Deceptively Yours (Wanton Weston Women, Book Two) (6 page)

She recalled his face and her desire flared. Shutting her eyes, she imagined him kissing her lips, cupping her breasts. She lay across the king-size bed and closed her eyes, imagining him there with her. Her breath grew ragged. Just a touch from him would wreck her.

She wouldn’t allow that. For self-preservation, it was a good thing she’d put the kibosh on his advances before anything came of it.

* * * * *

Guy strode past Laura’s villa around seven thirty and checked out the vacant property next door. He ducked behind the row of sago palms lining the driveway and tried to see into the front windows of the property. No lights were on inside and he didn’t notice signs that anything had changed there, nothing that would indicate the house now had guests.

His relief at knowing that Harry still hadn’t arrived made him uneasy. When had he ever celebrated
not
finding someone he was after?

Only since I met Laura
.

He wished her face wasn’t half as gorgeous and that her luscious body didn’t call to every torrid need he had. She could easily become a major distraction. But he couldn’t stop himself from approaching her front door any more than he could deny that his attraction to her was more powerful than any he’d experienced before.

He rang the bell and frowned at the keycard reader, hardly impenetrable security. But when he heard a chain lock slide, some of the tension knotting his shoulders relaxed.

The door opened and for a brief moment he wondered who’d answered, but the blonde hair and mesmerizing blue eyes gave Laura away. He liked that she’d ditched the glasses and the baggy dress. He couldn’t help but allow his gaze to touch every part of her as she monkeyed with a pearl earring. Dressed all in black with her hair pinned up and a just a hint of makeup, she stole his breath. “Wow.”

But her scowl didn’t bode well for his plan to take her to dinner over her objection. “What are you doing here?”

He hoped she wouldn’t be angry or at least not for long. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop by. Are you hungry? Because I’m on my way to the hotel restaurant for dinner.”

She shook her head incredulously. “Seriously? I guess you don’t understand the meaning of the word
no.”

He leaned against the doorjamb in case she tried to shut him outside. “I do understand no, but like I said—”

“You were in the neighborhood. Yeah, right.” Her simple sleeveless dress hugged every feminine curve and gave him a stunning view of her long legs and sleek arms. Her sandals were nothing but a strap of rhinestones across her toes and a skinny heel that made him question how she planned to negotiate the trail to the hotel. But that was the least of his worries. The woman was so smoking hot, he wondered if he’d have to fight off any other men.

He folded his arms. “I don’t like eating alone. Do you?”

“I eat dinner by myself nearly every night.”

He put on an exaggerated frown but his chest tightened in earnest. “Sounds lonely.”

She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I have my cat and my laptop. I like catching up on my email while I eat.”

Not too different from most of his evenings when he wasn’t out of town or on a stakeout. “You’re on vacation. Why do things the same way you do them in your real life?”

She furrowed her brow, then after a long moment, huffed. “Fine, come in. I’m almost ready.”

He wanted to shout a big
yes,
but he simply nodded as she ushered him inside. Brushing past her, he drew in a breath of her floral perfume. “You look…stunning.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek and she stiffened. Was he coming on too strong? He tore his gaze away from her and forced himself to look at the interior of the villa, which was decorated in a predictably tropical theme.

There was no sign of anyone but Laura, but he’d known she wasn’t harboring a fugitive before he entered the house. The floor plan was open with a large kitchen, dining room and living room only differentiated by their décor. Two bedroom doors sat open. Laura headed through the third before closing herself inside.

As soon as she was gone, he crossed the room to the glass sliders and confirmed that she’d engaged the metal pins that made the easy-to-break-into doors a little more secure. Then he strode to the rattan sofa and picked up a black shawl he found draped over the back. Holding the silky fabric to his face, he detected her scent. He breathed it in and pictured her sliding her finger, wet with perfume, between her breasts. His cock twitched at the notion.

“There’s my wrap.”

Laura’s voice startled him. He felt like a kid who’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t. She tried to take the shawl from him but he shook his head. “Let me.”

