by Cathryn Fox
“Why computer software?” he asked.
She brushed hair from his shoulder. “I was always mathematically inclined, and a bit of a techie. Like I said, I spent a lot of time playing computer games when I was a kid, so maybe my love of coding developed from that. Dad couldn’t scare my online friends away, and they never knew who I really was so they couldn’t be using me to get to him.” She snorted again and went quiet for a long time. “Until I met Sam, I had no real friends.”
His gut tightened. The image of a little girl all alone with an overbearing father and no mother damn near broke his heart. He wanted to tell her he was sorry, but she wasn’t looking for his sympathy.
The scissors clinked together. “Oops.” She giggled. “Shoot, I wish I had a comb.”
“Jesus, do I even want to know what you’re doing?” he asked, wanting to lighten the mood, even though his heart was squeezing so hard it was difficult to breathe.
She laughed and gave him a whack on the shoulder. “I think you’re going to like it. You’re going to look handsome. All the girls will want you.”
Except I only want you to want me.
Shit.
“You’d better hope it’s good, or you’ll be sorry.”
“Lucky me.” She nudged him. “Okay, all finished.” She sniffed. “Hey, my allergies are better.”
“I can make you more tea in the morning, before we trek out of here.” He ran his hand over his head, and it felt good. He felt like himself again. Except, after this week with Holly, he was sure he’d never be the same again. “You sure you still want to do that?”
“Absolutely. Look at me.”
He crawled out from between her legs and turned. The smile that lit up her face was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen. “Handsome,” she said, and handed him the scissors. He shoved them to the side, needing desperately to taste her. He fell over her, pressing her down with his body, and her hand went to his jaw.
His gaze moved over her face. God, she was so strong and courageous, the most stunning woman he’d ever set eyes on. “Beautiful,” he murmured, then closed his mouth over hers. He kissed her with everything in him, ravenous for so much more. For everything.
She tugged at his clothes, her fingers curling in his shirt, and he inched back, quickly removing them until he knelt before her bare naked. He touched the hem of her shirt and gave it a little tug.
“Your turn.”
Dark eyes locked on his, and she sat up and removed her shirt and bra, gifting him with the most beautiful breasts, and pretty pink nipples he needed to spend more time with. She shimmied out of her shorts and slowly dragged her panties down. He growled and then caught her grin as she teased him.
Once naked, she fell back down and crooked her finger, but he needed a moment just to look at her, to drink her in. To wonder what was going to happen when this week was over and he had to walk away from the woman who’d washed away the memories of every other girl he’d ever been with. Christ, he could barely comprehend how quickly things were changing for him.
“I want you,” she whispered, her soft voice sweeping through him.
“You’ve got me.”
He fell over her, finding her lips and kissing her deeply. She moved beneath him, widening her legs, offering him the warmth of her body. With the need to be inside her driving him, pulsing through his blood, he slipped a hand between her legs. When he found her so wet and ready for him, he shifted, and positioned his cock at her entrance.
In one thrust, he pushed into her, and she let loose a blissful moan. He closed his mouth over hers and swallowed the sound as he kissed her. Her nails scraped over his shoulders, dragging skin, leaving him struggling for air. Jesus Christ, everything about her felt good, felt right. He buried his face in her neck, kissing her soft skin. The bristles on his chin scraped over her delicate flesh, and she whimpered.
“Josh,” she whispered, her hips rising to meet his as he pushed into her with long hard strokes that took him to the edge in record time. Damn what this woman could do to him without even trying. It was a little scary.
“Yeah.”
“Don’t stop.”
His heart slammed, and he breathed her in. “Don’t plan to.”
She moaned, and tension grew in his body, every muscle tight as his orgasm mounted.
“I’m…” Her voice was a coarse rasp and then, “Yessssss.”
Her muscles clenched and squeezed, and a storm built inside him, swirling, spinning, and lifting him clear from the ground. His brain shut down as he surrendered to the pleasure and joined her in release.
