Lush Curves (3 page)

With
my hand in his, and his body so close to mine, everything else had faded away,
my mind focusing in on small details like the way his hair curled just beneath
his ears, and the way the musky scent of his aftershave made me want to snuggle
into him and inhale deeply. I wondered what it would be like to kiss him, to
reach up and wrap my hands in that glorious hair of his and bring his face down
to mine, to run my tongue over his lower lip and see if he tasted as good as he
looked.

What
was I thinking? I couldn’t let him have this effect on me. He was my boss now,
and it was completely inappropriate even to think about it.

It
had probably just been too long between men, and I needed a good lay. After
all, I hadn’t been with a man in over a year. I’d broken up with my college
sweetheart when he told me I should settle for selling beach wear in his
father’s store instead of pursuing my goals on the mainland. He’d wanted me to
settle down with him and give up chasing my dream job in order to have his
children and keep him comfortable.

I’d
known he was wrong for me, that we were too different, and I’d just grown used
to him instead of loving him, but that was the moment I knew I had to end it,
or be stuck in a rut for the rest of my life.

I’d
broken up with him that night and started looking for work online. My
grandmother told me she’d never been prouder of me when I called her crying,
and my roommate and cousin, Kali, high-fived me when she got home. Apparently everyone
knew it was over but me.

I
never was very good at trusting my instincts when it came to men.

And
now here I was, about to make another mistake. I had to keep my feelings in
check if I didn’t want to screw up this job. And who knew? Maybe modeling, as
ridiculous as it was, for Mr. Fletcher would open doors into the photography
field that I never would have found working with Martin. I had to look at this
as an opportunity, and seize it with both hands.

I
smiled, thinking of the photographer’s reaction to finding out I’d quit without
notice. He’d be absolutely livid, and the thought of his beet-red face made me
feel lighter than I had in months. I was going traveling, and getting paid to
do it. What could be better than that?

I
packed up my laptop and stood, ready to change and let Gavin have his yacht
back after a long day. The door to the deck banged open, and I screeched in
surprise. A gust of wind tore through the narrow hallway, making my robe flap
around my legs.

***

Gavin

What am I getting myself into?

I
stood on deck and ran my hands through my hair, trying to harness my thoughts.
She was perfect for my campaign, but here I was, wondering what it would be
like to kiss her, to touch her... hell, to strip her naked and make her scream
my name, if I was being honest with myself.

I
couldn’t let myself go down that path, but here I was, bringing temptation onto
my yacht, my home away from home, so it could stare me in the face every single
day. What the bloody hell was I thinking?

Was
I the kind of man who hired a woman, then tried to get into her pants?

I
gazed out over the harbor, watching the waves lap at the side of the yacht, and
sighed. I’d never been that kind of man, and I knew it, but the worry was
there, nonetheless. The last thing I wanted to do was make Aolani
uncomfortable.

Lightning
crackled in the distance, bringing me out of my reverie. The winds kicked up
around me, making the flags on the pier crackle and snap behind me. I glanced
toward the cabin door. If a storm was coming in this fast, it might be wiser
not to drive on these beach roads. Branches always fell with the slightest
provocation, and the ocean had a nasty way of coming up over the highway during
high winds.

Lightning
blazed again, closer now, and rolling thunder followed just behind. Wind
pummeled me, driving me back along the deck. We’d both be safer inside until it
passed. I’d weathered much worse than this on
The
Fiona
, but it was
wiser to wait it out below deck than to let Aolani try to battle her way back
into town.

Another
violent gust knocked open the door to the stairwell below deck, and I heard
Aolani’s voice cry out from inside. A rattling noise met my ears, and I winced
as I felt the stinging sensation of hail beating down from above. I swore under
my breath and clambered down the stairs, locking the door securely behind me.

“What’s
going on out there?”

Large,
black eyes blinked up at me from the dim light of the cabin. Aolani had dropped
her laptop on the sofa and stood clutching her robe like a shield against the
elements.

“A
nasty storm rolled in, and we’d best stay in until it passes. The roads aren’t
safe for driving any more.”

Aolani
chewed her lip, and I wondered if she was thinking the same thing I was,
replaying the moment that just passed between us.

“But
that also means staying for dinner. And luckily for you, I make a mean curry.”

I
grinned at her, and saw the tension ease in her shoulders. She gave me a weak
smile in return.

“I
love curry.”

“Brilliant,
then,” I said. “I’ll let you change, and I’ll get to work in the kitchen. The
dining area is down the hall and to the left. Just follow your nose.”

She
nodded. “Thank you, Gavin.”

“It’s
my pleasure,” I said, and despite myself, I meant it.

I
wanted her here. I didn’t want to let her go, even though every look from those
beautiful eyes broke my will down a little bit more. But here we were, stuck
together. At least for a little while.

We
might as well make the best of it.

***

Aolani

I
couldn’t believe I was on a boat so large, it had it’s own dining room.

I
was back in my work clothing now, and I’d done my best to comb out my
wind-blown hair. I did as Gavin suggested, following the heavenly scent of
spices down a short stairwell and through a hallway toward the sound of humming
and pans banging.

I
paused briefly before entering the kitchen, letting the deep, melodious sound
of his voice wash over me. This whole day had been so surreal, and this was
just the cherry on the weirdness sundae. My new boss was making me dinner on
his yacht while a storm raged outside.

“Don’t
be shy,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s almost ready. I had the base in the
fridge and am just warming things up.”

