Chapter Fourteen
Cassie slid a sideways glance at Hone. The motel—no, it was a hotel, really—was gorgeous with views over the sea, even from the car park. Perched on a hill, with a track down to a secluded beach and lots of privacy, it was ideal. Romantic even.
Even as she thought that, Hone reached for her hand and twined their fingers together. Her heart went pitter-patter and a shot of desire pierced her belly.
“Is this okay?”
“It’s perfect.”
“Good. Still want to share that bed with me?”
“Yes.”
“Now?”
Cassie turned, noticed the hint of color in his cheeks, the absence of his usual grin. “Yes.” She didn’t try to play games or act coy. Not when she wanted him. Bad.
Hone lifted her hand and kissed the back of it, his lips branding her skin and driving heat to the heart of her. “Let’s get the bags and check in.”
Their room lived up to the promise of the exterior of the hotel. The main building housed reception, the restaurant and a small gift shop while the majority of the rooms were bungalows, located a distance apart to give the occupants privacy. A large bed drew her attention, the plain white covers and paua-shell throw—the combination of teal, turquoise, blues and pinks giving a shot of color—more inviting to her than the stunning view.
Hone set down the bags. He took off his hat and sunglasses, purpose in each careful action.
When she stared at him, he removed her hat and glasses. “I can’t see you as well now.”
“You don’t need to see for what we’re about to do.” His husky voice promised all sorts of sensual pleasures. “You want this, right?”
“Yes.” She never hesitated. She intended to have hot, naked sex with Hone Taniwha without any commitment between them. She hadn’t even slept with Kevin for the first three months of their official dating relationship. Stern warnings from her mother crept through her mind—about milk and cows. She flipped them off and took the hand Hone extended to her.
For once, she intended to please herself, and Hone pleased her very much.
His fingers tightened around hers, and a shiver—the pleasurable sort—frisked her nerve-endings. She sucked in a quick breath, puffed it back out.
Hone paused. “Are you scared of me? Because you needn’t be. I’d never hurt you.”
Physically, maybe. But when he cut her loose… She accepted the truth—Emma had warned her, and she’d decided she could live with the fallout. Shewouldcope with the aftermath, because for once, she was following her heart instead of her mother’s strictures.
Summoning her inner siren, she spread her arms wide, did a little wiggle of her hips. “Shut up and kiss me, Hone.”
She thought he’d pounce, but he surprised her. With his gaze locked on her face the entire time, he drew her nearer until the tips of her breasts brushed his chest. His eyes glowed with a strange red light that should’ve scared her. Instead, his intensity pleased her, made her feel desirable.
His lips brushed hers, gentle as a butterfly, yet packing more power than any other kiss she’d received. Her lids fluttered shut, enclosing her in a world of sensation. The whisper of his hands over her shoulders and back as he fitted their bodies together. The press of his lips as he deepened the kiss. The scent of soap and aftershave. The shift of his muscles beneath her fingertips.
Then his lips were gone.
Confused, she opened her eyes to greet the reddish heat reflected in his brown irises and his quizzical gaze.
“What?” she whispered, frightened to break the fragile peace in her heart.
“I want to take off your clothes, see those luscious curves of yours, touch them.”
Cassie issued a happy sigh and released her inner tension. The open window faced the sea, and although it was designed for privacy with a gray tint, light still blazed into the room. He’d see her. All of her. She sucked in her tummy as every insecurity and Kevin’s complaints about her size whacked her over the head.
No, dammit. She refused to let her fears spoil this moment. She chose to believe Hone desired her and everyone else could go hang while she enjoyed the hell out of the coming bout of sex.
“You go right ahead,” she pushed out, striving for a sexy purr. Her words emerged on the croaky side, but Hone didn’t hesitate.
After another whisper-soft kiss that left her craving more, he turned her and slid down the zipper at the back of her dress. Her bodice gaped, and she fought the impulse to catch it and hide her breasts.
