Red Hot Candy (22 All-New Delicious Romance Books by Best-Selling Authors about Alpha Males, Billionaires, Cowboys, and More for Your Summer Reading) (Red Hot Boxed Sets)

by Dani Dundee

  “I’d like to take you snorkeling tomorrow morning, but tonight, how about I ease that burn on your backside?”

  Swift change of topic? Maybe that’s for the better?

  “How would you do that?”

  He tugged at the hem of his tank top and pulled it up over his head. My fingers tingled with the urge to rake them through that mesh over his chest. And before I knew it, off came his Hawaiian shorts. And Sean was not wearing any underwear, either. I snaked my gaze over his perfect tan, from the bottom up, noting that slight twitch between his legs. God, did that body ever look delicious.

  “April, you’re licking your lips again.”

  I am?

  “Come on, the water will ease that heat.”

  Not a thousand days out in the sun could heat me as much as what I felt between my legs at this moment. I hoped a dip would ease much more than the pain on my scorched behind.

  Was I about to go skinny dipping?

  Sean left his clothes on the sand, turned, and ran into the ocean. His taut behind flexed with each leap over the water. And that beautiful tattoo was another item on my “Things to ask Sean” list. He was gorgeous. It could never get old watching him.

  Become one with the environment. I remembered Millie’s advice. Except my surroundings now included a hot-off-the-skillet man I found way too attractive to be swimming naked with.

  I let out a breath and pulled the zipper at the side of my dress. The fabric dropped to the sand, and crossing my arms over my chest I stepped forward. The perfect temperature didn’t shock my skin, but it did ease the pain on my backside as I waded through the water.

  Waist deep, Sean waited for me. He pulled his fingers through his hair, wetting it. Under the moon, his silhouette looked perfect, the wet specks on his body reflecting the light. For the second time that day I wondered what it was that he did for a living. The muscles appeared natural and unforced.

  “You’re beautiful. You shouldn’t hide,” he said as I stepped closer, and I lowered my arms. Thankful for the evening’s shade, I was glad he couldn’t see my entire body flush with heat at his comment. “How does your back side feel?”

  “Better,” I said.

  “Are you a good swimmer?” he asked.

  “I think so.”

  “Come, I want to show you something.”

  I swam beside him toward the cliff, wondering how this man I’d only met that morning had managed to swoon me so quickly. “Don’t step on the bottom, now. It’s not deep, but it’s rocky.”

  “Okay.”

  In even breaststrokes we passed the cliff’s nose. The resort disappeared, and for a moment I thought he was taking me out into the middle of the ocean. Didn’t sharks like to feed at night? Was this even safe? Just as my mind filled up with all the possible ways in which this evening swim could turn into a tragedy, I saw a small beach clearing ahead, which we seemed to be swimming toward.

  Let go of the responsible side of you for once, Millie’s voice rang in my mind.

  When Sean stood up and reached for my hand, I took his, feeling the wave-sculpted sand underneath my feet. He guided me toward the shore where I thought I saw movement. The beach wasn’t wide, but deeper than I anticipated. We stepped onto the shore, and I got a better glimpse of what he wanted to show me.

  “No way.” I covered my mouth with my free hand. Under the moonlight, swiping the sand with their fins to the sides, turtles were preparing nests to lay their eggs in. I crouched as we got closer, not wanting to scare them. Sean sat down in the sand, and with one pull on my hand, I found myself right beside him, leaning against his body, skin to skin.

  “We can wash the sand out later. Enjoy, April. This doesn’t happen often.”

  It was beautiful. Mesmerised by the sea creatures, I forgot I was sitting naked next to a gorgeous man. Right after the birth of my son, I had to admit that this was one of the most wondrous things I’d ever witnessed.

  “How did you know about this?”

  “One of the locals told me. This is one of the few beaches without human access.” He pointed to the cliffs that blocked the beach off from the rest of the land. “With the minimal wildlife, the chances of most of these eggs hatching are much better.”

