“What do you mean?”
“I mean, why are you really ending this? And don’t use the excuse of the new resort rule. We both know that there’s another reason.”
She sighed and glanced around at the people passing back and forth around them. “I just need to focus on what’s important, Tate, and right now, that’s helping out my mother.” She took a small step back. “You already know that the health coverage from this job helps pay for my mother’s care. What I didn’t say is that the co-payments are really high, and I’m already a few behind. The commission I’ll get from this wedding will help get me caught up.”
“Wait a minute—you haven’t been paying the medical bills?”
“I try to pay them, but keep falling behind. Up until this point my commissions haven’t been large enough to make much of a dent. So you see, this wedding needs to go off without a hitch. I need that money, Tate. I can’t afford any distractions.”
He frowned and waved his hand between them. “So this is just a ‘distraction’ to you?” He didn’t know why those words stung so much, but they did.
She nodded. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s a great distraction. I love it. It’s just that I need to focus on my job right now. This wedding is too important.”
He considered her for a moment before responding. While he appreciated her honesty, he still felt as if he wasn’t getting the whole truth, and if she thought she could just drop a bomb like this and walk away from him, then she had another think coming.
“Sorry darlin’,” he finally said. “But I can’t let you do this.”
She widened her eyes. “What?”
He took her hand. “I’m not giving up on tonight. I’ve been waiting for this all day and I know you have been, too.”
“Tate…”
“One night, Zoe, that’s all I ask. If after tonight you still want to end things, then I will let you, but at least give me one more night.”
She stared at him, considering.
“I already have something special planned.”
“Okay—one night. Then we’re done.”
Not if he had anything to say about it. He took her hand. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“Away from the resort and all the stress it brings. We’ll take my motorcycle to the other side of the island, far away from this place.”
“Motorcycle?”
He smiled to himself. Ever since he had first taken her out on his motorcycle, she had been looking for excuses to ride it every night. She was a woman after his own heart.
“Yes.” He walked over to his bike then swung her around so that her back was up against it. Pressing his torso against hers, he slid his hands along her waist and rubbed his already-growing cock up against her lower abdomen.
“Tate, we’re still on the resort.” She placed her hands on his chest and gently pushed him away.
“Right.” He stepped back and handed her a helmet. The sooner they got off the resort, the better. “Let’s go.” He jumped onto the seat.
“In a rush?” she teased as she slid onto the seat behind him.
“Just you wait, pretty lady. What I have planned will knock your socks off.”
“I’m not wearing socks.” She slid onto the bike seat behind him and leaned in close to his ear. “I’m not wearing any underwear, either.”
Yeah, they needed to get off the resort property, and fast. Tate turned on the engine and peeled out of the parking lot a little faster than was safe, but Zoe didn’t seem to mind. She laughed and clung to him as they sped down the street, clearly enjoying the experience.
“I’m going to have to get myself one of these,” she said at the next stoplight.
“You like motorcycles, eh?”
She slid her fingers down his muscular abs and brushed his cock. “I like feeling a lot of power between my legs.”
Clearly, getting her off the property was a good thing. Now if he could only make it to the condo, he could work on showing her just how good they were together, and perhaps she could forget about her crazy idea to end their evenings of fun.
He steeled his jaw as the light turned green and started the bike up once more. Damn, if this woman wasn’t hot. She was crazy if she thought he was going to just let her walk away. They were too good together, and she needed their wild nights as much as he did.
He needed to take back control of the situation and prove to her how great they were together, but he couldn’t do anything while driving. In short, he was trapped, and Zoe was taking full advantage.
He ground his teeth as she continued to move her hands over his torso and hips, praying that he’d make it to the back road that led to the condos on the other side of the island in time.
The minutes passed with agonizing slowness, until she squeezed his shaft. Pleasure burst through his system, creating a fresh sense of urgency that almost caused him to veer off the road.
Damn, this girl was going to get them into an accident. They were never going to make it to the condo in time. Maybe just making it to the property would be enough. There was a thick forest between the front gate and the cluster of buildings that would be the perfect place to pull over and teach Zoe that she couldn’t tease him without suffering the consequences.
Tate made it past the front gate attendant by sheer force of will. It didn’t take him long to find a clearing secluded enough so that anyone driving by wouldn’t see them. By the time he pulled over, his cock felt as if it was going to explode.
“Why did we stop?” Zoe asked as she slid her delicate fingers over his lower abdomen.
“As if you didn’t know.” Tate ripped off both their helmets and slid off the bike. Grabbing the back of her head, he dragged her to his lips and kissed her with all the pent-up frustration and desire he felt. As their tongues dueled, she continued to explore his chest, setting every inch of his skin on fire.
When they finally came up for air, he pulled her off the bike and into his arms. God, she felt so good next to him. Still, it wasn’t enough. Nothing was ever enough with this woman. As he slid his tongue back into her mouth, he slid his knee in between her legs and leaned back toward the seat on his bike. Moaning against his lips, she eased forward with him until her thighs straddled his lap.
