“Wait, wait,” Courtney said, grabbing her clutch purse from the cocktail table. Seconds later they were out the door.
“Boy, you weren’t lying,” Courtney stated when they made it to Captain Cook’s. The position right on the beach was great, but it looked as if she were walking into someone’s garage. Large outdoor grills were near the entrance, and the plastic tables underneath palm-frond gazebos weren’t much to speak of. There were large bathtubs filled with ice and all kinds of seafood, from lobster to shrimp to crab, all caught fresh from the sea.
“You can pick whatever you want,” Jasper said, “and they’ll cook it for you.”
“Is this sanitary?” Courtney asked from his side, looking down in the tub.
“Trust me, okay?” Jasper gave her hand a squeeze. “I wouldn’t poison you. This place has been around a long time. C’mon.” He pulled her toward the entrance. “Let’s have a beer.”
“Isn’t there any air-conditioned seating?” Courtney asked. She was sweltering after the ride in Jasper’s truck, which didn’t have a working a/c unit.
“Don’t tell me you care about a little sweat?” Jasper asked. Because he could remember she was sweating plenty the other morning when he was buried deep inside her, and she was rising to meet his every thrust.
“I don’t mind it in the right moment,” Courtney clarified, “but I don’t like to sweat over my food.”
“There are fans outside,” Jasper said, and led her to a palm-frond gazebo. They passed by a local band that was coming by each gazebo and serenading them. “You’re going to live like a local.”
From where they were on the beach, Courtney could see the yachts moored off the beach and sunbathers and tourists on their Jet Skis and WaveRunners.
Once they were seated, Jasper ordered a variety of grilled lobster, shrimp and calamari off the menu along with some ice-cold beer.
Although she appreciated a man who took the lead, Courtney couldn’t resist commenting, “I am capable of ordering for myself.”
“I realize that,” Jasper replied, “but I know some of their best menu items. If you like I can get the waitress back.”
“No need,” Courtney said. “I trust your judgment.”
“You just wanted me to know you could.”
“Exactly.” She pointed at him.
“Why are you so desperate to be taken seriously, Courtney? Don’t you get enough of that in the real world?” As soon as he said the words, Jasper realized he’d let the cat out of the bag that he knew her identity.
“What do you mean? Do you know who I am?” Courtney searched his face for a sign of the truth.
Jasper struggled with whether he should lie or not, but considering he already wasn’t playing fair about his true identity, he thought better of digging himself farther in the hole. “I happened to overhear the staff mention that you’re a model is all.” In truth, it was Miguel who’d told him, but he couldn’t tell her that he’d been checking into her background.
Amusement flickered in Courtney’s eyes. “I’m no model.”
The waitress returned with their beer and set both bottles on the table.
“Cheers.” Jasper held up his bottle and Courtney clicked hers against his. “So, why do you say you’re not a model?”
“I’m a spokesmodel for my family’s cosmetics company,” Courtney replied.
Jasper bristled inside. “Oh and what does that entail?”
He wanted to appear curious and not give away that he knew more. His father’s animosity toward the Adamses had nothing to do with him. Jasper held no ill will against her family, though he suspected Courtney might not see it that way.
“You mean beyond being a pretty face?” Courtney jeered. “My job is to increase product awareness. Usually I do this by making public appearances at special events, department stores, malls, clubs and trade shows, that sort of thing. The goal, of course, is to reach as many consumers as possible.”
“So you’re a party girl?” Jasper asked.
Courtney glared at him with reproachful eyes. His words had stung. “I resent what you’re implicating, which is that I don’t work hard.” She was already very sensitive about this particular topic, because she felt her siblings didn’t take her contribution to the company seriously. “Research has shown that a consumer’s perception of a brand, product, service or company is profoundly affected by a live person-to-person experience. As a spokesmodel, I interact with many people at once to maximize a quantitative influence on consumer demand for our products.” She sighed. “Why does everyone undervalue my contribution?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.” Obviously, he’d hit a nerve. “I only meant that I imagine it can get pretty tiring.”
“All that partying,” Courtney added bitterly, taking a generous swig of her beer.
Jasper ignored her sarcasm. “No. I meant being in the public eye and constantly surrounded by people. I prefer my solitude.”
“I’m used to it,” she replied wearily. She’d become immune to her situation. How could she not after a decade of being AC’s spokesmodel? But still, she was tired of being underappreciated. When she got back to the States, there were going to be some big changes at the company.
“If you ask me, sounds like you’re ready to move on.”
Had she given something away with her response? Courtney was good at hiding her emotions, even when she was tired or sick, because the show always had to go on. But now that Jasper had put a spotlight on her, she felt as if the cracks in her armor were showing.
After a long silence, Courtney finally said, “I do what’s necessary for my family, but it might be time for me to step down.”
“I’m sure you’ll be great in your next role,” Jasper said. With all the energy and vitality Courtney possessed, he was sure she would be successful in whatever she put her mind to.
“Thank you.” She was surprised at Jasper’s unexpected encouragement. “My sister and I talked before my trip here and I told her I wanted a larger role at the company that would utilize my marketing degree.”
