by Gina Gordon
“Who said anything about me being nude? Nude beaches aren’t my thing.”
Sterling laughed and hit him square in the chest.
He grinned sheepishly then picked up their bags. “Come on, sweetheart.”
They found a spot at the back of the beach just in front of the boardwalk. Jack laid out their blanket and set down the towels, then kicked off his sandals and slipped his shirt over his head.
She didn’t think she’d ever get used to the sight of his impeccable body. Her eyes roved over his chiseled chest, abs, and hard pecs. And every time she looked at him she got a glimpse of a new shape or line of his tattoos.
Black board shorts hung low on his hips, that chiseled V her favorite thing about his body, a natural indicator pointing to her second-most-favorite spot.
He removed a bottle of water from the bag and set it on the blanket. He patted the space next to him. “Get comfy.”
Sterling gathered the sarong in her hands as she sat down.
A gentle breeze blew across the beach, a welcome respite from the glaring sun. Light waves lapped along the shoreline. Beach umbrellas were stuck in the sand, and windsails dotted the horizon as far as she could see. Men and women pranced around, no shame in baring their goods. He’d been right—not everyone had their junk out, and some of the ones who did were in desperate need of a mirror.
“There is quite a wide range of people at this beach,” she said.
Just then, a topless blonde walked by their blanket, her eyes connecting with the beautiful man beside Sterling. She was the type of woman Sterling expected to see at a topless beach. Blond, svelte, beautiful, a Sports Illustrated model for sure. But when she looked over at Jack, he was staring at Sterling, his gaze curious.
She fidgeted. Was there something on her face? She swiped at her cheeks. “What?”
Without a word, Jack leaned over and captured her lips. Instantly, she heated up. Funny how the hot summer weather was no match for Jack Vaughn.
He inhaled deeply and bent his head, strengthening his hold on her, deepening the kiss. Her hand rested on his chest, and she curled her fingers into his skin when he withdrew, still giving her that curious stare.
“What was that for?”
“No reason.” He shrugged. “You just looked really beautiful sitting there. I couldn’t resist.”
Was it a cosmic joke that the perfect man was an unavailable man? A man who only existed for her on the weekends? Four weekends, to be exact. Two dates with Jack had already demonstrated his superiority to every man she’d ever been with.
But this was what she wanted. Fun. And it didn’t get much more fun than being naked on a beach with a hot man knowing that at any time, you could have him in a bed, up against a wall, or even on a sandy towel.
And you may never get this chance again.
She looked from side to side gauging the other patrons. Everyone seemed to be minding their own business. Maybe being nude wasn’t such a big deal.
She counted to three in her head then untied the sarong at her breast, letting the fabric fall away.
Immediately, Jack looked up from where he was rummaging around in their bag. But she didn’t acknowledge him. Leaning back, she rested her hands behind her body, soaking up the warmth of the sun. Letting it infuse her with strength.
She would embrace everything this mini-trip had to offer, everything the man beside her had to offer, because soon he would be gone and she wanted no regrets.
This time, she counted to ten before she pulled at the strings at the base of her neck and back.
…
The water lapped over the edge of the blue raft Jack had rented for Sterling. He enjoyed the sight of her wet body, and he especially enjoyed lathering the sunscreen on her exposed bottom. Bringing her to a nude beach was really just an acceptable excuse to touch her in public.
He waded through the water, each step taking him closer to the beautiful woman. One hand lay on the raft, the other floated to her side, her fingers tickling over the water as though it were a piano. The sight of her on that blow-up raft, naked on top, utterly relaxed…she wasn’t nearly as cautious as the Sterling he had met on the yacht two weeks ago. He liked to think he had something to do with her transformation, but in reality, he was just the means. Ultimately it was Sterling who had to make the changes. Jack dove into the water and came up beside her. He rested his forearms on the raft and shook his head to rid the excess water.
Sterling squealed. “You’re like a shaggy dog.”
“You looked like you could use some cooling off.”
He swam to the end of the raft and jumped up, laying his body over hers. She thrashed around when the water dripped over her body, but she couldn’t move much with him on top of her. The middle of the raft drooped, and for a minute, Jack thought they would tip.
“Be still.”
She stopped squirming. The raft settled.
She snorted. “You’re cold.”
Her laugh was infectious. Although they hadn’t spent tons of time together, he’d never heard her laugh so hard. He glanced down and groaned at the sight of her exposed, stiffened nipples. Dipping down, he covered one with his mouth.
Sterling moaned. Her hands tangled in his hair and pulled him close. “Jack. What are you doing?”
“What? It’s a nude beach.” A brilliant plan if he did say so himself.
“A nude beach, not a sex beach.”
“There are sex beaches? Maybe we should go there.”
A blush fell across her chest, visible, despite the red from the sun.
“Jack.” His name on her lips in a whisper was the sexiest sound he’d ever heard.
He slid down the raft, putting too much weight on the lower end, making the other end come up off the water. He slid farther down, his face skimming the juncture between her legs. He nuzzled his nose along her slit where the fabric had settled between her plump lips. Her hips squirmed with his light touch.
