Don progressed with slow determination, his tongue laving my skin with fire that burned liquid and hot. Heat raged and cooled to a cold fire that seeped into my soul.
“You know this was not part of tonight’s plan,” Don said.
“It was part of my plan.”
His head came up and he stared at me. I looked him directly in the eye, not wavering a bit.
“What else is in your plan?” he asked. His voice was deep and dark.
“Just wait. You’ll find out everything you need to know.”
“Sounds intriguing,” he said.
“You have no idea.”
Chapter 19
The moon was just as large tonight as it had been the night before. I lay against Don, his arms around my waist, as we watched it. The party down at the other end of the beach went quiet as many of the participants left for their temporary Vineyard residences.
“I feel like we’re alone in the world,” I said.
“I can be in a crowd and still feel alone with you,” Don said.
I smiled. “Pretty words.”
“I mean every one of them.”
“You can be so charming when you want to,” I said, snuggling closer to him. His arms closed around me. “You never see a moon this large in Brooklyn.”
“It’s here all the time. You should make a point of getting out of the city and looking at it.”
“Fine,” I agreed. “Once a month I’ll come to Vineyard just to see the moon.”
“Only the moon?” he teased.
“Well, I suppose,” I shifted to look at him, “I suppose I’d have to take a room at a local hotel. There’s a very nice manager at the St. Romaine. Do you know him?”
“Very well,” he said.
I liked the simple banter. I liked the freedom of being in his arms. The moon beamed over the water, shimmering a path that went from the Vineyard to the shores of Wales and the European continent. I felt as if I could jump on that beam and be conveyed all the way to a foreign land.
I was certainly acting foreign. I’d never been this happy. No one had ever made me feel the way Don did. I could be reckless, or loveable. I could be giddy or formal and he’d fall right into step with me.
“Listen,” he said.
I cocked my head. “All I hear is the water.”
“Right,” he said. “The party must be over.”
“And we’re alone in our universe.”
“Something like that.”
“Did you arrange this, too?”
He shook his head. “My powers only extend inside the hotel. Outside its walls, I’m just a citizen.”
“I could debate that,” I said. I pulled myself up, getting closer to him, deliberately dragging my body against his.
“Is this a string?” he asked.
“One of many,” I answered. Slipping a hand around his neck, I pulled his mouth to mine. He fell back onto the blanket. I went with him as he opened his legs and pulled me between them. I kept pulling myself over him until I was lying on his chest and kissing him deeply. Seduction was surprisingly easy, although I was quickly losing it. I wanted him as I had from that first moment when he stared at me under hooded eyes.
His arms went around me and he tried to push me onto the blanket, but this was my seduction and I was choreographing it.
It was impossible to keep from moving over him. I rotated my hips, evoking the desired response when I felt his erection rising.
“That feels good,” Don said. His voice was lower than normal. I moved more, grinding my hips into his.
His hands went to my hair, threading through it as his mouth took mine in a kiss so strong it obliterated my thoughts. Moving his hands down, he unhooked the zipper of my dress and drew it down, exposing my skin to the night air. His hot hands went inside the fabric and caressed me.
I was already burning up. But something inside me pushed me. Forcing my mouth from his, I sat back, reaching for the buttons on his shirt. Quickly I undid them as he smoothed the dress from my shoulders and let it fall to my waist. The night air caressed my skin, a welcome coolness to the internal furnace that generated a red hotness. I was surprised Don’s hands didn’t melt where they touched me.
For long moments we stared at each other. The moonlight filtered over his chest where I’d undone his shirt and pulled it down his arms. Mesmerized by the sight of him, I couldn’t drag my eyes away. He had an athletic body, strong arms, with cords that showed he worked out regularly. I remembered those arms holding me. I reached for him again. He removed my bra and cupped my breasts.
“You are so beautiful,” he said. “All over beautiful.”
Sensation ran through me. I couldn’t speak. They may have been pretty words, but they were reaching places in me that hadn’t been touched before.
With lightning speed we undressed each other and I was back in his arms. His body covered mine. His mouth covered mine. We rolled across the blanket in a tangle of arms and legs. Finally, I landed on top. I looked down at Don. My hair had fallen out of the carefully pinned-up style I’d taken time to arrange.
Don’s hands washed over me, seemingly not able to find a spot to remain stationary. I loved him touching me. Lines of sensation, heated by the surfaces of his fingers, trailed over the indentation and curves of my skin. I straddled him and looked down into his face. Then I lowered my mouth and kissed him again. For the second time something inside me snapped loose. I couldn’t get enough of him. I was hungry for him, desperate. I felt like an animal, wild and uncontrolled, unable and unwilling to stop.
Raising my hips I guided him into me, settling his penis deep inside. Pleasure shot through me like a drug. I moaned as raw rapture tunneled through me. My hips worked up and down, slow at first, then gaining an uncontrollable speed. My body took him in time after time. Instinct took over as I worked the rhythm of untold lifetimes.
Don’s hands ran up my body to my breasts. His thumbs paused and brushed across taut nipples. I felt the sensation tighten inside me. My hips worked faster. I pumped onto him until I thought we’d burst into flame. Somewhere in the fog of my mind, I heard my name. Don was calling it over and over.
