One Night of Misbehavior (9 page)

“Did you have breakfast this morning?”

“Just coffee,” she said.

“That’s everything, thanks,” Ash said, producing a credit card from his wallet.

“I’ll pay—”

“No, this is my treat,” Ash said. “You’re doing me a favor going with me to meet my client.”

“But I—”

“Please,” Ash said.

Charlotte opened her mouth to argue, but he handed over the card to forestall further discussion. He took the packages from the woman serving them, snared Charlotte’s hand in his, tugging her out of the shop and back to the rental car.

People they passed stared at them both. He was used to everyone gaping at his scars, and mostly, he didn’t pay any attention to them unless they edged too far into rudeness. Today it seemed different. There were no members of the press jumping out at him, and Charlotte was holding his hand, arguing about paying her share. Most of his girlfriends would have pouted at the lack of press and prettily requested more expensive jewelry. More than ever Ash was convinced Ivy and his grandmother maneuvering them together was a stroke of genius and the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Throughout lunch and during their walk along the beach, he touched her constantly. He tugged on a lock of her silky red hair, admiring the way it glinted full of autumn colors under the summer sunshine. He kept his hand at the small of her back to guide her through doorways. Held her hand, his fingers laced with hers. And he kissed her whenever the urge struck him, savoring the softness of her lips beneath his, the way she responded to him, her eyes darkening with passion whenever he upped the ante and pushed into erotic territory.

But lust and desire were weapons capable of backfiring, and they created chaos in him. His skin tingled where they touched, blood pounded through his veins, tightening his dick while his heart sang with the promise flickering between them.

“I can’t remember the last time I walked along a beach,” Charlotte said. “It was when my father was still alive, I think.”

“How old were you when he remarried?”

“Thirteen,” Charlotte said, some of the life fading from her. “He died when I was sixteen.”

“And you stayed with your stepmother?”

“I had nowhere else to go. Dad was an only child, as was my mother. My sole remaining relation is a cousin who is still in Africa doing missionary work.”

“Has Elizabeth always been so cold?”

“She changed after my father died. Before then I remember lots of laughter.”

“Grief affects people in different ways.”

“Yes.” A shudder went through Charlotte. “It was a dark period for everyone. Things improved once Gran moved from Taupo to live with us.”

“But?”

Charlotte laughed and the sound held little humor. “Elizabeth made it clear I had to pull my weight since she needed to go back to work.”

“Why didn’t you leave once you left school?”

“Someone needed to look after Gran, and better me than a stranger, so I volunteered. It wasn’t a difficult decision because I loved her, and Gran made sure Elizabeth gave me a little money once I took full responsibility for the household.” Her eyes were glassy when she looked at him, but she didn’t cry.

“I understand.” And he did. His father was healthy and independent, but if there came a time when he needed help, Ash would be there. He owed his father a lot. If his father had coddled him after his burns, let him withdraw from his friends and new experiences, he’d be a very different man now. “Would you like to go to the hotel? I’ve stayed there before. They have beautiful gardens and a spa pool with a view.”

Only half an hour later, Charlotte padded from the en suite, dressed in a royal-blue bikini. His breath emerged in a whoosh. “You look stunning.”

“I haven’t seen you clearly without a shirt before,” she said. “Turn around.”

Bemused, he turned as she bid.

She reached out to place the palm of her hand on his scarred torso. “You were lucky with your burns. I mean they must have been painful, but they’re not disgusting.”

“They don’t bother you?”

“I’d prefer you didn’t have them, only because I know how painful it is burning my hand on a hot pan. I don’t like thinking about how much you must have suffered, but I suspect their presence helped shape the man you are today.”

“No one has ever said that to me before.” Except his father.

She let her hand fall away from his scarred shoulder. “You promised to take me swimming.”

His gaze roved the curves of her breasts, her trim waist and the flare of her hips. “You expect me to concentrate on swimming when you look like that?”

“I look even better wet.” Her sassy wink zapped straight to his cock.

