A Little Bit Naughty: A Tahoe Nights Story (3 page)

Chapter Four

They were inside the cabin. Alone. Amanda had stayed at Lake Tahoe before, nearly all their family reunions were held there, but it’d never seemed more intimate than it did in that moment. She knew the layout. Two bedrooms, one with a king-size bed, not to mention a Jacuzzi-style tub. There was a kitchen, already fully stocked by her mother, like always. The woman thought of everything. The living room had a fireplace—a very romantic fireplace. She could too easily see herself with Leo sprawled out in front of it, naked.

Amanda’s heart rate sped up as she thought of the sleeping arrangements. Would he sleep with her or take the second room? To take her mind off all the annoying questions, she turned to him. “Thanks for putting up with my parents. I wish I could say the worst is behind us, but it’s probably not. They can be really tenacious sometimes.”

Leo walked down the small hall, compelling Amanda to follow. Breath caught in her throat as she watched him take their bags to the king-size bed and toss them onto the end. His and hers both. “No problem, sweetheart.” He looked around the room. “So, you’ve stayed here before?”

Her gaze was caught on the bags. “Uh, yeah.”

“With anyone?”

Amanda’s gaze darted back to Leo. He stood with his hands shoved into his jean pockets, legs wide apart. Lordy, the man was fun to stare at. “What do you mean?”

With a nod he indicated the bed. “Any guys ever stay here with you, Amanda?”

She swallowed, pushing down the blasted boulder that seemed wedged in her throat. If she didn’t know better she’d think Leo jealous. “No. Usually I come to these reunions alone. Remember? That’s why you’re here.”

Leo pulled his hands out of his pockets and stepped closer. Just a few steps, but the room wasn’t that large. The movement put him directly in front of her. A mere few inches of carpet separated them. She could smell his scent. Woodsy. Spicy. Male. Her temperature spiked. He cupped her face in his palm. “You and I are going to share that bed, sweetheart. Are you okay with that?”

Forcing down the tremors his touch invoked, Amanda said, “There are two rooms.”

“I know, but I don’t want to sleep in an empty bed. Do you?”

Did she? What would happen if she slept next to Leo all night long? Could she keep her hands off him? She didn’t know, but one thing was for certain. She didn’t want to waste a single second of this trip. She had Leo to herself, and she wanted to know more about the sudden sparks flying back and forth between them. The only way to achieve that would be to act like a woman and not a silly teenager on prom night.

Feeling a little more confident, Amanda murmured, “I don’t want to sleep alone.”

One side of Leo’s mouth kicked up into a crooked grin. “Good answer, sweets.” He stepped back and dropped his hand. “Now, how about dinner? I don’t know about you, but I’m starved.”

He moved around her and headed toward the kitchen. Amanda took a few seconds to calm her racing heart. When she heard him call out to her, she smiled. For the first time in her life she was actually going to enjoy one of the Harding family reunions. Go figure.

Leaving the bedroom behind, Amanda went in search of Leo. She found him bent over, peering into the refrigerator. She licked her lips at the sight of his jean-covered ass. When he straightened and turned, Amanda’s cheeks heated. Had he noticed where her gaze had been?

“Your mom thinks of everything doesn’t she?”

Okay, so he hadn’t seen her eyeballing his butt. Whew. “Uh, yeah, pretty much.”

“She’s left us hamburger meat, hot dogs and there’s even potato salad in there. Looks homemade too.”

At the mention of her mother, Amanda relaxed a little more. Moving toward a cupboard, Amanda found two plastic cups, took them out and placed them on the little table in the center of the room. “Mother wouldn’t have us eating store-bought potato salad. In her opinion that’d be tacky.”

Leo leaned against the counter, as if content to quietly watch as she took out plates, utensils and napkins. It wasn’t until Amanda opened the refrigerator and took out two cans of pop that he finally spoke. “So, what are you in the mood for?”

You, she ached to admit. Instead she said, “How about hot dogs?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“There’s a grill out back, but that’s a lot of work and we’re both tired. How about we just nuke them?”

