“That’s not important. Right now, for this weekend, you’re the only woman in the world, and I want you so bad I’m going crazy.” He grinned. “My schnitzel’s going crazy.”
She laughed. “Then I guess we’d better get back to the cottage and get some protection for your schnitzel.”
“The sooner the better. We’ll get the sails up and—” Then he paused and glanced around. “Did you happen to notice something?”
“Like what?”
“Like the breeze is totally…gone.”
9
“OMIGOD, YOU’RE RIGHT,” Kate said.
Hugh surveyed the boats out on the Sound. “The water’s smooth as glass clear to the horizon. Not a whitecap anywhere. The only folks moving out there are using motors.”
“We have a motor.”
Hugh glanced at the small outboard attached to the stern. “I was hoping we wouldn’t have to depend on it. It didn’t sound too healthy when we used it to get out past the breakwater.”
“They never sound healthy. It’ll probably do the job.”
“Let’s hope.” He moved to the stern and took hold of the starter. “Keep your fingers crossed.” He yanked hard on the cord. The motor growled softly and stopped. He yanked again and got a slightly louder growl that went nowhere. Several more tries produced the same result.
“Want me to try?”
His macho reaction was to say, hell, no, that if anyone could get the thing started, he could, and this motor was obviously D.O.A. But he didn’t want to get into a power struggle with Kate at the very moment she’d agreed to be his playmate for the weekend. “Be my guest.” He traded seats with her.
She tried a few times, and he felt a little smug that she couldn’t do it, either. “Maybe you should try again,” she said.
They traded seats once more and he nearly pulled the cord out of the socket, but the motor refused to start.
Kate sighed and looked at the oars tucked along the inside of the hull. “We could row,” she said without enthusiasm.
Hugh hated to think about how long it would take him to paddle this tub back to the harbor. “We could.”
“Or I could get out my cell phone and call the Coast Guard.” She held his gaze, a smile teasing her mouth.
“I’d rather row.” He knew what happened when the Coast Guard showed up. They lashed you to their seriously important boat and towed you, their twirling blue lights announcing that they’d rescued yet another Sunday sailor who thought he was going for the America’s Cup. It wasn’t an image Hugh wanted to carry away from this weekend.
“I didn’t think you’d go for that,” she said.
“No, but that does narrow our options.” He didn’t relish the idea of rowing, but if that was the only way he’d get Kate in bed with him again, he’d row his little heart out.
He reached for the oar tucked along the starboard side. “If you’ll untie us, I’ll take the first shift.” He had no intention of letting her row, but having seen her independent streak, he wanted to let her think that he would.
“Or…”
Something in her tone made him glance up.
She was leaning against the rail in a suggestive pose, her nipples puckering the lime sherbet knit of her top. “Or we could find something to do until the breeze picks up,” she said in as sultry a voice as any Hollywood starlet had ever managed.
The oar dropped from his suddenly lax fingers and clattered to the floor of the boat. He could imagine a few scenarios, but he wanted to know if she was on the same page. He took off his sunglasses and put them on the seat beside him. Then he leaned toward her. “We could. What do you have in mind?”
“A little mutual satisfaction.”
He was instantly hard and his pulse jumped crazily. “Noise carries across the water,” he reminded her.
She ran a tongue over her lips. “So don’t make any.”
He burned for her. She might not realize it, but she was clearly getting into this forbidden affair business, finally letting herself enjoy the concept. That gave an already dynamite woman the equivalent of nuclear power.
He cleared his throat. “I can control myself. It’s you we have to worry about.”
“Let’s test that and see.” She pushed herself up from the bench, and in one smooth movement lowered herself to her knees right between his open thighs. Slowly she took off her sunglasses and laid them on the seat beside his. Her green eyes glittered with excitement. “Ready to show me how quietly you can come?”
He couldn’t breathe. “You mean, you’re just going to…”
“Why not?” She slid her finger under the cloth flap covering his zipper and ran her knuckle up and down the metal track. “You can keep watch and let me know if any boats meander in this direction.” She tucked her tongue in the corner of her mouth and gave him that look that drove him wild. “Unless you’re afraid to take a chance.”
He groaned. “When you decide to be bad, you really max out.”
“I don’t believe in moderation.” She eased the zipper down as she gazed into his eyes. “Do you?”
Totally mesmerized by her, he shook his head.
Her smile tantalized him with the promise of those full lips. “I didn’t think so.”
She was magnificent, and he’d really dug himself into a hole this time. Minutes ago he’d been determined to talk her into continuing their affair because he couldn’t imagine how he’d make it through the weekend without having sex with her again. She’d agreed to his proposal—a brief, intense relationship that would end on Sunday. That agreement eliminated her only fatal flaw, which left him wide open. He could so easily fall for her under these circumstances. Obviously he’d been thinking with his schnitzel.
But there was no going back. He couldn’t imagine any man having the strength to call a halt when a woman like Kate was on her knees in front of him, freeing his stiff penis from his briefs. This kind of seduction was every man’s fantasy, and he was helpless to stop her. He’d pay his dues later.
