Playing at Love

by Taylor, Jennifer

  He raised his head, his hand still cupping her face, his eyes half shuttered as he studied her. ‘What is it? What do you want, Louise?’

  She didn’t have the experience to handle this kind of intimacy, nor the courage to tell him that she wanted him to kiss her as he had on the veranda, hotly, seductively. She lowered her lashes, hiding her eyes from the searching scrutiny, and heard him laugh quietly.

  ‘If you can’t tell me what you want, then show me.’ His hands slid down her body, skimming the soft curves in a way that made her tremble, before they closed around her wrists and lifted her hands to link them behind his head. ‘Show me what you want, Louise.’

  There was a moment when fear overcame her, a moment when her whole body seemed to freeze, then, as though they had a life of their own, her fingers curled into the thick dark hair at the back of his head, burrowing deep into the silky strands to press against his skull.

  ‘Yes.’ His voice was husky now, deep, stirring her senses so that she responded instinctively to the encouragement. Slowly, so slowly that it seemed as though it were part of a dream, she drew his head down and fitted her mouth to his, letting her tongue trace the firm, hard line of his upper lip before she drew back a fraction and ran a fingertip across the moist warmth she’d left behind.

  ‘Don’t stop now, honey,’ he grated roughly as he caught her hand and bit gently at the tip of her finger, making her gasp at the swift surge of pleasure that shot through her.

  He rolled on to his back, drawing her with him to press her hand flat against the warmth of his chest so that she could feel the doubly enticing sensation of smooth skin and abrasive hair against her fingertips. Unbidden, her hand started to explore, sliding across the hard muscles to curve around his ribs before moving down, tracing the enticing slopes of his body until she encountered the waistband of his shorts. Her hand stilled at once, her fingers lying curled against his waist for a second before she moved her hand back up to his chest.

  ‘Surely you’re not shy, are you, Louise?’

  Was that amusement in his voice now? Louise stared into his face, but it was impossible to tell when all she could see was the pale glitter of his eyes, and then it didn’t seem to matter as he drew her to him and took her mouth in a kiss that was everything she’d longed for and more.

  When his hand slid under the hem of her T-shirt just as his tongue slid into her mouth to tangle sensuously with hers she moaned softly. A slow-running river of fire seemed to be flowing through her, the heat burning away any hesitations she might have felt about what she was doing. Each slow sweep of his broad hand against the silken skin of her back seemed to be echoed by the sweep of his tongue dancing with hers, making her yearn for an even closer contact.

  Without even thinking what she was doing, she pressed herself against him, fitting her smaller frame against the hard contours of his, feeling the unmistakable hardness of his arousal with a fierce joy. He wanted her!

  When he stiffened suddenly and seemed to be about to pull away from her she acted instinctively, pressing her open mouth to the strong column of his throat in tiny fleeting kisses as her hands stroked enticingly back and forth across his chest, her nails just grazing the smooth skin. He groaned deeply, his hands sliding round her body to cup her aching breasts as he slid his thumbs across the rigid peaks of her nipples, blatantly evident under the thin lace of her bra.

  Louise gasped at the sudden rush of sensation he created, feeling the tug of desire growing low in the pit of her stomach as he caught the hem of her T-shirt and dragged it over her head, baring her to his gaze. There was a moment when even the world seemed to grow still as his eyes slid over her breasts in their lacy covering, then he murmured something harsh under his breath and lowered his head to catch one rigid nub between his teeth and tug it gently.

  ‘Wyatt!’ There was a helpless note of longing in her voice that half shocked her, half excited her, as she said his name in the silence of the room. What he was doing to her made her feel just a little crazy, out of control, yet more aware of herself than she’d felt before in the whole of her life. She could feel every tiny cell in her body coming vibrantly alive, tingling with the echoes from the sensations he was creating. It was as though she’d been asleep for years and now he was waking her to what it really meant to be a woman.

  Tears misted her eyes as she drew his head away from her breast and bent to kiss him, wanting to let him know how she felt, that this was the most wonderful experience of her life.

