‘I know that, and I promise you I wasn’t considering ending it all – I was just… well, I was embarrassed, and it sort of paralysed me. It seemed easier to stand still than to move. Anyway. Thank you. That was frightening. I’m sorry.’
He reaches out and tucks a damp strand of hair behind my ear. It startles me, and he says: ‘Don’t keep apologising. It’s okay. You made me feel macho.’
‘Well, yes. That’s actually the only reason I did it… and at least the night ended with both of us taking our clothes off, even if it’s not quite the way I planned.’
I grimace as I speak, suddenly back in that awful moment – the moment when I offered myself to this man, and he wasn’t interested. My life hasn’t been entirely free of rejection, but that was a real humdinger.
He looks thoughtful, and shifts his weight so he’s facing me. His blanket is pastel pink, which lessens the macho effect, but the glimpse of muscle beneath it balances everything out perfectly.
‘Look, I owe you an apology too,’ he says, his eyes meeting mine. ‘I didn’t handle that well. I don’t handle most things well,if they don’t involve a gun, a wrench or an engine. I was flattered, really. But we barely know each other.’
‘Maybe. Technically. But we’ve shared an intense time together, and I know I’ve talked more to you over the last couple of days than I’ve talked to anyone for a while. I think we’ve… bonded. But again, I’m sorry to have put you in that position. I didn’t explain myself well. That was the only time I’ve ever made the first move on a man, and clearly it’s not my forte.’
His eyes roam to my lips, and his expression is so intense it feels like he’s touching them. ‘I didn’t do so well myself. And, just out of interest, what exactly were you suggesting?’
I gulp at the spark in his blue eyes, the way I can feel his body pressed close to mine. Does he really want to know? Dare I risk explaining?
‘I was suggesting a… um… mutually beneficial arrangement, over a short-term period of time.’
He grins and shakes his head. ‘You sound like an attorney.’
‘I do, don’t I? Must be from watching all those episodes ofLaw & Order. Look…’
Am I really going to do this? What if it sounds like I’m flinging myself at this man I just met, only to be knocked back, yet again? It makes no sense to even consider this. But the way Brody’s looking at me, the way he scooped me out of the sea, the way he insisted I wrap myself in blankets… I feel safe, now, to tell him what I was thinking. The moment is over, and I can explain like a normal person, with no expectations that anything will happen.
‘I find you really attractive. And we’re on holiday, where traditionally romances can occur. And we won’t ever see each other again at the end of it, because you’ll be flying back to Chicago to watch the Antelopes?—’
‘Bears.’
‘If you insist. So I suppose I had this crazy idea that we could enjoy each other for the next few weeks. It’s been too long for me, and possibly for you too. But I recognise now that it was ridiculous, and also presumptuous – just because I fancy you doesn’t mean you feel the same way, I know. No harm done, so please, let’s forget all about it…’
He’s staring at me with a frown, and I clamp my mouth shut. I sip some brandy, and wonder when I can escape and go to bed.
‘You think I don’t find you attractive?’ he says slowly.
‘I assume not, based on how horrified you looked earlier.’
‘That wasn’t horror, Kate. That was shock. And you’re right, I think we have bonded, and maybe that’s what was worrying me. I’ve been alone for years, and I don’t know how to deal with this level of intimacy. But as for me not “fancying” you?’ He stresses the word and I have to admit it sounds both hilarious and adorable in his accent. ‘You’re dead wrong there. You’re beautiful, Kate.’
‘No I’m not!’ I protest, blushing again. ‘Please don’t try and make me feel better – it’s okay!’
He takes the glass from my hands, and places it down on the table. Then he holds my palm up to his mouth, and kisses it, so gently it’s a barely-there whisper of his lips. Barely there, but enough to send sensations rocketing through my whole body. I gasp, and he gazes at me, his eyes heavy-lidded, his breath ragged.
‘You’re beautiful,’ he says again, voice low and firm. ‘Every damn inch of you.’
‘You haven’t seen every inch of me…’
His hands come up to cup my face, long, strong fingers enclosing my skin, tilting my jaw so I’m looking up at him. Looking up at eyes that are now inches away from mine. Every cell in my body is screaming for him to kiss me, every doubtgone, every concern erased from my mind. Seconds ago I was feeling humiliated, and now all I’m feeling is need.
He strokes his thumb across my lips, leans down, and replaces it with his mouth. It’s a soft and tender thing to start with, both of us exploring new territory, his fingers sliding into my hair and holding me in place.
It builds faster than wildfire, though, consuming everything in its path until all that matters in the world is his mouth, his tongue, his touch. The flimsy blanket that separates my naked body from him. My hands slide onto his shoulders, pulling down the covers and glorying in the feel of his body – hard muscle, soft skin, all of it delicious. I sigh as he moves his mouth to my neck, kissing and nuzzling and driving me crazy. I pull him closer, tugging him down until he’s on top of me, his powerful form pinning me to the sofa.
‘God, you taste amazing,’ he murmurs, his tongue leaving hot trails on my skin as he kisses his way back to my lips. His hand runs up my side, and I almost explode as it reaches my breasts. Stroking, teasing, until my nipple is a tortured peak beneath his fingertips. He lowers his head, takes it into his mouth, and I feel dizzy as he plays with me. Everything feels unreal, hazy, and I’m eaten alive with want. I’ve never felt anything like it in my life. I couldn’t stop this even if I wanted to.
‘Brody,’ I mutter. ‘Please. I need…’
‘I know, baby,’ he whispers, coming up to face me. ‘I know you do. And so do I. But not tonight, Kate. Not tonight.’
