Tempted by the Boss

by Jules Bennett

  This was Kelly. His Kelly. The woman who spent more time with him than any other woman ever. Even when he’d been engaged, Luke still spent the bulk of his days at the office—something his ex never could understand.

  Luke didn’t reach for Kelly, but the way the force of the water kept rushing against them, there was no way to prevent their bodies from rocking against each other.

  “You seem relaxed.” She reached up and smoothed her fingertip down the space between his brows. “No worry lines. That’s a first for you.”

  That simple touch snapped the very last bit of willpower he had. Luke took her hand and flattened her palm against his chest as he rested his free hand against the curve of her hip. He gripped her, pulling her pelvis closer to his.

  The tips of her fingers dug into his chest and she tipped her head just enough for him to lean down and feather his lips across hers.

  With their bare torsos suctioned together by the water, their hips held together from his grip, Luke wanted more.

  He opened his mouth and covered hers, taking what he wanted and damning the consequences. She opened for him just like before only this time he knew what to expect. He knew how hard this punch of desire would hit him and how he might never recover from such an impact.

  Kelly slid her hand up to his shoulder and around the back of his head. She gripped his hair and gave a slight tug, only adding to his arousal. He never knew how much an assertive woman would turn him on, but she’d shown that her ability to take control in any situation was damn attractive.

  Luke reached around, grabbing her entire backside and lifting her body against his. Kelly wrapped her legs around him, grinding her hips, silently begging for more.

  They were out in the open. At any given moment, another couple, a family, hell an entire tour group could start coming down, and he didn’t care. He wanted Kelly with a fierceness he didn’t even recognize within himself.

  “Luke.”

  Even over the roar of the waterfall he heard her panting his name. Considering he wasn’t used to her in this capacity, the newness of everything had him desperate for more, had him wondering how soon they could get back to their private bungalow where he could show her exactly what he wanted to do to her.

  “Not here,” he murmured against her lips. “I want you, Kelly. Just...not here.”

  She eased back, those bright eyes sparking with desire. “You can’t tell me that and then put the brakes on. I’ve wanted you too long, Luke.”

  She was right. He couldn’t imagine the need she’d had for so long. He’d only just come into these overwhelming emotions and she deserved to at least have the edge taken off. Luke wasn’t so sure he could wait either, but he would for her. He wanted her in bed and in private, where he could show her exactly how much he hungered for her.

  With one arm banded around her waist, Luke used his free hand to slide between their bodies. He grazed his fingertip along the elastic at the curve on the inside of her hip, causing those hips to jerk again.

  She settled into his touch, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her forehead against his. When he eased his finger beneath the edge of her bottoms, Kelly let out a cry and nothing could stop him from pleasuring her now. He wanted to take all of her passion, he wanted to own it.

  Luke eased his finger into her, gritting his teeth as his own arousal continued to spike. This was all for Kelly, though. Later, he vowed, later they would take their time and explore each other.

  Suddenly all those reasons this was a bad idea completely vanished from his mind. Nothing mattered except Kelly and giving her everything she wanted, everything she’d been waiting for.

  He continued to pleasure her, sliding his thumb over her core to add even more to her experience. He wanted this to be perfect for her, he wanted to be remembered and branded in her mind forever.

  How the hell had he come to this? Kelly was too damn powerful with this invisible hold she had over him. Damn it, he wanted her more than his next breath, and he wished like hell they would have stayed back at their beach house.

  Her body jerked faster as he continued to touch her in just the right spot. Getting to know her body in such an intimate way wasn’t something he ever expected...and now he didn’t know how he could do without.

  Kelly continued to cling to him as the wave of pleasure overcame her. Luke continued to work his hand against her, drawing out every bit of ecstasy. There was so much more he wanted to show her, to give her, but this would have to do for now.

  When her body calmed, Kelly eased back and stared into his eyes.

  “Luke, I—”

  He quickly cut her words off with a kiss, then pulled back.

  “No words,” he rasped. “Whatever is happening here, we just need to let it happen.”

  He never thought those words would come out of his mouth, but this woman had changed so much within him in such a short time.

  Kelly pulled in a shaky breath and shook her head. She unhooked her legs from his waist and smoothed her hair from her face.

  “Fine,” she breathed. “But just know when we get back to the bungalow, I plan on returning the favor.”

  And with that wicked promise she dove under the water and took off swimming toward the waterfall.

  Eleven

  Kelly’s body tingled the entire rest of the day. Once they left the waterfall, she ended up driving them around the island, hitting some local shops to buy trinkets she didn’t need. She’d never expected to have had such a memorable day.

  From the waterfall in Luke’s arms to traveling around an exotic location with a man she was falling for, she couldn’t imagine what else was in store for them the rest of their days here.

  Kelly sighed. She didn’t want to be falling for him—she had initially thought she could keep her heart out of this equation. But apparently some things were beyond her control. Even so, there were still too many parallels between Luke and her father. Kelly had seen the way her mother had suffered, vying for the attention of the man she loved. Kelly always vowed she would never let herself get into such a position.