Jasper’s left eyebrow rose a fraction. Clearly he was surprised she wasn’t some spoiled airhead. She had a brain and had exercised it to obtain a degree. “And you, what are your aspirations, Jasper? You must know you can’t rely solely on brawn and those strong muscles—” she reached across the table to stroke his biceps “—forever. What’s your game plan?”
“To own my own construction company,” Jasper returned, which was the truth. Only he’d accomplished that task nearly nine years ago and now had a rapidly expanding hotel empire.
The waitress returned with their combination platter of grilled shrimp and calamari, Captain Cook’s fish brochettes, freshwater crab and lobster accompanied with a salad and French fries. They both dug into the shellfish, dipping the crab into the lime-flavored butter.
“Mmm...this is delicious.” Courtney couldn’t help moaning aloud.
“Told ya.”
“There’s nothing like owning your own business, my father always says,” Courtney said, picking up where she’d left off. “He started off small, with just a vision, until it steadily grew into something more. Now it’s something that he could pass on to his children, a legacy.”
“I hear the admiration in your voice about your father,” Jasper said. He was envious. He’d never felt that way about Andrew. Ever.
“Yeah, he’s an amazingly gifted man whom I respect a lot,” Courtney said. She was surprised she was having such a deep and profound conversation with Jasper, whom she’d just met. He was so easy to talk to and she could just be herself. It was a refreshing change of pace.
They finished off a good majority of the seafood platters and another round of beer before Jasper took her to the Bávaro Beach Resort. The resort was alive with tourists and gambl
ers. Jasper took Courtney to the Bávaro Disco inside the resort. With its flashing lights and high-octane music, it was one of the favorite clubs on the island. He was sure Courtney would like the place. He used his VIP status to get them into the upstairs lounge so they could enjoy the music but be away from the crowd. Upstairs, there were sleek leather sofas and lounge chairs and a bottle service for the VIPs.
“Do you know everyone in town?” As they made it up the flight of stairs, Courtney commented on how easily Jasper got them into the club. There was a long line of people waiting to get into the disco, but Jasper had walked up to the bouncer as if he owned the place, whispered something in his ear and the big, burly guard had pulled the rope so they could jump the line.
“What do you mean?” Jasper said, even though he knew exactly what she meant.
“You know what I’m talking about,” Courtney said once they were upstairs and seated on lounge chairs. “First, you get a free room at the resort and now that bouncer downstairs just let you in? Does everyone in town owe you? Or you just have major connections?”
Jasper paused, thinking carefully about what he wanted to say. “I know how to treat people, and in return they do things for me.”
“Is that so?” Courtney said. She was sure there was more to the story, but Jasper wasn’t sharing with her. She noticed he hadn’t shared much about himself. The only thing she knew was that he worked at a construction company, he was a fantastic lover and he was great with his hands and mouth. A shiver of desire ran up her spine at the memory of that mouth of his tracing her spine with his tongue.
“Yes,” Jasper said. “We’re benefiting from it, are we not?”
Courtney smiled. “I’m not complaining. Just curious about you, Jasper. You’re an enigma.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“No, but I think you rather like it. It keeps people off-kilter not knowing exactly who you are.”
Jasper’s forehead creased. Courtney was very perceptive. He did keep to himself and remained a mystery to most of his staff. He supposed it was because he wanted to be as far removed from Andrew Jackson as possible so the stench didn’t rub off. Would he ever be far enough away?
“How about a drink?” he asked, changing the subject.
Courtney noticed that Jasper was comfortable talking about her, but when the subject turned to him he was quick to move on to a different subject.
“What would you like?” he asked when a busty waitress in short pants and a tank top came over to take their order.
“Oh, so you’re asking me this time?”
“As I recall, the last time I tried to order for you, you weren’t too pleased with me.”
“I’ll have a Miami Vice.”
“Make that two,” Jasper told the waitress.
“I like the music,” Courtney said, getting up and swaying her hips to the beat of the music as she looked down at the crowd below. It was a mix of house and techno.
Jasper came up behind her and circled his arms around her waist and together their bodies swayed as one to the drumbeats. His large hands grasped hers and intertwined their fingers. Courtney leaned back and rested her head against his muscled shoulders and soaked in the moment.
When the waitress came, Jasper motioned to the table. “Just put them down, we’ll get ’em.”
When the music turned sultry, Courtney turned around and Jasper enveloped her in his arms, resting his hands above her hips, and they continued their dirty dancing as if they were the only couple upstairs, which they weren’t. But to Courtney they were. When the song ended, they finally pulled away and Courtney used the break to sip on her drink and hopefully cool herself down. It did the reverse. The liquor spread through her veins like fire and warmed her from the inside out.
Jasper sat back in the lounger across from her and regarded her silently.
Courtney was keenly aware of his scrutiny. “Do I have something stuck in my teeth?” She reached for her purse.
“No, I was just admiring how beautiful you are,” Jasper answered honestly. Her bone structure, high cheekbones and clear skin were flawless. Courtney was a stunningly beautiful woman with striking eyes that spoke to him. “So, who did you get that eye color from?”