“I’m here,” I whispered. “I’m here.”
His arms tightened around me and in a moment we’d reversed positions, but the frenzy that drove us was ever present. Don pushed my legs around him and drove into me. I gasped at the added sensation that rocketed in all directions. Pinning my arms to the sand, he continued the rhythm I’d begun. I could hardly contain the sensations going through me or the feel of Don’s body against mine. I moaned with pleasure-pain that seemed to pour from every part of me. In that moment I knew life had changed. Nothing would ever be the same again. I would never walk the same, never see the world in quite the same way as I had when the sun had risen this morning.
And then the rush began. I felt the rolling inside me, knew that soon the greatest pleasure in the world would push me up and over the edge. I staved it off, grunted with each stroke that drove a greater sensation through me. I wanted to keep the feeling going, wanted to continue this impossible pace. Even knowing I couldn’t, I tried. Then on a high note, I called his name and the climax gripped me as the life-affirming dance reached its zenith.
Together we collapsed into each other’s arms. Breathing hard, I tried to get myself under control. Don’s hands traversed my naked back. I lay against him, forgetting to do anything except glow in the aftermath. His breath was as ragged as mine and his heartbeat as rapid.
We lay like that for a long time, neither of us speaking, just holding each other, letting the night surround us and staying connected in the most intimate way.
“That was a hellava string,” Don said. “I can’t wait to redeem the next two.”
* * *
“You have sand in your hair,” Don said hours later. He pushed his finger into it, combing through the strands.
“Among other places.” I laughed. He looked a little embarrassed. I reached over
and ran my hand down his face. He needed a shave, but at this time of night, or rather morning, it was perfectly under-standable.
“We should be going,” I said. “I haven’t seen Jack or Lila in two days. I haven’t even called them.”
“They haven’t called you either, so that must mean all is well.”
Even though Don sounded as if he wanted to remain where he was, he pulled my dress strap up on my arm and shifted to a sitting position.
“Do you have to work today?” I asked as I lifted my sandals and we prepared to leave.
“Oh yes.” His arms went around my waist and he pulled me into his lap. “And I am not looking forward to it.”
“Why not?” I teased. “Is there something else you’d rather do?”
He consulted the lightening sky. “I can think of a thing or two.”
“Me too,” I said, stretching. “I’m going to sleep until I wake up.”
“Rub it in,” he said. “At least I get to shower before I have to begin duties. Wanna have one with me? It’ll get all that sand off.”
“And you on,” I said.
The idea of going to bed with Don was appealing. I almost wimped out and let him take me back to the bungalow. We’d been on the beach all night, made love once, but I wanted more.
We reached the house and walked up on the porch. Don’s car sat at the curb. His arm was around me as it had been for most of the night. Now we had to separate.
“Should I say good night or good morning?” I asked.
He turned to me, lowering his hands down to my fingers and holding them. “Why don’t we hold it until tonight.”
“What’s happening tonight?”
He leaned forward and gently kissed me on the mouth. My arms came up and circled his neck. His body felt good next to mine. We hung together, supporting each other, until his mouth found mine. We kissed as lovers, hard and frantically. His hands skimmed over my back. Mine wove into his hair, over his shoulders and down his arms. Our mouths melded until we couldn’t take a breath.
“See you tonight,” Don said, taking a small step back.
“Tonight?”
“I thought we’d have dinner.”
“Can’t.” I shook my head.
“Why not?”
I didn’t want to tell him. It would spoil the wonderful time we’d had together. “I have something to do tonight.”
“What?” he pressed.
I waited a long moment. “I have a date.”
“You have a what?”
He dropped my hands and took a full step back.
“This can’t come as a surprise to you. You were there when Casey said he’d call.”
“Casey!” He nearly shouted the man’s name. I checked to see if any of the neighbors were looking. Someone was always watching the house, although the kiss a moment ago hadn’t left me with any thoughts or cares about being seen.
“He’s invited me to a concert.”
Don started to say something, but stopped. He turned around and walked the entire length of the porch. I remained where I was.
“After the time we had tonight … after what we … after …” He couldn’t seem to form a complete sentence. “You going to …” Again he stopped speaking. For a long moment he said nothing.
Crossing my arms, I looked at him. Anger grew inside me like a cancer. “Is that what this was about? What the date was designed to do? You thought if I went out with you that I would change my mind about finding a husband?”
“A rich husband,” he corrected.
“That’s good, Don. Really good. You got me. You had this whole thing planned, right down to the sex on the beach.” He started to protest, but I stopped him. “Dinner, concert, the blanket, the champagne, even the cozy cove, which blocked out the world.” I paced in circles, my anger growing. “What woman wouldn’t be flattered, wouldn’t think that she was the only person in the world. And all the while, you were just trying to change me. Well, don’t kid yourself, Mr. Randall,” I said flatly. “You’re not that great a date.” I was lying. He was everything I’d ever wanted in a man, but he didn’t know that.
“So you’re going ahead with this—venture?”
“Are you saying you want to be my husband?”
“No, I am not.”