“Tate…” she whispered as they broke for air once more. He immediately moved to her neck, using his tongue and teeth to send a trail of fire across her skin. She tilted her head back and pressed her hips closer, rubbing them up against his hips.
Damn, he couldn’t get enough of this woman. If he didn’t get inside of her soon, he was going to burst.
When he leaned back and tried to catch his breath, she eased apart his legs and knelt between them.
“Zoe…” God, things were spinning out of control. He had this whole evening planned—even bought a new sex toy to try—and here she was blowing all of his preparations out of the water.
Tate held his breath as she removed his cock from his jeans and wrapped her warm, wet lips around the tip. God, this woman was hot. Never before had he felt anything so amazing. As she slowly lowered her mouth over his shaft, he closed his eyes and focused on the pleasure rolling over his body.
“God, Zoe…” He threaded his fingers through her hair as she pushed down as far as she could go and used her hand to cover the rest of his length. She was so wet, so hot. He moaned as she pressed her flattened tongue up against his sensitive skin and retreated, using both her mouth and hand to give him maximum pleasure.
“I love how you taste,” she whispered when she fully retreated. “I could do this all night.”
Oh God, not all night. Tate didn’t think he’d survive. He knew he needed to stop her. If this went on much longer he’d lose control and empty himself in her mouth. He had put so much effort into this night. He needed it to be special. He had to stop this before he lost control, and yet he couldn’t resist the temptation of that sweet mouth.
When she moaned once more, he opened his eyes and
watched her advance and retreat over his length. Desire gripped him hard, tightening his muscles and blanking his thoughts. She began to quicken the pace, and it was all Tate could do not to let go.
“Easy darlin’.” He tightened his grip on her hair, slowing her movements. “We have all night.”
She groaned and closed her eyes, clearly loving how he was taking charge. Tate moistened his lips as the air heated around them and desire roared in his veins. With each press of her tongue, his sense of urgency grew. With each tightening of her fingers, his sanity slipped.
He let the moment go on for as long as he could stand it, then gently eased her away.
“What are you doing?” she asked as he stood up and settled her on the bike.
He eased her down until she was laying on the seat with the back of her head on the handlebars and her hips on the rear portion of the bike. “Now, it’s my turn.”
Chapter Nine
Anticipation tingled over Zoe’s skin as she reclined back on the motorcycle seat. She could hardly wait to see what Tate had in store for her. Leaning her elbows on the handlebars, she watched him as he eased first one of her legs, then the other, up onto his shoulders.
“Tate,” she said as he dragged her skirt up over her thighs. “Oh God.” It felt so freeing being outside like this. The trees and grass made her feel more primal and needy.
He leaned over the edge of the bike until his head was between her legs. “You’re so beautiful, Zoe, and I’m going to make sure you realize just how desirable you are.”
“Tate—oh.” She gasped as he flicked his tongue over the rim of her opening. While she knew that they could never do anything like this back at the resort, she understood the temptation. She loved being out in the open and knowing that anyone could walk by and see them at any time. Leaning on the back of his motorcycle just made it more wild and crazy.
He circled her opening with his tongue and then found her clit. She groaned as he pressed against the small bundle of nerves and rubbed it up and down. God, he felt so good, and the sight of his dark head between her legs was hotter than hell.
The next time he flicked her clit, he pressed a finger deep into her center.
“Yes,” she whispered as she felt the friction deep in her core. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes.
He retreated then pushed once more, using both his mouth and hand to build a steady rhythm. With each thrust, Zoe climbed higher and higher. Being taken out in the open like this was so hot, so completely sexy. As he worked, the world around her faded away until she was completely focused on the heat building inside her body.
He exchanged one finger for two. Zoe started to move against him, loving the way he spread apart her inner walls with his hand. She wanted more, needed more. A sense of urgency rose up inside of her until she found herself teetering on the edge of something vast and amazing.
“Do you have a condom?”
He leaned back from her body and pulled out a long line of packets. “Several.”
“I guess you were planning for a long night?”
“I like to be prepared.”
“Just like a Boy Scout.”
“Oh, I’m not a Boy Scout.” She laughed as he pulled her off the bike, turned her around, and leaned her over the seat. Before she could gather her wits, he had his condom on and was pressing against her opening.
Zoe’s laughter changed into a feminine sound of appreciation as he grabbed her hips and slid himself into her core. “God, you feel amazing.” She grabbed onto the bike for support. “Promise me you won’t be gentle this time.”
“I don’t think I could if I tried,” he said as he retreated and pushed into her again.
Zoe clung to the bike as he thrust into her body, filling her to the point of breaking. Soon she was moving against him, and the world around them faded away until there was just this man, this moment, and the rising need in her core.
“I’m close,” she said as they came together hard. “Don’t stop.”
He quickened the pace, his movements becoming more jerky and desperate. He felt so good, but she needed more, wanted more.