Charlotte fought to restrain her laughter and almost managed, keeping her merriment to an abrupt gurgle. The arrested expression on his face. The instant heat in his eyes. It warmed her from the top of her head to the tips of her bare toes. She thrust her feet into a pair of sandals and grabbed her bag, checking her sunglasses were inside. “Do we need to take towels with us?”

He cocked his head as if he were trying to decipher her, to search the inner workings of her mind. “No, they have plenty down by the pool.” With a subtle caress at her hip, he ushered her from their room.

“When are you going to tell me about the new campaigns you have for me to work on?”

“We can talk about them on the flight home,” he said, his hooded eyes hinting at other ways of filling in their spare hours. “Relax and enjoy yourself. They’ll have activities at the house for guests, and hopefully the business discussions won’t take long. Your bikini is going to drive me crazy.”

“Why? It’s very staid as far as bikinis go.”

“I haven’t seen you in good light before either,” he said. “Very remiss of me. I don’t usually jump women in dark hotel rooms or make love to them in street alleys.”

“I’m sorry for their loss. I found it most memorable, although I am looking forward to a bed. Can’t wait to grope you,” she added impishly. “Ever since our late-night phone call I’ve fantasized about what I could do with my mouth.”

“Have mercy, woman.” His plea was a warm burst of air across her earlobe. “I don’t want to embarrass myself in public.”

Her gaze slid across his chest, down the contours of his hard abs to the growing bulge behind his black swim shorts. “Smile and exert your charm. If they’re a woman, they might not notice your wee problem.”

Ash snorted. “Not so much of the small. You’re a hard woman, Charlotte Dixon.”

“I think you’ll find you’re the hard one, Ash Marlborough.”

“I foresee a gigantic splash in your future.”

“You wouldn’t toss me in the pool.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him. “Would you?”

“Minx, I should paddle your backside.” His gaze narrowed on her. “In fact I might just do that. Three, I think. Yes, I see three swats in your future.”

The threat should have scared her or at least dampened her ardor, but instead, liquid heat dampened her folds. Giggles tickled her throat, and she swallowed them down. Each of her senses sharpened, the sun, the heady scent of greenery and the balmy air making her feel the range of possibilities in the day. Ash’s presence drove away every scrap of loneliness.

Outside their private villa, they followed a hedge-lined path leading to the right. Gravel crunched beneath their feet and the musical tinkle of running water filled the air. The hedge came to an end, although the path continued. Mature trees, interspersed with tubs of purple and white flowers, provided cover from the sun.

“I can hear water, but I can’t see where the sound is coming from.”

“It’s a water feature,” he said, his hand at her back maintaining contact between them. “There’s another path on the other side of the hedge.”

The trees thinned out, giving way to a large open area, studded with loungers plus tables and chairs and a kidney-shaped pool sunk into the ground. A grin broke out as she paused to study the view of the valley beyond.

“Would you like to swim before relaxing in the spa pool?” he asked, indicating a spa pool and a small hut to their left. A pile of white-and-blue-striped towels were visible on shelves inside the hut.

“Swim, I think.”

“Good plan,” he said, glancing around for glimpses of other guests. “I need to deflate my erection before someone notices.”

“Oh, I noticed,” she said, letting her hand trail lower to rest on his hip. “I’m aquiver with anticipation. Should I grab some towels?”

“Please.” He dropped his phone and wallet on a sun bed, and she placed her bag on the lounger beside the one he’d chosen.

Before she was halfway to the tiny hut, he dived into the pool with the merest hint of a splash. She watched him cut through the water, his strokes strong and smooth. It was fun teasing him, and she was pleased he wasn’t reacting in a negative manner. She’d yet to hear him raise his voice or be anything less than charming to the people they met, and the tabloid press gave him enough provocation. After living with Elizabeth, his sunny mood was a pleasant change.

Back at the sun beds, she kicked off her shoes and strolled to the edge of the pool. Cool water lapped around her toes and she hurriedly withdrew her foot. “It’s cold.”

He swam over to her, his teeth a flash of white as he grinned up at her. “The water is the perfect temperature to cool libidos.”

She snorted and started to step away. “I’ll take your word for it.”

