Heat Wave Page 5

  Inwardly, she shook her head. Get yourself in check, sister. You can’t let a good ride get you all mushy in the head. That’s not was this was about. This was two consenting adults who had consented to some mind-blowing sex. That’s it. Period. She closed her eyes and silently repeated that mantra over and over. You can’t let a good ride get you all mushy in the head.

  It was just sex, Ian told himself. He kissed her gently on the mouth and her sweet response stiffened him even more. This was not what he expected. He knew she would be wonderful, but nothing like this. He stroked the curve of her hip and his fingertips tingled. He felt as if he’d had a spell cast over him or had been “rooted,” as his grandmother would say. By now, under normal circumstances, he’d be ready to get up, take a shower, and figure out what was for dinner. But all he could think about now was how he was going to make this last. The problem was this was not what she signed up for and neither had he.

  Besides, no matter how good the sex was, it couldn’t sustain a relationship between people thousands of miles apart. Relationship! Now he was getting ahead of himself, but he couldn’t help it if her cat kept milking him like that. Damnit. He was going to come again. He needed to pull out and get a fresh condom.

  “Nooo,” Nina moaned and tried to hold him in place by tightening her thighs around him when he pulled out of her.

  “I’m coming back, baby.” He sucked her nipple and her body bucked. He reached down to the floor and grabbed a condom packet, pulled off the used one, and gingerly placed it on the dresser. He flipped onto his back to roll on the new one. “Turn on your side,” he said.

  She looked at him and frowned in confusion.

  “Go ahead. You’ll love it.”

  “Okay.” She turned onto her side so that her back was to him.

  Ian scooted behind her, lifted her leg, and draped it over his hip. He positioned himself and pushed and poked and she wound and wiggled until he slipped up inside home sweet home. Could it possibly be better the second time around? The sensation caught them by surprise and rocked them to their toes. With his free hand, he cupped and kneaded her breasts, then traveled down her quivering stomach to play with her clit while he moved in and out.

  Nina was sure she was going to lose her natural mind. The thrills and shockwaves that were relentlessly running through her had her brain on scramble and her body on ignite. She covered Ian’s hand, and she not only guided his delivery of pleasure to her, but she could feel him move deep inside her, and the sensation was impossible to describe. She bent halfway forward, so that her lower body angled farther upward toward his thrusts.

  Ian took her cue and lifted her leg from his hip up over the curve of his arm, giving him full access and total control. He pumped deeper and her encouraging moans urged him on. Somehow she was able to reach around their entwined bodies and palm his ass, demanding that he give her what she wanted—all of him.

  Tears sprung from her eyes while Ian grew harder, his thrusts deeper, faster, and more urgent. Their slick bodies slapped and popped against each other like rain pounding and splattering against the window. And finally broke through like lightning breaking through the clouds to the roar and rumble of thunder that shakes the earth to the core.

  They lay together spoon-fashioned, with Ian holding Nina as tight as he could without squeezing the air out of her lungs. His skin tingled. Her entire being had yet to land. They both silently marveled at what had happened between them, not once, but twice. Both of them knew that whatever it was could not go beyond the sunshine beaches of Hamptons for this one summer. Neither of them wanted it to end. But it had to; that’s just the way it was.

  Nina eased out of bed and went to the bathroom, quietly shutting the door behind her. For a moment she squeezed her eyes shut and leaned against the door. If she were alone, she would probably be jumping around the room screaming like a crazy woman. The man had turned her out. She would never tell him that, but he sure enough did.

  She shook her head. The plan was that she was supposed to have put him in check. She walked over to the shower and turned it on full blast. Humph, maybe it was that thing he did with his hips, that thing those island men are famous for—whining. Lawdhavemercy. She shook her head again as a shiver of delight ran up her spine.

  Nina opened the shower door and stepped inside. Ooooh, everything still tingled, she realized as the water hit her and she slowly lathered her body with shower gel. The nerves beneath her skin were still jumping, her nipples were still hard, and her clit was so swollen that it was fully exposed.

  “I’m going to need another vacation just to recover from all this,” she murmured. Rita will never believe this.

  She took her time bathing, paying special attention to all of her sensitive spots. Finally she shut off the water and wrapped up in a thick, full-length towel. The bathroom was filled with steam so that when she stepped out into the bedroom, Ian would have sworn that she was walking out of his dreams and into his life.

  “I didn’t want to wake you,” she said softly. She crossed to the opposite side of the room, if only to keep from jumping back in the bed with him.

  Ian was sitting up with the sheet draped across the lower half of his impressive body. “I was up the moment you left my side.”

  Her heart thumped. She looked around for something to do. Get dressed, that’s it! “Hungry?” she asked instead.

  He grinned. “Ravenous.” He stood and the sheet fell to the floor.

  Nina sucked in a breath of alarm. Even at halfmast, his sex was threatening. He bent to pick up the remnants of their sexcapade, and she squeezed her eyes shut to keep her mind from going back into hyperdrive. She ran her tongue across her lips. She was parched.