“My mother. My brother and I favor her with our fair skin and green eyes, while my older sister is the spitting image of our father.”
“Interesting dynamic,” Jasper murmured, sipping his drink.
“And you? Who do you look more like?” Courtney asked, eager for some snippet of real information about Jasper.
Jasper wrinkled his nose. “My father.”
Courtney noticed how he admitted that fact reluctantly. Clearly, there was no love lost between the two men. She would love to know more, but tonight was not about family. It was about them.
Several dances and two Miami Vices later, Courtney and Jasper abandoned the disco in favor of going back to the resort. Neither had said much on the ride home. They didn’t need to because when they got to her room at the resort, their bodies spoke to each other.
Their passion for each other was uncontrollable, and they began stripping each other’s clothes almost as soon as they walked into her room. They left a trail of clothes from her living room until they reached the master bedroom. They met each other on top of the bed. Jasper quickly relieved himself of his briefs, while Courtney didn’t have much on underneath her jumpsuit except a pair of bikini panties, which quickly got tossed over her shoulder.
Jasper swept her, weightless, into his arms and crushed her to him. His mouth sought hers hungrily and she met his fiery kiss with demands of her own. She pressed her lips eagerly against his with a tantalizing series of slow, searing kisses. His lips parted and she kissed him long and hard, savoring every delicious moment.
Courtney wrapped one leg and then another across Jasper’s waist until they were in a seated position. Jasper slid his hand down her silky, soft back while the other hand gently outlined the circle of her breast. He seemed enthralled by her soft curves and bent down to take one erect nipple between his lips. He circled the bud with his tongue, nipped it with his teeth and sucked on it until Courtney shivered in his arms.
Jasper loved each nipple as if they were sweet, dark morsels in a chocolate-chip cookie. “Every time I look at you, your nipples will harden,” Jasper warned as he tongued the other nipple.
Courtney had no doubt her body would remember every response Jasper evoked in her of its own volition.
His mouth returned to hers and his thrusting tongue roused her passion, but she wasn’t the only one being swept away; she could feel Jasper growing hard.
He continued to touch her until he found her damp, hot secret place between them both. He teased the slick folds with his fingers and Courtney couldn’t resist uttering a shocked cry as intense pleasure radiated through her. When he flicked the nub at the center of her, she nearly jumped off the bed, but that didn’t stop him from lazily dallying with her core in a delicious rhythm. She felt like a musical instrument that only Jasper could play. He knew exactly what chord to strike for a sigh or moan to escape her tremulous lips. It didn’t take long for her orgasm to come, swift and strong, and she threw her head back exultantly and fell against the bed.
Jasper was thrilled that he could elicit that kind of reaction from Courtney. He rose from the bed and looked down, drinking in the sight of her. In the moonlight coming through the terrace doors, he could plainly see her features and her shapely curves. He wasn’t sure one week with her would be enough to enjoy her the way he wanted.
“You are so beautiful,” he said huskily.
“You make me feel beautiful.” Courtney drew in a ragged breath at the longing in his gaze.
Jasper quickly reached for a condom that he’d taken the liberty of removing from his pants pocket and sheathed himself before cupping
Courtney’s butt and pulling her toward him. He slid easily inside her warm, waiting body, desperate to claim her as his.
The feeling of him inside her must have made Courtney want more because she wiggled her hips against his shaft.
“Like that?” he murmured.
“Oh, yes.”
He rewarded her by placing his hands possessively around her hips and moved her, guiding himself in and out. Their bodies instinctively increased the pace and soon their mutual desire gathered a storm and threatened to overtake them.
But Jasper didn’t let it. He changed positions by pulling Courtney atop him so she could ride him like a stallion. He wanted to watch her scandalous responses. He loved when she squatted on her ankles above him and took him in, squeezing her core tightly around him as her pert breasts bobbed up and down.
Their fused energies lit up the bedroom, and the intensity spread through her like wildfire. Courtney’s orgasm came first and she exploded above him. “Oh my...” she murmured.
Jasper was close behind her, gripping her hips roughly, and two hard thrusts later, he went rigid beneath her.
The strange sensation she felt when she raised her head to look down at him scared the heck out of her. She’d never felt this way after making love before. It had felt so good and so right she’d almost cried. Good Lord, she had to get a hold of herself. It was just sex. She was here for fun and sun. Nothing more.
Jasper was quite satisfied having Courtney sitting on his lap. He’d enjoyed their lovemaking because she was uninhibited and responsive. He tenderly touched her cheek with his fingers and gave her a gentle kiss.
Chapter 5
It was 5:00 a.m. and Courtney was completely exhausted. She hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before with Jasper staying over, but she had a photo shoot to get to.
When she arrived, the photographer was already setting up several stands, an umbrella, reflector and soft-lighting boxes for several of the photos that would be featured in Bliss’s new campaign. It was a little chilly first thing in the morning, but his assistant thankfully handed her a cup of coffee, which Courtney drank liberally.
Formula for Passion Page 5