Authors: Cathryn Fox
L
auren was already
a couple of days into her vacation, and instead of feeling relaxed and refreshed, she felt so restless, edgy and goddamn horny, she needed to take matters into her own hands. She kicked off her covers and cursed under her breath.
Hours earlier she’d fallen into a fitful sleep, throughout which sensually charged dreams intruded on her slumber, snapping her awake and leaving her hovering on the brink of an orgasm. Now, feeling needy and unfulfilled, her sex muscles were pulsing, demanding she do something about her current state of arousal.
Lauren slipped her hand between her legs, pulled open her blood-swollen lips and stroked her sopping-wet clit. As need drove her actions, her slow caresses became faster and more urgent. Her fingers picked up tempo, her breathing deepened and in no time at all her artful ministrations took her over the edge. A low moan crawled out of her throat as she rolled to her side and curled up, savoring each glorious, orgasmic pulse. After the tremors subsided, she blew a slow breath and stretched, noting with dismay that despite her efforts she still felt restless and needy…for a man’s touch.
Damn, this magical island really was playing havoc with her libido. Not to mention Ryan Thomas. She was pretty sure the cock thrusting inside her during her erotic dream had belonged to him. Her body trembled and she drew a centering breath. She wouldn’t have expected that a man she’d just met and had barely seen over the last couple of days could arouse such a fierce need in her.
God, that dream had felt so real. So raw, so wild and so damn delicious. Her skin flushed in remembrance and her body buzzed with pent-up need, aching to discover whether Ryan was as good in real life as he was in her dream.
It had to be his magnetic, animalistic lure that got under her skin and had her reacting like a wild, wanton woman. Either that or she really, really hadn’t been fucked in a long time, and one glimpse of a hot, physically appealing hunk had awakened all her desires. Her mind raced as she wondered what it would be like to explore a rich, decadent affair with him.
With her body still burning from the inside out, Lauren let out a long-suffering sigh and wiped her damp brow. The air-conditioned cabana did little to help tamp down this kind of fever. Angling her head, she glanced at the clock and groaned out loud. Here she was, wide awake, and it was still hours before sunrise.
She decided she’d be better off getting out of bed and walking off her sexual frustration before she ended up with a throbbing headache. Lord knows one throbbing body part was enough for the day.
She climbed from the bed, pulled on her shorts and tank top, slipped into her flip-flops and padded to her door. Before she stepped outside, she grabbed her favorite pink Chicago Bears ball cap and covered her long, untamed hair. She didn’t expect to bump into anyone at this time of night, but still…
She made her way to the ocean, confident that a dip in the cool water would help douse the flames inside her. The light from the crescent moon overhead glistened on the spray and lit a pathway along the sandy shore as she walked. She dipped her toes into the Pacific and stood there soaking in the breathtaking scenery. Waves lapped at her feet and slapped against the rocks a few feet away from her. When she tipped her face to the moon, a gust of wind rolled in on a wave and blew her hat off her head.
She reached for it but was too late. It sailed away on the breeze and landed on one of the many footpaths leading up the mountain.
Lauren folded her arms and pursed her lips, debating her next move. She could wait until dawn to venture into the dark jungle, but by then her hat could be long gone. And, dammit, she loved that hat.
Gathering her bravado, she moved toward the jungle, wishing she had one of those cool flashlight pens like the one Abby always carried in her beach bag.
She squinted in an effort to see better and then stepped into the mouth of the dimly lit path. She glanced around, but the canopy of leaves high overhead prohibited the moonbeams from breaking through. “Where the hell is it?” she cursed.
She took one cautious step farther on the path and glanced up when she caught the outline of someone blocking the walkway. Someone big.
Her heart picked up tempo as she struggled to see in the darkened jungle.
The shadows masking his identity made it impossible to discern his features. She could make out only his silhouette in the darkness. But his scent, his impressive size and his muscular physique told her that he was a man.
And she knew of only one man with a hard body like that.
Fighting a sudden surge of nervousness, she said, “Good evening,” for lack of anything else, then added, “I lost my ball cap, and since it’s my favorite hat I didn’t want to wait until morning to look for it. I figure by then it will be long gone.” She was rambling, she knew, but couldn’t seem to stop herself.