  Ian put on his shorts, then finished getting dressed. “I’m going to run home, shower, and change.” He crossed the room to where she stood, transfixed. The vanilla and jasmine smell of her went straight to his head, and for a moment he lost his train of thought.

  Nina’s breathing escalated. The heady, sticky scent of good old-fashioned, toe-curling sex hung on him like an expensive overcoat. Her clit twitched. If he didn’t leave, like right now, she thought, there was no telling what she would do. She clung to the hold she had on her towel.

  Ian stepped closer. Her senses clouded. He tugged at the knot in the towel. A half smile flickered on his mouth. He tugged again. The makeshift knot loosened. Nina sucked in a breath. Ian peeled the towel away. Slowly he shook his head, knowing good and well that he shouldn’t have done that. He tugged on his bottom lip with his teeth to keep from taking one of those raisin-sweet nipples into his mouth.

  He swallowed over the dry knot in his throat. “I’ll see you around seven,” he said, his voice ragged.

  Nina nodded.

  He turned to leave, then swung back around and pulled her into the need of his body, taking her mouth in a searing kiss that had them sighing and rocking against each other.

  Nina unzipped him and pushed his pants down around his ankles. He lifted her and she wound her legs around his waist while he backed her up against the wall and pushed up inside her with such force that his muffled groans matched hers as she clawed his back and sucked his tongue.

  The ship was just about to cast off as Ian and Nina came running and giggling down the gang plank. They were both delirious with happiness as if they’d suddenly been awakened for the first time in their lives. Colors seemed brighter, and noises, voices, and music were crystal clear as if their loving was a psychedelic drug that wouldn’t cut them loose.

  Ian escorted her on board, and they wound their way around the passengers and climbed the stairs to the upper deck to watch the dock recede as they slowly set sail for the dinner cruise. They fit right in with the well-heeled crowd. This definitely was not a T-shirts and flip-flops gathering.

  Nina was glad she’d decided on a flirty white dress that hugged her upper curves and swung around her knees, giving a delectable view of her curvy legs. And from what she could see, she was on th
e arm of the most handsome, sexiest man on the ship. Ian was bedecked in black linen, with a thin leather belt that defined his physique. She tingled inside.

  The evening was perfect. The sun was just beginning to descend, casting a glow across the horizon. The air was warm, with a light breeze that caressed more than blew.

  Nina and Ian found an empty spot by the railing and took in the scenery that unfolded. They hadn’t talked about the amazing late afternoon into early evening that they’d had. Instead they made small talk about the beautiful weather, the cruise ship, and the throng of people who floated around them. But their minds were on each other and what they wanted but didn’t dare say.

  “Well, fancy running into you again.”

  They turned. Cara stood behind them, arm in arm with her companion. She glided over to Ian and only kissed his cheek this time. “Nina, right?”

  “Right.”

  Cara turned to her escort, who looked young enough to be her son. “Troy, this is an old and dear friend, Ian Harrison, and Nina. I didn’t catch your last name.”

  “Forbes,” she said woodenly and wondered when Cara would remove her hand from Ian’s arm.

  “Do join us for a drink,” she said, linking her arm through Ian’s.

  “Maybe later.”

  She pouted. “All right then. But I’m going to hold you to it.” She wagged a thin finger at him before whirling away.

  Ian lowered his head for a moment and muttered something that Nina couldn’t make out. The hell with protocol, she decided.

  “Who is she?”

  Ian pushed out a long breath. “We used to date years ago before she became ‘famous.’”

  “Oh.” A million thoughts ran through her head at once. Did he do to Cara the things he’d done to her? Did he make her scream his name in ecstasy? Did he ...

  “Very short and uneventful,” he added, cutting into her racing thoughts.

  “What does she do?” Besides get on my nerves, she inwardly fumed, not at all mollified by his assessment, as it was clear to her that Cara thought differently.

  “She’s a news anchor for one of the local stations back home. She fancies herself to be a star.” He laughed without humor. He turned his full attention on Nina. “She’s not important. Although you could never tell her that.” He offered a wry smile.

  Nina pressed her lips together. He’d be going back home at some point and so would Cara. The thought darkened her light mood.

  Music from the onboard band started from below deck and floated up to them.

  “Come on. Let’s go down and get a table. I’m still famished.” He gave her a meaningful look and her heart pounded a little faster. He took her hand and led her down the winding staircase.

  The lower deck was filling up with passengers. The band was set up on a stage at the far end. An enormous buffet table took up one whole side of the ship, offering everything from salads to lobster and everything in between. The bar, with at least six bartenders, took up the other side.

  “Drinks or food?”

  “I think I need to put some food in my stomach before I dare take a drink,” Nina said.

  “Hmmm, you’re right. No telling what I might do to you with a belly full of alcohol.” He kissed the tip of her nose.

  It was the first mention of their romp and Nina didn’t know what she should make of it. Was it simply casual to him or did it have any meaning? She knew she shouldn’t be thinking that way, but she couldn’t help it. Something happened between him and her, and it was more than just sex, at least it was to her, and she felt ridiculous for feeling that way. It wasn’t what they’d nonverbally agreed to. She’d come on to him like a woman of the world. Like this was just a fling. But now she was having second thoughts.

