by Bobbi Brattz
“I never asked you on a date, Ms. Hooper. We have business to do. However, since it’s much simpler to take a basket of food with us rather than fight the congested tourist areas for a restaurant with a seat, I decided to bring my own food whether you were with me or not.”
Duly chastised, she turned her head away to look out at the passing scenery, anger stirring in her stomach at his high and mighty attitude. Palm trees lined the road as the Jeep sped past them. The already sweltering heat caused sweat droplets to trickle down the crevice between her breasts. Rae knew she couldn’t argue since he was right. Though it annoyed her to no end, she swallowed her pride and turned back to him.
“I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. After last night when you—when you were in my room…uh, the guest room with me, that is—oh, for crying out loud, I’m sorry, okay?”
Angered at herself for stumbling over her words, she crossed her arms over her chest, which only made the issue worse as she watched his eyes shift to her breasts as they rose up.
“Stop looking at me, will you?” she cried, dropping her arms.
“My, my, you certainly are nasty. Are you always like this?” The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he refocused on the road.
“Like what? I don’t care to have you stare at me and put words into my mouth. You haven’t told me exactly what I’ll be doing in your seminar besides modelling clothing, and I don’t believe your joke about you touching me in…or…oh, damn you! Tell me the truth.”
Since she’d never been to one of his seminars and had only heard about his profession being a sex therapist, she imagined him talking and her modelling lingerie to entice a partner in the bedroom.
“I didn’t say you’d model clothing, Ms. Hooper. Your partner is a male model. You will demonstrate pleasure points on each other’s bodies to teach clients how to turn each other on. The idea is to help them rekindle or enhance their lovemaking skills.”
“Lovemaking?” she cried, stunned as images of her having sex in front of strangers with a man she didn’t even know flashed into her mind. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. I never kid. When sex becomes dull and boring, it shows a lack of interest in one or both partners. This usually indicates that there is a need for stimulation that is missing and must be learned. I educate people on how to make love in order to find the ultimate sexual pleasure.”
Undoing her buckle, she shouted, “Stop the car!” Before she could grasp the handle to open the door of the Jeep, he seized her wrist.
“What are you doing, you fool? You’ll get yourself killed!”
“I’m not doing anything to support your perverted practices, especially having sex with you.”
“You won’t be having sex with me. You’ll demonstrate sex with your modelling partner.” He pulled the vehicle to a stop and turned to face her, reaching over to grab the seat belt and reattach it.
“You’re sick!” Fighting off his hands, she reached once again for the door only to find both wrists locked together by his strong fingers.
A flock of birds, disturbed by the noise she made when she shrieked, took off, startling her even more as she struggled to get away.
“Will you sit still? I want to talk about this!”
At his commanding yell, she froze, terror filling her as she looked up at him. He appeared to be frustrated rather than sexually interested in her, which relieved her only a little.
“Look, Ms. Hooper, you will be wearing a wig, a mask, and lingerie for the most part as I already explained. No one in the resort will even see you since you are staying with me. I don’t have any interest in you sexually, so stop acting like I’m a serial rapist. This relationship is strictly business as I’ve told you before.”
“I don’t do casual sex with strangers,” she hissed, ready to jump out of the Jeep the moment he released her. She’d rather sleep in a cave than under his roof for another night.
“I’m not asking you to have casual sex. I’m only asking you to allow your partner to use your body to reveal sexual points of interest that turn people on. What you do in your own time is your business. It would be inappropriate to allow you to have sex in front of my clients. What kind of man do you think I am, anyway?”
His expression one of outrage, his strong fingers tightened on her wrists to make her stay still. She had to think about his words for a moment before answering.
“So you’re only asking me to demonstrate, not consummate?”
“That’s correct. If you choose to consummate on stage, there is a class only for voyeurism, but you’d be paid double to participate in that one since it would mean you’d have sex in front of my select clients, not with them. And don’t even think about making money on the side with them. I won’t have any whoring going on.”
His look of distaste shocked her so much that it took a few seconds before she burst out laughing and continued until tears streamed down her cheeks. The insane happenings of the past twenty-four hours had finally taken their toll on her. When he released Rae and got out of the Jeep, coming around to her side and pulling her gently out of her seat, she allowed it as hysteria built.
Mateo gently took her into his arms and held her tight to his hard chest as she cried it out. His fingers stroked her hair in a soothing rhythm. Long past the time she’d stopped crying, he kept her in his arms, rubbing circles over her back and shoulders. He didn’t speak until she stopped trembling.
“You don’t have to do a thing, Ms. Hooper. I’ll loan you the money to get home as well as provide you a place to stay for free until your passport arrives. It was your suggestion you work for your keep, if you recall.”
His warm, kind voice caressed her as his fresh breath fanned her cheek, and she sighed in relief. He really was a nice man after all. As she lifted her head, she looked up at him, offering a weak smile. When his gaze softened, she thought he was going to kiss her but only smiled.
“We’d best get to town. I leave it up to you if you want to demonstrate as my model or not.”