She looked up at him, her expression one of pure bliss, her eyes glimmering with sensuality, and he liked that he could put that look on her face. Fierce possession raged inside him at the thought of another man touching her, making her smile like that.
Beside them, the flashlight dimmed, and wanting to save the batteries, he turned it off, dousing them in darkness. He needed to move, to pull out of her, but couldn’t seem to bring himself to do it. Christ, he needed to hold her a little longer, or maybe…forever.
He shook his head, grasping to understand what was happening to him, what this woman was doing to him without even trying.
What about lessons learned?
Fuck that. He needed to talk to her. But how. And what the hell was he going to say, anyway? Shit. It wouldn’t matter what came out of his mouth. He could try to soften the blow with a million apologies, but once she found out who he was and what he was doing with her, she was going to hate him.
“You know what I think,” she whispered, her voice caressing the skin on his neck.
“What?”
“That you set this all up,” she teased. “Your way of making sure I slept in your tent.”
“Yeah, I’m busted.”
But he wasn’t just busted. No, he was absolutely, totally, fucking screwed.
Chapter Fourteen
Holly lay still, listening to Josh’s soft breathing sounds as he slept beside her. The morning sun rose over the jungle, and the wind had settled enough for her to hear something scurry by the tent. Her mind rewound to last night, to the way Josh had pulled her to him and curled a protective arm around her body as they drifted off to sleep. She’d never felt so wanted, so desired by anyone. Over the course of the week, Josh had proven to be caring, smart, strong, and protective. But he was also trustworthy, easy to talk to, and a lover who put her needs first. He was everything she wanted in a man, and then some.
Would her father frighten him off?
Stop! Don’t go there. This was a week’s fling, and she was not about to bring him home for daddy’s approval. She shook her head and gave that more consideration. How could they go back to being coworkers, their offices side by side, and act like nothing had ever happened between them?
She shouldn’t have let things get personal. It would only make it harder when they walked away. She’d suggested a quick, hot affair and nothing more. He’d agreed to her terms. So why, then, was last night’s sex so tender and soft, less physical than before. There had been a new gentleness in his touch, a deeper possessiveness in the way he looked at her. Was it possible that he might want more?
“Morning, sunshine.”
Looking rumpled, sleepy, and sated, he shifted and went up on one elbow. The light blanket they’d draped over themselves fell, exposing his hard chest. Her fingers itched to touch him again, to stay in this tent and make love for the remainder of their trip.
Oh God, Holly, what is going on with you?
He slipped his hand around her neck and drew her mouth to his. Their lips collided, and he kissed her deeply. She sagged into him, wanting his touch, but there was a part of her that wanted something…more.
He broke the kiss and inched back, and she took in his short hair and the way it exposed his handsome face. If Anita didn’t want him before, she sure as hell would now. “Good morning to you, too,” she said, working hard to keep her voice steady. Josh’s stomach took that moment to grumb
le, and she laughed, grateful for the distraction. “I think we’d better make our way out of here so you can get some food.”
“You sure you’re still up for the walk? We do have the phone and can call for help.”
“Nope, I want to walk.” She wasn’t quite sure whether it was to prove to Jeff she had what it took to be a leader, or because she wanted to spend more time with Josh.
She found her clothes and pulled them on as Josh opened the zipper on the tent and climbed out—stark freaking naked. Laughing, she tossed his clothes at him. “Stop trying to scare the wildlife away.” The fragrant scent of the forest swirled around her, and she sneezed.
Josh pulled on his clothes, disappeared for a moment, and came back with last night’s leftover tea. “Want me to reheat it?”
“No, I’m sure it’s fine.” She took a swig and winced at the cold, bitter taste, but the liquid did feel good going down her scratchy throat. She held it out to him. “There is a bit left.”
He shook his head. “No, go ahead and finish it.”
“No, here.”
