HOOKED ON YOU (Paradise Cove) (26 page)

Jennifer smiled. “Then he’s free every weekend.”

Taylor spun on her heels and marched off, desperate to get away before she made more of a fool of herself.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Colt had watched the interchange between the two women, and probably should have put a stop to it, but he’d wanted to hear what Taylor had to say. And damn, he wanted to pump his fist in the air. If that woman wasn’t crazy about him, then he didn’t know jack shit.

She’d been spitting mad, and he loved her for it. Not love, exactly, but admired her, that’s for sure. He admired everything about her. Her stubbornness, her integrity, her passion in all she did, and even the damn fact that she stuck to her principals knowing she possibly faced a personal loss.

Not that she was gonna lose him. He had no intention of sleeping with Jennifer no matter how hard she begged. But Taylor didn’t know that, she actually thought he was getting lucky tonight. Well, after seeing that streak of jealousy, he had hope again. All was not lost. And all was fair in love and war.

Whoever said that, sure knew what he was talking about. Because the game was on. He had the rest of the night to woo Taylor back into his arms…and hopefully his bed. No, he didn’t feel bad about it. They were good together. Very good. If she could just accept that fact and stop fighting it with every breath, both of them would be a whole lot happier. He wanted to make her happy…in so many ways.

Sex was a primal need as much as hunger and thirst. He’d love to convince her of that, one tasty nibble at a time.

“What are you smiling about?” Jennifer asked, giving him a pointed look. “What the hell was that? Are you two hooking up or something?”

“I’m sorry. That took me by surprise too.” He gave her a lazy grin, and removed his arm from the back of her chair. “Not sure what to call it, but we
are
something.”

“And that means what, exactly?”

“I wish I knew. We’re definitely friends, but I would like us to be more. She’s got a problem with that.”

“I see.” Jennifer tossed down the last of her champagne. “I see I’m wasting my time. You need to figure things out between you, and I’m just getting in the way. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, Colt—but I think I’ll join my other friends at their table.”

He nodded. “I’m sorry. You’re a terrific girl and if I wasn’t such a complete idiot, I’d be all over you.”

“You can’t always choose where your heart is.” She stood up, and touched his shoulder. “Good luck. You might need it with that one.”

He chuckled. “So true. She’s a spitball, that’s for sure.”

Colt didn’t want to watch Taylor enjoying herself at the table with the doctor and her mother, so he shifted his chair to watch the moon over the horizon. It was half full, a beautiful backdrop in the magnificent sky. The music had started and people were getting up to dance. He’d wait it out a bit, and if Taylor didn’t come to him, he’d make the move himself. Jennifer was gone. What in the world was Taylor waiting for?

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Taylor get up and move around the tables, stopping to talk to people. His heart raced. This was all an act. A ruse for her to casually come over to him, as if it was nothing more than a courtesy. He’d let her play it anyway she wanted. He’d take what he could get, and give more back in return.

She was two tables away, smiling and laughing with a couple of men. Dammit to hell. He tapped his fingers on the table, crossed and uncrossed his legs. Sat up straighter, then pushed his chair back. He couldn’t sit still another minute.

He pushed himself up and strode over to her. Sliding an arm around her tiny waist, he pulled her toward him. “Let’s dance.”

“But I was talking…

“You still are.” He smiled. “Dance with me.”

“I don’t want to.” She tilted her chin in the air and he laughed.

“Are you pouting?” He couldn’t get the grin off his face. “You look about twelve. A beautiful sexy twelve. But still too young for me to want to do this.”

He tugged her again and she came up hard against him. He walked her backwards onto the grassy area set up for dancing. She tried to push away, but his grasp on her waist didn’t relax. “You are going to dance with me.”

“No. I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. I might have you do more than that, if you’re not careful.”

“And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

His eyes flickered across her mouth, down to her chest, and back up again. “I might want a lot more than just a dance.”

He could feel her heart pound, and he tightened his grip, moving her slowly between the other dancing couples. They were the only two doing a slow dance to a fast number, but he liked it that way.

“What did you have in mind?” She sounded breathless.

“You know exactly what I have in mind, and after your little hissy fit with Jennifer, I’m pretty damn sure you want it as much as I do.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

“For once in your damn life, will you please shut up and kiss me?”

“No!” she sputtered. His mouth came down on hers hard, making her incapable of speech. His leg was moving between hers and if she didn’t cling to him, she would have tripped.

He gentled the kiss, but didn’t let her mouth go. It was sweet, tasting of champagne and strawberries, and for now she wasn’t fighting him. He was tired of fighting too. He just wanted…everything.

* * *

Taylor sighed with pleasure. They were kissing on the starry-lit grassy dance area, in front of guests, her family, beneath the moon and the stars. It felt so right, so good, so magical. His arms held her like a safe anchor where she could dip and twirl and be more than herself, and he’d be there to keep her from harm.

Maybe it was too much champagne, but she let herself relax in his arms, and allowed him to guide her though the moves. He was a wonderful dancer—another surprise. It was as if a more sophisticated Colton Travis had come out to play. Dressed in his new suit, he was self-assured, polished, exciting in ways that the hunky shirtless, self-deprecating guy she knew was not. Although that Colt got under her skin too.

She looked at his face in the moonlight, and her breath caught. The sharp angles of his face, his full mouth, blue eyes and fair hair made her weak-kneed with want. He looked so impossibly handsome. Swoon worthy, but of course, she was not a swooning kind of girl.

No sirree! She pulled herself upright, and took a step back evaluating what to do next. Put an end to this nonsense, or for once in her practical life allow the emotions swirling inside of her to guide her.

“What are you thinking?” he asked with caution. “I prefer when you don’t think.”