“That’s fine by me.” He pushed away from the counter and took her by the shoulders, turning her to face him. “In fact, how about you go take a nice long bath. I’ll get this.”

Amanda thought of the Jacuzzi and practically moaned. Massaging jets of hot water? Oh, yes, definitely what she needed to relax her frayed nerves. “Are you sure?”

Leo chuckled. “I’m not helpless, Amanda. I can microwave a few hotdogs without help.” Leo reached around her body and swatted her on the bottom. “Go. Relax and enjoy. Let me take care of this.”

Amanda stiffened. Leo had delivered a friendly little spank before. It didn’t mean anything. Except this time his hand had lingered a second longer than usual. And, Amanda admitted, she liked it. Too much. Unable to speak without possibly revealing how easily his touch affected her, Amanda silently and swiftly left the room.

A bath. That’s what she needed. A hot soak, some food to settle her rumbling stomach and a good night’s rest. Tomorrow she’d feel more like herself. As she stepped inside the bedroom, Amanda’s gaze strayed to their luggage. Why had she agreed to share the same bed? How in God’s name was she supposed to actually sleep knowing Leo lay mere inches away?

Crap.

Leo’s cock hardened. He’d knocked. Twice. He’d even called her name a few times. Entering the bathroom uninvited had been his only option. Hell, she could’ve drowned, right? What else could he do but check on her? As he stared at the bubbling water, Amanda’s head back, eyes closed, he knew a moment’s guilt. He should look away. At the wall, the sink, the damn toilet, anywhere but at his friend’s naked body, which, by the way, just happened to be barely covered by hot, bubbly water. He couldn’t really make out anything, he told himself.

Liar.

Pink. Bubble gum pink to be more accurate. Now he knew what shade her nipples were. And there went his cock, again. More of that and he’d have a friggin’ zipper print tattooed permanently on his dick.

“Amanda?” he called out, unwilling to wake the sleeping beauty, but much more of this and he wouldn’t be able to keep from reaching out and stroking something. Anything. Everything.

A slow smile spread over her face. “Hmm?”

Christ, that was a sexy look. “Uh, sweetheart, you need to get out of the tub now.”

Her eyelids shot wide, and she yelped. “Leo!” Slick, feminine hands covered round, firm breasts as water sloshed over the sides of the tub. “What are you doing in here?”

Quickly turning away, he rushed to say, “I’m sorry, but I tried knocking and you didn’t answer. I was worried.”
Yeah, look away now, asshole, after you’ve had a good eyeful.
“Uh, dinner’s ready.”

“I… You—”

“You’ll be right out. Got it,” he helpfully supplied.

“Yes,” she squeaked. “Right out. Yes.”

Leo left the room, and the slick, sleek goddess behind. It was no easy feat. In fact, he would have rather stood under a beehive covered in honey than leave Amanda in that moment. Damn, what he wouldn’t give to go back in there. To watch her rising out of the water. Little droplets streaming down her voluptuous body. She wouldn’t even need a towel—he could just lick her dry. Leo glanced down at his crotch and groaned. “Christ, you need to chill, bud. She needs time.”

“What?”

The feminine voice had him stiffening, and not just his spine either. He sent up a silent prayer that Amanda was naked, that she’d decided to put him out of his misery after all. He turned slowly and then Leo’s hopes fell. She wasn’t nude. ’Course, the little pink tank top and black cotton shorts did wonders for her curves. His cock sure as hell approved. Large, round breasts and wide hips had his mouth watering.
A bite, a suck, that’s all I’m asking. Is it so much?

With her hair wrapped up in a towel and feet bare, she looked sweet, adorable, innocent. He was none of those things. And it didn’t matter because she wasn’t going anywhere. Before the weekend was over he’d have her naked and in that great big bed. And he’d finally get to taste all that creamy satin.

“Leo?”

Too late Leo realized he was just standing there, staring, probably making her nervous as hell. “Uh, the hotdogs are probably cold. But the rest is ready. Hungry?”

She smiled and looked down at the floor. “Yeah.”

