Flirting With Disaster (6 page)

The paper drifted from her stiff hand and floated to the floor at his feet. Her sensuous lips parted. Her quick intake of her breath and the way her breasts rose did nothing to calm his libido. He almost felt guilty for toying with her.

She didn’t respond, so he tweaked a little harder, relishing this small window of joy to brighten his dark existence. “Now, role-playing is a whole other price list. Depending on the cost of the costumes and props, it could run you into the thousands. I do a great dominating circus clown.” He pulled his T-shirt over his head.

The woman’s gaze caressed his chest as he waited for her response. “Fine, I’m in a generous mood. I’ll do you a quickie for thirty-five bucks. Lose the panties.” He stood and walked toward her. He didn’t know how far he’d actually take this, but he was having too much fun to stop now.

When he got close enough, she ran one of her soft hands down the center of his chest, exploring him in a slow descent, making every nerve in his body burn with a yearning and desire he’d never felt.

The witch’s touch blew his mind.

Sex had always been just a physical release to him. A way to forget the pain.

But this was…different.

He inhaled sharply as her little hands mapped his form. It was as if she’d never seen a half-naked man before. Christ, she’d almost been married. She had to have seen one.

“Can you do a Russian accent with that circus clown?”

Beck slowly tilted his head. “
Da, Ljubimaja moja.
”
Yes, my sweetheart
.

Her mouth formed an ‘O.’ She stepped back and fastidiously undid each button on her shirt. Once she’d exposed all that beautiful skin sprinkled with golden freckles and the pink, lacy bra lovingly holding those gorgeous breasts, she lifted her eyes to his. “Okay, let’s proceed. Do you need a deposit up front? Where do you want me to lie down?”

Jesus H. Christ. She was going to be the death of him. Like she was asking to get her oil changed. But Miss Duffy was always tense and, God help him, he couldn’t stop from reaching out to stroke the velvet, freckled skin on her shoulder. Couldn’t refrain from touching his lips to her pale skin for a small taste. He was fascinated by this shy, nervous version of her. She was like a drug to him, calling out, luring him in, placing a spell on him.

He bent his head and kissed the side of her neck. Soft, silky, and the smell… He couldn’t get enough. Clean, fresh and spicy. Like lavender. The same scent he’d noticed in her room.

He was done.

She sighed and dropped her head back. That’s all Beck needed. He slid her blouse off her shoulders, touching as much of her as possible. He herded her toward the bed. As the backs of her knees hit, she fell back and he followed her down. The woman was temptation. For Christ’s sake, he’d been celibate for a fucking year…
never even tempted. Why now? 

He had to taste that mouth again. His lips touched hers and, as his tongue found its way inside, an arctic chill skirted his back. It was the most pleasurable sensation. Her nipples beaded beneath the soft satin of her bra, teasing his bare chest, and she moaned.

The kiss was… inspiring
. 

Beck hadn’t planned on making love to this quirky woman. But he couldn’t resist her siren’s call. He had no control as he ran his palm down her chest and finally glided his fingers over her incredible breasts.

“What I want to do to you,” he whispered against her lips, “is probably outlawed in over forty states.”

She wriggled underneath him, making his erection throb. He pulled her hands above her head and pinned them to the bed. Her eyes snapped open. She blushed from head to toe, her breasts thrust forward. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, but he knew women. She may want him, but this hellion was scared shitless.

He rolled off of her to his back and pulled her close. “What’s wrong, Jude?”

The Doc took a deep breath. “Could we possibly take things just a bit slower? I mean, I’m thoroughly aroused, it’s just…”

Beck couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him. This woman was some piece of work. “Aroused? I’m thrilled I could
arouse
you.”

“Well, it is your job, isn’t it? I’m sure you’ve had training, considering…”

Humored by her naiveté, Beck smiled and looked into a face that had somehow become familiar to him. In only twenty-four hours? Sobriety was making him crazy. Was she kidding?

Nope, those big eyes and the way her white teeth worried her full bottom lip, said she was shit-ass serious.

“Jude…” What could he say? He didn’t want her to know who he really was. He kept to himself, had altered his appearance. His hair was longer, his face a bit fuller, all to remain anonymous during his recovery. If she found out who he was, she was smart enough to make the connection to his past, to what he’d done to her and her parents. He needed to discourage her ʼcause, God knew,
he
wasn’t going to be strong enough to resist her. And, like all the others, he’d end up disappointing her, hurting her, if she got too close.

He stood, then glanced at his watch. “Honey, my next appointment is about to arrive. So unless you’re interested in the four hundred bucks it’ll cost you to watch, you’d better start undressing so we can get to business.”

The Doc’s mouth dropped open as she sat up on the bed, her shirt falling down her arms to further expose the temptation that was only Jude Duffy. She had no idea…

She hugged her shirt to her chest. “I-I…” Good. His plan to scare her away was working. “Do you take credit cards? I’m afraid I don’t use cash often, considering the bonuses one can retrieve from current credit card programs.”

For Christ’s sake.

A knock echoed through the room, and he kept his eyes on her as he cracked the door. “Yeah?”

“I’m a bit knackered, boyo.” Ennis swayed on his feet. “I need a kip before I do any manual labor. See you in a few hours.”

