Debra wasn’t sure if the photographer was ever going to stop gushing, so she finally sighed heavily, drawing their attention back to taking pictures.
“Oops, my bad.” The photographer instructed them on where to stand while she got her tripod in position.
“Now pull her close. Put your arms around her. And Miss, put your hand on his shoulder. Good, just like that.” She snapped several photos.
“Now look into each other’s eyes and say, ‘Te amo.’”
I love you? Was she kidding? Yeah, right.
Debra turned and tilted her head and stared up into his devastatingly handsome face.
“Te amo,” Rance whispered, then winked. Debra licked her lips as he drew in close, almost as if he was going to kiss her. As soon as she felt his warm breath against her nose her body quivered in his arms and her nipples tightened.
“Wonderful. One more.”
Debra held her breath as she stared up into his beautiful eyes. She almost felt like she was being hypnotized. Finally, Rance released her and she forced herself to breathe.
“All done. Photos will be available in the portrait store later this evening.”
Rance thanked her and the two headed toward the dining room. “You okay?” he asked after several seconds.
She looked over at him. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Rance looked like he wanted to say more, but he shrugged instead and took her hand. “C’mon, let’s eat.”
* * *
Dinner was better than any five-star restaurant, he thought as he bit into his chocolate cake.
The menu was a choice of beef tenderloins, tiger shrimp and Chicken Marsala, with asparagus and twice-cooked potatoes. There were six to a table. Over the next hour all of them talked and laughed. The other couples had cruised several times before.
“You think you’re going to get to play this season?” Rance knew as soon as the diehard Laker fan had recognized him that it was only a matter of time before that question was asked. “I sure hope to see you.”
He met the retired naval officer’s eyes with a look of uncertainty. “So do I.”
While they talked basketball, Rance watched Debra out of the corners of his eyes. She was having a conversation with Brad, who was sitting to her left. Their voices were low, so he could only catch bits and pieces, but it was clear they were discussing recipes. He and his partner Chris were taking their sixth cruise.
He studied Debra, taking in the length of her neck and the way her face crinkled every time she smiled. There was a hint of a dimple at her cheek that he hadn’t noticed before. He was drawn to her outgoing personality. The second the hostess escorted them to the table, Debra came right over and introduced herself to the rest of the guests. They were instantly taken by her.
The same as he had been.
All through the meal he couldn’t stop looking at her, and the second dinner had concluded Rance rose, taking Debra’s hand, and led her quickly out of the dining room and up the stairs.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked between giggles while she hurried to keep up with him.
“Outside. I need to kiss you.”
“Kiss me? I—”
Her breath caught in her throat as Rance silenced her with his lips. It was an amazing kiss that heated her blood until every part of her pulsed with delight. Her nipples tightened against him, and despite every intention to pull away she found herself arching her body and drawing Rance even closer.
“I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to make love to a woman as bad as I want to make love to you,” he said as he released her lips, his breath curling about her and kicking her heart into overdrive.
Slowly she drew back and narrowed her gaze, her internal temperature kicking up another degree. “I can’t think straight around you.”
“Neither can I.” He laughed, though the sound was forced. “I can’t believe I’m ready to beg a woman to have sex with me.” Debra detected the frustration behind his words because she felt it, too. However, she wasn’t going to allow herself to be steered by desire because she still didn’t know how she felt about him.
No, that wasn’t completely true. Her feelings were the reason for her reluctance to have sex with him. Despite her desire not to get involved in a serious relationship, even if it was just indulging in a one-night stand or weekend fling, she stood the risk of falling deep and hard. She was just that kind of girl.
“I guess there’s a first time for everything,” Debra teased, forcing herself to step away from him. It was hard, but she did it. Her body instantly missed his warmth.
“You might find this hard to believe,” Rance began as he leaned against the rail. “But I don’t have a girl in every city, and I don’t seduce females just because I can.”
Reaching up, Debra caressed his cheek, her fingers gentle against the hint of stubble. “Why not?”
“Because when I’m playing ball I need to stay focused, so I don’t get down like that. Women are for the off season.”
She laughed. “Oh, really? It’s like that? You can just turn it off like that?”
“Uh-huh,” he said with a silly smirk on his face. “Seriously. That’s why I’m tryna jump your bones while I still can. Once my doctor releases me, it’s gonna be too late for us.”
Debra dropped the hand to her hip. “And why are you telling me this?”
“I’m telling you because you better try and get some of this while you still can.”
She laughed like a teenager on her first date. It was something about his humor that she found so attractive.
“You never know when to give up, do you?” she replied with a shake of her head.
“Sometimes that can be a good thing.” He gave her a goofy grin that sent both of them into a fit of laughter.
Rance was definitely persistent. “I thought you were a shallow all-about-me kind of guy,” she admitted as she eased away.
“And now?”
“Now… I’m not so sure,” she said. She wasn’t sure about anything anymore. “That’s why I need some time to think.”
He nodded. “Fair enough.”
Reaching down, he took her fingers in his. “Walk with me,” he said and she gazed up at him, searching his eyes, amazed at how quickly he had given in.