His hand curled around her ankle and he tugged. Her shriek and the mighty splash she made as she toppled into the pool combined with his uninhibited laughter. She came up spluttering.

“That was mean.”

“I intend to kiss it better.”

Before she could protest, he corralled her against the edge of the pool, his arms either side of her body. The determination and sheer need in his blue eyes held her still, then his mouth covered hers. It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t pretty. His kiss dominated her, made her aware of her femininity and his superior strength. It tossed her into a maelstrom of sensations—desire and desperate hunger. Charlotte melted against him, acknowledging the time for play was over. The steely length of Ash’s erection rubbed her lower stomach, propelling a tremor the length of her body.

“I want you inside me,” she whispered when their lips parted.

“Not yet,” he said. “You’ve teased me for the last hour. You will wait until we’ve warmed up in the spa.”

She pouted, running her fingers over his chest. Then she scraped her teeth along the tender skin of his neck. His soft gasp didn’t go unnoticed, and she took the next steps in their silent war to discover which of them would break first. She nibbled his earlobe and explored the shell of his ear with her tongue.

“Minx.”

He was on to her, delighting her with his quickness and the way he almost read her mind. She swiveled her hips, grinding against his erection, and he cursed softly.

“That’s it,” he said, dragging her toward the shallow end of the pool. “If we stay here much longer, I’m going to fuck you in public again. For a change, I want privacy and a massive, soft bed. Lots of naked skin.”

“Good idea,” she said, her tone serene, yet inside desire bubbled like a thermal mud pool—erratic and explosive. “Do you think it’s possible to die from sexual frustration?”

“Hell, yeah.”

She laughed at his heartfelt reply, exiting the pool with a swagger of hips. His touch on her arm burned, the inferno spreading to her breasts. Her nipples tingled, and a piercing ache sprang to life between her legs. Ash wrapped a towel around his waist, grabbed his possessions and hustled her back to their room.

Inside their villa, he locked the door, the clunk of the lock a statement of intent. She expected him to jump her then, manhandle her to the bed and take her in a frenzy of urgency.

Instead he unwrapped the towel from his waist and wiped her dry. He unclipped her bikini top, letting it drop to the floor while he dabbed the water from her breasts. Gently he toweled her hair, blotting the worst of the dampness from the long locks. She stood silently, quivering beneath his touch, swallowing as he tugged her bikini briefs down her legs. He dried her legs, her back, her bottom.

Once he was satisfied she was dry, he turned his attention to himself, roughly dragging a fresh towel across his skin. He dropped the towel on the floor with their swimsuits. Only then did he concentrate on her—a long look that sent her insides swirling. He kissed her gently, yet it was the caress of a lover—thorough and deep but way too brief.

His fingers curled around hers and he led her to the bed. One second she was standing and the next she was draped over his knee, staring at the thick creamy-beige carpet. She sucked in a breath, too startled to do anything except squeak. His large hand cupped her bottom, running his callused palm over the smooth skin. He rubbed her buttocks, his fingers smoothing back and forth.

Whack!

The crack of Ash’s hand across her ass took her by surprise. She jolted, but he held her fast with firm hands. Before she could catalogue the pain, the sensations that roared across her ass, two more smacks followed swiftly on the heels of the first. Heat bloomed on her skin, quickly merging with the burst of discomfort, the stroke of his fingers stirring unexpected pleasure. He leaned over and she felt a moist sensation.

She frowned over her shoulder. “Did you just lick me?”

“I did. Should I do it again?”

“Well, it wasn’t horrible. The licking, I mean. The spanking—”

“I told you I’d spank you.” He turned her on his lap until he cradled her in his arms. “It’s important to carry through on threats. Some women enjoy being spanked.” His eyes danced with amusement, making her realize that compared to him she lacked experience.

An inelegant snort erupted from her. “The jury is out on spanking.” Yet despite the crack of pain, he hadn’t hurt her and now an insistent ache filled her sex. She raised her head, silently requesting a kiss, and he obliged. Her heart soared as their tongues tangled and his hand smoothed over her naked back.

