Camila shrugged. “That’s okay. I snuck in a quick little break too.”
James caught hints of mint on her breath, and smiled.Please say she’s got the same thing in mind.
But how on earth were they going to jump into this? Duke was right—James reallyhadlost his mojo. Even still, he wasn’t used to sitting down next to a woman one minute and trying to make out with her the very next.Don’t overthink it, James.
“I’m really glad this yacht trip came up, and that you agreed to come along,” he said. “I know that, at the Villa, I’ve been sort of hot and cold.”
She lifted a brow, the smallest hint of a grin working onto her face. “Maybe a little.”
Her candor sparked an honest explanation. One he hadn’t planned on sharing. “That’s because I was attracted to you. And I didn’t want to be.” His pulse spiked.
Camila’s cheeks turned pink. “Hmm…And now?”
James’ chest grew tight as he pulled in a breath. “I still am. More so, of course, since I’ve gotten to know you.”
He realized there was more to say, mainly about his reluctance over those feelings. “I don’t have reservations any more though. I think that, if we wanted to, we could actuallyhave a relationship—a very good one. And I like that.”
James studied her expression as his words hung in the air. Her brow lifted. Not the flirtatious lift over just one eye, but the even raise across her entire brow. She was surprised by what he’d shared.
A gulp sank past his tightened throat.
It took only a second for that expression to shift. The soft pull at one corner of her lips. The appearance of that dimple in her cheek. And suddenly, he was soaring with the evening birds on the wind.
She grinned. “I like that, too.” Her gaze fell to his lips.
James could hardly believe the moment was real. This woman who was warming up to him had despised him just a few days ago. And now…
He leaned in, barely pausing to feel the heat of her breath, and pressed a kiss to her silky lips. Once, twice.
Her lips parted as he came in again—this time for a slow and lingering kiss.
So good.
Heat stirred low in his belly as he kissed her once more, settling into a pace of sweet succession. A push and pull like the tide. James could spend a lifetime here in this place, soaking in the sensation of her mouth on his. It was the closest thing to heaven he’d known.
Camila slipped her hand up the back of his head, fisting his hair along the way. It reminded him of their time at the beach, the alluring action that caused him to kiss her in the first place.
A thrill of triumph rushed through him. Later, he’d think about the fact that he’d almost missed out on this. About how—had he not taken Duke’s advice—he may have never seen Camila again. But for now, James would focus on the moment. It was, like she’d said, a gift, and he planned to enjoy it.
* * *
Never had kissing felt like this before. James Benton was talented in many ways, but this—his ability to lure her under a spell with his masterful mouth—might be his greatest talent of all.
And his hands. The way his warm palms gently cradled her neck. Or wrapped solidly around her hips as he pulled her onto his lap. Camila knew the moment couldn’t last forever, but in her memory it would. She’d never forget the effects of his kiss. Tender and teasing one moment, persuasive and urgent the next. And no matter the pace, fused with a passion she hadn’t known.
She had to say goodnight and go back to her room, she knew that much, but ending such a moment was no easy feat.A few more minutes,she promised herself.Then I’ll say goodnight.
A whimper fell from her lips as she gave into the passion once more, tipping her head to one side while his lips moved to her throat. He planted a trail of kisses down the curve of her neck, up and over her shoulder, his warm breath teasing her skin along the way.
“Camila,” he mumbled just behind her ear. “I think we should say goodnight now.” He planted a small kiss by her earlobe.
Her brows lifted. Part of the spell did too, allowing her to recognize what he was doing. Finding the will she hadn’t yet summoned. “You’re right,” she said with a nod.
James hands circled her waist as he came in for another kiss, this one to her lips. Her thoughts went flying yet again. Why say goodnight when the going wassovery good? A rush of that powerful euphoria came back with a vengeance.
Thatwas why.
She couldn’t let herself get carried away. And something told her, in their physical connection alone, that James could be very convincing if he wanted to be.
