AspenTrilogy (Boxed Set)

by Cindy Stark

  Elena forced a calming breath, turned back, and froze. The man stared straight at her. Dark, unreadable eyes watched her without a hint of a smile or invitation on his face.

  Oh, god.

  Instead of approaching him, she turned to the left and found herself face-to-face with a younger guy sporting cropped, sun-bleached hair. He wasn't the tall, dark and handsome man she'd hoped to meet, but his baby face seemed much safer than what she'd just encountered.

  "Hello," she said, trying to act as if it hadn't been forever since she'd flirted with a man.

  "Hey." The blonde smiled, his gaze traveling the length of her, stalling on the deep vee of her dress. Interest sparked in his gaze.

  She hesitated, unsure what to say next. "I saw you sitting over here..." She sunk her teeth into her bottom lip, hoping the pain would bolster her nerves. "You seem familiar. Have we met before?" She put her hand on his arm like Mercedes had done with her hunk. She prayed she came across as sexy instead of a complete idiot.

  "Don't think so." He shook his head, but kept smiling and that encouraged her to continue.

  "No? Then let me introduce myself. My name's Elena. What's yours?"

  * * *

  The spark of interest Joe Stephens had spotted in the most fascinating pair of green eyes had stopped him dead in his tracks. His brain had fired off several rounds of "say something to her", before his mouth had decided to react. By the time he'd regained his composure, the beautiful blonde had turned on her killer stilettos and had approached another guy.

  Come on. He couldn't believe it. She'd picked a punk kid over him? That was a blow to the ego. And since when had he been at a loss for words?

  Joe had spotted the classic beauty the moment she'd walked in. Okay, he'd noticed her flamboyant friend first—how could he miss the luscious curves—but the engaging blonde had quickly stolen his attention. For the past twenty minutes, he'd kept her on his radar, wondering if he should ask her to dance. Now, it appeared he'd hesitated too long. Story of his life.

  She reminded him of his first love. Touch-me breasts, beautiful smile, and enchanting eyes. Definitely a classy lady. He wasn't sure if anything that tempting had ever walked through the doors of Mojitos during the six weeks he'd been there.

  Not him, sweetheart. Joe gave a slight shake of his head as the blonde continued to speak to the punk. He frowned, confused by her choice of men. Joe had obviously missed something in his assessment of her. That punk was way below her status. What could she possibly want with him?

  Luckily the band had taken a break, allowing Joe to hear her conversation. She was nervous, anxiety flickering in her dark eyes, and she had an enchanting way of continuously twining her fingers together. Both were great tell-tales of her inexperience at the singles' bar games. He liked that about her, liked that she was more innocent than jaded. He'd snorted when she'd choked out her lame pick up line—the oldest line in the book. Still, he had to admit she'd charmed him.

  Joe lifted his bottle, taking a drink of beer while he watched her over the rim. Her gaze darted around the room as she spoke, but it never quite landed on him again. She nipped her bottom lip between her teeth while she waited for her young conquest to reply. Joe took in the curves of her tempting body. Unfortunate loss for him.

  That kid wouldn't know how to handle a woman like her. Didn't even deserve the chance. He might be young and pumped, but he'd never satisfy her. Run, sweetheart, run. Before you do something you'll regret.

  The woman didn't move.

  Apparently she was too distracted to read Joe's mind. He sighed in frustration as the woman put her hand on the punk's arm again, and Joe turned away, knowing her touch was a come-on. The final blow.

  He should kick himself for not approaching her when she'd first walked in. He finished his drink, and reconsidered his thoughts. Actually, what did he care? She was nothing more than one in a long line of women who'd come to Cabo looking for excitement. If he didn't hook up with her, there would always be someone else.

  "Pay up, honky," Marcus barked as he elbowed him in the ribs. "Fifty bucks says I'm right that she would go for a younger guy. Look at her. She's a woman who knows what she wants, and it ain't you."