  “I’m pretty sure this will be the highlight of my vacation,” I sighed.

  “I hope not.” The intensity with which he spoke could have knocked me off my feet. It was a good thing I was sitting. I turned my body to face him, and we were at that same point as we’d been on the beach, staring at each other.

  “What are you thinking?” I broke the spell of his clear eyes with my whisper.

  “Ugly wrinkled women.”

  I laughed. “What?”

  “If I don’t, I won’t be able to hide what I’m feeling for much longer.”

  My gaze followed his to his crotch, where he seemed to have grown.

  Oh!

  “Well, for what it’s worth, I like you too.”

  “Ah, she’s finally honest.” He reached for my face and brushed his thumb over my bottom lip, leaving a salty trail of the ocean on my skin. “Please tell me you want to kiss me as badly as I want to kiss you.”

  I felt my mouth open by a fraction, signaling an invitation. At this point I couldn’t even speak. Sean had sent my mind spinning from the moment I’d seen him – or should I say his crotch – that morning. Not the best way to meet someone, but definitely unforgettable.

  His masculine breath blended with the ocean-seasoned air and flowed around my face. Once those perfect lips covered mine, tasting gently, I was lost, living out a dream I’d never dreamt. I let out what must have sounded like a whimper, and at the feel of his tongue, opened wider. He was strong yet cautious, as if he didn’t want to cross a boundary that would scare me, but when I leaned in closer, letting him know that I wasn’t afraid and wanted this as much as he did, he no longer held back.

  The warmth of his swift tongue cruised through my mouth as he claimed me. And once I was his, it softened, overwhelming me, and I mellowed in his arms. Sean was like a fine wine, after tasting a sip, you knew you’d have to finish the bottle. Hopefully it was a bottle with an infinite bottom.

  I felt him gently lift me off the ground, and lay me on top of his body, feeling those hard ridges underneath my palms, noting how the temperature of his skin matched mine, our limbs twined and muscles connected. My thigh between his legs was being bruised by his erection, and his hard muscle between mine gave the perfect resistance to rub against. If someone told me this morning I’d be playing out a scene from “From Here to Eternity,” naked, I’d have laughed.

  Careful not to touch my burnt back, for which I was grateful, his hands traced my curves. That mouth of his did wonders to mine. I hadn’t been kissed with so much need in years – if ever – and I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted to be locked in his hold forever. I wasn’t sure whether it was the atmosphere, or him, or us and the whole idea of meeting a man while naked that had opened me, but I needed this. No, I needed him.

  This was definitely a kiss of the century, one I would never forget. For a moment I thought I felt a tremor underneath us, but maybe it was just me.

  I pulled away and leaned my forehead against his, breathing heavily.

  “Did you feel that?” he asked, and I realized it wasn’t just me.

  “Yes. Earthquake?”

  “Given we’re in Hawaii, it’s possible. We should go back.”

  As he stood up, I hesitated. The girl that had been swept off her feet whined inside me. I didn’t want this night to end. But Sean had a concerned look on his face, and I didn’t want to argue.

  “Yeah, we should.”

  “April, look at me.” He held my face between his palms. “If I didn’t care about your safety, neither the sand in my ass nor an earthquake could stop me from taking you. But we’re not exactly in the safest place if the earthquake was out in the ocean, and I’ll be damned before I let anything happen to you”

  Right… tsunamis.


  I got up and off his body, saying, “Okay, let’s go, then.”

  He stopped me before I got back into the water, and said, “This isn’t over.”

  I felt that flip-flop in my stomach again, wondering what would happen when we got back to the resort. Should I ask, My room or yours? Was that too forward? As we swam around the cliff and toward the shore where we’d left our clothes, I could still feel the heat of him – everywhere. Heck, I still wasn’t sure what was coming over me to make me so willing to invite a man I’d only met this morning back to my room. The earth must have definitely turned on its axis.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  When we returned, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. The amphitheater was full, drinks were still being poured one after another at the bar, and I felt like we’d both stepped out of an adventure park back to the real world.