He kicked his feet out behind him and she rose up to rest on her elbows. But she slipped and the raft finally tipped, sending them both crashing into the water.
He swam to the surface before Sterling, who emerged with a deep breath beside him. The raft had floated away. She slicked her hair back against her head and squeezed the ends. Her actions caused her arms to push her breasts together.
“I told you we were going to tip.” Her voice was a murmur in the distance. “Jack?”
He lifted his gaze and stared into her soulful eyes. Immediately fire ignited in hers. It matched his own. She had come a long way from wanting to cover herself to exposing her bare breasts in public. He wondered how much further she’d go when pushed.
“Jack?”
He turned his attention back to her.
“Where’d you go? I lost you there for a minute.”
On the contrary. He wasn’t lost at all. “Come here?” He jerked his head, gesturing for her to wade her way over. She complied, her breasts bobbing in the sunlight.
When she was in reaching distance he hurried her along, snaking his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against his body.
“I’m really proud of you.” Her hard nipples rubbed against his chest. “For taking off your bikini top.”
“It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. It was a lot easier being with you.” She stared up at him, appreciation in her eyes. “Everything is a lot easier being with you.”
He smiled. “Is that so?”
She had no idea what she had just initiated.
“How easy would it be for you to take off your bottoms?”
She tensed in his arms.
“Just in the water. Just with me.”
Her body shivered. Her eyes sparkled but it wasn’t the sun that reflected in them. It was desire.
Jack slid his hands down her body, making his way toward her bottoms.
“I want you, Sterling.” He slipped his hands under the string. “Make love to me.” He grabbed her ass cheeks and squeezed.
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“Yes,” she whispered. Her eyes locked on his and with a silent exchange she relented.
Jack pushed the bottoms off her body and Sterling took over, wiggling her legs until they fell to her feet.
He pulled down his bathing suit bottom and exposed his length, stroking it a few times before picking her up. The warm water lapped around their fused bodies as her legs wrapped around his waist.
She ground her center into his body, moaning when she found the right spot to rub.
He was about to position himself at her core when he remembered. “Shit. I don’t have a condom.”
“It’s all right.”
He nodded, wanting to reassure her. “I’m clean.”
She grabbed his face with both hands. “I’m on the pill. I trust you.”
She trusted him. And that’s all he needed to know.
With Sterling wrapped around his body, he held her up with one arm, the other reaching down to guide in his stiff cock. He began with a slow, intense thrust, and when he finally buried himself to the hilt, the world fell away. It was amazing how this woman made him forget everything around him.
He moved his pelvis, penetrating her deeply. Sterling bit her bottom lip, no doubt trying to keep herself from crying out. The ecstasy on her face was a powerful aphrodisiac. It fueled his own desire, which had built slowly and without notice, and escalated to an uncontrollable need for release.
His thrusts quickened and Sterling whimpered every time their bodies joined. They smacked in unison, the sound of the water rustling between them the only evidence of their actions.
He snaked his hands up her back and settled his fingers at the base of her neck. “Gorgeous,” he whispered in her ear.
She moaned, the first real sound she’d let out since they started. Her released followed when she tensed, her core clenching his still-thrusting cock. Jack joined her seconds later and they tumbled over the edge of ecstasy together.
They stayed joined for a few moments. When her breathing had softened, Jack pulled out and set her down on wobbly legs.
“Let’s get you back on that raft.”
He swam out a ways to corral the raft. She jumped up, water dripping from her body, her skin glistening in the bright sunlight, her sex swollen and pink from their lovemaking.
When she had settled, she sighed contentedly. “Thank you, Jack.”
Leaning over, he kissed her forehead.
“Can you grab my bottoms?” She pointed to the ocean floor.
He nodded. “Your wish is my command.” Ducking under the water, he grabbed her bikini bottom, the yellow fabric hard to miss in the clear water.
“This is the life.” She swirled her hands in the water. “I love my job, but really, who wouldn’t love just lounging, enjoying the sun all day, not having a care in the world?”
His stomach tightened. Was she loving this lifestyle? What woman wouldn’t? She was probably enjoying the nice break from real life. Or maybe, she was loving what Jack had to offer. It had happened before. He knew the sting of being used by someone he thought cared for him. He’d never make that mistake again.
Grabbing one of her hands, he entwined her fingers with his in the water. “Sure beats the Canadian winters, doesn’t it?”
Next time he would be more low-key. He wouldn’t use his money.
Chapter Ten
The club scene in Miami was a million miles away from anything Sterling had experienced in Toronto. Although, admittedly, it had been years since she’d stepped foot into a club back home, yet somehow she didn’t think the eroticism would be taken to such great heights.
The entire trip had been erotic. The combination of public sex and acceptable nudity had amped up her need for sexual satisfaction and broke through all of her inhibitions. But she was fully aware Jack had a lot to do with her transformation.
This trip was exactly what she needed and for a few hours, she had forgotten her troubles. As soon as they returned to the Jeep and she looked at her BlackBerry, she couldn’t hide from real life any longer.
Two e-mails from her mother were waiting for her, demanding to know what happened to the credit cards. But Sterling was having too good a time, and she wasn’t going to let anything, or anyone, spoil it.
