Mad Love (17 page)

“But if you’re asking me if I used protection in the past, then yes.”

He’s staring down at me, his hand brushing my face as he speaks.

“Always.”

His fingers move to my lips, touching them softly.

“I’ve never had sex without a condom.” Those intense eyes of his

seem to bore into me, daring me to move or speak. “I’ve never felt a woman without protection.”

I need water.

“And in case you’re wondering if I’m healthy, yes, I am.”

Actually, I want to know if it’s possible for the sand to open up and suck me through it so I can be done with this mortifying conversation and never have to look at you in the face again.

“Don’t be shy. This is a very adult conversation to have. It’s only natural, considering what’s going to happen between us.”

My pulse races. I try to get a grip and take deep breaths. He reaches out, takes my hand again, and caresses my palm softly.

“Let’s go, baby.”

Baby.

I love the way he says baby. It’s so sexy. I choose not to say another word as we continue on. He leads me to the main dock of the hotel, where our seaplane landed.

“What are we doing here?” I ask.

“You’ll see.”

We reach the end of the dock, where a small motorboat, captained by Bikram, waits. There’s champagne on ice with two glasses on a small table and a bowl of fresh strawberries and cream next to a cushioned seat. It is
so
romantic.

“Welcome, Miss Walker. Mr. Sinclair.”

“Hi, Bikram,” I say warmly as he helps me into the boat. Clayton follows and picks up a life jacket to put on me.

“Seriously?” I don’t want to ruin the effect of the dress, given the romantic boat ride we are about to take.

“Yes. I don’t want to worry,” he says as he buckles me up. I can’t believe that it was only a day ago that he did this before. The day I met him. And now look where I am? Where I’m going. What’s about to happen. It feels like a million years ago. It’s unreal that so much can happen in such a short time.

I try to stay cool.

Clayton, who, of course, is not wearing a life jacket, pours us each a glass of champagne, hands me a strawberry with cream, and lifts his glass for a toast.

“It is only the beginning.”

We clink glasses and take a sip of our drinks as Bikram slowly pulls the boat away. Clayton moves close to me on the small seat and pulls me in to his body, the life jacket making it kind of awkward, but it’s still nice to cuddle up to him. I lean back and look up at the moon and stars and I think I must be the happiest woman alive. The night is magical. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

“Are we doing a cruise around the island?” I ask him as Bikram speeds up and the motor roars.

“No.”

“Then what?”

“Patience,” Clayton tells me with a smile. He sets his champagne glass down on the table. “I think you’ll like what I have in store for you.” He leans down and kisses me chastely on the lips. I’m disappointed when he pulls away. His eyes darken with desire and he leans in again, kissing me more seductively, then licking my lip.

“You make me forget myself,” he whispers. My smile is immediate. “You think it’s amusing?”

“No. I just thought I was the only one who lost control.”

He holds my face with one hand. “Rest assured, you’re not alone in this predicament.”

I lean into his touch then turn my face and kiss his palm. I know he likes this show of affection because he pulls me tight against his body.

“How far are we, Bikram?” he shouts out.

“Not long, Mr. Sinclair. Ten minutes.”

Clayton takes a long sip of his drink. I’m so happy that he’s as affected as I am. I lean back into his arms and enjoy the rest of the ride. I want to memorize everything about this moment so I can replay it over and over in my head for the rest of my life.

When the boat nears a dock lit by tiki torches, I see that our destination is a small island that appears to be deserted. Bikram maneuvers the boat up to the dock.

“Thank you, Bikram,” Clayton says. “Is everything I requested inside?”

“Yes, sir.” Bikram holds a bag in his hands. “I will need your shoes. I will give them back to you when I pick you up.”

“Why?” I ask curiously as I slip out of my heels, not that I have any problem with it. I watch as Clayton does the same.

“No shoes on the island. It is about complete relaxation,” Bikram explains. It sounds positively decadent and I like it already.

Clayton helps me out of the boat, takes off my life jacket, and hands it to Bikram, along with a tip.

“We’ll see you in two days,” Clayton says.