Still kissing her, he lifted her and set her on the bed, following her down.

“Damn,” he muttered. “Let me get some condoms before we get comfortable.”

She glanced down at her naked body. “I’d say we’re pretty comfortable already.”

He rolled to his feet and crouched by his bag, returning in seconds. “All set. Now where were we?”

“We’ve done the spanking part already,” she said hurriedly. “You need to start at the kissing stage. You’re good at that.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled, and his chuckle emerged laced with sin. With one quick move, he loomed over her, his arms holding his weight. Unafraid, she scanned his face, his chest, committing his body to memory.

“You should go without clothes more often.” Charlotte lifted her hand and ran it across one pectoral muscle.

“You make me laugh. I liked that about you from the moment we met.” Then before she could reply, he kissed her with rough abandon. His hands shaped her breasts, rolling one of her nipples between finger and thumb.

She tore her mouth away from his, gasping, arching her body against his in a demand for more. “Please,” she whispered, reinforcing her actions with words. The ache between her legs was growing more insistent, and she wriggled beneath him, attempting to guide his cock right where she wanted it.

Instead, he moved down the bed, the wet pull of his mouth at her breast distracting her.

“That feels good, Ash.” An understatement. Each touch pushed a wave of warmth into the hollow of emptiness inside her. He made her feel special, important. He made her feel wanted. Needed even. And his touch. She hadn’t realized how much her spirit had craved physical contact with another person.

He lifted his head with a faint pop as he released her nipple. His eyes were dark, his jaw shaded with stubble. Unable to help herself, she reached out in return, her trembling fingers smoothing across his cheek.

“You’re going to spoil me for other men,” she murmured.

His gaze narrowed, his body going taut. “I thought you liked me.”

“I do.” She patted his cheek again, testing the stubble beneath the pads of her fingertips. “But you’ll get tired of me. Don’t worry. I’m not going to get clingy. We’re just having fun. I know that.”

“You talk too much,” he snapped, and stymied any hope of further discussion with his mouth. His lovemaking took on a harder edge, but she gloried in his expertise. His hands forced hers to the mattress and stopped her from touching or responding to his strokes.

They were both breathing hard when Ash reached for a condom. He made quick work of rolling the latex along his shaft and pushing strongly into her. Charlotte gripped his shoulders and cried out as he set up a rapid rhythm of thrust and withdraw. Each surge pushed at her, tossed her into a sea of pleasure, his grip holding her safe until a final hard stroke brushed her clit at the perfect angle. She cried out, shattering under his touch, her climax pulsing for ages until she drifted back down.

Above her, Ash tempered his thrusts until she recovered. With pleasure lapping her senses, all she could think was how lucky she was to have met him at a time when she needed to find herself again.

Ash started to move faster, buffeting her body with his controlled strength. His mouth closed over hers, and he drank in her cry when another series of spasms struck her out of the blue. A long, masculine groan filled the room, and he stilled, eyes closed, his face contorted in a mask of pleasure.

Long seconds later, his eyes popped open, and they stared at each other. He smiled, smoothing the hair off her face. “That was worth waiting for.”

She grinned up and him, and he kissed her tenderly before pulling out of her and disposing of the condom. He pressed his lips to her cheek, the corners of his eyes crinkling in silent humor when she yawned. “Why don’t you have a snooze?”

Without waiting for her agreement, he swept back the bed covers and lifted her. He whipped the duvet over her, kissed her cheek again and said, “I need to make a couple of phone calls. Sleep because I intend to keep you awake late into the night.”

* * * * *

On Saturday, they left the villa and drove to the property owned by Ash’s client on the outskirts of Clare. As they rounded the corner and the house came into view, a gasp escaped her. “It’s beautiful.” She stared wide-eyed at the mansion nestled at the foot of a hill amongst trees. It wouldn’t have looked out of place in a documentary about English manors.

“It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?” Ash glanced at her with a faint smile. “The Matheson family has lived here for several generations. The original Matheson came to New Zealand from England. The story goes he was a black sheep, and his family shipped him down here to avoid a scandal.”