Summer Encounter

by Shelley Munro

  SUMMER ENCOUNTER

  Shelley Munro

  Table of Contents

  Blurb

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Excerpt – One Night of Misbehavior

  Excerpt – Playing to Win

  About Shelley

  Other Books by Shelley

  Copyright Page

  Blurb

  Sophie Walker is on holiday in Australia when a hot and handsome cutey kisses her right in the middle of the Burleigh Bowls Club. The man fires slumbering sensual fantasies and sends her hormones swooping. Sophie wants to take a bite before she realizes it’s Isaac Shepherd—one of her daughter’s ex-boyfriends. Chastened, Sophie tells herself to forget the younger man, but it seems the attraction is mutual.

  Sunshine. A hot, young stud. Steamy sex. The perfect recipe for total relaxation until the end of the vacation looms and Sophie doesn’t want to let Isaac go.

  Chapter One

  “Sophie Walker? Is that you?”

  The dark haired hottie grinned before grabbing me in a bear hug, right in the middle of the Burleigh Bowls Club.

  Who was this Cutey Pie? My mind screamed questions even as I cozied up and savored the experience. I mean, what was not to enjoy? He possessed lots of muscles and was downright hunky with his tanned face and sexy grin. Pity we were in the middle of the Bowls Club. My heart kick-started into a racy beat, while I inhaled deeply to counteract the effect. He smelled wonderful—of ginger and exotic spices, all wrapped up with the tang of the sea.

  Tall, dark and cute grasped my upper arms and pulled away before dropping a chaste kiss on my cheek.

  Aw, call that a kiss, my inner siren taunted. Rev it up and lay one on me. For once I didn’t care if I ended up being the floorshow. Like a kid in a candy store, I wanted to touch and taste. I wanted it all.

  “Sophie, what are you doing here on the Gold Coast?”

  I stared and still came up blank. The petite redhead who stood at his side didn’t look too happy. If I was in her shoes I’d have felt exactly the same way. Possessive. Heck, in her place I would have bared my teeth and warned me off.

  “I used to go out with Sophie’s daughter,” Cutey Pie said.

  Redhead’s frown smoothed out like magic.

  I groaned inwardly. Well, that sure put me in my place.

  Cutey’s name popped into my mind. Isaac Shepherd. I’d liked him back when Susan was going out with him. Since my daughter was notorious for lateness, I’d spent a lot of time chatting with Isaac. We had a lot in common. It had taken me a long time to forgive Susan for letting him get away.

  “Susan is married now,” I said.

  Isaac’s brown eyes glowed, making me intensely aware of my body and the way my clothes fit. The word desperate came to mind. I hadn’t kissed a man for a long time let alone got down and dirty. My hormones were protesting the lack of action. For a moment there, they’d thought they’d got lucky. Disappointment was a bitch.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked, his husky voice strumming across my senses in a very delicious way.

  “I’ve come over on a RSA trip, with a group of golfers. Ostensibly to keep an eye on my father, but he doesn’t really need it.”

  “What’s the RSA?” Redhead asked in her Aussie twang.

  “Returned Services Association,” Isaac answered.

  “Hey, Sophie!” It was my Uncle James, my father’s partner in crime. “There’s a dance on here tonight. Fred and I are gonna grab us a granny!”

  I did a mental eye roll. “You can’t say that.” After all, I wasn’t exactly a spring chicken. My fortieth birthday was practically staring me in the eye, so I felt I should offer up a defense for the dozens of more mature women in the club. “It’s not P.C.”

  “Aw, Sophie. Don’t start,” my father said. “Look at those women over there. If it walks like a duck…”

  Scowling, I glanced in the direction Pop indicated. Three elderly women were giggling like young girls. I shrugged. I didn’t intend to act the stern chaperon. Pop and Uncle James could get up to all the shenanigans they wanted.

  “We must meet for a drink,” Isaac said, sending a wave of flattered satisfaction through me. Bigheaded of me I know, but the redhead’s scowls made me want to cheer. Score one for the visiting team.

  “Why don’t you come back for the dance?” Uncle James said.

  One look at Redhead popped my bubble of optimism. Isaac wouldn’t be here tonight.