  “Maybe it was a localized tremor,” I said under my breath.

  “April!” I heard Millie’s voice. She waved toward me from the other end of the bar, clearly having had a few more shots than her petite frame could handle. There was a man beside her, quite good looking, watching her every move as if contemplating whether she was wasted enough to screw.

  “I should see if she’s okay,” I left Sean by a pillar and headed toward my friend.

  “Millie, how many of those have you had?” I pointed to the line of empty glasses, brought one to my nose, and inhaled the anise aroma. “You know Sambuca’s your weak point.” And by weak I meant that she loved the liquor so much, on occasions Millie drank it like water.

  “I know,” she slurred. “But Greg here bet I couldn’t go past six.”

  Why did she fall for these dweebs so easily?

  “Well, I definitely showed him.”

  “Millie, let’s get you to our room.”

  “Nah, don’t go Millie.” Greg pulled down on her arm as she stood up. He threw me a ‘You better not fuck up my game’ look. Oh, I so didn’t like him.

  “We’re leaving,” I repeated.

  “And who made you the queen?” he snapped back.

  “I did.” Sean’s voice boomed from behind me. I didn’t realize he followed me. It had been a long time since I’d had a strong man’s support. Greg took one look at Sean and stepped back.

  “Come on, Millie. It’s time to go,” Sean repeated. And apparently he didn’t have to ask her twice, the way I did. Millie took the arm he offered, I stepped on her other side holding her steady, and we walked away.

  “I told you to be careful who you hang out with.”

  “I’m not the one who disappeared with the eagle-man,” she said.

  Right, I did disappear.

  “Besides, he said I couldn’t do more than six shots.”

  She was so wobbly on her feet, I was glad I had Sean with me to help me guide her up the steep staircase.

  “Millie, we’ll discuss how to be a good judge of character when you’re sober.”

  She stopped in the middle of the walkway and pinched my cheek. “You’re blushing. Did you do him?” she whispered loudly toward me, covering her mouth away from him as if that would prevent Sean from hearing.

  “Millie, stop.”

  “You said he had a nice package. Did it live up to my expectations?”

  Sean chuckled, and I felt my cheeks turn crimson.

  “I swear, Millie. I will never forgive you for this.”

  We walked her to our bungalow, and I chose to ignore her continuous embarrassing questions. I helped her to bed, and once she snuggled against the pillow, I stepped back out into the hallway where Sean was waiting for me.

  “Nice package, eh?”

  “She’s exaggerating.”

  “Are you saying I have a small penis?”

  “No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

  “A big one then?” he teased.

  “I think Millie’s already established how I feel about your ‘package.’” I used finger quotes. This was so embarrassing.

  “And how do you feel about my package?”

  “I feel I have yet to discover whether its performance lives up to its size.”

  Was I flirting again? I was pretty sure this conversation went way beyond flirting and was leading to me doing a ‘spread eagle’ for him right here, or jumping directly into his bed.

  “Come to my room, then.” He stood in front of me, and the back of his hand gently swept up my sheer dress over my stone-hard nipple. My back pressed against the shut door, for the first time since dinner reminding me of my sunburn, and I squirmed, stepping away, right back into Sean’s arms.

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I’m still sore and...”

  He leaned into my ear and whispered, “You can be on top. Or on your front with that beautiful ass of yours high up in the air as I cool it with my tongue. I know you want me, April. And I sure as hell want you.”

  His arousal pressed against my thigh, and if there were ever any doubts about his size, which there weren’t, Sean had just killed them off. Holy crap! I repositioned myself so that I could feel him right there at the apex of my triangle. It wouldn’t take much. A slight lift of my dress and pull on the strings of his shorts and we’d be connected as one. I did want him, more than I was willing to admit out loud. The atmosphere of this resort allowed me to be more open and daring than usual.