  ‘I’m glad you’re not keeping on with the act, honey. It would have been a shame to miss this.’

  His deep voice grated, sending an unexpected shiver through her, and she stilled, her mouth just inches away from his. ‘What?’

  He laughed deeply; sweeping his hands down to the curve of her hips before running his fingertips slowly and deliberately up again to stroke her nipples. ‘I’m glad that you’ve decided to be honest for once. You want me, I want you, so why not let ourselves enjoy each other? It’s not as though you’re a complete innocent in this game. Obviously you know what’s what, and thank heavens for that!’

  How could she have been such a mindless fool as to allow desire to rule her head and make her forget why she was here? She pulled away from him abruptly and stood up, dragging the T-shirt down to cover herself, as she felt shame course through every vein in her body. Somehow she would have to learn to live with what she’d just done, learn to forgive herself for this dreadful mistake, but that must wait until later. Now she had to handle this...this mess with as much dignity as she could muster.

  ‘Yes, I know what’s what, Wyatt. I know enough not to let you use me.’

  He rolled over and came to his feet in one swift, lithe movement that startled her and made her take a quick step back from the bed, but he made no attempt to close the gap between them. ‘Use you?’ He shook his head, his black hair falling in silky disarray across his broad forehead, his pale eyes like steel. ‘Let’s not make this into something it isn’t, Louise. I wasn’t using you. You were with me every step of the way... way ahead of me at some points, in fact! So let’s not start that, shall we?’

  ‘I...I’m not starting anything. I’m finishing it here and now.’ She tossed her head, to shake the curls back from her pale face, blinking back the tears. She wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t let him know that it felt as though he’d just taken her heart and smashed it on the ground. She’d almost given herself to this man, willingly, joyfully, and it had in truth meant nothing more to him than a means to assuage an urge. What it had meant to her she didn’t want to think about.

  ‘Finishing it?’ He crossed his arms across his broad chest as he smiled cuttingly at her. ‘I wonder why you made that sudden decision. Until I foolishly thanked heaven for the fact that you knew the score you seemed to be quite happy with the way things were progressing. What changed your mind, sweet Louise? Did it suddenly sink into your head that I wasn’t about to fall for your little ploy?’ He tilted his head as he studied her. ‘Or am I being obtuse here? Maybe this is the ploy. You’ve given out a taster and now you don’t intend to give anything more until I come up with a good offer?’ He laughed softly in a way that made Louise want to curl up and die. ‘Sorry, honey, but if you’re holding out for a better offer then you’re going to be sadly disappointed. I don’t spend good money on something I can have for free!’

  How was it possible just to stand there and let someone rip you apart, limb from limb, without crying out in agony? Louise couldn’t understand where she found the strength from, but somehow she did.

  She shrugged, her face betraying nothing of the pain and shame she felt. ‘Then it’s your loss, I’d say.’

  His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing until she tried to pass him. He caught her wrist, his fingers encircling the fragile bones as he drew her to a halt. ‘You seem to be handling this with great aplomb. Has it happened to you before?’

  She shook her head, smiling at the sheer irony of the question, an irony he
must be unaware of. She’d never been in this position before because she’d never offered herself to any man as she’d just done to him. How he would laugh if she tried to tell him that!

  ‘No, I can honestly say this is a first.’ She glanced down at his hand, then back at him with as much coolness as she could muster, praying that he wouldn’t feel the fast beat of her pulse, mute evidence that even now she wasn’t immune to his touch, as she wanted to be. ‘I think I’ll go back to my room. There’s no reason for me to stay here.’

  ‘And what if I won’t let you go back just yet?’ He dropped his hand from her arm. ‘Don’t forget the door’s still locked.’

  She laughed bitterly, feeling the ache spreading throughout her body. ‘Then I’ll take my chances with the hound from hell.’ She walked over to the window and opened it, unaware that the rose-tinted light from the rising sun was casting its glow across her face, laying all her emotions bare. ‘If it’s a straight choice, Wyatt, between that dog and you, then I know which I prefer.’

