Obsession Down Under

by MACADAM, LAYNE

  He’d said he was in his thirties but he looked much younger. God, he was perfect. Jessica almost groaned out loud. It was obvious she was older than him, and he was in for one of the biggest letdowns of his life. Why oh why hadn’t she just exchanged photos like he’d asked?

  She studied his face some more as she struggled with her inner turmoil. With a start, she recognized apprehension marking his features. He was every bit as nervous as she. That put her at ease as nothing else could.

  When he finished the call, that was her cue. With a deep breath and a determined sigh, she wove her way through the crush of people toward him.

  Chapter 4

  Whip shifted the stuffed koala and tucked it under his arm. When Travis’ wife, Annie, made the suggestion, he thought it a novel idea and kind of cute, but now, juggling the koala and the ringing phone, he felt like a total dork.

  The caller ID showed it was his twin. God but he was a nosey bastard. “This had better be good,” Whip said, taking the call.

  “I told you to phone me.”

  “She’s not through customs yet.”

  “Not through! Do you think she changed her mind?”

  “No I fucking don’t,” Whip barked and hung up. Next time Travis phoned he’d let it go straight to the message bank. His brothers would never stop crowing about it if she had stood him up.

  He refocused his attention on the entrance and caught his breath. A brunette wearing a red ribbon and a Yankees jacket was heading his way.

  Curvaceous and older than he’d imagined. Laughter lines edged wide-spaced eyes that sparkled in recognition as he watched her approach.

  Not often short of a word, he was dumbfounded when she blindsided him with her radiant smile as she stopped mere inches from him.

  “G’day, Jessie Rose,” was all he managed to stammer.

  “Hey, Cowboy, you look worried. Did you think I was going to do a no-show?”

  He’d expected her voice to tinkle like expensive crystal, but it was kind of deep and husky. Nice. Sexy. And damn was she hot. Blue eyes blazed up at him in open lust. His mouth formed a crooked grin, and bending from the waist, he did what any red-blooded Aussie bloke would have done. He kissed her with a passion that up until then he hadn’t believed in. And damn, she kissed him back like he was the last man on earth.

  The crowded airport noise brought him back to his senses, and he eased out of the kiss.

  “Wow. That was one hell of a welcome.” She giggled, her eyes alight with a burning need that had him grinning back like he’d won the lotto.

  “Well, I had to make up for the lousy weather,” he drawled, handing her the stuffed koala. “For you.”

  “Oh, it’s so cute, and it’s even got a red ribbon around its neck,” she crooned, taking the life-sized cuddly toy from him. “Do you think I might get to hold a real one while I’m here?” she asked, hugging it to her ample cleavage.

  “Sure, if you want. There are animal parks we can stop at between Sydney and Highland Glen. You can feed and pet the kangaroos, too. They’re quite tame in the parks, and you’ll see dingoes, platypus, wombats, and even some Tasmanian Devils if you’re lucky, but you wouldn’t want to hold one of those.”

  “I can’t wait to get started. How long do you think the rain will last?” She gestured to the wall-sized window in front of them. “Will it affect our seeing the animals?” Her mouth pulled up and her full lips parted, revealing even, white teeth.

  Whip caught her infectious excitement and hurried to reassure her. “Don’t worry, I’m sure it won’t last long. Where we’re going is in drought, so no trouble seeing the animals.”

  She reached across and squeezed his hand. “I just know we’re going to get along fine. Thanks for inviting me.”

  “My pleasure. I’m glad you could make it,” he said, gathering her bags and guiding her toward the exit.

  It was pouring as they stepped out onto the pavement and made their way along the covered walkway. He inserted his parking ticket into the machine, took out his credit card, and paid the fee.

  “Wait here and I’ll bring the Ute around,” he said, finding a sheltered spot for her before making a dash for it. Five minutes later, the luggage was stowed in the back, and Jessica was buckled up in the passenger seat beside him.

  As he steered out of the car park, visibility was as clear as a murky pond on a dull day. He switched the wipers to high speed, let out the clutch, and accelerated out of the airport grounds.

  Thrilled and travelling on a high, he decided it best to get the housekeeping out of the way first.

  “Hu-hum.” He cleared his throat that had thickened all of a sudden and then announced, “I’ve booked us a room in the city for tonight. But if you don’t want to share I understand, no pressure, it’s your call.”

  “No, that’s cool, I’m fine with sharing.”

  The little half-smile she gave him was reserved, but her eyes were backlit with devilment, and he breathed easier.

  “Good. You can have a snooze when we get there, or if you’re not too tired I can show you some city sites. Even in the wet, there’s lots to see.”

  “I’m not tired. I managed to grab a few Z’s on the plane. I can’t wait to start exploring. Sydney Harbour is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in the world, and then of course there’s the Opera House. Will we go over the Harbour Bridge?” Her words tumbled out in a rush.