  I moved my hips back and forth, each time brushing against him. Sean’s hand slid over my hip and onto my thigh. His forehead rested against mine, which given his height wasn’t easy, so I stepped higher on my toes, pressing my body into his, feeling every ripple and valley of his muscles on my skin. I concentrated on the lips that had molested mine earlier that evening, and I made a vow to feel them all over my body. I spread my legs wider and his other hand followed the downward curve of my hip before he shifted. Feeling his palm between us, slowly scrunching my dress higher, was like a rush I hadn’t felt in years. And when his finger touched my bare skin and nestled right between my folds, I was lost. He could do with me as he pleased, and I wouldn’t object.

  “I want you, April.” His husky voice was rough and enticing. “Any way I can get you.”

  His thick finger slid inside me, and I let out a whimper. I couldn’t reply. Not in this state of frenzy. I could only show him how much I wanted him. This was wrong! We just met! Then why did it feel so right? I lowered myself onto his digit further, feeling him fill me until his knuckles were at my opening, and was rewarded with a second finger. He took my lips with the next hard pump, and I felt my body soar higher at the force of his hand.

  Millie moaned from inside the room. “I can’t leave her. Not like this,” I panted.

  What if she choked on her vomit? What if she left the room and got lost, or worse yet, drowned? Maybe it was the mother in me that couldn’t walk away, but I knew if I did, I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on him, on us, anyway. And I really didn’t want anything ruining our intimate moment.

  “You’re dripping.” He kept moving his fingers in and out, tantalizingly slowly, rubbing that inner wall like a pro. His thumb reached to my clit, and my legs quivered underneath me. I lowered my hand to his shaft, for the first time feeling his pure strength in my grasp, wondering how he’d feel inside me.

  “And you’re hard.”

  “I don’t want to fuck you here, April. I want you for way more.”

  Millie moaned again and I thought I heard something clatter in the room.

  “I know. Me too, but I can’t concentrate unless I know she’s okay.”

  Sean slowly removed his fingers, lifted them to his lips, and licked them clean. God, that was hot!

  “We always have tomorrow, and the day after...” I was still panting from the heat of desire he’d driven me to.

  “All right, April. In case you change your mind, I’m in bungalow 208.”

  Two-oh-eight, I repeated in my mind. There was no way I could ever forget that number.

  Sean then leaned in and kissed me with so much force, my li
ps had the urge to walk away with him, abandoning the rest of me to tend to my sick friend.

  I watched him leave. He waved just before he turned the corner, and I felt my heart jump out of my chest.

  “This is going to be one long night.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Inside our room, Millie’s bed was empty. Light shone from behind the bathroom door, and I gently knocked.

  “Come in,” Millie’s voice almost sang. What had happened to the slur? Changed into her sleep shorts and a t-shirt, she stood by the sink with a toothbrush in her mouth.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “Yes. What are you doing here?” She pulled out the toothbrush, pointing at me accusingly.

  Wasn’t this my room as well? “What do you mean, what am I doing here? I’m here because you’re drunk... or you were drunk.”

  Millie looked quite fine at this moment. She spat the foam out of her mouth, rinsed, and shut the sink tap off.

  “I mean, why are you here? Didn’t you get the hint?”

  I lifted my brows, and she rolled her eyes. Obviously, whatever hint she was talking about, I hadn’t gotten it.

  “The one where I ‘need’ your help, your honky-honk can’t leave your side, and I get you two closer to his room! Again, why are you here, and where is the eagle man?”

  “Are you telling me you weren’t drunk?”

  “Of course not. You should know it takes more than a few shots to get me drunk.”

  “Soo, you were trying to get me and Sean in one room?”

  “Yes – his, specifically. Geez, April. Sometimes I wonder what happened to that reckless girl I knew before she got married.”

  Life. I sighed.

  “The way the guy was looking at you, I was afraid he’d lift you up on that bar and take you in front of the crowd. I got wet just thinking about it.”

  “Eww. Please don’t think about getting off when I’m on your mind.”

  “Gross! I pictured me in your spot, on that bar, silly!”