After the beach, they checked into a hotel and showered. Sterling slipped on the little black dress and lingerie Penn had packed for her and following an afternoon spent in the nude, Sterling felt pretty damn good about how she looked when she scrutinized herself in the mirror.
They approached the line and the bouncer immediately greeted Jack.
“Mr. Vaughn. I’ve got some ladies lined up for you. Take your pick.” The bouncer, as tall as he was wide, motioned to the shorter line of scantily clad women.
Her mouth dropped.
“Thanks, Shane.” Jack shook the bouncer’s hand, and cleared his throat as he stifled a cough. “But I have all the company I need right here.” He drew her into his body, settling his hand on her hip.
The bouncer stepped to the side and allowed them entry. She was sure she heard a chorus of groans above the pulse of music coming from the club. She looked back at the group of women, who shot daggers at her with their eyes. But the tiny twinge of satisfaction at the fact that he walked into the club with her on his arm manifested itself in a satisfied smile that curved her lips.
Inside, salsa music pumped from every speaker, coming from the band playing at the front of the room. A line of two men and two women sang words she couldn’t understand, but she knew could only equate to fun.
“What are we doing here?”
He turned his head when he spoke. “We’re going to dance.”
“We couldn’t dance in Toronto?” He picked the wrong girl if he thought she was going out on the dance floor.
“Where better to experience dancing than in one of the most fun cities in the world? Dancing is like breathing here.”
Dancing was the last thing she expected him to be into. “Can you dance?”
Jack pulled out a barstool and gestured for her to sit. “Of course.”
Before she was settled, the bartender approached and laid a bottle of tequila, two shot glasses, lime wedges, and salt on the bar.
Jack smiled at the man and reached over the bar to clasp his shoulder. “Alex, this is Sterling. Sterling, this is Alex.”
Alex winked. “Nice to meet you, Sterling.”
Built as though he should be a bouncer, Alex’s T-shirt hugged his broad chest, and his biceps stretched the sleeves. His dark skin was accentuated by the white shirt and when he winked at her, that devious sparkle told her he knew how to have a good time.
Alex’s inquiry interrupted their brief moment. “Jack, do you want me to clear away that section of the bar so you’ll have room to work your magic?”
Make room? Work his magic? What the hell kind of place was this?
Alex glanced to his right and made a gesture with his hand. “Carmen. Look who’s here!”
Sterling peered around Jack’s body, and down the bar. A squeal penetrated her thoughts as a woman rushed him, her arms sweeping up and grabbing him around the neck.
Good thing they were inside, because insects would be sure to take up residence inside Sterling’s mouth, her jaw now sitting on the floor.
Carmen’s skirt was barely the width of a tube top and her shirt… What shirt? She wore a damn bra. She whispered something in his ear but Sterling couldn’t hear over the music. He gripped the woman’s arms and ducked under her embrace.
Carmen gave him a sad face, then she locked eyes with Sterling. The same daggers that shot at her on her way in were being thrown rapid-fire. These Miami women sure liked to give the cut-eye.
What the hell was she doing here? What the hell was Jack thinking, bringing her to this place, to this city, where he had obviously had way too much fun?
He turned slowly to face her, wearing a guilty expression. As he should. “I’m sorry.”
She sighed. What did he have to fee
l guilty about? He shouldn’t change just because she was around. She knew he was more than this. More than parties and women. He was more than the bad-boy picture the tabloids painted. She wondered if he had any idea how special he was. But for now, she’d play along.
“I’m getting a glimpse at the real Jack Vaughn. I should be honored.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders, an earnest expression taking over his face. “This is not the real Jack Vaughn. It might have been once…but it feels like a lifetime ago. I don’t want to be that man anymore. I’m here with you.”
She lifted her hand to his cheek. “I know.”
Out of the corner of her eye Sterling heard Carmen hiss in frustration as she abruptly turned heel to flounce off, annoyed at Jack’s shift of attention. Bitch. She focused her attention back on the beautiful man in front of her.
He softened against her, his tense shoulders sagging just a little. Despite his reassurance that his interest was directed only at her, she was still curious.
She leaned closer and whispered, “I want to know exactly what you do here that requires a section of the bar to be cleared.”
He smiled, slammed his hand down to catch Alex’s attention, and motioned to the end of the bar.
Immediately, Alex approached the customers sitting at the edge and they moved.
What would it be like to have such power? To have people jump at your every whim?
Jack grabbed her hand and helped her off the stool.
When they reached the end of the bar, he swept her off her feet and sat her down. He grabbed her legs and swiveled her until she laid flat on her back. Alex brought over the tequila and its accoutrements.
“What are you doing?” she squeaked.
“Showing you what women usually line up for.”
She shot him a disgruntled look.
He raised his hands in the air in defense. “Not being cocky, just stating fact.”
He poured a shot of tequila. Then he leaned down and kissed her, soft and sweet, and it spoke volumes about the man she’d chosen to spend time with.
When he picked up the saltshaker, she had a feeling she knew where this was going.
“Body shots?” she asked.