  She wrenched the doors open and stepped out on to the veranda, her whole body stiffening with shock as behind her Wyatt said quietly, ‘I’m sorry, Louise.’

  Sorry for what? There was a moment when she stopped to glance back at him, a moment when hope flowed so sweetly inside her, then she turned and ran with a half-muffled sob which she didn’t care if he heard. ‘Sorry’ could mean so many different things to different people, and she doubted if it meant the same to him as it did to her. All he was sorry about was the fact that she’d come to her senses in time!

  Well, she was sorry too, sorry for being such a fool, sorry for getting herself into this situation in the first place, sorry that one part of her would always ache to feel again the joy he’d made her feel in his arms. That seemed more than enough to be sorry about.

  The sun was hot, biting into her bare skin. Louise rolled on to her stomach, checking her watch before pillowing her face on her arms. Another ten minutes and then she’d go inside and get showered and changed ready for lunch. Wyatt might have allowed her to skip breakfast, but there was no way he would let her get away with missing lunch, and she couldn’t face the trouble it could cause. The fewer confrontations they had during the next few days until she could leave, the better, as far as she could see. It was the only way she was going to survive.

  She closed her eyes, willing the tension to ease from her weary body, but it was impossible to relax as her brain re-ran through everything that had happened in the bedroom in a series of vivid freeze-frames: her mouth against Wyatt’s throat, his hands caressing her breasts before his dark head dipped...

  She sat up abruptly, shading her eyes against the glare as she stared white-faced down the beach to where Carling and Wyatt were playing a lazy game of catch with a huge, brightly coloured beach ball. As the ball whizzed over his head he leapt to catch it, his body stretching upwards, every perfectly toned muscle rippling in the sun, and she felt her breath catch traitorously. She wanted to hate him for what he had done, yet it seemed so difficult to do that. Was she really so weak that just the sight of a handsome face and superb body could make her forget how he had used her?

  ‘Are you feeling all right, Louise? We missed you at breakfast-time.’

  Louise jumped, forcing a smile as Lawrence Hutton sat down on the padded lounger next to her towel. ‘Yes, I’m fine. I...I just wasn’t very hungry, that’s all.’

  He smiled kindly at her, but there was an intent gleam in his eyes that warned her he wouldn’t be easily fooled. ‘Sure you’re not annoyed about the amount of attention Carling is giving Wyatt?’ He shrugged as he looked indulgently down the beach. ‘Perhaps she is just the tiniest bit spoiled and used to getting her own way, but this habit she has of flirting with Wyatt is totally innocent.’

  There wasn’t an innocent bone in that girl’s body, and no one but a doting father could have missed seeing that fact! Louise swallowed the spiky retort and kept her tone carefully neutral. ‘I’m sure you’re right.’

  ‘Good. I’m glad you understand. This was a surprise for both of us, I’ll admit, but I’m sure that Carling is just as pleased as I am about this engagement.’ He bent forwards to pat her arm. ‘I have to say that I’m more than delighted Wyatt has found you, Louise. You remind me so much of my dear wife. She was—’

  ‘Not trying to steal my girl, are you, Lawrence?’ The relief that Louise felt at the interruption to the awkward conversation was short-lived as she looked up and met Wyatt’s cold stare. She could almost hear his brain ticking over as he studied the tableau they made, her sitting on the towel with Lawrence bending solicitously towards her. She glared back at him, but he did no more than raise a mocking brow as he dropped down next to her on the towel and took her hand, twining his fingers through hers in a loving gesture that angered her even more by being so blatantly false.

  ‘If I were twenty years younger then you might have a fight on your hands, but...’ Lawrence smiled as he stood up and sketched them a friendly wave before walking down the beach to speak to Carling.

  ‘I warned you, Louise. I made it very plain that you would regret it if you started playing games while you’re here.’ The contempt in Wyatt’s deep voice sent her temper spiralling, and she dragged her hand free.

  ‘I am not playing games! Why do you always look for the worst in every situation?’