“I want you to come hard for me,” he said as he reached around her hips. “I want to feel you grip my cock.” He slid his fingers in between her legs and rubbed her clit. The added sensation blasted through her system, shoving her over the edge. Zoe called out his name as pleasure rocked her body, wrapping her in a blanket of ecstasy.
“Yes, that’s it. Just like that.” Thrusting hard and fast, his movements took on a desperation she had never experienced before. The friction fed her orgasm, pushing her higher and higher. Then he roared behind her as he followed her into oblivion. Time as she knew it slowed. She never wanted the moment to end.
Eventually it did end, however, and as she drifted back to reality, she collapsed onto the motorcycle seat in exhaustion.
“You can’t give this up, Zoe.” Tate retreated and took care of the condom. “I’m not going to let you.” They got dressed and rode the rest of the way to the condo in silence. All the while Zoe thought about what he had said and knew that it was true. She couldn’t give him up, not without a fight. Perhaps if she got him to open up a little about his life outside of the island, to talk about something other than her, or what was happening in the moment, they’d have a chance of making the relationship last beyond the wedding.
As they arrived at the condo, she realized that her feelings for him were growing stronger. This frightened her. If she couldn’t get him to commit to the relationship beyond the end of the month, then she was headed for a broken heart.
“Are you okay?” Tate asked as he helped her off his bike.
She nodded and handed him her helmet. “I was just thinking.”
“Thinking about what?” He placed the helmets on the seat and slid his arm around her shoulders.
“About my mother.”
“What about her?” He steered her toward the large, pastel-colored condo.
She rubbed her arms. “I’ve told you all about how my father left and how my mother ended up in an institution, but you’ve told me nothing about your family.”
He stopped walking and slid his arm away. “Zoe, I don’t want—”
“You see, that’s the thing. You never want to talk about yourself. You want me to think of this…” She waved her hands between them. “This relationship as more than a distraction, but you never want to do anything other than have fun. How am I supposed to take you seriously if you never tell me anything?”
He considered her for a long moment. “You really want to know about my family?”
“Yes.”
He took her hand. “Come on.”
“What are you doing?”
“There’s a swing on the porch. I think you need to sit down for this. I know I do.”
She followed him to the porch, wondering why he had gotten all serious. By the time they situated themselves in the swing, Tate had gone quiet.
“What is it?” she finally asked. “What aren’t you telling me?”
…
If she only knew. Tate took in a deep breath and let it out. He didn’t want to come clean about everything. With all of her money problems, Tate didn’t know how she’d react to knowing that he was the heir to an oil empire. All his life people had treated him differently because of his family’s heritage. He didn’t want Zoe to see him as some spoiled rich kid who was running around the world spending his father’s money. She wouldn’t understand why he had decided to give up all of that wealth, especially when she had been scraping by for so long.
She wouldn’t understand how suffocated he had felt, and how desperate he had become to break free. The old man had become so overprotective after Rob’s death, so suffocating. His father had told him that going off on his own would lead him down the same path as his brother. Tate wanted to prove to him that he didn’t need the family fortune to be happy. While he liked to have fun, he wasn’t wild and reckless like Rob. He was resp
onsible and could do things on his own.
It had been five years since he’d been home. Five long years in which he hadn’t seen his dad. Tate missed him, but didn’t want to risk being pulled under by the old man’s overbearing personality. Growing up, Tate felt as if he was living in his brother’s shadow. His father had refused to see him as an individual. Being away from that mansion, with all of its dark memories, had been a relief, but now, after seeing Zoe and how she faced her responsibilities, he knew that he needed to stop running away. If he was ever to be a man worthy of her, he had to make peace with his father and stop running from his past once and for all.
“Tate?” Zoe asked. “What is it?”
He took a deep breath and let it out. No, he couldn’t talk about his father, but he could talk about someone else. “I have an older brother.”
She raised her brows. “Really? Where does he live?”
“He’s buried at the family cemetery in Texas.”
“Oh, Tate, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. It happened a long time ago. I was just a teenager.” He pushed his fingers through his hair and sighed. “He died in a motorcycle accident.”
“And that’s how you became interested in bikes?”
“No, it was before that. I remember the exact day. I had gotten home from school and found Rob in the garage, shining up the chrome on his new bike. He tossed me a rag and let me help. Dad was so mad when he walked in on us.”
“Why?”
Tate chuckled. “Because my father had just gotten notification that Rob had racked up the family credit card in order to buy his bike.”
She flashed him a half smile. “He sounds like a bad boy.”
He pushed a stray hair from her temple and ran his fingers along the side of her face. “We both were.”
“You miss him still, don’t you?”
“Always.” More than she knew. If his brother were alive, Tate wouldn’t have half the problems with his father that he had now.
“Gavin and I idolized him growing up.”
“You knew Gavin as a child?”
“Yeah. He was the one who told me about the job on the island.”
Secret Games (Tropical Temptation) Page 8