Bikram smiles in appreciation then nods to both of us.

“Yes, sir. Enjoy yourselves.”

Wait.
What?

Two days!

Clayton and I watch Bikram speed away. There is no turning back now. I can’t very well swim back to the hotel. I don’t even know where we are. Not completely true. We are somewhere in the Indian Ocean. My iPhone might be able to find my location. When Bikram is a speck in the distance, I’m acutely aware of how incredibly silent the night is. How close the stars are. We are literally in the middle of nowhere.

“Is there anyone else on this island?” I ask Clayton, even though I already know the answer.

“No.”

Oh. My heart starts pitter-pattering again.

He looks down at me. “I let Erik and Orie know, don’t worry.”

“Clothes?”

“Taken care of. Along with your personal toiletries.”

Who went in my room and gathered my stuff? I don’t ask him. I look around in wonder.
He rented an island for me.

“Let me show you where we are staying.”

I’m only capable of nodding and plastering a smile on my face. I don’t miss the emphasis he puts on the “we.” A wave of nausea sweeps over me and I try to talk myself out of throwing up. When I was growing up my
parents always told me never to talk to strangers, and here I am, about to sleep with one. The irony is not lost on me.

Grow up, Sophie! Just grow up
, my mind yells at me. Let’s just look at the facts; you’re a twenty-three-year-old virgin, the most gorgeous man in the world has generously offered to rid you of this dilemma, and he rented an island to do it on! An island!

Who rents an island?

He knew he was going to get lucky tonight. He didn’t have to do all this! But Lord, it is incredibly chivalrous and caring of him, or a bit insane … I’m not quite sure which. I follow him down the long dock and onto a tiki-torch-lit sandy path. I’m guessing he’s been here before because he knows exactly where he’s going. We’re both quiet, just holding hands and enjoying the night.

And then we come upon it. Where we are sleeping.

And I lose the ability to breathe.

It is a large, straw-roofed villa that is kind of like where you’d imagine Robinson Crusoe lived. Twinkly lights illuminate the walkway up to the residence and large candles frame the entrance. Clayton motions for me to go first and I slowly make my way up the stairs. I open the doors and what I see takes my breath away.

There are candles everywhere. A plush, L-shaped white couch curls around a long coffee table, looking out on the ocean. All the sliding doors are open, letting in a gentle breeze. To the right is the kitchen, which has every appliance you could desire and which, I imagine, is fully stocked, because Clayton doesn’t seem to forget any detail. The deck has a long table and chairs to eat and enjoy the spectacular view, and wraps around the entire villa. Stairs lead down to the sandy beach. I can’t wait to explore it in the daylight. To the left is the master bedroom, and I take a moment before I step inside. White, long-stemmed roses and huge white candles are everywhere. There is a retractable roof, which is currently open. The view from the bed is unreal; it’s almost like you can reach out and touch the stars.

Oh starry night.

I’m sure I look beyond impressed.

“Clayton, I don’t know what to say. I feel like I’m in a dream.” I turn around to find him.

He’s a good distance from me, standing by the bedroom door, casually leaning against the frame. He’s watching my every reaction.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Like is hardly the word,” I say with a smile. “
Absolutely love
would be a much better description.”

I shyly look away from him, trying to distract myself from what’s about to happen by looking around the room.

“Have you stayed here before?” I asked tentatively, dreading his response but wanting to know.

“No. I was told about it.”

I feel relieved that he didn’t come here with whatever woman he brought with him on his last trip. Crap, why even go down that road?
Not tonight, Sophie
, I tell myself. Tonight you’re not going to think about anything that can ruin this.

I tremble in anticipation of what is to come.

10

We stare at each other in silence for what seems like an eternity. The electricity between us crackles like a fire. I watch as he slowly unfolds his arms, lifts his hand, and starts to unbutton his linen shirt, his eyes never leaving mine.

Oh. My. God.

I think I might hyperventilate. I watch the last button come undone and I’m given a clear view of his bronzed chest as his shirt drapes open. If you saw a picture of him right now, you’d think you were looking at a photo in a sexy Gucci ad.

