Zack had decided not to eat dinner at the resort. He’d ended up at a friendly Mexican restaurant called South of the Border—which the bartender told him locals referred to as SOB. The food was unexpectedly good, and, by eating at the bar, he was able to soak up a lot about the area. The chatty bartender apparently loved to gossip, and Zack was more than eager to listen to everything he had to say. Everything he learned helped him flesh out the picture of Bailey as she was today. Where she worked, where she played, ate, hung out.
Last night had been incredible. Better than he remembered. Maybe because they were older, took their time with things. He hadn’t forgotten the way to touch her to arouse her, the special places that set her on fire. And when she took him into her body, her sex hot and wet around him, he nearly lost his mind. It wasn’t just as good as it had been. It was better. A damn sight better.
He sipped his Mexican beer, trying to relive every minute of the previous night, including the walk on the beach. Was it his imagination, or was she nervous about something? She’d been jumpy as a cat until she got some wine into her, certainly doing her best to deflect any questions about her personal life. And then chemistry took over and they were engulfed in a passion that only improved with age.
But, now, he wondered just what was the problem? Would she be hiding something from him? He’d never thought of her as secretive, but, of course, she could have changed in all this time. Still, what in hell could she be hiding? His Internet search hadn’t turned up one single thing even mildly negative.
Maybe when they got together later, he’d get her to tell him. Except, of course, he had other plans for how to spend their time together. His goal was to somehow convince her they belonged together, even after all these years. If last night hadn’t told her she’d made a mistake, he hoped tonight would. Because, this time, he wasn’t going to let her walk away from him.
By the time he got back from his sightseeing tour, it was close to eight o’clock. Last night, Bailey had been finished shortly after nine. Fingers crossed they finished the same time this evening. He showered and shaved for the second time that day. Then he killed time with his laptop, doing research on the Naples/Fort Myers area. Just in case, he told himself.
In case of what? You aren’t even close to bringing that up to her, buddy-boy.
But he kept glancing at his watch, like a kid waiting for the big date. Finally, at nine thirty, a chime announced her text.
On my way to the villas now.
Well, so was he.
Okay. Meet you there.
When she opened the door to him, he had to stop and stare at her for a long moment. Both times he’d seen her yesterday she’d been dressed very casually, with little or no makeup. Obviously, she hadn’t dressed to impress him. He’d wanted to tell her that just plain Bailey turned him on more than any other woman in full war paint.
But, tonight, she’d just come from her business dinner. Her auburn hair was pulled back and held at the nape of her neck by a gold clasp, a few wisps softly brushing her skin. The jeans and T-shirt had been replaced by tailored slacks and a shirt of some soft material that fell gently against her breasts. He had to curl his hands into fists to keep himself from reaching out and taking them in his palms.
At least get inside the house, you jackass.
She stared up at him, forehead creased. “Is something wrong? Do I have a smudge on my face?”
He gave himself a mental kick. “Not at all. I was just mesmerized by your beauty.”
She burst out laughing. “You don’t need a line for me, Zack. Come on in. I have exciting news to share.”
He followed her inside and shut the door behind him. She walked directly to the bar against one wall of the living room, giving him a great view of her most excellent ass. God, was there any part of this woman that didn’t turn him on?
“Bailey, you look like you’re about to burst with excitement, so let’s have it. What’s going on? What’s your big news?”
“Drinks first. Wine still good for you?”
“Yes. Fine.” Anything. Nothing. He didn’t care. He had two agendas here—to make incredible love to this woman who had never lost her place in his heart and to find out what the hell she didn’t want to discuss with him about her personal life.
He stood with his hands in his pockets, staring out at the pool, while she poured their drinks. When she handed his to him, their fingers grazed and electricity shot through him. That intense spark between them not only hadn’t diminished, it’d increased a million megawatts. Just as last night, when he kissed her, the same intense connection was there.
When they were holding their filled glasses, she raised hers in the signal of a toast, her eyes sparkling almost as much as the wine. “Zack Elliott, you are looking at the new senior partner at Blake, Rothbart and Padilla.”
He knew this was a biggie. And a huge step forward for her.
“Congratulations to you, and good for them for realizing what a gem they have.”
Bailey laughed, that musical sound that still did it for him even after all this time.
“Thanks for the compliment, but you don’t even know how good I am.”
“I’d bet a month’s income you run rings around most of the lawyers in that office. And I know what a huge deal this is.”
“Warren Blake is making the announcement at the closing dinner tomorrow night. Everyone has the afternoon off, and the dinner is very informal.” She paused, a look of uncertainty flashing across her face. “Wives and significant others and all are invited. Warren said if I had someone I’d like to include, I should.”
A feeling of warmth rushed through him. If she wanted to share something like this with him, maybe there was hope for them yet.
“I’m humbled by the invitation, and of course I’ll be there. Thanks for wanting to include me. Now we have even more to celebrate tonight.” He touched his glass to hers. “Here’s to an unbelievable evening, and hopefully to the future.”