Together they walked around the deck. A cool gentle breeze tickled her cheek. Debra gazed up at a sky dotted beautifully with stars hovering high over miles and miles of calm waters.
“Where do you see yourself in five years?” Rance asked, breaking the silence.
She took a moment to think about the question. She hoped to be married with a family by then, otherwise the chances of her ever having any children would be lost. But first it took finding the right man. She stood a better chance of opening two new bakeries. “I hope to have expanded my business by then.”
“What’s it going to take to make that happen?”
“Location is important. Bianca’s a marketing major so she’s always coming up with amazing campaigns and drawing traffic to my store, but in Sheraton Beach it’s all about location. And the place to be is Main Street.”
He tilted his head to look at her. “Yeah, I can see that. Every time I’m in town I always go see my boy Joe, who hooks me up with a new tailor-made suit.”
“Joe’s Suit Shop.” She nodded knowingly. “Everything is there. The best restaurants are on that strip. Favorite shops. The Cornerstone bookstore. It’s just the place to be. If I could move down there I know I could rise to the next level.”
“So what’s stopping you?”
She blew out a frustrated breath. “Well, money for one. That’s prime real estate. It’s rare to find a spot, if you can. Although I just found out Mrs. Frazier is closing Kona Donuts.”
“No shit? I loved that place.”
Debra smiled. “We all do. Her hot donuts are so addictive we started calling them--”
“Sugar crack,” he blurted.
“Exactly.” Debra giggled.
> “Man, I used to wolf down six of them all at once. Then I’d feel high as hell the rest of the afternoon. Mama used to say, ‘Boy, go sit down somewhere!’ because I was bouncing off the walls.”
“Me too,” Debra agreed, and laughed along with him. “Anyway, she’s getting ready to retire and I hear she’s selling her place. But because so many people want that location, it’s going up for bid.”
“Wow!” he said, starting to understand what her dilemma was. “So are you planning to bid?”
Her steps slowed and Debra nodded her head with a weary look. “Yes, but for what I can afford I’m sure I’m going to be outbid.” She couldn’t hide the frustration from her voice. “My other options are moving my shop to this strip mall in Rehoboth Beach, or even moving to Dover. I’ve seen two great locations with plenty of foot traffic.”
“But I get the feeling that’s not what you want to do?”
She shook her head. “Sheraton Beach is my home. I can’t imagine my business being anywhere else.” She sighed. “But with God all things are possible.”
He stopped walking and smiled. “Mama always says the same thing.”
“You and your mother close?” she asked.
Rance bobbed his head. “Hell, yeah. That’s my girl. I can’t go a week without talking to her. Mama always keeps it real with me, and I like that. I think that’s what’s helped me to stay grounded all these years I’ve been playing basketball. She and my dad don’t miss any of my games.”
Turning, she crossed her arms and looked up at him. The love for his parents was beaming in his eyes. “Maybe I’ll have to give basketball a try and see if it’s anywhere near as exciting as football.”
“Girl, you ain’t get the memo? It’s better.”
She playfully punched him in the arm. “Whatever.”
Taking her hand again, they walked toward the end of the ship where several guests were standing and staring off into the waters.
“What about you and your parents?”
Debra frowned. “My grandmother raised me and my sister. I never knew my father, and Mama was young and too busy partying and chasing men to think about raising us. After my grandmother died I tried to build a closer relationship, but Mama never seemed that interested. So I just left it alone.” She heard the bitterness in her voice. “Some women just aren’t meant to be mamas.”
There was a slight pause. “I get the feeling you’d be a great mother.”
Debra gazed up at him. “Thank you,” she whispered. He was so damn sexy. Rance’s sable eyes, hot and intense, warmed her like a caress. His mouth was inviting whether he was smiling or frowning. She could see the patience in his gaze. He had her wishing all kinds of things that she had no business thinking about. But for once she felt desirable and worthy to have everything that life had to offer. This was her choice. So what if it was just a weekend? She deserved to feel sexy and wanted by a man.
Rance took a deep breath. “Have I told you how sexy you are?”
“Not in the last hour,” she said with a strained laugh. Her nipples ached.
“How about I show you instead?”
He moved in close, then leaned down toward her. Debra tipped her head back, not realizing until they were this close how much taller he was than she. His hands settled at her waist as he drew her in toward him. The instant she felt his body heat her eyelids closed and her lips parted with a sigh.
When his lips brushed over hers Debra felt an electric charge from her lips down to her breasts and to the very core of her body. His breath had the pleasant scent of the cognac he’d drunk after dinner, and the sweet taste of the chocolate cake he’d had for dessert.
The kiss started off slowly and gently, no pressure, no demands. She sensed he was taking his time, trying not to scare her off.
His mouth opened slowly on hers and his skillful tongue slipped inside and another wave of desire rolled over her. The strokes of his tongue were confident and perfect.
Locking his hands behind her back, he dragged Debra closer until they were pressed together, and then his tongue went deeper into her mouth, until her body shook.