  Shit. That's why he cared. He hated to lose a bet. That pretty lady had just cost him a Grant. "Yeah, yeah," Joe replied. He narrowed his eyes, glaring at his new-found buddy who had a fondness for ridiculous Hawaiian shirts. "But I'm putting you on notice. Come tomorrow, if you can't dig up something to wear that's not so hard on the eyes, I'm not sitting by you. You're giving me a headache."

  "What's wrong with my shirt?" The hick's eyebrows knitted together as he glanced down at his attire and then back at Joe. "I wouldn't knock it, if I were you. I'm the one who's taking home all the ladies."

  "Whatever." Joe chuckled, but Marcus spoke the truth. His cowboy friend had gone home with a different woman every night that week. "I could have if I'd wanted to, and besides, you haven't landed that blonde yet."

  "You haven't landed anyone. Did your dick shrivel up and fall off?" Marcus snorted. Joe decided he was going to find a new drinking buddy tomorrow night regardless of whether or not Marcus found a new shirt. Joe had come to Cabo to relax and unwind from life. Not to put up with this kind of shit.

  Joe narrowed his eyes. "You wish. They're only going with you because I'm not asking."

  Marcus swiveled his seat toward the dance floor, laughing. "Keep thinking what you want, and I'll keep gettin' laid."

  His crazy friend's comments gave him pause. Maybe he did need to see a doctor. There were tons of gorgeous women hanging around the resort, and yet, he hadn't made a play for any of them.

  He downed a hearty swallow of beer, the liquid forcing its way through his constricted throat. Could he be losing his sex drive? Shit, he wasn't even forty yet.

  The thought sobered him.

  After his long-time girlfriend had broken up with him, he'd sailed his boat from California to Cabo for a few months, thinking that pursuing his love of diving, drinking and women would give meaning to his life. It sure hadn't held much value while he'd been with Kathy. So, he'd left the family shipping business in his sister's capable hands and headed south for what he was sure would be paradise.

  Six weeks later, the sun, sparkling blue water and barely-there bikinis hadn't made him any happier.

  Who knew what his problem was? He sure as hell didn't…but he did know he was losing his touch when it came to reading people. He studied the hot blonde again. How could he have been so wrong about her? He pulled out his wallet, not happy that he'd lost more money.

  "Guess you lost your touch, huh?"

  Joe slapped the fifty on the bar between him and his newfound friend. "Guess so, Marcus." It turned out the young Texan wasn't as dumb as he'd like people to think. "Just remember, tonight's your last chance to land the blonde you've had your eye on, or you'll be giving this back to me."

  Marcus and Joe both glanced at the athletic young blonde with an obvious boob-job who sat at the other end of the bar doing shots with her friends. She was drunker than drunk, had been for the past three nights, and had ignored Marcus each time he'd tried to snag her attention. He and Joe had bet on his chances with her the first night, but she hadn't given Marcus a second glance. Joe felt sorry for Marcus and let him up his bet a couple of times. If his friend didn't score tonight, Joe had a chance to break even, which was good because he hated to lose.

  Hell.

  It wasn't that he needed the money. It was more for sport. That and he also hated to be wrong. But he'd been wrong tonight. He was so sure his classic blonde would have gone for the rich businessman type—like himself when he wasn't incognito.

  The unforgettable dress, the updo, diamonds in her ears. Everything about her spoke elegance. What did she want some young punk for? Joe frowned.

  Restless, Joe left his barstool and wandered closer to the ill-suited couple. There were enough people standing around that he could get within a few feet and not be no
ticed. Perhaps if he watched her longer, he could figure out where he'd gone wrong in his assessment.

  As Joe neared her, his senses sharpened. The club was filled with beautiful women, but she was different. She looked like she had more…depth to her.

  He stopped a few paces behind her, catching a whiff of an engaging feminine scent, instinctively knowing it was hers.

  "I'm here on vacation with a friend," she said. Joe listened to the woman's unnecessary chatter. "We just arrived today." Definitely nervous, but charmingly so.

  "Oh, yeah?" the kid answered. "Me, too."

  Joe turned enough that he could see the object of her attention. The punk's gaze was fixed on the deep valley between her breasts, a predatory look on his dumb face. He really wanted to send that kid running home to mama.