But right now…ahhh. Right now she held him firmly with her slender fingers and covered him with lollipop licks. He cupped her head in both hands and moaned.
“Nice?”
“Mmm.”
“Watch for boats,” she whispered, her breath cool against his moist skin.
Yeah, right. Like he’d be able to tear his attention away from the sight of her face in his lap, her pink lips nuzzling the most needy part of him.
“Watching?” she murmured.
“Mmm. Mmm.” Hell, nobody could creep up on them anyway. They’d have to use a motor and he’d hear that. At least he hoped he would. “I’m…” He gasped as she slid her mouth halfway down his penis and did some number with her tongue at the same time. “I’m…listening.”
That could be a huge lie. What she was doing with her tongue was pretty much making him deaf. The blood was roaring in his ears and his heart was beating so loudly it was probably scaring the fish swimming by.
He spread his arms and gripped the rail behind him as he concentrated on not groaning. Although he made his living in the performing arts, he had no intention of letting the world witness this particular performance.
Also, because he was supposed to be this worldly type from the jaded streets of Hollywood, he didn’t want to seem too easy, too susceptible to what she was doing. He failed miserably. Her clever caress made him whimper like a puppy.
He couldn’t watch anymore, because that alone was threatening to finish him off. Throwing his head back, he clenched his jaw and tried to hold off the orgasm she was building towards. But when she flicked her tongue like that, and applied pressure like that, then he….
Oh, damn, there it was, the point of no return. He couldn’t stop this. Couldn’t stop—with a cry that he only partly succeeded in swallowing, he erupted into her mouth.
Delirious with pleasure, he quivered and panted as she drained him of every drop. No, she didn’t believe in moderation. When she offered a guy oral sex,
she gave him a top-of-the-line experience. He lay slumped against the side of the boat, gradually adjusting to reality, eyes still closed, as she tenderly tucked him back inside his shorts and zipped the fly.
Slowly he opened his eyes and found her sitting back on her heels watching him, a satisfied smile on her face. He smiled back as the boat rocked them gently. Moments this good should be enjoyed, not analyzed, and he’d always been a master at staying in the present.
But this time something new happened. As he gazed at her, he began to wonder how he’d manage to stumble through his future days when he could no longer look into those bright eyes. This was crazy. He’d known her for a mere twenty-four hours. She couldn’t have become that important to him so soon.
“I don’t think you were a very good sentinel,” she said.
“I was a terrible sentinel.” He began to imagine all the wonderful things he could do to make her quiver as he had.
“You made noise.”
“Yeah.” He sat forward and took her by the shoulders. “Because you pushed me past my limit. And now let’s see if you—”
“Wait, did you feel that?”
“What?”
“The wind.”
“What about it?” A little wind wouldn’t stop him from driving her straight out of her mind.
The breeze ruffled her hair as she pointed toward the collapsed sails. “You know, the wind.”
“Oh. The wind.” He released her and checked the horizon. Sure enough, folks were sailing briskly along, and the smooth water had become choppy again. His brain must have gone into complete meltdown during that last episode. He’d totally forgotten why they were still anchored here instead of headed back to the Townsend House and an innerspring mattress.
“We should go back. In case the wind dies again.”
He had to agree, especially since he hadn’t been looking forward to rowing home. But he couldn’t resist teasing her. “You’re just afraid you won’t do any better than I did at watching for boats and keeping quiet.”
She arched her eyebrows. “Is that a challenge?”
“Maybe it is.” He wondered how fast he could make it happen for her. It might be worth tackling that long row home to win a very erotic game.
Her eyes flashed and her chin lifted. “What do you plan to do about it?”
“Prove my point.” Coordination was one of his strong suits, and he had her shorts unbuttoned and pushed to her knees before she realized what he’d planned to do.
“Hugh!”
“This’ll only take a few minutes.” That was a pretty large boast, but he thought he could back it up.
“But—”
“Go with it.” Bracing his feet apart so he wouldn’t capsize them, he lifted her up onto the prow of the boat. Her shorts dropped neatly to the floor. “Have fun.”
“I don’t know if this is a good—”
“Hang on to the mast. And watch for boats.” As he stretched the elastic leg opening of her lace panties and sank to his knees, the sweet aroma of aroused woman greeted him, and he congratulated himself on doing exactly the right thing. A gentleman didn’t take his pleasure and leave his lady in the lurch.
Another time he would have lingered over this delectable prospect, but with the wind picking up, someone might sail near enough to spy on them if he didn’t make this quick. He ran his tongue over her once, tasting and enjoying. Her quick intake of breath was his reward.
But he had a bigger reward in mind. Settling in, he concentrated all his efforts on that magic spot that should have her quivering in no time. Sure enough, it did. Her moans were muffled, as if she’d clamped her mouth closed, but she was pretty darned noisy, too.
Then he hit the mother lode and she nearly fell off the prow of the boat as she bucked in the grip of her orgasm. The boat rocked wildly, and he grabbed her and held on while he put the finishing touches on his erotic artwork.