Something flashed in her eyes, and, for one moment, he thought it was fear. Really? Was she afraid of him? No, he would have discovered that last night. Fear was the last thing he felt coming from her. What was going on, anyway? Her next comment didn’t make him feel any less uncertain.
“Certainly to an incredible evening.”
They each sipped some wine, gazes locked, and, to Zack, it was just as it had always been in what he’d come to think of as the before part of his life—before Bailey cut him out of hers. They only had to be in the same room bare seconds before the sizzle and heat and emotion and desire took over. It had always amazed him that no matter what, that electric and intense attraction and desire never seemed to wane or soften. That’s the way it had been last night and the way it was right now.
Why had he ever given up the hunt to find her?
He took both of their glasses and nudged her toward the bedroom, just as he’d done the night before. But hell! After all these years, they had so much time to make up for.
“I can’t wait another minute to get you naked.”
And that was the damn truth. He heard the roughness in his voice that came from his seemingly unquenchable need for her. “Sorry if that makes me a horny old man, but, Bailey? We have a lot of time to make up for. Last night just teased my appetite.”
“Yes.” Her voice was soft and breathless, the way it always was when she was aroused. “Yes, we do.”
“We can have a conversation later.”
“Sometimes conversation is highly overrated.”
It registered on some level of consciousness that the covers were already drawn back on the bed and the pillows fluffed. But Bailey wet her lips, making them glisten so temptingly he forgot about everything else. Was she trying to avoid answering questions, even though she’d agreed they should talk? At this particular moment, he didn’t care. Just looking at her made his cock swell so much he was afraid his zipper would break. He reached behind her head to undo the clasp holding her hair and let the stands cascade free. He loved her hair, so soft and silky, the rich color of banked fire.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever get enough of tasting you.” He stroked his tongue over her lips. “Did I say this last night? It’s still true.”
He took her mouth again, sipping from her lips then trailing his mouth along the line of her jaw. He nipped the lobe of one ear, something he knew always aroused her. When he moved his mouth to the hollow of her throat, he felt the staccato beat of her pulse through the tender skin. Oh, yeah, it still did the trick for her. Something so little, so simple, and she melted into him.
He nibbled lightly on her neck as he unbuttoned the blouse she wore and tugged it from her slacks. Her skin, when he slid his hands along her rib cage, was warm and soft. When his thumbs brushed the underside of her breasts, stroking them through the satin of her bra, she drew in a tiny gasp. He hummed his satisfaction against her neck.
“You feel so good, I could touch you forever.”
He pressed his mouth to hers again while he pushed the blouse from her shoulders and tossed it aside. Next to go was the bra, leaving her wonderful breasts free for him to taste and touch. Sucking a nipple into his mouth, he was gratified to find it already hard, so he bit down on it gently. He was rewarded with a soft moan. Bailey pressed herself into him, her mound making hard contact with his very hungry cock.
He left no inch of her untouched as he undressed her, stroked her, licked her, and sucked. But, for all of it, he kept a soft touch, the light-as-a-feather caresses he remembered drove her wild. She made such delicious sounds as he covered every inch of her with his mouth and his hands.
He was so into it, he was stunned when she suddenly pushed him away from her. She was breathing hard, and that pulse at the hollow of her throat had stepped up its tempo. The scent of her musk filled the air, and heat blazed in her eyes.
“You aren’t pulling that again tonight. If I’m naked, so are you.”
Zack pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it with her discarded clothes. He sucked in a breath when she licked each of his nipples, just a light flick of her tongue. Then she dropped to her knees and undid the snap and zipper on his jeans.
Oh god!
And that was another memory he’d never gotten out of his mind. If he didn’t stop her, he’d be the only one having all the fun in a minute.
“Bailey…”
But she was determined, pushing his jeans and boxer briefs down his legs. When she wrapped her hand around his shaft, he nearly lost it. He threaded his fingers through her hair and tried to push her back, but, just as he remembered from all those years ago, when she got something in her mind, there was no deterring her. And damn, but he really wanted to feel her mouth on him.
He spread his legs to brace himself, cradling her head in his palms as she traced the length of him with her tongue and lapped at the swollen head. She slid her fingers up and down his length in the way she knew would drive him nuts, adding her tongue now and then. When she took his entire cock into her mouth, tilting her head back to accommodate him, he ground his teeth and reached for every bit of self-control.
His balls ached, and his shaft throbbed as she took him deep, sucking and licking, and he began to rock back and forth. Jesus! There was no stopping it now. He’d already been close from the moment he walked into the villa, so it hadn’t taken much to bring him to this point.
“Bailey. God!”
He grasped her head as he rocked back and forth, eyes closed, every nerve on fire. When he tried to pull back, she merely grabbed his cock hard and slid her hand between his thighs, cupping his balls.
“Oh Jesus, Bailey!”
He tightened his hold on her head as he exploded, filling her mouth. He closed his eyes as he just lost it and spasm after spasm shook him. Her hot mouth around him drew every drop from him until at last he was drained and weak. Bailey rose with a self-satisfied grin on her face, took his hands in hers, and pulled him onto the bed with her.