  * * *

  Elena sucked in another breath, trying to still the impulse to bolt. The conversation stalled, again, and she didn't know what to say next. Mercedes had no clue how hard this could be.

  The hunk was obviously interested in her. He couldn't take his eyes off her chest, and damn it, she had a point to prove. She was still attractive to men.

  Wasn't she?

  The rebel in her insisted she find out.

  She tossed her head, and then wished she'd worn her hair down like Mercedes. It was time to make a bold move. She slid her hand up his bicep, feeling the hardness beneath her palm. "Do you want to dance?"

  His gaze moved upward, his attention refocusing on her face. "What? Dance? Yeah." He grinned.

  She glanced at the dance floor where she could see Mercedes and her man. They were so close, their bodies practically one. She looked back. Now was her chance.

  "Let's go. I want to rub my body all over you." She swallowed her embarrassment. That sounded nothing like Mercedes's invitation.

  A man behind her choked, sending heat rushing to her cheeks. So, she didn't have Mercedes's finesse. So what?

  She turned, ready to tell whomever it was to mind his business. Instead, she was shocked into silence when she realized the stranger with the interesting eyes stood only a few feet from her, but it looked like he was with another group of people. Perhaps, she'd been wrong thinking someone had laughed at her. There were so many people crammed into one area. It was probably just her under-confident imagination.

  She turned back to her quest, trying to pretend the stranger's proximity didn't make her more nervous.

  Stunned, she watched as a willowy redhead slipped in the space between her young hunk's open legs. The next words died in her mouth.

  "How about a threesome?" he asked, his shoulders moving to the beat. The redhead looked Elena over and seemed agreeable to the idea.

  Had she heard him correctly? A threesome? Elena stood frozen in place, disbelief slowing her mental process. "I'm sorry." She shook her head. "I believe I asked just you to dance." Elena glanced at the redhead to check her reaction. Nothing.

  "Sure." He grinned. "But my girlfriend will get mad if I leave her out, so how about a threesome?"

  Elena didn't bother replying. Obviously, the dating game had changed more than she'd realized during her married years.

  Without further comment, she turned to leave and found herself face-to-face with the handsome stranger. A smile tugged at his mouth. The nosey bastard had overheard her conversation, and now he had the audacity to laugh at her.

  She gave him another quick assessment. His dark hair grew a little longer than was fashionable, curling over his ears, but it fit well with the laid-back atmosphere of the beach resort. Otherwise, he was clean cut and well-groomed, respectable with the exception of his rude manners.

  Elena lifted her chin and tried to look down her nose at him like Richard had taught her, but he was too tall. Disgusted with everything, she sent him an evil glare and headed for the door. Mercedes would have to fend for herself for the rest of the evening. She'd had enough.

  She managed to make it halfway to freedom before someone tugged on her arm. Turning, she found that the stranger had followed her. His smile had been replaced by a serious look.

  "Hey, wait a minute, will you?" The volume of his voice competed with the loud music.

  "Why?" She turned her frustration on him. "So that I can provide you with more entertainment? I don't think so." She shook her arm free of his grasp.

  "No." His smile returned, and she found herself studying his eyes when she should have been walking away. She indulged for a moment, staring into the deep, dark depths that were highlighted by slanting eyebrows. His eyes were capable of capturing a woman's soul…and had probably done so several times. "I wasn't laughing at you. I was laughing at that jackass who didn't have enough brains to hold on to a beautiful woman when he had the chance."

  That stopped her.

  Smooth. Much smoother than her pickup line. More than likely he was also what her eighteen-year-old daughter would term a player, but Elena certainly didn't mind being called beautiful.

  He grinned as though he sensed she was on the verge of acquiescence. He was definitely seductive, and he fit the image of who she'd thought she'd like to meet in Cabo.

  But she wasn't biting, yet. "I suppose it doesn't matter who you laughed at." She gave him a nonchalant shrug. "I was ready to call it an evening, anyway."

  "That's too bad." He tilted his head to one side, giving her a dangerously charming smile, the creases in his cheeks deepening. "Is there a chance I can convince you to stick around for a while? Buy you a drink? I promise I'll show you a much better time than that punk-kid ever could."