  He laughed at her excitement, and he liked that she’d done her homework on the capital city of his home state of New South Wales.

  “No, we’re on the wrong side of the city for that, but if the weather’s fine tomorrow we can walk across it or do the Bridge climb, even go to the beach if you like. It’s predicted to clear, but this sure as heck looks set in. I just hope they’re getting some of this foul weather inland where it’s needed.”

  “Fingers crossed then. When I Googled Sydney, it mentioned the Bridge climb as a must. The experience is said to be amazing and not to be missed. I don’t really have a head for heights, but hey, I’m going to give it a shot. You only live once, right?”

  Her luminous eyes glowed with a spirit of adventure. Here was a woman not shy to take on the world and all it had to offer. Her smile was infectious, lighting up her whole face and he found himself grinning like a fool at her enthusiasm.

  “Right,” he agreed, wanting to kiss those luscious lips again. No sign of the ugly stick here. She was sexy and beautiful and his brothers would have to backpedal. Age, he decided, was a hard thing to pick, and more so in women. They’d both revealed they were in their thirties but hadn’t been specific. At a guess, he’d say she was somewhere between thirty-three and thirty-eight, a little older than he at thirty-one perhaps, but he liked older women—they were secure in their own skin. And if she were as hot in the cot as she was online then she’d be a dream come true.

  On the drive back to the hotel there were no uncomfortable moments or strained silences. They chatted like old friends catching up after not seeing each other for a while. He realized then that’s what they were. Friends, lovers after a fashion. She was not embarrassed around him, and the initial awkwardness he’d felt died like a candle in a stiff breeze.

  “Hey, Whip, I can’t wait to get to Highland Glen. Before I left New York, I took a few horse-riding lessons so as not to miss out on anything at the ranch, and after just five lessons the instructor said I was ‘unbelievable.’”

  Her elfin grin was cheeky and her eyes danced with delight. He thought then that they’d get along just fine. Like him, she was unafraid to try new things, to take a chance. Flying here alone, along with the riding lessons she’d taken, proved that.

  “You can do as much riding as you like on the property. I’ve got a nice little mare named Millie. She’s so placid you’ll think you’re on a rocking horse.”
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  “She sounds perfect. But I do like variety, and I don’t want all my rides to be smooth ones.” Her husky words were flirty, and a corner of her mouth curled up in a lopsided grin, and then she winked.

  Hallelujah. The innuendo was like music to his ears. And when she reached across and ran her fingers up his thigh, his blood heated. “Jessie Rose, I hear what you’re saying.”

  Considerable time had been devoted to wondering what she’d expect when they at last met. Whether she’d want him to woo her first, take it slow, or whether she’d rather get straight down to the nitty-gritty.

  Now he knew.

  And it was like the last few weeks online together had been foreplay. He was harder than a randy bull in the cow pasture. His thoughts bloomed with impish delight and just like a callow youth, he felt a hairbreadth away from coming in his jeans. Not the ideal first impression. And with the rain pissing down buckets and the traffic so hectic, he needed to stay alert. So putting his large hand over her smaller one, he curtailed its progress before she reached her target.

  “Only fifteen minutes to the hotel, and then I’ll give you a ride you won’t forget.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  She chuckled with enthusiasm, but as he drove toward the city the traffic was a hindering bitch, and it was thirty-five minutes later before they reached their destination.

  Whip killed the engine the moment the wheels stopped spinning and climbed out. The car keys he left in the ignition for valet parking, but dispensed with the bellhop, preferring to take her luggage with them rather than risk being interrupted later.

  He and Jessie Rose caught the lift to the twenty-sixth floor, and he ushered her into the suite he’d occupied the previous night. On the table, a bottle of champagne sat chilling in a silver ice bucket alongside two crystal flutes and a bowl of ripe strawberries, just as he’d requested. The vase of blood red roses and handmade chocolates beside them completed the picture.

  “Oh, Whip, this is lovely.”

  “Glad you like it.” He grinned, and striding across to the window, parted the voile curtains to reveal panoramic views across the harbor. Even in torrential rain the city was spectacular, and he hoped Jessie Rose would be impressed as she trailed him across the room and peered out at the vista.

  “That’s the Opera House, right?” She pointed to the iconic white-sailed building sitting at the water’s edge on Bennelong Point.

  “Yep, sure is.”

  “I’ve seen pictures of course, but they don’t measure up to the real thing. It’s breathtaking.”

  “My sentiments to a tee.” His voice deepened with want. His focus was not on the Opera House, it was on her, and she caught him stripping her with his eyes as she turned. Twin spots of color appeared high on her cheeks at his lustful appreciation, and he gave her a wink. “Come here, babe.”

