HOOKED ON YOU (Paradise Cove) (10 page)

“I could have worked for my dad’s art gallery, but this suits me better,” Colt offered in response.

“How come you never told me about this stuff? You’ve never mentioned your dad.” Taylor gazed at him, wanting to know more.

“He’s dead. Nothing to tell.”

Jamie came up and joined them. “Hi, Taylor.” He put out a hand to Jack. “My name’s Jamie.”

“Jack Warner.” He smiled at the boy. “Your mom didn’t come with you tonight?”

“No. They’re divorced.” Jamie shrugged. “She’s a nurse in the ER. Dates a doctor, but I don’t like him much.”

Taylor winced at the boy’s statement. Though she’d lost her dad through death and not divorce, she remembered her mom dating, not always successfully, before Anna had found their step-dad. She reached out for his hand. “Jamie, did you get some of those deep fried fish bites? They’re delicious with the cilantro lime sauce.”

“No. They musta been all gone.”

Taylor stood up. “I’ll just run back to the house and bring out another platter,” she said, ignoring Jack’s head-shake. “Gotta take care of our guests,” she said, looking at the two tables who were chatting together. Carole seemed more animated tonight, sitting with the men from the tournament.

“I’ll help,” Colt said, taking her elbow and leading her away.

When they were out of hearing distance he turned to her. “Alone at last.”

She tore her elbow from his grip. “Why did you come tonight? When you didn’t show last night I figured you’d got the message.”

“What message is that?” His eyes were steady on hers.

He looked impossibly handsome all of a sudden. Clean-shaven, enticing cologne. A cocky smile on his face. New clothes that made him look different—like a man who wanted the same things she did. Someone who wasn’t content to just drift along without a care in the world.

“You know.” Her head snapped up. “You stepped out of line. I’m entitled to a life. Matter-of-fact, Jack and I are going to Lazy’s tonight. It should be fun.”

“Did you sleep with him today? I saw you go into Rhapsody together.” His jaw clenched. “In the middle of the afternoon.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop. “Tell me you didn’t.”

“It’s none of your business. I won’t answer your question because it’s ridiculous. I was showing him to his cabin. He’s staying tonight and possibly tomorrow.”

“So you didn’t?” His face relaxed and he let out a long breath. His eyes grew soft as they looked at her. “I could kiss you right now.”

“You better not.”

He did anyway. She stood rigid in his arms, not moving and not offering anything back. He didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he was determined to see how far he could go.

His hands ran up and down her bare arms. His mouth fit over hers, slanting one way then another, soft one moment, increasing the pressure the next. His lips were warm, moist, tasting sweet as honey. She willed herself not to feel anything. He was not the right man for her. She loved him like a brother. She wouldn’t kiss her brother.

I’m not enjoying this, she told herself. Then before she could guard against it, his tongue slid her lips apart and he was in. The jolt of electricity shot right through her. It was like a lightning strike and yet the skies were clear.

She gasped in shock and frantically pushed him away.

“I’ve got to go. The fish bites.” Then she dashed off, afraid that if she’d stayed another minute she would want to stay longer.

CHAPTER SEVEN

During dinner Jack had been his amusing self. She had listened to him talk about people they both once knew, and telling her antics about the fishing trip with Joey had cracked her up. He was the perfect companion, charming, knowledgeable, self-assured. They sucked back a dozen Oysters Moscow with horseradish sauce, topped with caviar. Two shots of iced Russian vodka had helped the oysters go down. Then came the fresh lobster dipped in lemon butter, and the grouper as well.

Stuffed to the gills, she leaned back in her chair and just looked at Jack and listened to him speak. He was a natural leader, a king among men. He was very adept at keeping a one-way conversation going as she attempted to do her part. Laughed at the right moment, asked the right questions, and stayed present.

Whatever was the matter with her, she wanted it to go away. She tried. She really did.

They sipped on their wine and watched the sunset in all its glory. The vivid hues had colored the sky like an artist’s brush, then faded to pink and mauve swirls as the red-tinted sun settled over the ocean. A soft warm breeze stirred the air. It couldn’t have been a more perfect setting. A more perfect night.

Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. She was having the most wonderful dinner with this really great guy, but she had to force her laughter and work up a smile.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes.” She sighed, misty-eyed. The sunset had moved her as it always did. It made her emotional, feeling vulnerable, a little out of control. It talked to her senses, and overruled her head. “It’s the sunset. Gets me every time.”

Jack nodded and reached across their chairs to squeeze her hand. “It’s incredible. So beautiful.”

She wasn’t sure if he meant the sunset or her. Her emotions were all over the place, wanting this, wanting that. Right now she wanted him to kiss her—to know how his kiss would taste and feel.

Would it stir her like Colt’s? Would it be as deliciously sweet, as enticing and exciting? She hadn’t expected to like Colt’s kisses quite so much. Oh, she knew they would be good, after all he’d had plenty of practice, but they were better than good. They were yummy, like a sweet, ripe peach. Decadent, and left you wanting more.

She’d done the right thing by running off like that. Imagine if she’d stayed? Why, anything could have happened, and then what would she have done with poor Jack?

Oh, why was she thinking of Colt right now? Jack had shown her a wonderful time. They’d had a lovely dinner, and he was looking at her like he’d enjoy kissing her too.

Guilt made her voice sweeter than ever. “It really is so good to be here with you tonight. Maybe we should get the tab, then go for a stroll down the beach. Or have a nightcap in your room. What do you think?”

He looked at her, his eyes lingering on her mouth. He stroked the stem of his wineglass, and she wondered how those hands would feel stroking her. “We could, but I have a feeling your mind might be elsewhere.”

“Where else? I want to be with you.” She bobbed her head up and down. “I really do.” If she said it often enough, perhaps she could make it true.