“I’m afraid I wouldn’t be much good to you, Dr. Mann.”
“Why not?”
Unable to meet his gaze, she pushed away from him and he allowed it.
“I’m…I’m frigid. I’d just make a fool of myself in front of all your clients. You’d best find someone else, and I’ll try to rush the government of Canada into helping me.”
Mateo chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Her ire rose at what she perceived to be ridicule, and she prepared to kick his shin.
“Somehow I think you are farther from frigid than the core of the sun, Ms. Hooper. After that kiss last night, you were trembling with desire. I’ll bet your panties were soaking wet when I left your room. Just a simple brush over your nipple and you shudder with ecstasy.”
“You did that on purpose?”
“Did what on purpose?” He looked innocent, frowning at her as though confused at her question.
“You brushed against my breast in the Jeep when you buckled me in.”
Giving her a look of surprise, he shrugged. “I don’t recall. You have an active imagination. If you’re attracted to me, it’s only because you’re a woman. All women adore me and want to try my mattress for a taste of the Love Shark.” As he opened the door for her, he snickered.
She backed away. “You are so conceited! I have no interest in you at all, you pig!”
“Prove it. Spend the day with me, allow me to finish my errands, and if by the end of the day you don’t want to fall into my bed with me, I’ll believe you are different from other women. Mind you, I doubt that will happen. Not by a long shot. You’ll be safe from my advances, I assure you.”
Her eyes narrowed in consideration, waiting for the other shoe to drop, but he shrugged and left her side of the Jeep, walked over to the driver’s side and climbed in. Starting the vehicle once again, he turned to her.
“In or out, either way you can stay with me without any strings attached. I have my day plan
ned, so make up your mind.”
Under her breath, she muttered, looked around her for a moment, then grumbled aloud, “I’m probably going to regret this, but…fine, I’ll spend the day with you.” She climbed in and closed the door, gasping when he reached over to buckle her seat belt, his arm brushing over her nipple once again. She was ready to shout at him about it, but he appeared to not have noticed and turned to start up the Jeep.
Instead of watching the beautiful lush scenery they passed on their trip, she kept shooting furtive glances his way, waiting for him to pounce on her. He didn’t.
* * * *
Difficult as it was, Mateo bit back a smile. He could tell what kind of effect he was having on his little protégé, and it made him want to give in to the laughter he felt every time he accidentally brushed over her breast or bottom. When his hands seemed to catch in her hair or he found an invisible fluff on her cheek, her eyes told him she was fuming mad while her body betrayed her rising interest.
He’d put on a pair of mirrored sunglasses which hid his eyes so he could study her as she fingered fabrics on display in the market square or the texture of a piece of hand-hewn pottery. Seldom did she look at anything expensive though, which surprised him since most of his women went for the most costly item they could find.
For a moment, her interest was captured by a colorful parrot that was perched on a roost in the shade, singing and doing catcalls at her as she walked past, giggling.
When her eyes lit up, he caught his breath. She was beautiful when she smiled. He imagined having her beneath him once again, only this time he’d be deep within her core, pumping so hard with his hips that his thighs would slap against her butt. She’d be crying out and mewling like a wildcat in heat, calling his name as she reached for him with desperation. He could almost hear her begging him to place his lips on hers, his tongue deep in her throat.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked.
Giving him a sideways glance, she smiled sheepishly. “You surprise me. This is the first time since I met you yesterday that you’ve behaved yourself. You’re a nice man when you try.”
He winked. “You haven’t seen me when I’m trying.”
Rae snickered.
“Come, we have to go to the lingerie store. That is, if you are going to model. If not, I only have to run in for a moment and I’ll come right back out again.”
Her cheeks flushed bright red as she bit her lip in indecision. “I’ve been trying to make up my mind. On one part, you said that I’d only have to have sex if my partner and I were agreeable to it, while on the other, I’ll never see any of these people again, so it’s been a tough choice. But I’ll do it as long as you promise to hold true to your word.”
Mateo hid his exuberance and held up his hand solemnly. “I swear that I’ll only have sex with a willing woman, and you will be the one to choose whether to have sex with your partner or not.” When that partner is me.
“Then it’s a deal.” Rae smiled and held out her hand.
He took the offering in his palm and brought her knuckles up to his lips, pressing a warm kiss to them. He nearly laughed aloud when he saw she was holding her breath and watched as a look of desire sparked in her eyes. Her nipples pebbled beneath the thin material of her dress, telling him he was right on track.
As soon as he released her hand, he walked beside her and watched her in the reflection of the store window when she gawked at her fingers as though just realizing they were there. He bit back a grin as he opened the door, and she stared up at him in confusion before accepting his assistance.
This is going to be easier than I thought. She’ll be unable to resist me for long. Disappointment set in as he realized that she was going to be like all the other women and fall under his spell without a fight. Hope in her plummeted as he guided her to the door of the shop.
* * * *
Rae allowed Mateo to take her arm and walked into the small shop with him but immediately backed into him with a startled gasp.
“What’s wrong?” he asked softly in her ear, his warm breath fanning her cheek.