“Then we have no problem, do we, Mr. Randall?” He calmly walked toward me. Coming to a stop directly in front of me, he smiled that charming smile. “None at all, Ms. Nash. Good-bye. I hope you enjoy your remaining time on the Vineyard.”
He turned and left. I stood in place watching him. He walked directly to the car. I hoped he’d look back, but he opened the door and slid behind the wheel without so much as a glance in my direction.
Making a U-turn in the road, he was gone. I wanted to kick myself. I knew what it was like to feel like a heel. I’d had the best night of my life, been with a man who treated me like a queen, made love to me like an animal, and caressed me like a baby.
And I was letting him drive away.
After showering and shaving, I took a three-hour nap before starting the day. The weight of a long night bowed my shoulders. I’d hoped it would be a night I could look back on and smile while others wondered what the joke was. But that was not to be. It had started that way. Everything had gone according to plan, right up to the point when I walked up on the porch to say good night to Amber.
Then the moon fell out of the sky. After we’d spent such an idyllic time together, it meant nothing to her. How could she consider continuing to see other men when I was sure she enjoyed being with me? She was a woman on a mission and it damn sure got on my nerves. She was driving me crazy, but to her I was just another man on the Vineyard. Not the right man. Not anyone up to her standards. Not what she was looking for. Just someone to spend time with, have sex with when she wasn’t pursuing her original goal. Just someone she could drive over the edge.
I was sure she enjoyed being with me. The problem was she didn’t enjoy it enough to give up this crazy idea of finding a rich man to marry. I shook my head as I walked into the main door of the hotel.
“Oh no, you won’t. I have a reservation for this hotel and I will not be sent somewhere else.”
“Damn,” I cursed under my breath. Why couldn’t this be a calm day, I thought. I didn’t need to have to deal with the disgruntled public today when I was tired and I really needed to kick something.
“May I help you?” I asked the rather loud man who was demanding something of the desk clerk. I glanced at the clerk, who looked relieved that I’d appeared.
“Who are you?” the man asked, his voice accusatory.
“Don Randall, manager. “I offered my hand. He stared at it for a moment before shaking it.
“I have a reservation at this hotel. And this …” He paused to glance at the man behind the counter. “This man tells me you are full up. How can you be full up when I have a confirmation?” He shook a piece of white paper in his hand.
Obviously, he didn’t travel much, I thought. It was normal for hotels to overbook rooms. In this case, the usual number of cancellations had not occurred and there was no space available. Several of our guests had decided to stay over an extra day. This was normal for a hotel. We couldn’t tell them they had to leave when they were in possession of the room.
“I’ve tried to explain to Mr. Brooks that the rooms were not vacated.”
“It’s all right.” I stopped him from speaking. Then turning back to Mr. Brooks, I said, “We have a couple of late checkouts, Mr. Brooks. If you would give us some time, we’ll find you a room.”
“I want a room now,” he insisted.
“Please, be my guest in the restaurant while we get your room ready.”
This brought an abrupt change to his attitude. I found that something free usually did that to irate guests, and food or drink was the best thing. It wasn’t noon yet, and with his attitude alcohol would only enhance his irritable nature.
Offering to show him the way, I took him in
to the restaurant and gave instructions that his bill was to be put on my account. He smiled and offered me his hand as I left. Obviously he would order more food than he would if he were paying for it. But he was happy for the time being.
Going back to the desk, I spoke with the clerk. “Who do we have scheduled to check out today?”
The man punched in some keys and looked at the list that came up on the screen. Casey Ed-wards’s name jumped out at me.
“Mr. Edwards is leaving.” That would free up two rooms.
“He called a moment ago to say he was staying another week.”
I clenched my teeth together. I wondered if his decision had anything to do with Amber.
“What about the Cooper party? They have six rooms.”
“They decided to stay one more day and go on one of the excursions that hadn’t been in the program they chose.”
I scanned the list for another prospect. It was considered a good thing when a hotel was up to capacity. Usually that meant eighty-five to ninety percent. The St. Romaine was at a hundred percent.
“What about one of the bungalows? Could we put him there?” The bungalows were used by some VIPs and for staff emergencies. The buildings were appointed as well as the rooms, but they were in an out-of-the-way location.
“We booked most of those. The one that Mr. Romaine uses is free, but we never put anyone in there. And as luxurious as it is, I don’t believe Mr. Brooks would want to be that far from the main building.”
“I agree with you.” Mr. Romaine was my father. He wasn’t due to be on the Vineyard for a while. It was a last resort for anyone. I stood up straight, no longer looking at the computer screen. Casey Ed-wards’s name continually stopped my eye, and that brought thoughts of Amber to mind. Maybe I should check Mr. Brooks’s net worth. If it was high enough, I could put him in the house with Amber.
Straightening my shoulders and taking a deep breath, I dropped that thought. And picked up one that would solve the morning’s problem.
“Mrs. Parker,” I whispered and came around the counter to meet her. She smiled, holding her not-yet-a-year-old baby close to her breast. Mrs. Parker had mentioned the noise that kept her child awake during naptimes. In a matter of minutes, I’d given her the VIP room, and Mr. Brooks would take her room.
Some Like Them Rich Page 20