I
laughed nervously and stepped around the corner. His eyes instantly traveled
down my body, taking in the wrap blouse accentuating my bust and small waist,
then down over the stretchy material hugging my hips. For a moment, I thought I
saw his eyes darken, but then he was looking into my eyes, smiling like he
hadn’t just been checking me out. Again.

He
turned back to the pot in front of him, stirring the chicken into the sauce.

I
felt the heat creeping up my neck as I gazed back, taking the opportunity to
admire his broad shoulders beneath the cable sweater, his trim waist, and the
way his slacks hugged his toned ass. He turned and gave me a smirk, as if he
knew what I was thinking.

“Come
here for a taste. I don’t want it to be too spicy for you.”

He
held the wooden spoon out for me, his hazel eyes twinkling, urging me closer.

“I
like it hot,” I said, then winced when I realized what I’d just said.

Oh, my God.
What was
wrong
with me?

His
lips twitched, but he didn’t say anything, just lifted the spoon to my lips,
his hand cupped beneath, ready to catch any drips. I tasted the sauce and
instantly moaned as the flavors mingled on my tongue. It was absolutely
delicious.

“I’ll
take that as a good sign,” Gavin said.

“It’s
sinfully good,” I said. I licked my lips slowly, and watched his eyes drift
downward to my mouth.

“I’m
glad you approve.”

His
voice was husky, and as I met his gaze, I saw the mirth was gone from his eyes,
replaced by a hungry look I knew had nothing to do with food. I sucked in a
breath, realizing I could smell his cologne again, his proximity making my
heart beat faster. He reached forward and brushed a strand of hair out of my
eyes, tucking it behind my ear. I leaned into his touch.

The
spoon clattered to the floor, and suddenly, his mouth was on mine, his lips hot
and urgent. I moaned, opening my lips beneath his, my hands instantly wrapping
around his waist, drawing him to me. His tongue teased me, licking softly
before probing deeper, making me sigh into him.

I
should have pushed away. I should have said “no,” instead of meeting his tongue
with mine. I should have grabbed my purse and driven home, even though the
storm still raged outside, the sound of pinging hail on the deck creating a
cocoon of white noise around us. He was my boss, and besides, I didn’t know
anything about him. He was practically a stranger.

But
whenever I was around him, all logic and reason flew out the door because I
knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I wanted him. That I ached to be in his
arms.

So
I let go and kissed him back, feeling his response to my touch growing hard
against my stomach. I groaned and pressed closer, loving that I was turning him
on in the same way.

“Aolani,”
he breathed, breaking the kiss for just a moment. “Holy
Lord
.”

I
looked up at him, stunned by the passion we’d just shared, my lips feeling
bruised in the most delicious way, still tasting him on my tongue. I realized I
was clutching his sweater, but couldn’t yet bring myself to let go.

His
hands wound themselves in my hair, tilting my head back. “God, you’re
beautiful.”

I
whimpered, held like that, feeling helpless to resist, even while I knew this
shouldn’t be happening. Not so soon. Not like this. Hell, not ever, if I was
the good girl I always thought I was.

His
lips moved to my neck, making tingles of electricity shoot through my body. I
gasped and dug my nails into his back, pulling him tighter.
 
He made a growling sound low in his throat,
like a predator ready to spring on its prey.

Oh, what the hell.

I
leaned back, giving him better access, mewling as his lips traveled down to the
nape of my neck, then lower, whispering over my clavicle. His eyes met mine for
a moment, as if looking for
 
any sign of
hesitation, then his hands went to my blouse, tugging my buttons free. Three
buttons undone, and my breasts were spilling out of my shirt, my cleavage
displayed prominently in my demi bra. He groaned, drinking in the sight of my
body like a kid in a candy shop, before his lips crashed down on mine once
more.

I
wrapped my hands in his hair like I’d been wanting to do all day, feeling the
wild tresses twisting around my fingers as I melted into his kiss. Our bodies
pressed together, the heat rising between us, then he was lifting me, his
strong hands around my waist, hoisting my bottom onto the edge of the kitchen
island. His hand pushed my skirt up roughly, and I made no move to stop him, my
racing heartbeat drowning out all coherent thought.

He
moved between my legs, rubbing against me, his erection pressing into me at
just the right spot. I moaned and pushed into him, my core throbbing and hot,
seeking more friction between us, returning his passion movement for movement.

“Jesus.”

His
breath tickled my lips. He pushed me back, grinding against me as he buried his
face between my breasts, kissing and sucking, his mouth teasing me even as his
body made mine cry out beneath him. I was breathless, reacting to his touch,
the electricity in me rising to a fever pitch.

The
feel of his cock, stiff and hard against my clit made me bite my lip and moan.
I wanted to reach down and free him from his slacks. I wanted to have the
strength to push away and tug my skirt back down. I wanted... I was all
wanting, all nerves, all pleasure, all doubt.

He
bit my breast, and I cried out, my body convulsing as I came against him. I
squeezed him with my thighs, my whole body trembling as my core pulsed. I could
feel my arousal soaking through my panties, and wondered if there would be a
wet spot when he pulled away. I held him to me, my head spinning, savoring the
way he moaned against me.

He
looked up at me, then, and I noticed his breathing was as ragged as mine, his
eyes reflecting my need.

I just came with my clothes on
, I thought, horror overcoming
the haze of pleasure surrounding me.
I just dry humped my boss like we’re
teens in my parents basement.

“Aolani,”
he breathed.

He
looked like he was going to kiss me again, and I knew if he did that, I’d let
him do anything he wanted to. I’d make love to him, then and there, on top of
the kitchen island while the curry bubbled over behind us. God, did I want to,
but a part of me screamed at me to stop before things got too messy.