He took the bottle and drank the last few drops, then screwed the cover back on. His brows pulled together as he looked around. “We can follow the water. Hopefully we’ll get out by dark.”
Josh broke down the tent as she repacked their supplies. Once done, she tossed her backpack over her shoulder and straightened her spine. “All set.”
His gaze moved over her face, a troubled look in his eyes as he assessed her. He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, then closed it again.
“I’m fine, Josh.”
He gave a curt nod and turned. “Follow my lead, okay?”
She fell in behind Josh, her gaze latched onto his perfect ass as they walked for hours and hours over twigs, roots, and rocks. Her water shoes did little to protect her feet, and she winced a few times as sharp shoots cut into her soft soles. The sun rose higher and higher in the sky, then dipped lower and lower. As the big orange fireball rose and set over this lush tropical island, her thirst grew. She swallowed against a dry throat and tried not to think about her hunger. Josh stopped a few times, walking deeper into the woods to collect berries. She followed him in, and they took breaks as they ate, but it did little to sate her hunger or ease her exhaustion. Cripes, she really needed to get on the treadmill more often.
Maybe she should have called for help. But, dammit, she hated to give in. What about Josh, though? Even though he looked as refreshed as he did this morning, he was shouldering most of the weight, and was even carrying the tent. She hadn’t even stopped to consider his situation, or that he was now favoring his scarred leg. How selfish of her. He might have wanted to call for help and kayak out of here instead of walking a million miles. Maybe it wasn’t too late.
“Josh,” she began, pushing her mussed hair from her face, but she stopped when she spotted something lodged in the rocks up ahead, something long and yellow and buoyant. She shrieked and pointed. “Our kayak!”
“Sweet.” He shifted his pack on his shoulders, and while he pulled out the satellite phone, she sank to the ground and took that moment to rest. He punched in a number. “Yeah, we’re about halfway back and found our kayak.” A pause and then, “We’re fine. See you soon.”
His head dipped, and when he found her sitting on a rock, he dropped to one knee. “You okay?”
She was tired, weary, starving, and just might have bitten off more than she could chew—in so many ways. She forced a smile. “Fine.”
He made a fist and nudged her chin. “If this doesn’t prove to Jeff just how tough you are, then nothing will.”
“Thanks.” She lifted her mouth to his, and he brushed his lips over hers—light, soft, so damn tender that if she wasn’t sitting, she would have fallen.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said, and stood. He captured one of her hands and lifted her. He trekked through the water and pulled the kayak from the rock and balanced it so she could climb in. Darkness fell over them as he guided them back, and hours later he paddled them into the shore back at the resort, where he found one of the guides waiting.
Holly stole a glance around at the other kayaks, all sitting empty. The group must have passed them on their way back upriver when Holly and Josh had been resting deeper in the woods. At least they all made it back safe and sound. The guide stepped into the water, grabbed the edge of the kayak, and pulled them onto the sand as he looked them both over.
“You two okay?”
“Perfect,” Holly said.
“I glad you found your kayak.” He nodded to the empty boats beside them. “The others had seen it when they went by, and we were hoping you two would come across it.”
“Lodged in the rocks,” Josh supplied as he climbed out. “Wind carried it away from us.”
“You both look like you need a shower and something to eat.” He checked his watch. “The restaurants are closed, but the buffet is still open.”
At the mention of food, Josh rubbed his stomach, and Holly formed an idea. Catching her second wind, she jumped from the boat. “First things first, I need a shower.”
“Me, too.”
His knuckles brushed hers as they walked the dark path back to their villas. When they reached the fish fountain, she stopped. “Meet me at the restaurant where we learned mixology.”
He frowned. “It’s closed this time of night, remember?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
He angled his head. “What are you up to?”
“One hour,” she said, and dropped a quick kiss onto his mouth. Leaving him standing there wondering what she was up to, she rushed to her villa. After a quick shower—no time to luxuriate beneath the hot steam—she dressed in a pair of shorts, pulled on a tank top, and hurried through the resort, making a quick trip to the nearly empty buffet first.
