least was something besides reading they had in common. She enjoyed working out when time permitted. Perhaps on her next trip, they could work out together.

  Letting herself out of the house, she headed down the path to the beach, her mind filled with images of Adrian lifting weights, muscles flexing and sweat glistening on his skin. Those thoughts segued to fantasies of a different type of workout on the floor in front of all those mirrors.

  Her smile broadened until she rounded a bend in the trail and spotted Carl's bungalow. A group of divers emerged onto the porch, chatting and laughing as they descended the steps. Some of them wore dive suits while others were dressed for a day of cleaning and cataloging artifacts. Their voices held excitement as they turned away from her and started toward the beach.

  Envy spurted through her, both for their involvement in the project and their camaraderie. She hung back in the shadows to avoid the awkwardness of walking with them when she wasn't a part of their group.

  Just then, Carl stepped onto the porch. "Danny! Can you hold up a bit? I'd like a word with you."

  The whole group stopped, glancing back, then exchanging uneasy looks. Most of them were young and she guessed them to be students working toward their degrees in marine archeology. There was one, though, who was older and looked slightly familiar, a short, scrawny man with a fringe of black hair around a bald top and a cheesy grin that seemed too wide for his narrow face. "Sure thing, chief. What's up?"

  "The rest of you go on," Carl said, his voice flat. The group complied with obvious eagerness. When they'd disappeared around the next turn in the path Carl addressed the man who was mounting the steps to the porch. "Any particular reason you were late for this morning's meeting?"

  "I had a bit of trouble with my truck. No big deal."

  "Actually, it is a big deal, since this is the fifth meeting you've almost missed."

  "Hey, can I help it if my truck breaks down?"

  "You know, you always have some reason why nothing is ever your fault. When I hired you for this project, I hoped you'd be a professional who could help guide the younger divers. Instead, you seem to be the one in need of guidance."

  "That's nonsense," the man insisted, his jovial expression turning belligerent. Recognition slammed into Jackie. She'd seen this man drinking in dockside bars with her father more than once. "I'm one of the best divers out there. You can ask anyone."

  "Actually, I have been making some inquiries. What I've learned is that, yes, you're a good diver when you bother to show up, but you have no concept of time or how greatly you inconvenience others."

  "That's a lie!"

  "Then this morning, while we were waiting for you to get here, I heard a disturbing report from some of the students. They said when you were working the dredge, the screen blew off and you didn't even notice until one of them pointed it out."

  "Is it my fault if those wet-behind-the-ears kids don't know how to fasten the screen right?"

  "It is if you don't bother to check the equipment before using it." Carl shook his head in grave disappointment. "You're supposed to be one of the team leaders, yet you make an idiot mistake like that?"

  "I'm telling you, that wasn't my fault."

  "Danny" ---Carl rubbed his face ---"I have cut you too much slack as it is, but I can't let something like this slide. The dredge you were using yesterday was big enough that, without the screen on the exhaust, you could have sucked up any number of artifacts and blown them halfway across the cove where they may never be found."

  "I didn't suck up anything. I know what I'm doing."

  "Apparently you don't. I'm going to have to let you go."

  "You can't do that!" Danny's skinny face turned dangerously red. "I have a contract."

  "And I'm canceling it on the grounds of incompetence."

  "We'll see about that when I sue your ass." Danny turned to stomp down the steps, but froze when he saw Jackie standing in the shadows. He flushed with embarrassment until his eyes lit with recognition and he sneered. "What are you doing here? Spying?"

  "No. I ..." She glanced at Carl, catching his startled look. "I'm just walking."

  Danny turned back to Carl. "Don't tell me you're going to hire her."

  Carl's expression turned neutral. "Miss Taylor's presence here is not your concern. I think it best if you gather your gear and leave without making trouble."

  Danny tossed one last contemptuous look at Jackie and stomped off down the trail. Apparently the man had less-than-fond memories of her father, but then, Buddy had left a trail of friends-turned-enemies in his wake. Carl turned to her with the calm patience she'd sensed in him before.

  "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

  He shrugged. "Actually, if someone's going to be that big an ass, they deserve a little embarrassment. Except now I'm short a diver."

  "Oh." She started to volunteer, but stopped herself.

  He studied her a long moment. "So. You still interested in doing some
real archeology?"

  "Yes!" Her heart thumped hard against her ribs. "I'll only be here a couple days a month, though."

  "Are you available today?"

  "I can be, but only until thirteen hundred hours."

  "The first dive starts in thirty minutes."

  "I'll be ready!" She held out both hands. "Just give me enough time to go over today's schedule with my first mate. Then I'll get into my wet suit and meet you on the dock." Feeling like a kid, she ran all the way to the ship. A few guests had already gathered to watch the activity on the pier where the divers were checking their equipment.

  She hurried on board and met a startled Ti in the officers' lounge. After running over the duty roster, she slipped into her wet suit, grabbed her dive bag, and arrived breathless on the dock. Carl was waiting for her in the johnboat they used to ferry divers out to the work platform. She tried to act nonchalant, as if being included on such a project wasn't a dream come true, but the grin that flickered over Carl's rugged face told her she wasn't fooling him. She just prayed her excitement didn't make her clumsy.

  When they climbed onto the platform, everyone looked at her.

  "Danny won't be with us anymore," Carl said matter-of-factly and no one seemed the least surprised. "This is Jackie Taylor, the captain of the Pirate's Pleasure. She's agreed to fill in for him today. Jackie, this is Sam. He'll be your dive buddy."

  A young man with sandy hair and friendly eyes stepped forward to shake her hand. "We've all been admiring your ship. I don't suppose you'd give us a tour?"

  "Certainly." She flushed with pleasure. "Anytime."

  "Okay, let's get down to business." Carl leaned over a chart of the dive area. "Jackie, since you weren't at the meeting this morning, let me go over our goals for today. We've uncovered enough of the stern to access the captain's cabin. Unfortunately, the powder horn wasn't in there, as we had hoped."