Was she embarrassed? Okay, that was a stupid question. Of course she’s embarrassed. Leo stepped forward and cupped her chin in his palm, forcing her to look at him. “Sweets, it’s okay. I didn’t see anything except a boatload of bubbles. It’s cool.” A lie, but he figured he could be forgiven this time. He didn’t want Amanda uncomfortable.

She grinned. “Leo, your body language is telegraphing the fact that you definitely did too see something.” She patted him on the cheek. “But thanks for saying you didn’t.”

Shifting like a schoolboy caught looking at the popular girl in class, Leo asked, “You noticed that, huh?”

She shrugged. “It seems to be happening quite a bit lately.”

No way could he go down that road, not unless the woman was ready to be tossed onto the bed and ravished from head to toe. And he really didn’t think she was ready for what he had in mind.
Soon,
Leo consoled himself.

Taking her by the shoulders, Leo steered her out of the room. “Food, woman.”

“I’m famished. I feel like I haven’t eaten in weeks.”

He’d known she was hungry. Amanda didn’t function well on an empty stomach. “You didn’t eat on the plane.”

After entering the kitchen, she sat at the table and picked up a fork, then dug into the potato salad. “I was too worried.”

Leo took the seat across from her and dug into his own food. “And now?”

She swallowed, then picked up her glass of pop. “This might sound crazy, but I think this weekend is going to work.”

He waited for her to take several drinks before replying, “You doubted me?” He slapped his palm over his chest. “I’m crushed.”

She laughed and shook her head before turning her attention back to her plate. By the time she finished it off Leo had cleared his plate. He sat back in his chair, happy to watch her devour her meal one delicate nibble at a time.

“This pie is heavenly,” she said, spooning up some of the cherry treat.

“It was tucked in the back on the bottom shelf. I could kiss your mom for thinking of it.” Leo rubbed his stomach and said, “Cherry is my favorite.”

Amanda peeked up at him, then winked. “I know, silly. I told her that on the phone.”

Leo sat up straighter. “So the pie was your idea?”

Dabbing at her lips, Amanda said, “Yep,” clearly pleased with herself.

Leo pushed the plates aside, then leaned across the small round table. “Then maybe I should kiss you instead.”

Amanda licked a stray crumb. Her brown gaze seemed glued to his mouth. “Maybe you should.”

Ah, Leo thought, the magic words. “Close your eyes for me, sweetheart.” When she obeyed without question, Leo’s cock saluted. He wanted to play. To drive her so wild she’d do everything he wished. Her lashes began to flutter open, but he touched each lid with a kiss, effectively keeping them closed. “No. I haven’t thanked you properly yet.”

She remained quiet, her eyes staying closed, thrilling the hell out of him by her gentle submission. Leo reached out and took the towel wrapped around her head and tugged. It loosened and fell to the floor freeing her long, golden blonde hair, still damp from the bath. He caressed the shiny wet strands, letting them filter through his fingers. “You have such beautiful hair, Amanda. So soft and baby fine.”

Leo trailed his hand down the length of it, then smoothed one finger over her neck. Her head fell to one side and she let out a breathless moan. When he touched the pulse beating wildly in her throat it seemed to quicken right under his fingertip. He leaned in closer, as close as the table would allow, then inhaled her feminine fragrance. “You always smell like cinnamon rolls.” He inhaled, then adjusted his assessment. “No, that’s not it. It’s the icing on the cinnamon rolls. Tasty. Makes me want to lick you from head to toe.”

“Leo, please,” she begged, leaning toward him, as if as turned on as he.

“I’ve been thinking of this, sweetheart. Every second since that kiss in your backroom. Kissing these pretty lips and hoping it won’t stop there.”

Amanda’s mouth fell open. As if to protest? He wasn’t going to wait to find out. Covering her mouth with his own, Leo tasted the sweetness of the cherry pie, and if he wasn’t mistaken, hot womanly arousal. He kept it quick, a gentle touch of lips and tongue. Damn, he really didn’t want it to be quick, but there were things that needed to be settled before they moved further.
If
they moved further.

“Do you know what I want, Amanda? Can you guess?”

Her eyes slowly opened, and she bit her lip. The heat of her espresso colored gaze tore a path straight to his groin. “What do you want, Leo?”