She gave him a wary glance then turned around.

He draped the garment over her shoulders and took the opportunity to get another whiff of her. Unable to help himself, he lingered at her back, yearning to free her hair and stroke his fingers through the silky golden strands, but was content to keep his hands on her upper arms. Her skin was so satiny smooth he couldn’t bear to let her loose.

Her breath hitched as she glanced over her shoulder. “We should go.”

He straightened, reining in his desire for the time being. “Sure, absolutely. I made a reservation.”

She shrugged out of his grasp. “You what? Just in the neighborhood, huh?”

“I try to always be prepared.”

“Unbelievable.” She grabbed a small purse and hooked the strap over her shoulder.

Damn, the woman turned him on. Her angry expression made him wonder what she looked like in the height of a climax.

Only an hour ago, he’d stroked himself in the shower as he imagined himself doing all sorts of wicked things with her. He’d hoped that would diffuse some of the erotic tension she inspired but lo and behold, he was hard again.

Shaking his head, he followed her out. As they neared the beginning of the path, he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and inwardly cheered when she didn’t pull away. “I’m afraid you’ll trip in those shoes.”

She chuckled. “Believe me, it doesn’t take a rocky path or high heels to make me stumble. I’m a total klutz all by myself.”

He thought about the two times he’d seen her clumsiness earlier and he held her more tightly. “That’s all in your head.”

“Not really. I don’t wear heels much. I don’t trust myself.”

“You don’t need them with your legs.”

Damn it.
Why couldn’t he quit with the suggestive comments? “You’re plenty tall. Don’t a lot of women wear high heels for height?”

“I suppose.”

At least the path was lit, although the tree-mounted lights illuminated some sections more than others. “So what does Dear Annie do with her time besides writing a column?”

“I’m not Dear Annie…all the time. She has a book coming out soon. Well,
I
do.”

“Congratulations. That’s impressive.” He’d never gone out with a woman quite so accomplished.

She nodded. “I think so too. I mean, thank you.”

“What about when you’re not penning brilliant advice?”

“I read a lot of books. Like all the time.”

Most of the women he’d dated barely seemed to know what a book was. They spent their time watching reality television shows, on Facebook or texting until their fingers grew numb. “What do you read?”

She glanced up at him, grinning. “Are you seriously interested or are you just making conversation?”

He centered his free hand over his heart and huffed. “I’m devastated that you don’t think I care.” He stopped walking and waited until she faced him. Then he lifted her chin so she couldn’t help but look at his face. “Let me assure you, I do.”

Her lips parted a fraction of an inch and she slid her tongue across them.

All his blood headed south. Desire tugged at his insides. But just as he moved in for a kiss, she backed up and turned away.

He schooled the disappointment from his expression. What was she afraid of? The woman was an expert on sexual relationships and he had no doubt the attraction was mutual, unless his instincts were suddenly completely off. He took a moment to recover as she forged ahead. Then he caught up and hooked her arm again.

“So, are you enjoying the conference?” A tremble in her voice seeped through the sugary tone.

“Yeah, sure. You?” He hated for her to think he was one of them, but why should it bother him? She obviously didn’t have a problem with that anything-goes attitude or she wouldn’t be here.

She shrugged. “I just arrived this afternoon. I’m not participating in any of the events, except as the speaker, of course.”

“Are you on board with all that hedonist propaganda?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you?”

“Yeah, I guess I am.” Every little lie was bothering him.

Seconds later she stumbled. “Ouch.” She nearly fell but he slipped his arm around her waist and tightened his grip on her.

“What happened?”

She grasped his arm as she bent and adjusted her shoe. “I twisted my ankle. Give me a second.”

He glanced toward the hotel, visible at the top of the hill. “It’s not much farther.”

She winced as she took a step with a pronounced limp.

His gut tightened. “This calls for me to return the favor you did for me this afternoon.”

“What do you think—”

Without giving her a chance to argue, he lifted her into his arms then started toward the hotel. “I have a small first-aid kit in my room. We can stop there before we head to the dining room and put some ice on that foot.”

