by Angela Evans
“Well?” Dex asked in anticipation.
“It’s good,” she answered, and to her that felt like patting herself on the back, but she was quickly chastised by his family.
“Good? This is amazing! Did you say you went to school for this?” they seemed to all say at the same time.
“I started baking with the cook at the lodge my family runs in Alaska, but these recipes I learned at culinary school in New York.” Amelia couldn’t help but smile as she remembered the years she had spent studying under the toughest pastry chefs in the world. They had pushed her to be better than she had thought she could be, but in the end she’d loved every second of it. “I haven’t baked in a few years though, so I was a little rusty. That’s why I wanted someone else to taste them first and tell me if they were as good as I hoped.”
“Well, I don’t know how good you used to be, but I can tell you this cupcake is the best thing I’ve had in years.”
“Better than sex?”
The sisters were laughing and teasing each other.
“Damn straight.” Another bite of the cake disappeared into Naomi’s mouth around a laugh.
“I’m not having this conversation with you two.” Dex pointed a fork at his sisters, his face more relaxed than Amelia had seen him. “But I’m just going to say this cake is damn good, but if you think it’s better than sex you’re either doing it wrong, or with the wrong guy.”
The whole room erupted in laughter and Amelia couldn’t help but blush with her giggles while she thought to herself, sex with Jeffery had definitely not been better than chocolate cake. Even bad chocolate cake. She couldn’t help but wonder what sex with Dex would be like. Blake Dexter was definitely not like any man she’d ever known, and was definitely not a part of any plan she’d ever made.
* * *
Dex had insisted on walking Amelia back to her bungalow, even though he had no doubt the security at the resort was top notch. He’d used her safety as a crutch to get her alone. They’d stood around the cake and cupcakes laughing and talking for what could have been hours, or mere minutes; Dex truly had no idea. He’d been too busy watching Amelia and trying to remember the last time he had introduced a girl to his mom.
The answer was easy to come up with. Never. In his youth, the girls he chased after weren’t exactly the ‘bring home to meet mom’ type, and recently he’d kept his distance from his family. Even the slim chance someone would find their way through him to his mom and sisters was unthinkable. Not to mention his mother thought he was exactly what he was pretending to be, a drug runner, and he couldn’t stand to see the disapproval in her eyes.
Shaking himself back to the present, he looked down at Amelia, her happiness was unmistakable. She was practically skipping down the beach, her face was beaming, and she still had a bit of powdered sugar on her cheek. He resisted the urge to kiss it off, but the temptation was strong.
“So, how come your family doesn’t seem to know you’re a cop?” she asked without any sort of preamble, straight and to the point. As much as he hated to admit it, that was one of the things he liked about her.
He couldn’t control the impulse to look around and see who might have overheard her comment. “Shh.”
“What?” Amelia glanced over her shoulder in confusion.
Dex weighed his options; on one hand he had no doubt Amelia was exactly who she appeared to be, that she was no more connected to the drug lords he was trying to bust than his own mother was. On the other hand, he hadn’t trusted anyone at all in a very, very long time and it didn’t come easy to him.
“You don’t have to tell me.” She smiled at him in a way that made him want to spill his guts in a way he hadn’t in a long time. “Let’s swim instead of talk.” She kicked off her shoes and took off at a run towards the bay without giving him a chance to react. He just stood there grinning like a fool as she ran straight into the water.
A squeal at the cold water was her only hesitation; she waded out until the water reached her mid-thighs before she turned around and looked at him. Damned if he didn’t feel himself getting hard right there on a public beach as he watched the water lap between her legs, which was exactly where he wanted to be. The sun glinting off the water was nearly blinding, creating a silhouette of her every curve.
A couple with two small children rushed past him on the sand, completely unaware Dex was standing there feeling seduced by a woman he’d only known a few days. He stood there watching her while she looked at him with those eyes that made him feel like he could see into her soul. Her eyes weren’t the magic, and her beautiful smile wasn’t either. It was just her. It was something that seemed to effervesce out of her being onto everyone around her. Or at least onto him. He told himself to go slow, he told himself to walk away, he told himself this wasn’t real it was just him being vulnerable because he was finally out from under the cover story that had smothered him for the last year and a half.
None of it mattered; he was moving towards her and he didn’t care who might be watching him, or what people would think, or if this was a good idea. He was going to kiss her until the urge to kiss her finally subsided in him, and he didn’t care if that meant he had to kiss her until morning, or next week.
He walked straight into the water and watched with carnal interest as she backed up slowly, leading him deeper. He felt the sting of the chilly water touch his thighs, but it did nothing to cool the heat burning in his crotch. He let her lead him further into the water, past where anyone might be swimming. Her smile was different now, no longer giddy and almost childlike as it had been before. Now it was the smile of a woman.
Tired of following her, he snagged her hand and pulled her towards him; she floated in the water just deep enough now she could only touch on her tip toes. The water carried her and pressed her up against him as he stood flat-footed on the sandy bottom. “I’m an undercover cop, and my family doesn’t know. Nobody knows.” He watched as her mind processed what he had said.