  There was no hesitation. She was by his side in seconds. He pulled her close and tilted her chin for his kiss. One hand splayed across the small of her back, the other cupped her cheek. He bent his head and their mouths connected. When her full lips parted, his tongue delved into her velvety softness. Silky and sweet as syrup, he sipped at them exploring, tasting, savoring. His splayed hand strayed to her bottom, his fingers kneading the plump globes as he propelled her tight up against him until he could feel her well-endowed bosom press against his chest. Without conscious thought, his hand dropped from her cheek to cup her left breast, weighty and lush. His jeans tightened as his growing erection strained against the denim. He rotated his hips against hers, giving her the full benefit of what he had to offer. The moan she released into his mouth was a challenge that had his pulse racing and set his blood to boil.

  Without pause or effort, he scooped her into his arms and strode over to the king-sized bed where he set her down beside it. When she started to strip, he stopped her. “No, Jessie Rose, let me. You just stand there and look beautiful.” There was no rush. He wanted to pet her, spoil her, make this first real time together special.

  Chapter 5

  Jessica blinked. Look beautiful. How the heck did she do that? She lifted her chin and stood in silence while Whip stripped her down to her lacy black and pink bra and matching thong, Victoria’s Secret she’d bought for this special trip. For Whip. When he’d whisked her into his arms just now it had caught her off-guard, not being the type of woman men scooped up and carried to bed. It was all so arousing, Whip made her feel like Scarlet O’Hara. Another point to his credit, and she was extra glad she’d splurged on the sexy underwear.

  “Perfect.” He ran his hand over the flare of her hips.

  “You don’t have to flatter me, Whip, I’m not some needy teenager.” She tittered. He was an out-of-this-world, gorgeous gift from the gods in his prime, and she was an ordinary, plump female well past the first flush of youth.

  “Just telling it like it is.”

  “Please, Whip, don’t. I have a mirror and a perfectly good set of eyes.”

  “So have I, honey, and you look amazing. I want to see and touch every inch of you. Now turn around.”

  “What?”

  “I’m serious. Turn around. I want to see your sexy ass in that thong.”

  She was downright self-conscious now and sucked in a big gulp of air before complying. On the ever-so-rare occasions she did have sex these days, it was in the dark, and she never, not once, not ever, paraded around naked like Lady Godiva for all to see. But if that’s what he wanted then that’s what he’d get. With a racing heart and a heated face, she presented him with her backside and stated the obvious, “Too big.”

  No comment. This was what she’d feared. A shuffling noise behind had her glancing over her shoulder. To her surprise, Whip had dropped to his knees.

  His hands gripped her hips then she felt his warm lips press against her bottom.

  “Heavenly and silky-soft, like whipped cream.” He sighed.

  His moustache and facial stubble rasped her skin, sending vibrations rippling through her body. She’d never had anyone kiss her butt before, it was kind of . . . empowering.

  “Mmm, now there’s a thought. I could cover your ass in whipped cream and then spend the rest of the morning licking it off.” He tongued her in demonstration and gave her bottom a gentle nip with his teeth that shot tingles clear down to her toes.

  “You’d be sick licking up the amount of cream it would take to cover something that big.”

  “Now you’re fishing for compliments.”

  “No, I’m just being truthful because my butt is huge.”

  “Honey, I like a woman I can hang on to, not a bag of bones.”

  “But I’m . . .”

  “Perfect, and I do not want to hear you putting yourself down again, is that clear?”

  Her feet snapped together. “Yes, sir.” She saluted and giggled.

  “Keep that up, and I might just have to spank you,” he threatened with a grin, giving her bottom a playful slap.

  Before she had time to think of a witty or saucy retort, he spun her around to face him, hooked a long tapered finger into her lacy thong, and tugged the elastic forward.

  “Now, let me see what we’ve got down here.”

  As he spoke, she looped her arms around his neck, aware of what he was looking for. Her rose tattoo had been part of their cybersex play ever since she’d had it done six months ago.

  He eased the scrap of lace down her thighs and pressed his lips against the image on her waxed pussy.

  “It’s not my birthday, so it must be Christmas,” he crooned, drawing back and tracing the petite crimson rose with his fingertips.

  The fluttering of a million butterfly wings played havoc in her stomach as Whip drew his finger lower to her cleft, circled her sensitive nub, and pushed his finger inside to explore her inner heat.

 
He separated the soft petals of her womanhood with his thumbs, exposing her clit and inner folds. A hot puddle of need, she welcomed his touch.

  “God, Jessie Rose, you’re positively glistening, just like you described.”

  A tingling mass of nerve endings, she hadn’t felt this turned on in eons, if ever. He’d been explicit in his e-mails and so had she, but actually hearing the words said in his sexy accent, and the awe in his tone made her believe it was true.