She was gasping as frantically as he had by the time he lifted his mouth and pulled her damp panties back in place. And for the record, she’d also cried out, louder than he had. He loved knowing that he’d made her forget everything except the pleasure he was giving her.
Standing carefully, he eased her back to the bench. Then he made the mistake of looking into her eyes. He expected them to be glazed with satisfaction, and they were. But beneath that sensual daze lurked a vulnerability that put a hammerlock on his heart.
He was in so much trouble.
DURING THE SAIL BACK TO the harbor, Kate lifted her face to the wind in giddy delight. This feeling of sexual abandon was so cool. Maybe Hugh wasn’t the kind of hero she’d had in mind, but he had the sense of adventure she’d always craved in a man. With him leading the way, she could dare all kinds of things, including sex in a sailboat.
But now they needed to make tracks for that little cottage behind the inn. With luck they might steal an hour alone before heading to the wedding rehearsal at Belcourt Castle. At one time the prospect of spending time in a place like Belcourt would have thrilled her dramatic little heart. At the moment it was merely a nuisance that would interfere with making love to Hugh. She’d have to work hard to stay focused on Kim’s wedding, but somehow she’d have to do that.
While Hugh tacked this way and that trying to catch the best wind, Kate did her part by lending her weight to whichever side of the boat needed balancing. They worked smoothly together, saying little, as if their shared goal of getting back to their private hideaway had molded them into one efficient unit. Yet the afternoon had begun to slip away as they docked at the marina and Hugh settled the bill with the rental company.
Kate glanced at her watch as they left the marina. “The rehearsal’s in less than an hour.” She could feel the wedding closing in on them, destroying the intimacy they’d had. Being wild and free when she was alone with Hugh was one thing, but carrying off the same emotion when surrounded by her family was a different challenge.
“That doesn’t give us much time.” Hugh took her hand as they walked quickly along the crowded sidewalk on their way back to the Townsend House.
Instinctively she pulled her hand out of his grasp.
“Hey.” He stopped walking.
Pausing to look over her shoulder at him, she wondered if she’d hurt his feelings. “I’m sorry. It’s just that we’re in public now, and I—”
“Well, what do you know.” His gaze flicked over her.
“What?”
“There’s a big yellow streak running right down the back of that skinny little top and white shorts of yours. I didn’t notice it before.”
She spun to face him. “I’m not a coward!” Or was she? “I thought we agreed that we wouldn’t parade our relationship in front of people.”
Although his eyes were covered by his sunglasses, the tightening of his jaw signaled his reaction. “I have no intention of doing that. I always thought holding hands meant you were very interested in someone, but unless the code is different in Rhode Island, I don’t think it’s the same as announcing that I’m sleeping with you.”
She flushed, irritated with herself. “You’re right, it doesn’t. I…I guess I overreacted.”
He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “And maybe that decision you made out on the water isn’t the right one, after all.”
She felt like such a little hick. Some free spirit she was, if she couldn’t handle a weekend fling without getting paranoid. Taking a deep breath, she ignored the curious glances coming their way and held out her hand. “It was the right decision. Please forgive me for acting like a jerk.”
He hesitated.
“I won’t freak out on you again,” she said. “I promise.”
Slowly he reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers. Then he pulled her into his arms. He held her in a loose grip, allowing her to move away easily if that’s what she wanted to do.
She figured he might be testing her, so she smiled and slid her arms around his neck.
“How does this feel?�
� he asked.
“Fine.” Her heart rate sped up.
“You’re sure? Remember we’re gonna be honest with each other.”
She looked up at him, her attention drawn to his mouth, the mouth that had so recently given her a wonderful orgasm. The longer they stayed like this, the more aware she became of his body brushing against hers. He was starting to get aroused, and so was she. She’d never experienced that kind of intensity in the middle of a public thoroughfare.
“Kate?” he prompted.
“Well, I’m a little nervous, okay?”
“I thought so.”
“When I’m this close to you I feel as if I’m giving off sparks, and I wonder if anybody can see them.”
“And what if they did? Don’t tell me you’ve never embraced a guy in public before.”
“Not a guy like you.”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure what that means.”
“It means—” She paused to swallow. “It means that my other boyfriends have been…safe.”
“And I’m not?”
“No, you’re definitely not safe. But the thing is, I’ve decided to live dangerously this weekend. Take risks.”
A hint of a smile touched his lips. “Me, too.”
“You do that all the time.”
“Yeah, but not…” He gazed at her. Then he shrugged. “I guess a risk is a risk. So, do you want to practice not freaking out?”
Her anxiety rose a notch. “In what way?”
“These are strangers. Let’s see if you can handle a little kiss in front of strangers.”
She’d never been able to turn down a dare, and this was definitely a dare. “Okay, let’s see.”
He lowered his head. “Let’s see.”
In comparison to the lust-filled kisses they’d shared in the past few hours, this one was fairly restrained. But Kate was discovering that no kiss from this man could be labeled tame. The pressure of his mouth reminded her of every erotic moment they’d experienced, and the soft glide of his tongue made her want to rip his clothes off so that they could experience a few more.
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