Chapter Nine
Feeling a bit breathless after thirty minutes of volleyball, Holly took a seat at the beachside bar area as Colin replaced her as outside hitter. Maybe he’d do a better job than her and earn them a few points. She glanced around, searching for Josh, but he’d disappeared ages ago. Where he was, or what he was doing, was beyond her. Then again, it’s not like they had to check in with each other. They weren’t a real couple.
Alone at a small table, she stretched her legs out as she watched the game, and was grateful when the server brought her a bottle of cold water. As she uncapped it and took a pull, her cell phone pinged. She grabbed it from her tote bag, but when she saw a text from her father, her heart beat a little faster.
How are things? Haven’t heard from you in a long time.
Long time? Good God, she had a long phone conversation with him before she left for the island, and they exchanged texts yesterday, and again this morning at breakfast.
Things are good. Just been busy at work.
Okay, you’ve proven yourself to me. But it’s time to stop this foolishness and come home where you belong.
Foolishness?
What are you talking about?
You’re going to get yourself hurt there.
Her head jerked up, an uneasy feeling moving through her. What the heck? Did he know where she was? She glanced around, taking in the waitstaff milling about and the other people at the resort. Could one of them be her father’s man, watching over her?
The trip was a last-minute decision sprung on them by Jeff, and no one but Sam knew where she was, and she would never tell her dad. He couldn’t possibly know her location, could he? Her gaze moved to Colin and found him smiling at her, waving her back over to join his team after Jeff had tapped out. Her father couldn’t have gotten to him, could he?
California is a dangerous place, he texted. Was he backtracking? Trying to cover a slip? Or was she so paranoid when it came to him that she was reading more into this than she should? You should be home.
Trying to stay positive and appease him, she sent a text back. I’ll be home at the end of the summer for a visit. Only two weeks away.
You know I don’t like you in that big city alone. I have enemies, Holly. Who knows what they’d do.
She pinched the bridge of her nose. I’m fine, I promise. I’ll talk to you later. I have to get back to work.
“Everything okay?”
She glanced up to see Josh standing over her. With dark eyes trained on her, the muscles along his jaw ticked. Perspiration glistened on his tall, solid body. What the hell had he been doing all this time?
She shrugged and tossed her phone into her bag. “Dad again. Like I said, overprotective.” She could say more, but she wasn’t about to delve into her father issues with Josh. The less he knew about her, the better.
“I’m sorry.” His gaze moved over her, a careful assessment, and he ran his tongue over his dry lips. “What’s he worried about, anyway?”
She scoffed and handed him her water bottle. He nodded his thanks and took a big drink. Strange how intimate sharing a bottle felt.
“Oh, just that I can’t take care of myself.”
He stared at her for a long time, his body tense, his face serious. A bird flew by, and it seemed to snap him out of his trance. He brushed his hand over his chin and asked, “Want to get out of here? You look like you could use a little fun to take your mind off things.”
A little fun. How tempting.
Truthfully, as much as she’d like that, if she left now, how would it look to Jeff? He seemed to be keeping an awfully close eye on her. “But Jeff—”
Josh inclined his head, the darkening of his eyes holding all kinds of promise as he said, “He’s gone.”
She stole a glance at the volleyball game and scanned the players. Jeff was nowhere to be found, but Colin was watching the exchange between her and Josh. Was it possible that he was one of her Dad’s men? “I…guess.”
“That’s a yes?”
She slapped her palms onto her thighs and stood. “That’s a hell yes,” she said, and Josh laughed, the seriousness gone from his face.
Josh pushed damp hair from his face, and her body responded as thick chest muscles flexed and relaxed again. Want moved through her. Good God, the man was simply addictive.
His body brushed hers as they headed toward the paths that led to their villas, but halfway there, Josh nudged her, easing her onto a much less used path where grass poked out from between the stone.
“Where does this lead?” she asked, glancing ahead to see an out of the way picnic area. “This is nice.” The path ended at a hut, and she stepped into it. Was he planning a picnic? As nice as that sounded, she had other ideas about how they could have some fun.
“Let’s keep going.”
She glanced around at the wilderness, took in the fronds and wide palm leaves that blocked the sun from penetrating the forest floor. “Where?”
“It’s a surprise.”
She frowned and planted her hands on her hips. “I don’t really like surprises.”