“You don’t need to carry me. I’m perfectly capable of walking.” But she clasped her hands behind his neck and damn if his cock didn’t react to having her body pressed against him.

“I’m not going to chance you doing any more damage, not on my watch.” He adjusted her in his arms.

“Are you trying to convince me that you’re Superman? I’m hardly a featherweight.” She tossed one end of her shawl over her shoulder.

He wished she would cut herself some slack. She seemed to have no inkling how incredibly attractive she was. “No, you’re not a featherweight, you’re just right.”

Her throat twitched with a swallow.

The power of her stare nearly caused him to drop her. He stopped a couple yards from the end of the hilly path to rest for a few seconds. God, he wanted to kiss her but she turned her face away. Again.

“I can walk from here.” She wiggled until he set her on her feet. “Just because I’m accompanying you to your room, please don’t think you can take advantage of the situation.”

He stifled a laugh. “You’re perfectly safe with me, ma’am.” That wasn’t entirely true. He’d never harm her but he planned to do unspeakably erotic things to her, right after she begged him.

Chapter Three

Laura hobbled the rest of the way to the hotel. Why had she insisted that Guy put her down? She’d felt so safe in his arms and her ankle really hurt, but being close to him had stirred up a hornet’s nest of passionate cravings that she wanted no part of.

He offered his arm, but she pursed her lips and ignored the gesture. It was easier if she didn’t get that close to him. She tried to scare up a sense of control. She refused to allow one sexy, muscle-bound man to break through her resolve. Giving in to the powerful chemistry between them would mean great sex—followed by that awful loneliness. It had been two years since she’d succumbed to her carnal desires and gone home with a guy she’d just met. Two years since she’d woken up feeling like she needed a month-long shower to wash away the pathetic desperation.

Guy seemed different, but her judgment was hardly spot on when it came to men. If he didn’t smell like heaven and resemble a Greek god he’d be a lot easier to resist. His legs looked almost as good in chinos as they had in shorts and the sleeves of his polo shirt only highlighted the thick muscles that roped his upper arms. The pain in her ankle was a cinch to deal with compared to the ache he’d inevitably leave her with when he went away.

He took her arm when they neared the rotating door and they went through together. Being trapped in another too-close moment had her pulse racing. Guy slid his arm around her waist, pulling her against him, and she nearly came unglued. Deep down, she wanted to hook her hands behind his neck and haul him in for a long, deep kiss, but why put herself through the heartache?

The instant the door opened to the lobby, she bolted out of the confined space. Even the brisk air-conditioned atmosphere couldn’t cool the inferno building inside her.

Guy offered his hand again, but she dared not touch him. Not now. Not ever. Her attraction for him was so powerful that she feared she’d never be able to resist him. But all her pent-up sexual frustration was steadily taking her over.

He shrugged then tipped his chin toward the elevators. “I’m in three-fourteen.”

She limped into the elevator and said a silent thank-you that another couple had followed them in. The less time she had to be alone with Guy, the better.

Once they stepped out on the third floor, she took off her shoes since her foot had swelled a little, making her sandal uncomfortably tight. Before she could stop him, Guy whisked her into his arms again. Muscles deep inside her pulled taut. Damn her libido.

She stiffened. “I told you, I can walk.”

When he didn’t put her down, she muttered a curse under her breath.

He chuckled. “You sweet-talking devil. A simple thank-you would do.”

“This is ridiculous. You don’t have to prove you’re a macho man anymore, okay? I get it.” She got it way more than she cared to acknowledge. Every cell in her body hummed with need.

He scrunched his brow. “Is that what you think? That I’m trying to prove something to you?”

Guilt needled her insides. “No, it’s not. I think you’re a sweet, caring man…with a King Kong complex.”

He stopped and set her on her feet. “A King Kong complex? What exactly is that?”

She couldn’t hold back a grin. “I have no idea. I just made it up. You reminded me of a big, strong…” She could hardly admit how incredibly turned-on she’d been from his raw masculinity—was still.