He grunted something incoherent and advanced with purpose. His actions completely caught her off guard. In the next instant he was beside her, his hands on her hips. Taking her by surprise, he leaned forward, put his nose to her neck and inhaled. A low growl of longing crawled out of his throat. She fumbled backwards, her entire body stiffening.
He slipped one arm around her waist to anchor her to him, helping her gain her balance. “Easy,” he whispered into her ear, his hot breath burning her skin.
Despite the way he’d purposely deepened his tone, that one simple word had given away his identity, confirming that it was indeed Ryan standing over her. She starched her spine and wondered what kind of game he was playing.
“What—”
He cut her off and spoke in whispered words, “Shh… Don’t be afraid.” His voice was soothing, coaxing and so damn hypnotic it pulled her under into a current of need and desire. His knuckles brushed over her cheek. “You’re in safe hands.” His deep tenor reverberated through her blood, and an unexpected curl of heat moved through her body. By small degrees her body relaxed. Ryan anchored her to him until skin touched skin. She became aware of his heat, and the passion rising in him.
He inhaled her scent again, like she was a female animal in heat, and growled. She couldn’t deny that there was something very sensual and raw in his actions.
He leaned over her, and in a voice that was soft yet authoritative he said, “I can smell your desire, little one, and I’m going to take care of you.”
She swallowed, hard, knowing he wasn’t asking for permission, but instead telling her he was going to remedy her sexual longings. Every delicious one of them.
Holy hell!
She couldn’t deny that she wanted this, wanted him, but she was also intelligent enough to know that he was purposely keeping his identity camouflaged. But why?
“I’m going to explore your entire body, and pleasure you like you’ve never been pleasured before. I’m going to make you come over and over again, and just when you think you can’t take anymore, I’m going to fuck you until you come completely apart in my arms.”
She trembled, but it wasn’t from anxiety. Her knees wobbled with excitement, her pussy aching for this man’s intimate touch. As her skin came alive, her breasts swelled and her nipples hardened in euphoric bliss. Suddenly, the air around them was charged with sexual electricity.
Filled with arousal, but not fear, she decided to play along, to see where this led them. She drew a fortifying breath and tilted her chin. “I’m not afraid,” she murmured, glancing upward to see the outline of her ball cap on his head.
Her body stirred to life as he began circling her. He moved restlessly, like an animal marking its prey. She could feel the raw hunger emanating from him.
Walking slowly yet deliberately, he kept a tight berth and positioned his mouth so close to her flesh that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck. It burned through her skin and sizzled right down to her toes.
She stood watching him in speechless fascination. His primitive movements made her believe he was more animal than man. She couldn’t fathom how much the thought excited her. As though attuned to her needs, he acted like he was about to launch himself on her and ravage her body, caveman style. With desire clouding her thoughts, her skin tightened and her pussy dripped in heated anticipation.
It suddenly occurred to her that Ryan had taken on the role of her very own jungle lord, her Tarzan. Her heart pounded with excitement. How did he know? Had he overheard her at the Pleasure Pool?
She took in his magnificent stature and inhaled, filling her lungs with his earthy aroma. When Ryan grunted and brushed up against her, his primal essence completely overwhelmed her, making it near impossible to move, to protest, if she had wanted to, but she was quite certain she didn’t want to.
She narrowed her eyes and tried desperately to see his face, wishing like hell she’d had the foresight to grab a flashlight.
His hands, warm and strong, gripped her shoulders and pulled her from the beaten path. In a protective manner, one hand slid to hers and tugged, signaling his intent. Even though she knew she was acting out of character, primitive need propelled her forward. Abandoning any rational thought, she blindly followed, unsure how he could negotiate the dark forest when she couldn’t see a thing. He either had excellent night vision or knew these woods like the backs of his hands.
They never spoke as he navigated them along a path less traveled. In a move that seemed to come naturally to him, he pulled her tight to his back, safeguarding her against the elements. His considerate actions told her this wild man had strength of character, and integrity. So different from the city animals she was used to.