Darting along the tree-fringed path, with the waves splashing on shore a few feet away, she snuck up to the restaurant and looked around. Empty. Perfect. She used the knife she’d snatched from the buffet to jimmy the lock on the door. Damn, Josh made it look easier than it was. She wiggled and jiggled and finally heard the lock click. Yay. When the door opened, she ducked inside, locking it behind her, and made her way to the back.
Hurrying around a kitchen that was foreign to her—heck, every kitchen was pretty much new to her—she rooted around in the freezer until she found what she was looking for and then rushed to the pantry. Keeping one eye on the clock and one on what she was doing, she seared the steaks, boiled the potatoes, and prepared a salad. With only two minutes to spare, she plated the food and carried it to one of the corner tables in the restaurant. Not wanting to turn on any lights, she found some matches and lit the small white candle on the table.
A knock sounded, and she nearly jumped out of her shoes. Breaking and entering to cook a meal really wasn’t something she normally did, but she wanted to do something nice for Josh before they left for home tomorrow. She smoothed her hand over her stomach and rushed to the door. When she found him standing on the other side, hands jammed into the pockets of his khaki shorts and wearing a tight T-shirt that showcased a hard body, her heart nearly failed. So handsome.
Pulling herself together, she released the lock. “Hurry,” she said glancing past his shoulders to make sure no one had saw him, but it was after midnight and the parties were dying down and the place was fairly quiet.
His body bumped hers, and her skin came alive. “What are you doing, Holly?” he asked, his deep, raspy voice like an erotic caress.
“Follow me.” She slid her hand into his and tugged, ushering him to the back corner where she had his big, juicy steak, potatoes, and salad waiting.
He stopped at the table, and his gaze shot to hers. A shadow passed over his face, something dark and tortured.
She swallowed and faltered backward. “You don’t like it? You were craving a big, juicy steak so I thought—”
“It’s perfect,” he said, slipping his arm around her waist and pu
lling her to him. His familiar scent surrounded her, and she just stood there, breathing him in. The way he touched her made her feel so warm and comfortable, eliciting things she shouldn’t be feeling. She closed her eyes against the flood of unwanted emotions, and tried to breathe past the tightness in her throat. “I was just surprised is all. You were so worried about trespassing, I never thought you’d break and enter, just to cook for me.”
It was true. She wasn’t that girl, and a lot had changed since she’d stepped foot on the island. “That’s because you don’t really know me.”
The muscles along his jaw rippled, and the room went quiet. Too quiet. “I know you,” he murmured through clenched teeth. The seriousness in his words, the intent on his face, gave her pause. He didn’t know her. Not really. How could he? They’d only just met. So why, then, were the hairs on her nape lifting. Was there more to those words than she knew?
Before she could give it further consideration, his mouth closed over hers, and her mind shut down as she lost herself in his kisses, the feel of his hands on her body. He inched back and sucked in a sharp breath as his deep blue eyes moved over her face.
“We should eat. You spent all this time preparing, and I don’t want it to get cold.”
“Okay,” she said. Even though she was ravenous, she’d rather spend the rest of the night kissing him.
He pulled her chair out for her. “Aren’t you the gentleman?” she said.
“You think this is me being a gentleman?” he teased.
“Yes, I do.”
“This isn’t me being a gentleman, Holly.”
“No?”
“No, me being a gentleman is when I take you back to your place and nurture three sweet orgasms out of you.”
Her throat dried. “Oh.”
He grinned, that sexy, panty-melting grin that she could see so well now that his hair was short. She squirmed in her chair and looked him over as he sat across from her, really giving his strong features and hard body further consideration. With the short hair, she would have taken him more for a military man—the kind that always hovered over her back home—than a software designer. Suddenly her father’s warning about hurting herself there came back, and the hairs on her nape tingled again.