She laughed. “I bet you do.” Her eyes roamed over his face. “You look incredible. Like The Gatsby. That’s what I was thinking.”

“Hmm. Okay, you can think some more.”

“Really? I have permission?”

“If you’re going to get cheeky about it, then no.” He pulled her up close again. “Just think about us, and how good I can make you feel.”

“That’s the worst thing I should think about.” Her steps faltered. “I want to think about the moon and the stars, and the beautiful wedding—and the fact that my sister is so very happy, and so dearly loved.”

“Okay. I’m good with that.” His hand was warm on her back, sliding up and down, making her feel very…very unpractical.

“Now you’re telling me what I can think.”

He smiled, not taking offense. “No. I’m just happy you’re having good thoughts.”

“I guess that’s okay then.” She snuggled up to him. “Could we maybe go for a walk on the beach? I’d like to kick these heels off. They’re starting to pinch.”

“Let’s go.” He took her hand and they left the music behind and strolled down toward the sand. Just before the mangroves, he bent down to remove her shoes, and then before she knew what he was doing, he picked her up in his arms and carried her across to the other side.

“Are you crazy?” she asked, laughing and clinging to him.

“Not yet,” he replied, sliding her down his body, and taking possession of her mouth. “But I’m going to be.”

“Crazy good, or crazy bad?”

“How about wickedly wonderful?” he said, dimples flashing.

“You are different tonight.”

“In a good way?”

“Uh-huh. I think so.”

“Fine. Anyway you want me, you’ve got me.”

Then they were kissing again. The walk on the beach didn’t seem as important as his mouth on hers. The warmth of his body made her feel achingly hot. So hot. So needy.

Her tongue delved inside his mouth, eager to taste and explore and know the essence of him. She knew a lot about Colton Travis, but not like this. He was different. Exciting. Confident in ways she’d never known him to be before.

She knew where all this kissing would lead, but for once, one night, she wanted to forget her fears, and just go for it. If there was the slightest chance to have the same happiness as Kayla, she had to take a risk. She had to try.

Instead of being ruled by common sense, she wanted to feel emotions that she’d never felt before. Not with Jack, or with her New York live-in boyfriend—not with anyone.

Colt wanted the same thing she did. Passion. Passion in Paradise, and she intended to give it to him before she convinced herself otherwise. She didn’t want to stop! She didn’t want to think! She wanted to toss the dice and make love to this beautiful man, and deal with it later if the gamble didn’t pay off.

“Come on!” She tugged at his arm.

“Where are we going?” He swung her shoes in his hands as he followed her along.

“Your boat. It’s waiting, isn’t it?”

“My boat’s been waiting a long, long time.” He shot her a look. “You’re sure about this?”

“As sure as I’ll ever be. And you should know better than to ask. Don’t let my head get involved, and we should have a very nice time.”

He laughed. “I don’t want to make love to your head. It’s your body, your gorgeous sexy body that’s been driving me crazy. The things I want to do with you…”

She wavered for half a sec. Visions of what he had done, and would do again darn near scared her. The intensity of their love making was nothing to trifle with. She knew after tonight she might never recover.

“Yes.” She released a long, shaky breath. “Colt. I want it too.”

“I’ve waited a long time to hear that.”

“Then let’s go.” She hiked her long dress up to her thighs and gave him a teasing look. “Race you there.” She was off and running and heard his footsteps right behind. She was racing toward something unknown. A new day when she could stop worrying so much about the future that she missed out on the present. Accept the here and now, and find happiness in the moment.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

They reached his Hatteras, puffing and sucking in wind. “You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah.” Laughing, she lifted her heavy hair from her damp neck and fanned her face. “I’m such a tomboy,” she confessed. “Just can’t help myself.”

He glanced at her flushed face, heaving chest, and the perspiration shining on her skin. Drops of moisture slowly slid down her neck and into her bra, and his tongue longed to follow. He pulled her into his arms. “Tomboy or not, you’re the hottest girl I’ve ever met. Even if you are feisty.”

“I’m not feisty.” She lifted her chin and frowned. “Maybe just a little bit.” She gave him a quick kiss. “So, are we going to stand here all night, or are you going to invite me on board?”

“Come on.” Grabbing her hand Colt helped her aboard, then unlocked the cabin door.

When he left the boat earlier this evening, he’d put some low lighting on in the event that Taylor would change her mind after their kiss on her porch step. He kept it dim, going for a romantic mood.

“This looks nice.” She glanced around the salon, at the white leather corner settee, the table top with an ice bucket and a chilled bottle of champagne. A bowl of strawberries sat next to the two fluted glasses. “You really did prepare for me.”

“I had high hopes.”

She turned around and slid up to him. She put her hands around his neck. “I have high hopes too,” she whispered, and kissed his neck. His hands slid around to her bottom, and he pulled her in close. He gave her a hungry kiss, she answered back. After a minute or two, she pulled away.

“Your boat suits you. Kind of elegant, you know?”

“Elegant?” He ran a hand over his chin. “Never thought I’d hear that word applied to me.”

“Surprised me too,” she admitted, her brown eyes flashing. “I’ve never seen you like you were tonight.”

“Because I was dressed? With a tie?”

“It was more than a suit.” She crossed her arms and leaned back against the counter. “It was how you held yourself, your demeanor. And the way you came on to me.”

“I always come on to you.”

“No. Not like you did on the dance floor. You weren’t taking no for an answer, and I liked that.”

“No problem. I’ll assert my will from now on.”

She laughed. “Don’t get me wrong—I’m fond of the half-naked fisherman with great abs, but I caught a glimpse of the real you—a man who knows his worth. You looked like someone just as much at home in a yacht as you’d be conducting million dollar deals from a penthouse suite.”