“Fine. Go sleep then I’ll meet you at six.” Beck shut the door and turned toward Jude.

She stood and briskly walked to where she’d dumped her purse. “Should we continue with our arrangement then?” She opened her wallet and handed him her credit card.

He was going straight to hell. “Honey, you seem a bit nervous. What if I said this next hour was on the house and we just hung out and talked? Maybe we’ll grab a pizza downtown? I’m a little hungry.”

Talking was the last thing he wanted to do, but he was no good for her and thanks to AA he knew where to draw his boundaries. After today, he’d hopefully never see her again.

She smiled and the sight stole his breath from his lungs. “I’d like that very much.” She buttoned her blouse and sat on the bed, her back ramrod straight, little bare feet crossed and her virtuous pleasure shining through.

He put his T-shirt back on and cursed himself for being so damn noble. He’d never been noble before. Why now?

Must be the sobriety.

They walked the short distance downtown and found a cozy checkered table at Guido’s Pizza. His little tabby cat chattered about her research, her rock star, asshole parents who’d ignored her, and the guy who’d left her for another man.

About the tragic death of her parents, the first innocent souls he’d murdered, and how they’d given away her inheritance. And about the mysterious trust fund from an anonymous benefactor who’d supported her education.

Remorse fermented in his chest, as it always did. But, through her melodic chitchat, he allowed himself a few moments of peace. A peace that didn’t include alcohol.

There was something about her. Something he had no right exploring.

“This was lovely.” She stood, leaving him cold and empty. “You were worth every penny.” She winked, then shoved her arms into her tweed blazer.

“I was free.”

“Precisely.” Jude opened a small book and fished a pen from her bag. “I’m open tomorrow evening at nine p.m.” She glanced at him. “Will that do to complete our transaction?”

Son of a bitch.
She couldn’t be serious. He needed to go on the offensive and end this little game before things got out of hand. Before he got too close and caused her inevitable pain. “Why are you so hell bent on having sex? Rebound situations are never healthy. There is the distinct possibility of post-traumatic stress disorder.”

She wrote in her book as though she hadn’t heard a word he’d said. “Hogwash. And don’t joke about PTSD, Mr.…” Her brows furrowed. “You didn’t tell me your last name. I’ll need your last name so I can reference your health history. I have access to most medical databases.”

He wasn’t just going to hell. He was
in
hell. “You’re not looking up my private information. I’m as clean as a whistle.”

She slammed her book shut and sighed. “Fine. We can go over whatever records you can provide tomorrow night. I’d like just the missionary position, no lights. I’ll pencil you in from nine to nine fifteen.”

“Why do I feel so used?”

Her brows rose. “Because, Mr. Beckette, I need to lose my virginity and you’re just the man to do it.”

Seven

“If we knew what it was we were doing,

it would not be called research, would it”?

Albert Einstein

O
h, this was going to work out superbly. Jude glanced at the selection of condoms in the adult entertainment store. Not that she needed a condom for what she had planned. She needed a condom with small puncture holes.

She took a deep breath. This was the most diabolical, underhanded, frivolous thing she’d ever done. But she’d only ever wanted one thing in her life and this was the only way to get it.

If she logically reasoned with herself, there would be no harm. A man like Mr. Beckette would want no part of a child with his active, gigolo lifestyle. So keeping her pregnancy secret after all was said and done, would be a win-win for both parties.

It was her emotional reasoning that kept interfering with her mission.

He was a man of mystery—dark, brooding, bossy. Yet, he’d taken such great care with her, noticing how nervous she was, switching gears on her. No one noticed anything about Jude. Ever. Thank goodness, because the Jude Duffy who had shown up for this week’s vacation at Castle Alainn was like no Jude Duffy she knew. Her conduct was erratic, her thoughts preposterous, and her inclinations toward wayward behavior, uncontrollable.

It was a curse…or perhaps a spell of some sort. This was October, after all.

Dotted, ribbed, studded. Ultra thin, Tantric…
For goodness sake, this was worse than selecting a feminine hygiene product. She was a top-notch scientist and didn’t go into any unknown situation without researching thoroughly.

She grabbed the closest box and tossed it into her basket. She ambled down the aisle and grabbed the “Majik Mike,” a seven-function, dual-action vaginal vibrator with ball bearings.

My…
She shook her head then added it to her other purchases.

She reached the checkout counter and unloaded her basket in front of the tattooed girl manning the register.

“Oh, you’ll love this vibrator. Here, let me put batteries in so we can make sure it works. I’ll show you all the options.”

Jude smiled. If only the help at her local health food store was as enthusiastic. The girl nimbly opened the package and inserted the small batteries. Once she’d finished, she held up the vibrator and flicked a switch. “This is the power button. Hear how quiet it is? It’s awesome…feel.” The girl held the vibrator to Jude’s cheek.

Ohhh
… Jude lifted her hand to hold it closer.

“And if we turn this switch, we get a pulsating vibration.” The girl turned a small ring around the base of the vibrator and an intriguing, undulating pressure began against Jude’s cheek. “Gets me to orgasm every time.”

Jude stroked the vibrator down her arm. “Oh, I like that! You do realize an orgasm is not just intended for pleasure? The biological function is to help move the sperm toward the uterus. It’s a necessity.”