  Hmm…maybe she'd stay. Maybe not. She could see through his charming façade, but found him intriguing despite the fact. The defiant part of her wanted to say yes, but this seemed a little more dangerous than flirting with someone ten years younger than she was. The sane, rational part of her urged her to call it a night. Really, she should have stayed home in the first place, back in Carmel where she could take care of her shop. Things there were safe, predictable, controlled.

  And boring.

  She swallowed. Her rebellious side struggled to win the battle.

  The man captured her with his compelling gaze. "Come on. Don't let that jerk ruin your evening. One dance? And if you still want to leave afterward, I'll get you safely back to your hotel." He took her hand and nodded toward the dance floor.

  The rebel won. "I suppose one dance wouldn't hurt." Besides, she was curious to see if his dance moves were as smooth as his pick-up lines.

  His hand was warm, masculine, and tightly clasped around hers as he led her to the dance floor. It had been a long time since she'd indulged in the attributes of the opposite sex. She'd forgotten the delicious sensations that came along with touching someone she was attracted to.

  He found a spot in the middle of the dance floor and turned to her with a mischievous grin. "Can you salsa?"

  Elena arched an eyebrow, impressed. A song heavy with congas and claves vibrated the air, and she returned his smile. Oh, yes. She could salsa. "On one?"

  He seemed pleased with her answer. "On one." He slipped his arm around her waist as she put her hand on his chest, and they began to move to the beat.

  Backward and forward, it was a fast-paced dance, one that required her to keep her concentration. She'd let Mercedes teach her how to salsa, several years back, right after her divorce, and Mercedes had said she was a natural. It was one of her fondest memories during that difficult period.

  It seemed Mr. Dark and Dangerous knew exactly what to do with his feet. Not to mention his body. No beginner moves for this guy, Elena thought with a smile as she tried to catch her breath. "You're good."

  "We're good together." He grinned, and a spark ignited where her hand rested on his chest.

  She laughed to hide the powerful feeling of attraction, but the spark grew stronger. In the few short minutes since they'd met, she found herself surprisingly attuned to the stranger who held her. His chest was strong and solid. Though he smiled and teased, she recognized the int
elligence in his eyes. And the spot where his hand rested against the skin on her bare back? It burned like an inferno.

  He twisted her in his arms, his fingers whisking across her skin, before he held her tight once again. Her back was against him, the length of him pressed to her as they moved. His breath warmed her ear, and she couldn't resist leaning into him. She sucked in another breath, wondering if she was oxygen-depleted because of the dancing or because of him.

  She was shocked to admit she wanted him…like she hadn't wanted a man in a long time. Maybe because she knew he'd never be part of her life and knew he'd never have the opportunity to try to control her, she relaxed and enjoyed the fun.

  He spun her back around, and she met his gaze. Seduction smoldered there along with a hint of naughtiness. He knew what she wanted. She could tell by the smile on his face, and there wasn't a thing she could do to hide it.

  Not that she wanted to.

  It was obvious he wanted her, as well. Could she allow herself a wild and passionate fling? One hot night in Cabo? Recreational sex could be a good thing if handled properly. Right?

  Just as the song ended, he dipped her low and held her suspended. She was completely vulnerable in his arms, and he stole a long, slow look down her body before his gaze met hers once again. He lifted her up and pulled her close. He pressed her hand to his chest, his other hand resting provocatively on her low back.

  Her insides burned with need. She dropped her gaze to his lips. She wanted to taste the man who'd whisked her headfirst into his sensuous world.

  But he didn't kiss her.

  She looked back to his eyes, happy to find them still smoldering. The music switched to a slow, sultry tune, and he began to move, still holding her tight against him. Her hips swayed with the music, with him, their thighs practically joined. Pleasure tingled through her breasts as she pressed them against his chest.

  He looked to her lips and then back to her eyes, but still did not kiss her. A hint of promise tugged at the corner of his mouth.

  What was he waiting for?

  She licked her lips, tasting salt from the ocean air. Was he toying with her? "What are you doing?"