“You sure about that?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” She glanced away, and fiddled with the napkin in her lap. “I think.”

He laughed. “You are delightful, you really are.” He put his hand over hers. “Relax. Enjoy your glass of wine. What happens later will unfold the way it should. Don’t try to plan it or think too much. Go with the flow.”

Go with the flow. Easy for him to say. She was trying to embark on a journey she’d never taken before. A one-nighter with a guy she doubted she’d ever see again. Sex for the sake of sex. How unlike her!

She took a sip from her Chardonnay and put the glass down. “You’re right. I always have to micromanage everything. That’s just my style. I’m not exactly what one would call spontaneous. But I do know that I want you to kiss me.”

“Lean over.”

“Right here?”

“Sure. Why not?” He leaned across the table, and feeling kind of stupid she did the same. His lips brushed hers, but it wasn’t a real kiss. Not the kind she was looking for.

“Thanks.” She licked her lips, feeling a little deflated.

“You’re welcome.” His eyes lit up. “You finished with your dinner? You didn’t eat much.”

“I know. The oysters filled me up.”

“No one can get full on oysters. No matter how they dress them up.”

She tossed her long hair off her shoulders. “Too many fish bites then. I ate almost three.”

“You shared them with me.”

“So I did.” She peeked at him. “They were good, weren’t they?”

“Very good.”

“Colt gave me the fish. It was yellowtail snapper.”

“He’s a good friend to have. How long has he been divorced?”

“I’m not sure. Not long. Less than a year, I think.”

“You two date?”

“No!” She laughed. “He’s got a slew of girlfriends, but no one special. Not looking either.”

“That’s too bad.”

“Why? It’s okay. He was married and it didn’t work out. He’s got his son, doesn’t need a wife.”

“I guess.” His eyes never left her face, and she knew he could read her like a book. Everyone could. “What about you? No interest in tying the knot? Having a bunch of kids to cook for?”

“Eventually.” Just the thought of it made her insides squeeze. She did want children. She loved Meri, and that little girl had shown her what she was missing. “No time for that right now. In a few years, perhaps.”

“Don’t wait too long or the time may never be right.”

“Isn’t that the church preaching to the choir?”

His lips curled. “Touché. But a man can have a child at any age. I could be fifty, sixty. Makes no difference.”

“That sucks.”

“Not for me.”

She laughed. “And there is something so immeasurably wrong with that!”

They finished the rest of the wine, paid the bill and headed back to the cottages. It was such a beautiful night, and she didn’t want to end it just yet.

When they reached her cabin, she glanced at Jack. “I really would love a walk on the beach. Will you join me?”

“Of course.” They parked the car outside Rhapsody, kicked off their shoes, and headed for the shore. It was just half past eight, and the night sky was etched like a painting. Swirls of pink and mauve created a backdrop for the navy blue sea. A few stars had popped out in the sky, and there was still enough light to pick their way through the mangroves. The sand was soft and warm on their feet.

She took his hand and they walked along the water’s edge. She could easily have walked for miles, but the silence grew between them. It was odd. Had it been Colt on this moonlight stroll, the banter would be easy. Yet, she wasn’t sure what to say to Jack. Or he to her. Earlier today she’d made a decision to sleep with him, but now she found that difficult to believe.

“You okay?” he asked, sliding a hand around her waist and leading her back. “You got all quiet suddenly.”

“Just thinking.”

“You shouldn’t do that.” His hand dropped down to the curve of her ass. “It was a nice night. I want to make it even more special.”

“Jack.” She moved slightly away. “I don’t think so.”

He put his hands on her shoulder and pulled her toward him. She felt his chest against her own. His heart was beating fast. He was going to kiss her. And suddenly she didn’t want it anymore.

“Kiss me, Taylor. Like you used to. It was good between us and can be again,” he whispered, his mouth on her neck.

She squirmed, but he held her tighter. “Don’t fight it. Just enjoy it.”

“I’m not into this. I’m sorry,” she whispered and tried to break free.

He didn’t release her. “Come on, Taylor. Don’t play hard to get. You knew where this evening was going to lead. We’re not children anymore.”

Before she could get her wits about her, his mouth claimed hers. She wrestled to get free, but he pulled her in closer.

“Trust me,” Jack said, his hand rough at her breast. “You want this.” His mouth hardened across hers, demanding compliance.

“No.” She became frantic, knowing now that she didn’t want it at all.

He put his fingers in her hair at the back of her head, forcing her to accept his kiss. Jack was the kind of man who took what he wanted. But not this time.

She wrenched her mouth free and stomped on his foot, pushing him away. Then she took off down the beach. She heard his amused laughter, but she kept running. Her scalp tingled from where he’d pulled her hair and her stomach rolled. Scrubbing her lips with the back of her hand, Taylor reviewed her dinner with Jack as she ran. How had she missed such a character flaw? Or maybe she hadn’t seen it because he rarely was told no.

Her footsteps slowed, so she could catch her breath. Taylor glanced back down the beach, seeing Jack moving toward her in the fading light. How far would he go to get his own way?

She wasn’t sticking around to find out. Her breath hitched and she took off again. Suddenly, someone stepped out from the mangroves by the path leading to Paradise Cove, blocking her way. Tears blurred her vision, and she used her fists to beat against a masculine chest.

“It’s all right, Taylor. It’s me.”

She stopped flailing and looked up, blowing hair from her eyes. “Colt! What are you doing here?”

“I dropped Jamie off with his mom and came back to see you.” He gripped her loosely by the upper arms. “We have unfinished business.”

“Oh, Colt! I’m so glad you’re here.”

She hugged him tight and turned as Jack joined them on the sand. Eyes mocking, he asked, “You okay, Taylor?”