He tugged her into his arms as he yanked the sheet up to cover them.
Bailey pushed herself up on her elbow. “But, Zack. You can’t go to sleep now. We’re not done yet.”
He trailed his hand up and down her back. “Sweetheart, I don’t think we can make up for twenty-four years in one night.” He laughed. “Although I’m game for trying. Besides, we’ve got lots of time ahead of us to enjoy it.”
Because, after he got out of her what was making her so skittish, he was going to do his damndest to talk her into marrying him. Naples was a high-dollar community, and most of the guests who came to Casa Blanca were pretty flush. He’d have to investigate more, but he was sure he could make a good living in this area. Besides, he’d already made a bundle and more, and invested a lot of it very well. Cash flow wasn’t a problem.
Very romantic, asshole. Thinking of cash flow when you’re in bed with a naked woman. In fact, the naked woman of your dreams.
Bailey rested her hand on his chest, her fingers sifting through the hair and brushing his nipples. “What are you thinking of? Your brain is working too hard for a man in bed with a naked woman.”
“I’m thinking we haven’t seen each other for more than two decades, and we’ve spent most of our time together in bed. I really want to find out everything you’ve been doing all this time.” He paused. “And maybe why you really cut me out of your life so completely.”
Again that funny look flashed in her eyes, but it was gone so fast he wondered once more if he’d just imagined it.
She pressed herself against him, her breasts soft against his hard chest, the feel of her body against his both familiar and new. Okay, so no talking. At least right now. He still had plenty of intimate time to make up for.
“I don’t think there’s much life left in it right now,” he joked. Then he shifted and rolled her to her back. “But I can think of ways to pass the time until it wakes up again.”
He nudged her with his hand, and she let her thighs fall open, giving him the access he wanted, and he moved his fingers between her legs. The moment he slipped his hand between her thighs and found her sex, hot and wet and waiting for him, her eyes glazed over and her lips parted. He pinched her clit, drawing another gasp from her, then stroked hard on either side of it.
“Ohhhhhh.” The sound was a long exhalation, a sound of her pleasure he’d never forgotten.
She tried to close her thighs around his hands and squeeze, but he refused to let her. Instead, he cupped her and used his thumb on her clit, rubbing and caressing until she was squirming and pushing herself into his touch.
“Please,” she begged.
“Please what?”
“Inside me. Please. Now.”
He slid two fingers into her slickness, and she pushed herself down on them and rode them, her face wearing that intense, blissful expression that always made him so turned on. He thought he could probably do this all night, bring her just to the brink of orgasm, teasing her. God, he loved the feel of her, the tightness of her muscles, the heat of her. Unbelievably, his cock was hard again and demanding attention.
When he withdrew his hand, she gave a cry of protest.
“Hold on.”
He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, grabbed a condom from his pants pocket, and rolled it on with hands that stunned him they shook so hard. At last, he was suited up. He spread her thighs, positioning himself between them and bending her knees to give him the greatest access to her. He sucked in a breath at the sight of her swollen, wet pink flesh. Then, gritting his teeth to give himself some self-control, he pushed himself into her with one long, slow roll of his hips.
“Oh god!” Bailey whispered the words as he filled her completely.
“Look at me, Bailey. Don’t close your eyes.”
Their gazes locked, and, for Zack, it was almost like looking into his own soul. How could she not see how connected they were? That they were practically one unit.
Then he moved, slow strokes at first, in and out, feeling the drag of her wet flesh against his dick. Then faster, and even faster, the rhythm steadily increasing. Her hard nipples pressed into his chest, arousing him even more, if that was possible. He watched her for when she was close to release, let his body feel hers. He knew all the signs. They were as familiar to him as if they hadn’t been apart all these years.
When he felt the spasms begin inside her, he stepped up the pace, thrusting and retreating, each time faster and harder. The moment he felt her release, he allowed himself the same thing. Bailey wound her legs around him, digging her heels into the small of his back, keeping them connected as tight as possible. They fell over the edge together, bodies shuddering and shaking with the force of the orgasm. And all the while, their gazes were connected, as if they could see inside each other. When he saw the expression of intense pleasure on her face it only increased his own response.
Zack had no idea how long the spasms continued, barely aware when they began at last to subside. The heavy beat of his heart slowed, and he was able to draw air into his lungs.
He smiled down at Bailey. “Wow!”
She gave a thready little laugh. “Wow, indeed!”
She lowered her legs, and Zack eased himself from her body with great care. He disposed of the condom in the bathroom then crawled back into bed with her. She was soft and pliant in his arms and smelled exotically of jasmine and sex. This was all he wanted in the world. Somehow, he’d have to find out what had happened so long ago—and since—and convince her they belonged together.
And he had only until Sunday to do it.
“Sleep, sugar,” he whispered, spooning around her. “Rest. The night is still young.”
And he was far from done.