  Ian handed her a plate. “Are you all right? You seem distracted.”

  She forced a smile. “No. I’m fine. I was thinking about some calls I need to make.”

  He looked at her for a moment, hoping to see in her eyes what he was experiencing inside. But she wouldn’t meet his gaze and instead focused on filling her plate as she moved down the length of the table.

  After the early bumps in the evening, they began to unwind, relax to the music, and enjoy the gentle sway of the ship. The food was fabulous, the drinks top-shelf and strong, and the atmosphere was perfect. To cap everything off, Ian was an incredible dancer, smooth and light on his feet, and he held her just right.

  Nina felt like a precious jewel in Ian’s embrace. He cooed and whispered in her ear as he moved her around the floor. Told her jokes that made her giggle and misstep, and when the band played the Luther Vandross classic “A House Is Not a Home,” he held her close and she rested her head on his chest, and the scary thought settled deep inside her: She wanted this to last.

  “Mind if I cut in?”

  Nina opened her eyes and lifted her head to find Cara standing beside her with a Cheshire cat grin on her face. The scent of brandy mixed with her perfume.

  Nina’s brow rose a fraction. She stepped out of Ian’s arms. “Be my guest.” Before Ian could react, she walked away. The last thing she wanted to see was Cara all hugged up with Ian.

  She quickly crossed the room, not daring to look back. She headed for the stairs and went above deck to get some much-needed air.

  Finding a semisecluded spot in a small alcove, Nina gripped the rail, lifted her head to the heavens, and drew in the salty night air.

  The strains of the music drifted up to her and she envisioned Cara in Ian’s arms. Why should it matter whom he danced with? They’d had great sex, no strings attached.

  “Hey . . .”

  Nina turned halfway.

  Ian walked toward her, his gaze burning across her length. Her heart knocked.

  “Why did you leave me with that woman?”

  But before she could answer, his mouth covered hers. His tongue teased and played hide-and-seek in her mouth as he pulled her fully against him.

  Reluctantly he pulled back. He lifted her head with a finger beneath her chin. “We don’t have a lot of time, but the time that we do have I want to spend with you.” His gazed moved across her face. “Does that work for you?”

  Nina swallowed. “Sure,” she said and hoped she didn’t sound as breathless and shaky as she felt inside.

  He lightly pressed his lips to hers. “That’s what I wanted to hear. Now, I think you still owe me a dance, love.”

  “What about Cara?”

  He took her hand and led her toward the stairs. “What about her?” he responded without missing a beat, his tone dismissive.

  Nina decided to leave it alone and enjoy her evening with her summer fling.

  Chapter 9

  “I had a fabulous time,” Nina said, a bit lightheaded from the three drinks and the sea air.

  Ian held her securely around her waist as they walked to her front door. She stopped at the entrance and fished around in her purse for the key.

  “Coming in?”

  “Not tonight.” He stroked her cheek. “I think we could both use some rest and that will never happen if I’m in your bed.”

  “Are you sure?” she purred, running her finger along the opening in his shirt.

  He clasped her hand. “Yes.”

  She turned away, feeling foolish, found her key, and opened the door. “Good night, then.”

  “Breakfast tomorrow?”

  She shrugged. She pushed the door open, turned to give him a parting look at what he was missing, and shut the door.

  Ian pushed out a soft laugh, trotted down the two steps, and headed across the space that separated the houses and went inside.

  He fixed himself a cup of tea and went out on his back deck in hopes of clearing his head. Nina had a stronger effect on him than he’d allowed himself to admit. The last thing he needed to do was spend the night with her, as much as he wanted to. When was the last time he’d turned down a willing and available woman?

  The thing was, he knew deep in his gut that she was
n’t like the others. And if he treated her as such, she would be hurt in the end. He couldn’t do that to her. The best thing for the both of them was for him to back up, give them some distance and him some perspective. Otherwise . . . well, he simply didn’t know.

  Nina squinted against the sun. She groaned. Her head pounded. She pulled the sheet up over her head and willed herself back to sleep. It didn’t work. She turned onto her side and squeezed her eyes to focus on the digital bedside clock. It was after ten. She never slept that late, but she never drank that much either. One drink was usually her quota for a night, and she’d had three.

  “Aggg.” She forced herself to sit up and every joint in her body rebelled. Why in the world was she aching . . . And then everything flashed back in blooming, high-speed Technicolor. Yesterday. Ian. In her bed, up against the wall, her body twisting and turning, her legs in positions that defied possibility.

  She shut her eyes and flopped back onto the thick pillows. She ran her hands along her naked body, stretching like a cat, remembering what he’d done to her. And how he’d left her at the door. She sat up, covered her face with her hands for a moment, then slowly stood. The room wobbled for an instant or maybe it was her that wobbled. Taking a deep breath to shoot some oxygen to her brain, she walked into the bathroom and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

  Her face was a bit puffy and her wild natural curls stood up on her head in a hundred different directions. There was a blooming red spot, the size of a quarter, above her right nipple, where Ian had suckled, and another on her inner thigh. She shut her eyes and shivered, recalling how they’d gotten there.