Lord, have mercy.

My legs are glued to the ground. No way I can move. He looks like a dream, like the guy you had fantasies about as a young girl. And he’s here. Standing in front of me. Wanting
me
. He moves away from the door and slowly makes his way to me.

Like a wolf, stalking its prey.

My breath quickens nervously. I wonder if he can hear it. I feel flush all over my body, as if he’s already touching me, making me want him. An eternity later, he reaches me, stands inches away, and just watches me with that look. God, when he’s this close, I realize just how tall he is, how powerful. He’s just so wonderfully delicious to look at.

“Take my shirt off,” he says.

Lord.

Carpe diem
, I tell myself. I lift my shaky hands up to his chest and just place them there for a minute, trying to get a grip on myself, hoping he can’t feel them trembling. I hear him suck in his breath as my hands begin to trace a path down his chest, over his muscled stomach. His body is chiseled like stone. He’s like a walking piece of art.

I become bolder and step closer to him, moving my hands through the light sprinkle of golden hair, then push the soft material of his shirt off his shoulders, letting my hands follow the path it takes as it falls to the ground. My fingers roam over his muscled arms and I wonder how many times a week he works out. He’s barely breathing. I look up at him and see the fire in his eyes.

Oh my. He wants me.

I take a shaky step backward and stare.

“You’re perfect,” I tell him as I stare into his bright gaze.

If possible, his eyes darken even more. He slowly looks my body over, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. As his eyes linger on my lips and chest, I can almost feel him touch me in those places, our connection is that strong. I try to be as confident as he is and look him over too, and I see the proof of his desire. I wonder again if we’ll fit. We have to, right? It’s basic anatomy.

I don’t think about that much longer because he takes a step closer to me. He reaches out to play with the material of my long dress. He rolls the fabric between his fingers, and then traces a line over my breast, my heart, my throat, and then my lips, where I know he can feel my rapid breath.

His hand moves to my hair, and he begins to move my shoulder as he walks behind me. It’s unnerving not to see him, just to feel him there. I gasp when his hands touch my back, brushing my hair forward over the dress. I shiver in anticipation. I know what he’s going to do.

He finds the zipper and slowly pulls it down. My dress falls open and I instinctively reach out and hold it up, keeping it from slipping to the ground. The design of the dress didn’t allow me to wear a bra. My backside is completely exposed to him. The only thing I’m wearing is a crème lace thong. I give a silent prayer of thanks that I’ve always cared about the look and feel of my lingerie, even though no one but me has ever seen it.

I hear his sharp intake of breath, and then I feel him lean forward and kiss my back. His hands move around to the front of my body, over my hands, which have a death grip on the dress. He slowly unclasps my fingers.

“Let it go, Sophie,” he whispers seductively in my ear.

Fear of the unknown has me holding on like the dress is my lifeline. But I have to let go. It takes me a second, but then I do. It falls to the ground, and now I’m almost completely exposed. His hands move down my waist and reach my thong. He tugs at the waistband then very gently pulls it down, his skin rubbing against my body. He moves back up and wraps his arms around me from behind, pulling me in close to him. I can feel how hard he is against me. I’m so thankful he’s still wearing his pants. He leans down and kisses my neck.

“Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”

Am I?

The way he’s looked at me has made me feel sexy and alive, but I can’t even think to answer as he licks his way down my neck to my shoulder blade, his hands still, allowing me to become comfortable with my own nakedness and his proximity to it. Then he moves around and picks me up in his arms, cradling me against his chest.

I don’t have time to be embarrassed about my breasts or any other part of my body being exposed because before I know it I’m on the bed and his body is on top of mine. He leans up on his elbows to look down at me. Lord. I’m completely naked underneath him.

I state the obvious. “Your pants are still on.” It’s the only thing I can think to say.

He smiles. “I know. I don’t want to scare you.”

“I think we’re past that point.”

He laughs at my words.

“I guess we are.” He leans down and kisses me softly on the lips. I trace the hard lines of his back, tracing the hard lines of his body. It’s hard to keep my wits about me with him so close.