His kiss continued to inflame her senses. She felt like she had traveled to a land where there was just Rance. Reaching out for something to steady herself, Debra’s hands brushed over his chest. It was muscular, strong and radiated heat. She could feel it even through the fabric of his shirt.
She didn’t want them to fit the way they did, as if they were meant to be together. But the proof was right in her face, pressed up against her.
Finally, Rance lifted his head and took a deep breath. Her eyelids fluttered open and she looked up at him and gasped at what she saw. There was desire, of course, but something else that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
“Debbie,” he whispered. He framed her face with his hands and kissed her again.
This time his kisses were less tentative and a lot more persuasive. She quickly found herself caught up in the passion. She went up on her tiptoes so she could savor more of his mouth. More of Rance. She slid her hands under his shirt and up his back while his tongue plunged deeper into her mouth. Shifting, Rance leaned back against the rail until she was fully supported by his weight.
He lifted his head, and she instantly missed his lips pressed against hers.
“Kissing you … I thought it would be enough, but I want more,” he said.
It’s your decision.
“Let’s go,” she said before she came to her senses and changed her mind. She took his hand and led him downstairs to their cabin. Heart pounding, Debra waited while Rance swiped his key and stepped aside so she could move into the room. Once there, pulse racing heavily, she slipped off her shoes while her eyes traveled over to the bed. If she was going to change her mind, now was the time to put the brakes on things.
Swinging around, she was about to say something … what, she wasn’t sure … but he pressed a finger to her lips.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
It was her choice. She nodded and noticed that his shoulders sagged with relief.
“Good. Then not a word, Debbie.” Rance flashed a smile. “Unless you’re screaming my name.”
She arched a brow. “Really? You got it like that?”
“You’ll find out. Game on?”
“Bring it on, baby,” she laughed. Only Rance would make sex a competition. Debra made a show of locking her mouth with an imaginary key.
“I love a challenge,” he said, grinning, before he pressed his mouth to hers again. Nothing rough or persuasive. Just a simple peck and a few strokes of his tongue before he began to rain kisses along her cheek and jaw.
In her wildest dreams she had never imagined a man’s mouth being so gentle. Or so damn erotic. His breath heated her skin, the ultra-soft mouth caressed her lips, and his teeth grazed her jaw, causing her to shiver. It was both ticklish and erotic. His fingers slid along her shoulder, and she let her head fall back with a sigh of delight.
Rance lowered the zipper and pulled her dress down. She knew what was coming next. His mouth left hers and trailed kisses along her collarbone and shoulders, only he didn’t pull the dress down quickly. Instead, he lowered it inch by inch, his actions both torturous and wonderful. He inched the dress off so slowly that the motion caressed her now very sensitive breasts.
Once the dress fell to the floor, Debra thought Rance would have captured one of her bare, aching nipples between his teeth. Instead, he took a seat on the couch and continued to gaze at her, his eyes dark and intense.
“Damn, Debra, you are sexy as hell.”
She flushed and knew her face had reddened. She was standing there in nothing but a black thong.
“You into just watching?” she asked.
He grinned at her. “With you, Deb, I’m willing to try just about anything.”
She proudly let Rance look his fill of her voluptuous body. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and watched her. His eyes blazed as they locked o
n her breasts, making her nipples tighten even more. Damn, the sexy ballplayer had skills. He had her entire body on fire with just a single appreciative look.
He crooked a finger and ordered. “Come here.” She felt her legs moving forward until she was standing right between his parted thighs. His eyes never left her. In fact, her nipples were now within mere inches of his delicious mouth. But instead of biting down, he reached out and touched her with both hands, softly caressing her breasts, before trailing the curves of her hips and ass as she heard him mumble something under his breath.
“I thought you were supposed to make me moan,” she breathed as her body tightened under his intense gaze.
“I will… later.” Slowly, Rance shook his head. “You have no idea how good you look,” he replied, and licked his lips, causing the muscles to tighten at her gut. “I’m trying to photograph every single one of your assets to memory.”
“I got assets alright,” she joked and then jerked when his hand traveled around to cup her ass.
“Yeah, babe, you do.” Debra shook a little as she stared into his eyes. She saw appreciation and heat.
Rance grazed his thumb over a nipple and Debra gasped in surprise. She didn’t know if it was the anticipation or the gentle way he teased the tip. Whatever it was, she shivered, relishing the moment. He was playing with her breasts, tweaking her nipples, tracing his finger over one areola, while she grew restless with hunger.
Damn, he was good. And from his grin, he was enjoying it as much as she was.
“Time to start that moaning, Debra.”
Rance leaned forward and sucked a nipple into his mouth. Electricity ricocheted through her body, straight to her womb. She arched closer into his mouth and her eyes drifted closed. Rance began to suck her nipple while his large hands gripped her breasts like he was palming a basketball. Only difference was the fit was perfect. Debra grabbed onto his shoulders and moaned, loud and breathless. God, he was good.
When he finally switched to the other nipple she was in heaven. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted—correction, needed—more. She wanted him between her legs, thrusting into her.
“Rance…” she cried. She ran her hands down his back and tugged at his shirt. “Get undressed.”
Do Me Baby (The Beaumont Series) Page 7