She listened to the rustle of leaves as he cleared the branches from the trail. A moment later he stopped and turned to face her. His spicy, animalistic scent hit her like a powerful aphrodisiac.
His hands crushed through her hair as he grabbed her locks and pulled her head back, exposing the long column of her neck to him. A strange, primal, possessive growl ripped from his lungs. None too gently, he pulled her to him, his warm lips connecting with the hollow of her throat. He moved his mouth lower, trailing his tongue down her neck to the crevice between her breasts. Taking a deep breath, he drew in her scent and licked her nipples through her T-shirt.
As he unleashed himself on her, her body spasmed with pleasure. Blistering heat exploded inside her, and she knew she wanted this as much as he did.
When she was no longer able to fight down her carnal cravings, she reached out to him, connecting her hand with a bare, rock-hard chest. Moaning her approval, she palmed his sinewy muscles. Her entire body quivered.
He stood to his full height and adjusted his footing, locking her legs between his, holding her in place. She could feel his cock pressing against her body. Almost dizzy with want, she tilted her chin upward, needing in some unfathomable way for him to claim her mouth the same way he was claiming her body.
When firm and hungry lips crashed down on hers, her senses exploded with an intensity that nearly drove her to her knees. Her legs wobbled and she locked them to keep herself upright. His soft tongue lashed out and tangled with hers, taking, demanding, never asking. Good God, never in her life had she experienced anything so wild or exciting.
When he broke the kiss, he left her breathless. She licked the moisture from her plump, kiss-swollen lips and savored the sweet taste of his mouth.
Seeking pleasure, she let her hands roam over his hard muscles. His flesh rippled beneath her touch. Her hands roamed lower to discover that he wore jeans. She opened the button and slipped one hand inside.
“Oh, God,” she said when her palm connected with his hard cock. “I want to see you,” she murmured, stroking him once, then twice, brushing her thumb over the slit, dipping into the liquid arousal pearling on the tip.
He sucked in a tight breath and slipped his hand under her T-shirt, scattering her thoughts. She moaned and rubbed her pussy against him.
In one fluid movement, he tore her shirt off and tossed it aside. He pitched his voice low and growled into her ear, “Feel, don’t think.” With that he began to rock against her hand, his cock thickening with each stroke.
Deciding to abandon thought, she gave herself over to her desires and concentrated only on the erotic pleasures he was offering her.
He brushed his fingers over her flesh and palmed her curves. Her nipples quivered, demanding more. Her hand slipped from his pants when he dropped to his knees before her. Pressing his nose to her flesh, he inhaled deeply. Her aroused scent saturated the air. The sweet aroma drove them both into a sexual frenzy. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her.
Her jungle lord, her Tarzan, angled his head to position his mouth near her breasts. Flicking his tongue out, he circled her pale mounds, the blade of his tongue slowly approaching her engorged peaks.
“Take me,” she murmured as she thrust her chest forward. That first sweet touch of tongue to nipple bombarded her body with lust. He blew a heated breath over her wet bud and then drew it into his mouth for a deeper, more thorough taste. His mouth closed around her extended nipple and bit down until she cried out in pain and pleasure. He changed tactics to give her a reprieve, kissing, licking and soothing her tight bud. She exhaled a shuddery breath and quivered in erotic delight. His hands continued to move over her soft contours while he began ravishing every speck of her needy body like a wild beast marking its mate.
Lust thickened her voice as heat burned through her veins. “Yes,” she cried out, arching into his touch. “More.” Hunger clawed at her insides and she became pliant in his arms. It was almost frightening the way she needed to feel him consume her.
With little finesse, he ripped her shorts from her hips, exposing her wet, naked pussy. He slid his hands around her body and cradled her backside. When he kneaded her tender flesh, she drove her pelvis against him and widened her stance in silent invitation. He growled his approval and his hands tracked the pattern of her curves, going lower to trail between her breasts, and over her flat stomach, coming to rest on her mound. Deft fingers skimmed her folds and dipped into her wetness. Her pussy muscles began to undulate, begging to be stroked deeply where she needed it the most.