  She had to keep reminding herself that she couldn’t hinge a life after this with Luke. He would go back to his job and she would go back to being his assistant. There would be no happily-ever-after or ring on her finger. And she was okay with that. This was her greatest fantasy and she would ignore the reality that awaited them when they returned to Texas.

  Once they were back at the resort and headed toward their bungalow, the anticipation continued to build even higher, faster. Kelly wanted him out of those silly clothes and she wanted to explore every delicious inch of his body.

  Luke stepped up to their door and punched in the code. As soon as they stepped inside, she noticed their dinner had been delivered and was set up out on the patio. The cart with everything extra sat in their dining area. There were rose petals leading from the front door, down in the sunken living area, and on out to the patio, circling the table.

  She certainly hadn’t told the resort that this was a romantic getaway. She knew Zeke had tipped heavily in advance for extra privacy, to keep the drinks and snacks always stocked, and only notify her if they needed anything. She didn’t want Luke interrupted by anything or to be distracted by any outside issues...hence the electronics ban.

  “I didn’t realize we were gone so long,” she told him.

  Kelly went to take her shopping bags to her room. When she came back out, Luke still remained by the front door, but his eyes were solely on her. And there it was. She had hoped that hunger in his eyes back at the waterfall wasn’t just because he’d pleasured her and that he fully intended to fulfill his promise that they would pick up where they’d left off once they returned.

  And apparently that wish was not for naught.

  “Do you want to go eat?” she asked.

  Luke stripped that shirt off on
ce again. She would never tire of seeing that magnificent physique on display. There was so much to take in, so much to admire and appreciate. Starting with that dark chest hair splattered over his smooth, satiny skin and trailing down to his ripped abs. And hot damn! Where had that dragon tattoo, which covered his entire back with a portion coming around his side, come from?

  She’d never seen his ink before, and he’d never talked about it. Now she was even more curious about the man she’d been intrigued with for years.

  “Dinner can wait.”

  Luke stalked toward her like a panther to his prey and Kelly took a step back. The closer he got, the more she eased back, excited for the thrill of the chase. She’d never guess he would be this commanding, this primal. The way he looked at her with a need so intense, she couldn’t wait to fulfill his every fantasy.

  Fantasy...that was the word she had to keep focusing on because that would certainly keep her heart protected. Nothing about this was real and nothing would be long-term.

  When her back hit the wall next to her bedroom door, Luke came right up against her, resting one hand on the side of her head and then caging her in with the other hand.

  That bare, muscular chest kept rubbing against her tank, and she wished he’d strip her out of her clothes. She wanted to feel him against her like she had at the waterfall. There was nothing stopping them now, no chance of being interrupted or seen.

  Luke’s dark eyes remained locked onto hers as he eased one hand between them. He never looked away from her as he jerked the snap on her shorts. Kelly reached down and shifted her hips from side to side as she wiggled out of them. When the shorts fell to her ankles, she kicked them aside.

  Smiling with pure male satisfaction, Luke gripped the hem of her tank and jerked it up and over her head, leaving her in only her bikini and him in his black boxer briefs.

  Exchanging a few heated kisses in the waterfall was one thing, but what was about to happen now was entirely different. He’d never seen her completely naked and vice versa. She wanted those briefs gone. She wanted to fulfill her promise of returning the sexual favor.

  Kelly had waited so long for this and, as much as she wanted to hurry and get to the good stuff, she also wanted to take her time and relish every single moment and every single touch.

  She arched to reach behind her back to undo the strings of her bikini top, but Luke beat her to it. He had those knots ripped away in record time. The garment fell between them, leaving her entire chest exposed. Then he did the same to the strings along her hips.

  Suddenly, she stood before him completely naked and more turned on than she could ever remember. Luke took one step back, his eyes raking over her from head to toe. He made no apologies or excuses; in fact, he said nothing as he took in all of her in her most vulnerable state.

  And Kelly didn’t mind one bit. She wanted him to look. She wasn’t shy of her body and, from the hunger in his eyes, Luke most definitely liked what he saw.

  “Take them off,” she ordered, nodding to his briefs.

  With a crooked, naughty grin, he continued to stare back at her as he hooked his thumbs in his waistband and shoved the briefs to the floor. He kicked them aside and merely stood there with his hands on his hips.

  If she looked as chiseled and perfect as Luke, she’d go around parading her body, too. Suddenly, she didn’t feel so confident about her own.

  Kelly started to cross her arms, but Luke stepped forward and gripped her wrists. He held her arms out wide and left plenty of room between them so he could see her entire body.

  “Never hide from me,” he commanded. “Nothing this beautiful should ever be hidden. You deserve to be explored, to be treasured.”

  Kelly swallowed, unsure of what happened to make him switch from putting a stop to this, to suddenly wanting everything she was willing to give.

  “I didn’t expect you to be so...” She knew she sounded ridiculous and likely her cheeks were flushed. “Perfect and well-toned.”