“Uh…I’ve never been in one of these shops. I thought you said we were buying lingerie?”
Shelves upon shelves were lined with every love toy imaginable. She was amazed at the sheer number of colored dildos, lubricants, edible panties, and even penis enlargers, while farther down the aisle she could see silk scarves, whips, handcuffs, and other bondage items.
Thankful that no one was in the store, she turned to leave but came up against his rock-hard chest. His hands steadied her and pulled her close until the thick hardness of his groin was pressed into her pelvis.
“What’s wrong,” he murmured against her brow.
“This isn’t a lingerie shop!” she hissed, trying to shove him aside to reach the door and escape as her face flamed with heat, not to mention her lower belly.
“Of course it is,” he murmured, chuckling low in his throat. He led her down the aisle to the back, keeping a tight hold on her hand which she couldn’t break free of.
“Let me go!”
He ignored her and kept walking, pulling her along in his wake.
A women’s sultry voice rang out in the shop.
“Ah, Dr. Aloha Mano, welcome back. I trust you had a good trip?”
Rae heard someone rush forward and saw the woman kiss him on both cheeks and place a fragrant lei of flowers around his neck.
“There’s no place like home, Lulu. I brought a friend with me for a fitting. She’s going to model for me this month.”
With no option but to follow him, Rae was forced to step forward from where she hid behind his back as he placed her in front of the woman.
Rae was surprised to see an elderly lady dressed in a traditional Hawaiian costume, including a green grass skirt. Rae guessed her to be in her sixties, yet she still had a beautiful body which she displayed proudly, the bikini top modest but her golden-skinned belly soft and showing gentle curves.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nani,” she said, giving Rae a warm smile.
“Oh, I’m too young to have grandchildren.” Rae was shocked when the woman laughed in delight.
“Nani means ‘beautiful’ in Hawaiian.”
Her musical laughter lowered Rae’s natural defenses, making her feel more comfortable in her surroundings though she struggled to find something nice to say and looked around for help.
“Your store is…colorful. What’s that beautiful smell?” Since Mateo was behind her, she was glad he didn’t see her wince when she spotted some fertility goddess statues.
“That is one of the local floral scents. We make it right here on Molokai. Our fragrance is made with natural products, which is why it’s so expensive. There are no unnecessary chemicals added.”
With a graceful move, she picked up a beautiful perfume bottle that was shaped with a hibiscus flower on frosted glass and held it out to Rae, who cautiously sniffed it.
“It’s lovely. I’m usually allergic to perfumes, but that one doesn’t make me react. I like it.”
“That’s good. I love to please my customers,” Lulu said. “Come to the back. I’ll have Naomi watch the store while we choose your items.”
Surprised when Mateo followed them to the back room, she watched as he sat down comfortably on a thick, blue velvet cushioned chair.
“Aren’t you leaving while I try on the clothes?”
With a crooked grin and the devil in his eyes, he slowly shook his head, picked up a magazine, and began to flip through it.
“I have to make sure you meet my standards. I only use the most elegant, sensual outfits on my models to show the clients how important it is to look good for each other.”
“What do the male models wear?”
He winked then whispered, “Not much!”
A large gulp was followed by a deep blush that warmed her cheeks.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be meeting your partner tonight at dinner to give you time to get t
o know him and feel comfortable around him. After this excursion, I’m taking you to your appointment. The doctor has a busy day and could only fit you in just before lunch.”
Lulu came back into the room with a wide smile on her face.
“Come with me, Nani, and I’ll get you started.” Turning back the way she came, she didn’t wait for Rae, who shot an alarmed glance at Mateo. His attention apparently glued to the magazine. With no help coming from him, she rushed out of the small room to follow the chattering woman, who was having a lovely conversation, apparently with herself, as she walked over to a change room and opened the door.
“In you go. I’ll have to help you with some of the zippers and fasteners, but for the most part you’ll do well enough on your own. My, you do have large breasts, but I think what I’ve picked out will make them your finest asset.”
“I don’t have any good assets,” Rae murmured as she entered the room. Stunned to see three walls of the small room lined with so many articles of clothing, she fell speechless.
Lulu studied her a moment. “Of course you do. You have more assets than most women. You should be proud of your body.”
Fingering a fine white silk negligee, Rae shook her head. “Not based on my ex-husband’s opinion.”
“Well, don’t get me wrong, but your ex-husband sounds like an idiot!”
A reluctant grin met with a bubble of laughter as Rae turned to meet Lulu’s gaze.
“Thank you. I tend to think so myself, though not because of my body. He’s just a plain old idiot, period!”
Both women laughed. Lulu nodded at the beautiful gown.
“Why don’t you slip that one on first? I’ll be right back.”
Before she could protest, the door closed in her face. Rae turned back to look at the luxurious gown, tempted to put it on. She’d had to go commando that morning since she had no clean panties with her. Horrified at the thought of ruining any clothing articles, she searched through everything but was unable to find any.
Panicked, she opened the door and called out, “Lulu!”