“You’ll like this one.”
She hesitated for a moment. “What are you up to?”
He laughed and held his hand out to her. “Trust me?”
Damned if she did, even though she couldn’t understand why. Then again, maybe she could. He’d been nothing but nice to her, there to help when she needed it, and even handing the mixology glory over to her, when it really was all him.
“Fine,” she said, sliding her hand into his.
“Good.”
They walked through the path, pushing frond leaves and branches out of the way. “There better not be any snakes out here.”
“Oh, you’re probably going to come across a big one anytime now.”
“What?” she asked, her gaze darting to his to find him grinning. She couldn’t help but laugh. She whacked him, even though she really liked this playful side of Josh. “You are so bad.”
“No fun in being good.”
“Funny, that’s what my friend said to me the other day.”
“Friend.”
“Sam. She’s my good friend from New York.”
“You must miss her, living all the way out in L.A.”
“I do, but we talk every day.”
“Ever think about moving back? I’m sure you must miss your family.”
“No,” she shot out quickly. Maybe a little too quickly, considering the curious way Josh was staring at her. “I mean I miss them, but I just really like L.A.,” she explained. “Better weather.” Josh opened his mouth like he wanted to say something but stopped when she glanced ahead and said, “Wow.” She took in the hot springs, steam on the surface, surrounded by lush foliage. Breathtaking. “How did you know about this place?”
“I have my ways.”
Was this what he’d been up to? She arched a brow. “Would those be Boy Scout ways?” she teased.
“No, I bribed one of the locals. Asked about a nice spot where I could take someone special for a little…privacy. This place isn’t open to guests anymore. Apparently due to cases of people overheating. Now it’s only used by the locals, and it’s safe if used properly.”
He thinks I’m someone special?
She took in the blanket near the embankment, and the cooler bag beside it. Her heart pinched. “You set this all up?”
“Yeah.”
Foliage crunched beneath her feet as she stepped up to the hot springs. She kicked off her shoes and dipped her toes in. Glorious. “But we’re not supposed to be here, though, right?”
He dropped down onto the blanket and patted it for her to sit. She sat across from him and he produced a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a container with fruit.
“Josh, this is…so nice, but are you sure we should be here.” He handed her a glass of wine, and she took a sip.
He shrugged like it was nothing. “We’re fine.”
“Technically this is trespassing, though, and we could get into trouble.” As she stared at him, took in his handsome face, she knew she was already in trouble. It touched far too deeply that he set this up for her.
His grin widened. “Yeah.”
“I’ve never trespassed before. Actually, I seem to be doing a lot of things I’ve never done before.”
“I do love how you’re game for anything.”
She turned from Josh to take in their surroundings. He moved in behind her, and her body came alive when he pressed against her, his mouth going to her neck. Rough fingers trailed down her back, stopping when he reached the strings on her suit. He toyed with them.
“You think I’m game for anything?” she asked, suddenly breathless.
“Yeah, aren’t you?”
She mulled that over for a minute. “With you, I am,” she said honestly, a shiver moving through her as he kissed along her sensitive flesh.
“See that rope over there?”
He pointed and she followed the direction, her mind racing with all the things they could do, when she spotted the rope dangling from a tree.
“Yeah.”
He took her wine from her and set it on a stump. “Come on.” He captured her hand, pulled her up, and guided her up the slope to the tree. He gripped the rope and tugged. Mischief danced in his eyes as he wrapped it around his fingers.
“What, exactly, do you have in mind?” she asked, heat moving through her.
“Watch.” He backed up, held the rope tight, and ran until he was flying through the air. Good God, the man was crazy. As he swung over the water he let go and landed with a splash. Holly laughed and caught the rope when it came back her way.
He broke through the surface and brushed his wet hair back. “Your turn.”
“You can’t be serious,” she said, even though it seemed kind of fun. “I’ll break my neck.”
“Come on in here, Holly,” he said, his voice dropping an octave as he gave her a wink that held so much promise. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
A laugh bubbled up inside her as she held the rope tight and backed up. Josh moved to the side of the hot springs, and she shook her head, hardly able to believe what she was about to do, how much fun Josh was to be around.
“Here goes nothing,” she said and catapulted herself off the slope. A squeal ripped her lungs as she flew through the air, letting go over the water. She sank to the bottom and pushed herself up, but when she did, she lost the top of her bikini.