“Okay.” Her eyes dipped to his mouth letting him know she wanted to be kissed as badly as he wanted to do the kissing. “I’m glad you told me.”
No questions. No doubt. She didn’t run away; she didn’t do anything but stand there waiting to be kissed. And damn if that wasn’t the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.
Cupping one hand behind her neck, he pulled her even closer. His mouth crashed down on hers with more force than he intended and he fought to gentle the kiss…but she had other plans. Both of her hands were buried in his now very short hair, deepening the kiss as she opened her mouth. His shorts were heavy, soaked with the weight of the water that swayed him on his feet with the waves. His T-shirt was stuck to him like a second skin. With a groan, he realized her legs were coming around his waist and his hands settled under the sexy curve of her ass, holding her in place. Her tongue swept over his and he returned in kind, memorizing every recess of her mouth, and angling his head to have the perfect access.
He almost laughed at the idea he could ever get his fill of kissing her. Now he knew that itch was the kind that would only itch more after you scratched it.
Somewhere behind him on the beach, a child’s shriek of laughter brought him crashing back to reality faster than a wave crashing onto the rocks. Pulling back, he looked into her blue-green eyes and watched as she settled back to earth but still kept her legs wrapped around his waist. Striving to lighten the mood a little he quipped, “I hope you really want to swim because if I get out of this water any time soon, I’m going to give that kid a lesson in the birds and the bees her parents won’t appreciate.”
“Pretty sure my wet T-shirt and bra would do the same thing.” Her eyes were still focused on his mouth, and that was definitely not helping.
“You’re killing me,” he said on a groan as he untangled her legs from around his waist and set her down on her feet where she could touch the bottom. “Now, swim.” He took off swimming in the small waves determined to cool himself off and regain some control. He w
as surprised to realize she was keeping pace right alongside of him, despite the current and the weight of her wet clothes.
“I love swimming,” she commented when she saw his surprise. “But not as much as kissing you, so as soon as you’re ready to hit the beach, just let me know.” She took off swimming the other direction, towards the shore. Her jean short covered ass peeking up above the water with each kick teasing him even more. With yet another groan he sunk below the surface of the water and tried everything he knew to get his dick back under his control.
* * *
Amelia kicked up and floated on her back, letting the waves lift her body closer to the warmth of the sun and then let it sink back down in the valley between the small surfs. Unable to contain the smile on her face, Amelia felt as though her mood was as light as the waves made her body feel. Kissing Dex was something she definitely wanted to do more of, but she couldn’t help but wonder where could it lead? They lived on opposite sides of the world, and as much as she dreamed of leaving Alaska and running a pastry shop, or bakery, somewhere that didn’t try to freeze her toes off half the year, she didn’t know if she could really leave her family.
Not that she was thinking that far ahead to be thinking of moving to—she realized she didn’t even know where Dex called home. She assumed it was somewhere in the south, based on his slight drawl when he talked. When he was just talking to her about nothing, that’s when it seemed like he let his guard down and let himself be comfortable with her. Those were the moments she looked forward to the most. More than she ever had with Jeffery.
What an idiot she’d been, agreeing to marry Jeffery. She’d known what they had wasn’t the magic she’d hoped to find in her life, but for a few months she’d let herself believe love in real life was not like a romance novel; it just felt comfortable and the spark and chemistry she’d been dreaming of wasn’t really out there. Whether that feeling was love she still didn’t know, but she knew she felt more alive and more sexually aware of Dex than she had with anyone else in her life. That feeling was worth exploring, and she wasn’t going back to Alaska without finding out more about what this feeling was.
Still floating on her back, eyes closed, feeling the warmth of the Florida sun on her face, she felt Dex’s hand on her ankle a moment before he pulled, momentarily causing her face to dip under the wave before she came up to find his face inches from hers. Eyes intense, arm around her waist, her feet brushed his ankles as he held her in place.
“You were drifting away,” he told her, causing her to glance around and realize they had drifted far enough down the beach now they were almost directly in front of her bungalow.
“Oh, I didn’t realize.” Her eyes darted back to his. “Well, I guess this makes it easier for us to get out of the water without turning Barefoot Bay into a nude beach, huh?” Amelia watched as Dex’s eyes reflected the desire she was sure he could see on her own face. At least she wasn’t the only one experiencing this surge of attraction. That would definitely take the fun out of it.
“A nude beach with you might be fun, but I definitely wouldn’t want the audience.” The heat of the sun was nothing compared to the way she warmed from the inside out under Dex’s gaze.
“Do you want to come in with me?” she asked.
His sharp intake of breath told her the answer, but instead of saying yes he said, “Don’t ask me that, Amelia.”
“I’m asking.” She stood her ground. She wanted him and she was tired of the teasing looks and the tempting kisses. She wanted him in her bed.