  Isaac glanced at Redhead too. “Maybe.” His voice was noncommittal. “We have to go.” His brown eyes caught my gaze, and for a long moment, we stared at each other. “It’s been great seeing you, Sophie.”

  And damned if he didn’t grab me and kiss me right on the lips. It was brief. Intense. Left my knees knocking. I stared after him in bemusement, my trembling fingers rising up to touch tingling lips.

  A soft whistle from Pop jerked me from daydream land. “You’ve made a conquest there, Sophie.”

  “I’m old enough to be his mother,” I protested, and inside, I railed at the fact. Sometimes, life plain sucked.

  Uncle James looked me up and down. “You don’t look your age. You don’t look old enough to be that boy’s mother. You’re fit, you don’t look like one of those god-awful beanpole models, and you have your own teeth. Always check the teeth,” my uncle ended sagely.

  “I’m not a damned horse!”

  “No, you’re a woman, Sophie,” Pop said. “That’s all any of us simple men want. A luscious handful of woman to cuddle up to at night.”

  He winked at Uncle James, and they both discreetly checked out the three giggling women over in the corner.

  “Ooh, not while I’m looking,” I said in a firm tone, although secretly, I was flattered, my confidence boosted. A bit of life in the old broad yet, I thought. I licked my lips and imagined I could taste Isaac. Damn, I didn’t think I’d shower for a week.

  * * * * *

  I’ll admit I wasn’t looking forward to the dance. Another night of loneliness, but at least I’d be able to go shopping tomorrow while the others played golf.

  We walked into the Bowls Club with the other twenty-two members of our group. The wave of conversation hit first, followed closely by the ka-chink of the slot machines and the faint clink of glasses. My nose picked out the scents—smoke, perfume, the old-fashioned aftershave favored by the men in our group and the enticing aromas of steaks and seafood wafting from the dining area.

  “We’re off to mingle. Don’t wait up for us,” Uncle James said with a wink at Pop, and before I could offer a protest they blended into the crowd. Great. I’d have dinner and head back to the accommodation. Maybe catch a movie.

  “Sophie.”

  I turned on hearing the husky voice, and just like that the range of possibilities for the way I could spend my evening widened. As long as Redhead wasn’t hovering in the wings. I peered behind Isaac but couldn’t see a bodyguard.

  “You came,” I said, a dopey grin forming. “What about—“

  Isaac took my arm and led me in the direction of the bar. “We had a disagreement.”

  I wanted to ask questions, but his tone and set face discouraged my nosiness. “Too bad,” I lied. “Can I buy you a drink?” I drank in his appearance, committing the vision of masculinity to my memory, so I could pull it out later and gloat that a young man had taken the time to socialize with me, an almost forty-year-old. He wore black trousers and a light blue, short-sleeved shirt. Nothing fancy, but then a man with his looks would display well in a ratty towel.

  Or nothing at all, I thought, mentally undressing him.

  Oops. My thoughts screeched to an appalled halt. A bit early in the
evening for that sort of naughtiness. I hadn’t even had a glass of wine yet.

  In the next room, a band started up with a soft ballad.

  Isaac took my hand. “Let’s dance first.”

  Agreement froze half way up my throat. I think I managed a creditable nod. All I could think was that I’d feel that hard wall of muscle pressing against my breasts again. Inwardly I trembled, worried at the direction my thoughts were heading.

  This could only lead to heartache. Mine.

  I hadn’t felt this strongly about a man since my husband. Richard had been with the army and had died in a training accident when Susan was three. There had been a few men in the interim, but mostly I’d concentrated on raising my daughter. Now she’d married, there was a huge hole in my life.

  At the edge of the dance floor, Isaac took me in his arms. Our gazes connected, making me swallow with sudden nerves. My nipples were tight buds, the friction of my flesh against lacy bra cups leading to a ricochet effect throughout my sensitized body. A wave of heat swept to my cheeks.

  Isaac grinned, and it contained a quizzical quality. “Don’t you want to dance with me?”

  “Yes,” I whispered, suddenly feeling as though I was saying yes to more than I was prepared for.

  “Good.” And he pressed me closer, stepping smoothly into a gap on the dance floor.