She found her footing and covered her breasts with her hands. “Oh my God, I lost my top,” she cried out, but that cry died in her throat when she saw the hot way Josh was looking at her. Honest to God, no man had ever looked at her quite like that before. He waded out to her and removed her hands from her breasts as his mouth found hers. He kissed her, his tongue sliding in to find hers, and questing hands slid down her sides, his thumbs hooking her bathing suit bottoms.
“That’s not all you’re going to lose.” He tugged the material then dipped under the water to remove them, and her heart missed a beat, fearful that she was losing more than just her bathing suit to this man. She lifted her legs for him, and he surfaced with her bikini bottoms in his hand. He tossed them to the embankment then inched back. His eyes dimmed with desire, and she sucked in air at the way he was studying her.
With need propelling her, she moved toward him and pressed her hands against his hard chest. Her body came alive beneath his powerful heartbeat. She slid her hand lower and touched his hard cock through his shorts.
The corner of his mouth turned up in a wicked grin, one she was growing increasingly familiar with. She loved that look. Loved being with him like this. She’d never felt so free. Playful. Unguarded. Able to be herself without fearing someone wanted more, or was using her in some way.
He bent forward to take off his swimming trunks, and cursed under his breath as he struggled. “Shit, they’re stuck.” He wobbled a bit, and she laughed.
“You think this is funny?” he asked.
“A little bit.”
“Keep laughing and you’ll be sorry.”
“I’m not afraid of you, Josh.”
“You should be.”
She arched a brow. “What are you going to do?”
“Tie you up with that rope and do whatever I want.” After a great struggle, he finally got his shorts off and tossed them to the embankment, too.
“You’ll have to catch me first.”
She rolled onto her back and kicked her legs out, splashing Josh as she swam away. Not that she could go too far—the hot springs wasn’t very big. He dove under, and she squealed. Not knowing where he’d come up, she stood and backed up, but when he came up right before her, his mouth inches from her breasts, her cries turned into a moan.
“Caught you,” he said, cupping one of her breasts.
“What are you going to do with me?” she asked.
“Everything.”
The air around them changed, and all playfulness faded from his expression. She drew in air when she caught the heat in his eye, the intense, possessive way he was looking at her.
“Josh?”
He gave a slow shake of his head and brushed his knuckles lightly over her cheek, a tender caress that felt far too personal. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? How much I want you?” His soft whisper slid over her body, sparking a deeper need inside her.
She gulped as something strange passed between them, something warm and intimate, something that could be most difficult to come back from. “I want you, too,” she murmured.
He exhaled a harsh breath. “Touch me, Holly. I need you to touch me.”
Her fingers trembled as she ran her hands over his chest, his stomach, going lower until she reached his hardness.
His eyes slid shut. “Yeah, just like that.”
Spurred by his words, she stroked the long length of him, and his hips moved with the motions. He grew thicker and pulsed in her palms. Birds chirped nearby, and something ran in the underbrush, but she was too busy reacquainting her hands with his hardness to look. What they were doing was risky and inappropriate, but there was something very wicked, very sexy, about being naked outdoors with Josh.
“Holly,” he whispered, sounding like he was in pure agony.
“Yeah.”
“I…I need to fuck you,” he said, but she got the sense that it was something else he was trying to say.
“I need that, too,” she whispered and pressed her lips to his chest.
As warm heat encompassed them, he set her against the embankment, his hard cock between her legs. She squeezed her thighs, and he groaned. She pushed his wet hair from his face as he paid homage to her nipples, and she quivered under his touch. God, he was so beautiful.
“I can’t get enough of you,” he murmured, the heat in his voice curling her toes. He pushed against her, and she wiggled when she felt his hardness against her stomach. Needing almost desperately to touch him again, she ran her palms over his muscles and gripped his cock.
“Fuck,” he said, then he cupped her jaw, angled her head, and delved deeper into her mouth, tasting the depths of her. Her body responded, and she arched into him, working her hands faster on his erection.
He tore his mouth from hers, his eyes flaring hot. Need arced between them as he gripped her shoulders. He spun her around and bent her over the embankment so fast her breath caught in her throat. Her chest pressed against the soft grass, with her backside out of the water. She wiggled, thrusting against him.
Need.