“You don’t know me. I’m not the man you’ve seen here. I’ve lived a different life than you have, and that’s been my choice. I’ve seen things and done things you have never thought of in your sheltered world.” He was fighting himself, fighting the way he felt for her, which she suspected was exactly the same way she was feeling. She knew what it felt like to be afraid of this attraction; she had butterflies in her stomach that weren’t all from wanting him.
“I know exactly what kind of man you are. I know you’ve still got secrets and I’m not asking you to spill your guts. I’m not expecting anything at all.” Pulling his head down, she pressed a kiss to his lips, her hands behind his head holding him firmly where she wanted him. After a moment he raised his head and looked at her with more heat than she’d ever seen on a man’s face.
“Ask me again,” he said hoarsely.
“Will you come inside with me?” she said without hesitation.
The beach behind them was empty, making them feel like they were alone on the bay. The sky above them was beginning to turn pink with the sun dipping slightly towards the horizon, but not losing any of its warmth.
Dex’s hands cupped under her backside, lifting her against him, her legs naturally twining around his waist for the second time. Their wet clothes sealed them together as the surf swirled lightly around them. “Yeah, I’ll come inside,” he muttered. As his lips pressed against hers, she tasted the salt from the surf and the chocolate from the cake she had served him earlier. She wanted to taste so much more; she wanted to nibble his skin and get to know every inch of his rock solid frame. She realized he was carrying her towards the beach, slowly climbing up out of the surf while still kissing her hungrily.
She felt the cool breeze on her wet skin as they crossed the beach. “Put me down, I’m too heavy to carry,” she mumbled against his mouth, not breaking the kiss.
“No,” was his only answer, as he kept walking across the sand towards her bungalow and kept right on kissing her.
Her heart stuttered with excitement, desire, and so much more. She’d come to Barefoot Bay looking to step outside her comfort zone, to be impetuous and even impulsive. This was all those things. Taking Dex to her bed was definitely not something she’d have done a week ago…and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
* * *
Hector slid his phone from his pocket as he watched Dexter swimming with the hot blonde staying in the bungalow down the beach. His mission with the housekeeping staff had been more than successful, garnering him enough information to get the upper hand they needed. Sending a quick text to The Boss to report that he had a plan to catch Dexter off guard he watched as Dexter and the woman swam and kissed as if they didn’t have a care in the world. The woman would be just the distraction they needed, and better yet she could also be bait.
A moment later he had his reply, The Boss was on his way to Florida. The best part was The Boss had an even better idea than Hector had suggested, and it was one Hector looked forward to carrying out.
With a smile he tossed his cigarette into the sand at his feet. Time to get to work, he thought, as he turned to walk to his car parked nearby.
* * *
Dex carried Amelia across the beach towards her bungalow and deliberately pushed aside the nagging voice in his head reminding him not to trust, not to let his guard down, and not to let her anywhere near his heart. His head in off duty mode for the first time in well over a year. This was the definition of R&R, he told himself; this was what he needed.
Amelia reached for the knob and opened the door to her bungalow without releasing his mouth from a kiss that revealed she was as turned on as he was.
He released her legs from behind his back and set her on her feet. If they were doing this—and God help him they were—then he needed her to be in control and know she had the ability to put the brakes on whenever she wanted to.
“Backing out on me again?” she asked with a weak smile.
“No way, just letting you know you’re in charge here. All you have to do is say the word and I’m gone.”
“See, honorable man just like I said. And for the record I don’t want you to go anywhere except the bedroom, with me.”
Dex thanked his lucky stars she wasn’t the kind of woman to play coy, or wait helplessly for him to take the lead. She wanted him, and she had no problem saying so. No mixed signals, no wondering what she wanted.
“Lead the way.” He watched as
she turned, still wearing her soaking wet T-shirt and dangerously short jean shorts and led the way to the bedroom. Like everything else he’d seen at Casa Blanca, her bedroom was luxurious without being at all ostentatious. Every bit of the resort felt comfortable, relaxing, and inviting. He felt far from relaxed at the moment, though.
Dex walked into the adjacent bathroom grabbing an oversized, plush bath towel and returning to Amelia standing in the center of the bedroom. Unfolding the towel, he lifted one arm and then the other, drying the skin and following behind the towel with his mouth tasting her skin. He felt her suppress a shiver and raised his eyes to meet hers. “Cold?”
“No,” she answered once again surprising him with her honesty. Some women, most women actually, might try to play coy and not let him know how much his touch was affecting her, but not Amelia.
“Turn around,” he ordered and watched as she pivoted in her spot. Her wet jean shorts cupping her ass the way his hands had as he carried her up the beach. He lifted her wet hair off her neck and shoulders and squeezed the excess water into the towel. Brushing the hair to the side, he took his attention to drying her shoulders and her back. The tank top she wore revealed more than it concealed now that it was wet and his heart-rate doubled at the thought of peeling it off of her.
Not yet, he told himself, not yet.
Pressing kisses along her shoulders and up her neck, he listened as she purred in her throat. Looking over her shoulder he could see her nipples standing out through the tank in stiff peaks, straining the fabric of her bra and top. He ached to taste and tease them, and he knew by her reaction she wanted that, too.