  Our steps were perfectly matched. Isaac was only six inches taller than me so our dance didn’t have the awkwardness that used to characterize my shuffles with Richard. I sighed, overdosing on his spicy scent. Being this close to Isaac was heaven and hell combined.

  The man was a little older than Susan. I should have kept a decorous six inches between our bodies and chatted lightly about my daughter and her husband and all the other things we used to discuss when Susan was running late.

  Instead, my breasts were flattened against his chest. Our legs brushed with each lazy step, and if I wasn’t mistaken, he was very pleased to see me. It wasn’t such a huge leap to horizontal thoughts.

  I drew in a soft, shuddery breath, namely to get oxygen to my brain and clear my thinking. Mistake big time. All I got was a lungful of Isaac’s seductive scent.

  Time to admit the truth.

  I was aroused, dammit! And I wanted to jump this man so badly my stomach quivered and my sex ached. It had happened quickly. So quickly, I was shocked because I didn’t act this way when I was at home in Auckland.

  The music slowed and stopped.

  “Would you like to go somewhere else?” Isaac asked in a soft voice.

  I studied his strong masculine features, but couldn’t get a fix on how he wanted me to reply. So selfishly, I went with what I wanted.

  “Sure.” Although my voice was noncommittal, my heart did an excited flip-flop. It felt like I was stepping into the unknown. In truth I was—I had no idea how Isaac felt or what he wanted from me. For all I knew, he could be dancing with me on a dare.

  The thought sobered me for five seconds, then the unconscious shifting of my feet sent a wave of sensation arrowing outward from my achy clit. Oh, man. I was in big trouble here.

  Outside, the air was cooler. A soft breeze tugged at my curls, caressed my bare shoulders and sent my skirt swirling around my legs.

  Isaac took my hand in his again. “Would you like to walk on the beach?”

  Frankly, I didn’t care what we did. I was too busy trying to put a brake on my unruly hormones. I prayed I’d get through the evening without embarrassing myself.

  “Sure.” A woman of many words.

  “There’s a bar at the far end of the beach. It’s quieter than the Bowls Club. We can talk.”

  Momentary glitch. Isaac wanted to talk. Shit. Hell. Damn. My wayward hormones didn’t think much of that idea, but I nodded. “Sounds great.” My hormones would just have to get with the program.

  “What are you doing with yourself now Susan is married?” Isaac asked.

  “I haven’t had a chance to make any plans,” I said, trying to ignore the heat crawling from his hand up my arm. “She’s only been married a month. I’ve been busy helping organize this trip for the RSA. I thought I might get an office job once things settle down. I’ll probably need to retrain, but I’m willing to do that. I’m a quick learner.”

  “Good for you.” Approval colored his words, and I felt as though I’d received an encouraging pat on the head. I basked in the support.

  We paused at the traffic lights for the signal to cross, then headed for the beach. Hand in hand, we wandered down the Esplanade, the surge and retreat of the waves a romantic backdrop.

  “Are you okay walking in those shoes?”

  “Sure.” I swear I have a bigger vocab than that, but my hormones were doing a real number on my vocal cords. Obviously, my blood was being rerouted to more important areas. Speech wasn’t important when it came to sex. I cleared my throat, determined to show to better advantage. “What made you decide to move to Australia?”

  Isaac seemed to hesitate. “I wanted a change. The bar I mentioned is at the end of this block. We can get something to eat there too.”

  Hmmm, nifty change of subject. I wondered at the story behind his move from New Zealand. “I am a little hungry.”

  “We can fix that.” His gaze caught mine again and lingered.

  Suddenly, everything was hot and heavy again—my body hungry for sexual release. He was going to fix that? Or give me food?

  My mind worked busily as we neared the restaurant/bar. One glass of wine, I decided. I couldn’t risk a drop more. For goodness sake, Isaac had gone out with my daughter. I shouldn’t be having licentious thoughts about this…this boy.

  “Sophie?” Isaac stopped walking outside a pavement café. All the outside tables were full. Laughter and good-natured chatter filled the air. “Sophie.”

  He seemed uncertain, as if he was asking a question. Isaac frowned, hesitated, then drew me into his arms and kissed me.