  “While I appreciate that, I want you to know that this body of yours has driven me out of my mind,” he admitted. “Someone who wears a thong in front of her boss shouldn’t be embarrassed to be naked.”

  She smiled and shook her head. “It’s not that I’m embarrassed, per se, but I guess I just want to be everything you want...if that makes sense.”

  He pulled her hands to his chest and stepped against her, trapping their joined hands.

  “You are everything I want right now.”

  Right now. Another reminder of how temporary all of this was.

  “I guess I’m nervous,” she admitted. “I’ve wanted you for so long, I just—”

  Luke cut her off with his mouth on hers. Kelly opened for him, glad he’d taken control because she didn’t want to think, she only wanted to feel and to return this passion he offered.

  He lifted her against him, as he’d done at the waterfall, and she locked her ankles behind his back as he carried her into his bedroom.

  Suddenly she was being tipped backward, and she landed on his soft bed. Luke went down with her, his weight pressing into hers on the mattress. His arousal settled perfectly between her thighs and she had to muster all of her willpower to not cry out.

  The waterfall climax had taken some of the edge off, but she wanted so much more. She wanted to explore him and take their time. She wanted to know what made Luke come undone...and she wanted to see him lose control because of her touch.

  “Do you have protection?” she whispered against his lips.

  Luke eased back and shook his head. “I wasn’t planning on this when we left.”

  “I have condoms,” she admitted. “I was planning on this.”

  His eyes seemed to grow darker. “Where are they?”

  “My room. In the drawer of the nightstand.”

  Then he was up and off of her. Kelly glanced out the patio door to the ocean and drank in the backdrop of the orange sunset. This was really going to happen, and she couldn’t wait.

  Her focus shifted back to the bedroom door when Luke stepped in fully naked and wearing the protection. The way he crossed the room to climb back up onto the bed had her sitting up on her elbows and pulling her knees up, ready for him to settle back where he’d just been.

  “You look so damn sexy,” he said as he loomed above her.

  His hand went between her legs and Kelly bit her lip as intense pleasure pulsated within her. Then that touch vanished a second before he gripped the sensitive spot behind her knees and jerked her legs back even farther.

  She kept her gaze locked onto his as Luke joined their bodies. There was no way to keep from crying out and arching against the glorious sensation.

  With her legs dangling over his arms, Kelly reached out to grip his biceps. The muscles strained beneath her touch as Luke continued to work his hips against hers.

  She couldn’t control her moans and sighs, not when this felt so good and even more intense than she’d ever fantasized about.

  Luke gripped her backside, lifting her farther into him as he increased the pace. This new position completely undid Kelly as her climax overcame her. She dug her fingers into his arms and called his name, begging him not to stop, begging him for more.

  She knew he followed her in his own release with the way he’d stilled and held her so tight, like he never wanted to let her go.

  Luke stayed with her until his body stopped trembling and then he slowly released her legs and came down to lie half on her, half on the bed. With one long leg and one strong arm draped across her, she’d never felt more protected or cherished. Yes, this was just sex, but to her this moment was so much more....

  Kelly kept her eyes closed as if she could remain in this euphoria forever. Opening her eyes would bring back the reality that they weren’t on this romantic getaway as a real couple. Rather, they were here because she’d tricked h
im.

  She wasn’t contrite, though. Luke needed the break and she’d wanted to see if they could be more. She couldn’t be sorry for going after what she wanted.

  His warm breath fell on her shoulder, sending even more tingles through her body. The low hum of the large fan suspended from the peaked ceiling relaxed her and settled her nerves. While she’d always wanted this to happen, she was never sure it actually would, and she certainly hadn’t planned for how to react after.

  “Should we go eat now?” he murmured against her shoulder.

  Kelly was relieved he was the one to break the silence. She trailed her fingers up and down his arm across her chest.

  “I’m in no hurry to get out of this bed,” she answered honestly.

  Luke came up on his elbow and glanced down at her. Those dark, heavy-lidded eyes had gone all soft and sexy. She wondered what he was thinking, but she wasn’t going to be that woman who wanted to have postcoital chat sessions. She didn’t need reassurance that he enjoyed himself or that he wasn’t having regrets. She knew Luke enough to know that he wasn’t ready to run out the door.

  “How about I bring dinner in here?” he suggested.

  Having dinner in bed with Luke sounded like a dream, but she couldn’t let herself get too wrapped up in this fantasy world. Because as much as she wanted this to be reality, Kelly also had to use her head here.

  “Let’s eat outside,” she told him. “It’s so beautiful here, I want to take advantage of it before we go back to Royal.”

  His lips quirked into a grin. “And here I thought you just wanted to take advantage of me.”

  Kelly couldn’t help but laugh. “I think it’s you who took advantage of me, remember? You stripped me as soon as we got inside.”

  “You seduced me with this trip.”

  She reached up and ran her fingertip along his stubbled jawline. “You’ve been seducing me for years,” she murmured.