Mumbled curses rose from his throat, and she sensed his control slipping. She grinned, loving the way she affected him. “You’re mine, Holly,” he said, his hot breath falling over her back as he leaned over her, running his hand down her sides and pressing her against the grassy ground. “Say it.”
“I’m yours,” she murmured, her synapses no longer firing at the animalistic way he was taking her. What the hell was happening to him? Not that she was complaining. She loved seeing him like this. He pushed her hair to the side to expose her neck. His lips felt like fire on her skin, and she could no longer find her breath.
He positioned his cock at her entrance, and in one hard thrust, seated himself high inside, deeper than ever before. She gave a broken gasp that turned into a moan as he pulled out, only to drive back in again.
She gyrated, wanting more, but then he went still behind her. Too still. She looked over her shoulder to see him, and when she caught the way his jaw was clenching, the raw need in his eyes, she took in a shuddery breath.
He pressed his lips to the back of her neck as his hands went to her shoulders to use them for leverage. Shifting, he gripped her tighter and angled his body for deeper thrust.
“Harder,” she demanded, needing, wanting everything he was willing to give her.
He pounded into her, his teeth raking over her bare flesh. They moved together, each taking and giving, arousing each other until they were both shaking, out of control. She grew slicker with each stroke. She trembled from head to toe as she lost herself in him. Her breath came in a ragged burst, and her whole body shook as she surrendered to the pleasure. Flames raced through her, the heat from his hands and mouth burning her from the inside out. She reared back to meet each thrust as he buried himself in her so deep that she’d feel him long after they were done.
Moving with purpose, he pressed hot, openmouthed kisses to her body. “This week, I want everything. Every bit of you.” His voice rumbled against her spine and sent shivers skittering through her. “Tell me I can have that.”
Intense pressure built between her legs, and blood pounded in her ears as she opened her mouth, but no words formed as her pressed into her, his hands touching her all over—hot, greedy, possessive—like he couldn’t get enough.
He inched back a bit, his hands stilling, and silence hummed for a second. Her heart beat once, twice, waiting for him to touch her again. “Tell me I can have it, Holly,” he said, breaking the quiet. “I need you to tell me.”
Good God, if he stopped, she was certain she’d ignite, go up in a burst of flames and crumble to the ground in hot ash. “You can have it,” she bit out, ready to agree to anything and everything if it meant feeling his hands on her again, his cock sliding in and out of her. “All of me. This week.”
He slightly lifted her upper body from the grass, and curled a protective arm around her as his other hand went to her clit. Her breasts swelled, her body giving over to the pleasure building deep in her core.
“Josh,” she cried out, her breath escaping in a hiss.
“Say it again, Holly. Say it just like that when you come for me.”
She squeezed her sex muscles around him, and his teeth grazed a little harder. Her body burned, her hips rocked as she let go. “Josh,” she said, the way he wanted her to, as she tumbled into an orgasm. He held her as she rode out the waves, and his teeth clicked together, like he was struggling to hang on.
“Fuck,” he said, his breath a hot burst on her back as he stilled inside her and let go. She gasped at each hard pulse as his pleasure resonated through her.
Why is sex with him so good?
He tightened his grip around her waist, and she closed one hand over his as he breathed hard against her neck. She sagged against him, warm, sated, so damn content that she’d be happy to stay right here with him for the rest of the week, and maybe the one after that. Her heart pinched, and she cleared her dry throat, rattled by the things this man was doing to her.
He turned her and pulled her to him, his expression tender, thoughtful. Her sensitized nipples rubbed against his chest as he pressed his lips to hers, softly, slowly, like he was worshipping every kiss, each taste of her. It completely took her by surprise. When he broke the kiss, he eased away and drew a ragged breath. She rested her head against his chest, and his heart hammered against her ear as she breathed him in.
Intoxicating.
“Hey,” he whispered, his voice deeply intimate as he smoothed back her damp hair. There was something so soft and sweet in the way he touched her that it threw her off-kilter. “You good?”
“I’m good. You?”
“Yeah, I’m good.” His voice hitched, so uncharacteristic of him, that she lifted her head to see him. Was he feeling this thing between them, too, or was she getting in over her head here? He splayed warm fingers over the small of her back, and her heart tripped over itself. As she tried to breathe, to refill her lungs, she gave herself a quick lecture.
It’s just a brief affair, Holly.
Then why does it feel like it’s so much more?