  Shock held me still. This kiss wasn’t chaste. It wasn’t hurried. This was the kiss that a man gave his lover. Instinct replaced surprise. My hands crept around his neck as I gave myself up to the pleasure of being kissed like a woman. His lips nibbled at mine, then his tongue traced along the seam of my mouth in a silent order for me to open for him. No problem there. My mouth opened, and his tongue slid inside. God, I couldn’t believe it. A sigh of delight whispered from me at the surge and retreat of his tongue. He tasted, gently biting.

  Tormenting.

  To my dismay, he pulled away. I wanted to grab his face and force his lips back to mine. Not finished. More! Please—heck, I was ready to beg if it would get me more of the same.

  “I wanted to do that at the Bowls Club.” He stroked a finger across my cheek and tucked a wayward curl behind my ear. “You haven’t slapped my face, so I’m guessing you’re okay with me kissing you.”

  A definite question. Okay. Moving right along here. “We could do it again,” I said, a hopeful note clearly discernable.

  His masculine chuckle held amusement, but his chocolate brown eyes caressed me as if he too, wanted more kissing. “Not inside the restaurant. My staff will take notes and give me a hard time tomorrow.”

  “Is this your restaurant?” I studied the bustling business with increased interest.

  “Yeah.” Isaac sounded uncharacteristically diffident.

  “Looks busy.”

  His smile held pure sunshine as he opened the door for me. “I’m sure they’ll be able to fit us in somewhere.”

  A few minutes later, we were seated at a corner table, the staff fussing over us. I intercepted a few curious looks and discomfiture bit me in the bum. I knew Isaac had been a few years older than Susan, but that still made him much younger than me. I fidgeted with my wine glass, my stomach jumping with nerves.

  Did I look desperate? Needy? Had Isaac kissed me out of pity?

  I glanced around the crowded room, searching out possible dates for Isaac. Good looking and a successful businessman, he could have any of the
se women. Another thought crashed into front running. I’d turned into a cradle snatcher.

  “Don’t.” Isaac stilled my hand by covering it with his own. “You’re here with me because I asked you.”

  Slowly, I raised my head to meet his intense gaze. There was definite heat in his eyes. Did that mean what I thought, or was I reading more into the situation than warranted?

  “There might be an age difference, but I don’t care. We have a lot in common.” He threaded his fingers through mine. “I kissed you because I’m attracted to you. There’s no one else I’d rather spend my evening with.”

  “But—“

  “But nothing.”

  “Okay,” I said finally. “It will be lovely having dinner together.”

  The hand holding mine tightened. “Just so there’s no mistake,” he said, his voice gritty and low. “We’re not going to stop at dinner. After we’re finished here, I’m taking you to my apartment, and if I have my way, you’re staying the night.”

  Chapter Two

  A tight sensation in the middle of my chest reminded me it was time to breathe. I sucked in a wildly excited breath, my heart racing with the strength of my emotion. I wanted to tell him we could go straight away. Why did we need dinner when we could have dessert? Cripes, I didn’t want him to change his mind. Thinking too much was bad for the health!

  “Think of it as foreplay,” he said, almost as if he’d read my thoughts.

  “Um…okay.”

  “Sophie, you don’t have to.”

  “Oh, I want to.” A blush swept through me on hearing the vehement tone.

  Desire flared in his eyes, and instantly my mouth was dry, my body on fire.

  Isaac cleared his throat. “How about if I order our meals?”

  I nodded. Anything to get this show on the road.

  “You still like pasta and seafood?”

  I nodded again, making him laugh.

  “A woman of few words.” Isaac released my hand and stood. “Won’t be long. I’ll have the waiter get you a drink. White wine?”

  “Please.” I watched him stride through the restaurant. The view was stunning, a tight butt that made me conscious of mine. Frantically I tried to remember what underwear I’d donned after my shower. My forehead crinkled as I concentrated. Cripes, I couldn’t remember. And on second thought, I didn’t want to remember. Most of my panties were the plain cotton variety, and since my pregnancy, my stomach didn’t suck in like a well-behaved stomach should. Eek! I inhaled rapidly to dispel my lightheaded panic.