  ‘Because experience has taught me that’s what I usually find.’ He caught her chin, turning her face to his. ‘I’ve told you once and I shall tell you again that Lawrence Hutton is off your list. I don’t give a damn who you set your sights on after we leave here, but while you’re here you’ll respect my wishes. Is that clear?’

  ‘Oh, perfectly clear! In fact it couldn’t be clearer. Now if you’ve quite finished giving out your orders I think I’ll go inside and change for lunch. That is if you will allow me to do so? I mean, I haven’t actually had permission as yet.’

  His eyes narrowed, pinpoints of silver light that seemed to bore right into her. ‘I’d watch my tongue if I were you, lady. It could get you into a whole load of trouble you wouldn’t enjoy.’

  ‘Like the trouble I found myself in this morning...in your room?’ She smiled with bitter sweetness. ‘Now that is something I want to avoid at all costs!’ She shuddered delicately, letting her eyes travel the length of his superb body before coming back to his face. ‘I think one taster of what you have to offer was enough, Lord. I’ll pass on a second.’

  ‘Will you indeed?’ His voice had dropped to a low, throaty growl that made her tingle with sudden excitement. She tore her eyes away from him, licking her parched lips.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Are you sure, honey? Absolutely certain that you wouldn’t like seconds?’ Suddenly he pushed her back on the towel, looming over her as he stared into her face, keeping her trapped with the power of his big body as he ran a lazy finger down the straight bridge of her nose to stop just a fraction above her moist lips.

  ‘Stop it, Wyatt! I... What about Carling and her father?’

  He didn’t even bother to glance over his shoulder, his eyes never leaving hers. ‘Too far away to hear what we’re saying. To them it must look like a tender little interlude between lovers, and that’s what we almost were, Louise—lovers.’

  Her face burned with shame, and she turned her head, but he was relentless as he turned it back and held it there.

  ‘Why are you doing this? Why are you being so cruel, Wyatt?’

  He stilled for a moment, as though something in her tone had bothered him, but then he shrugged. ‘Is it cruel to make a person see the truth? You wanted to make love with me this morning, honey, just as much as I wanted it. Don’t try lying about how you felt now.’

  ‘I thought you’d changed your mind, realised it was all an act I’d put on to trap you!’

  ‘I doubt anyone could have acted the part as well as you did. Oh, maybe there was some thought at the back of that scheming little mind about how to make the most of the des
ire we both felt, but you wanted it as much as I did.’ His thumb brushed her mouth, easing the lower lip down to run over the soft inner flesh as he watched her face and smiled when he saw the tiny flicker of desire in her eyes. Desperately she strove for something to say, something to make him realise that he was wrong, but it was difficult to disguise the truth.

  ‘Yet you still accuse me of trying to attract Lawrence’s attention?’ She laughed shrilly. ‘That doesn’t make any sense!’

  He stared arrogantly back at her. ‘To you Lawrence is a business proposition, a way to get your hands on some money. It’s different with you and me, Louise.’

  ‘Different? In which way?’ She glared at him, hating him for his arrogance and for the way that he could make her feel.

  ‘Because you can’t separate your emotions quite so neatly with me. Your greed for money is almost equalled by the need you feel to have me make love with you.’

  ‘No!’ With a surge of strength she pushed him away and scrambled to her feet. ‘The only reason why I’m here, Lord, is because you made me come! You blackmailed me into this trip in the first place and I foolishly thought that I’d go along with it just to teach you a lesson, but I’m fast coming to realise that it’s not worth it! Frankly, as far as I’m concerned both you and your money can go to—’

  ‘My, my, what have we here? Surely you two aren’t quarrelling again?’

  Carling’s husky voice cut into her tirade, and Louise glanced over her shoulder, feeling colour swim into her face as she saw the other woman standing just behind her. With her blonde hair caught on top of her head in an elegant knot and her sleek golden limbs perfectly displayed by the emerald bikini, she looked like something from a fashion magazine, and just as false. That was the whole problem; they were all living this stupid lie: she acting as Wyatt’s loving fiancée, Carling pretending to be the perfect hostess. It was about time that they all came clean.