Mission: Seduction (5 page)

The last thing she wanted was for him to regret their first kiss.

“I'm not upset, that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about, and I think maybe we shouldn't wait. Do you mind if we take a walk on the beach?”

It felt as if the ground had dropped out from beneath her and she rebounded again.

This is it. Tell him.

Her mouth went dry and her heart skipped a beat. Taking his hand, she led him away from the party. She slipped off her heels and waited while he took off his shoes and rolled up his jeans. Then they walked side by side across the sand.

“I'm trying to get in touch with your sister but she won't return my calls.” He exhaled the words on a long breath as they neared the water.

“Oh? I told you, right? That when she gets on a shoot, time flies. She's the worst at returning calls, texts and emails.” That was true at least. “Perhaps I can help.”

He laughed. “I don't think so. I'm not going to say too much right now. I need to speak to your sister first. It's the right thing to do. But I wanted you to know that kiss was more than a save to me. I'd like to do it again.”

Kelly blushed with the news.

“Hmm. Me, too—a lot,” she said.

He squeezed her hand. “But that can't happen until I reach your sister and explain.”

“Got it,” she said, though her mind raced to find a way to solve this situation. If she told him the truth now, he might never want to talk to her again. That would break her heart. If she let him get to know her, the real her, maybe he wouldn't get so mad when the truth came out. “You're an honorable guy. I kind of adore that about you.”

At least one of them should be honorable.

“Yeah, I'm not big on games and lies,” he said. “The truth is important to me. I have a code I live by.”

Kelly couldn't help it. Each word ripped at her heart. “I agree with you to a certain extent, but sometimes white lies can help protect someone from harsh realities. Or they can cushion a terrible blow. I mean, the person needs to have a great reason for lying, but I think sometimes it's necessary.”

He shrugged. “I'll take your word on that. Should we go back and join the others?”

The idea of him being mauled by more women was too much for her. “I'm tired of the noise, and I really don't want to deal with Greg anymore,” she answered frankly. “How would you feel about watching a movie?”

One golf-cart ride later and they'd arrived at the side entrance to the main building and quickly made it to her suite.

“I'm going to change out of this dress—I'll be back in a minute,” she told him.

Tempted to run, she forced herself to walk casually to her bedroom. Once she closed the door, she hurried to her closet.

What am I doing?

Seducing Rafe.

Was she?

Never in her life had she been so unsure of herself. Tackling big waves was a lot easier than relationships. He wanted to wait until he talked to Mimi, but who knew when that would ever happen?

Kelly would have to figure out how to contact her sister and right away. Mimi might not like the subterfuge, but she was also a romantic—one of the reasons she fell in love three or four times a month. Surely, she'd understand Kelly's predicament.

Determined to try again to clear the air with Rafe, Kelly chose her outfit carefully.

She picked the hanger with her favorite white eyelet halter. And digging deep in the bottom shelf of her dresser drawer, she found a white wraparound skirt to match the top.

Five minutes later she pulled her curls into a ponytail, slapped some lip gloss on her lips and decided she was good to go.

Kelly came out of her bedroom to find the television on.

“Supermodel Mimi Callahan was seen frolicking on the shores of a private Malibu beach with her new love, actor Sebastian Lockwood. These two were also seen kissing at the hot new club LaDon last night. Two of the most beautiful people in the world—could this be true love?” The announcer smiled broadly and gave a fake wink as the entertainment show moved on to the next segment.

Rafe shook his head.

“You must be upset. I'm sorry,” Kelly said softly. She reached for the remote and turned off the television.

Why did this have to happen tonight?

Tell him the truth.

Rafe faced the expanse of glass that framed the ocean, so she couldn't see his expression. “We can watch a movie tomorrow or the next day,” she offered. “You probably don't want anything to do with the Callahan girls. I get it.”

“No.” The word sounded strangled.

Kelly's heart tightened painfully in her chest. He cared for Mimi, and now he was crushed. As much as Kelly had hoped she might fill in for her sister, she should have known no man got over Mimi that fast. Still, she ached to go to him and take him into her arms and offer comfort.

It was her stupid fault for doing all this in the first place. For making him think that Mimi cared about him when in truth her sister probably didn't even remember who he was. Men were accessories for her. As easily cast aside as a pair of cheap costume earrings. She would fall madly and hopelessly in love with a guy, and then, in a matter of days or weeks, she moved on to the next one.

“I won't make excuses for her, but she's never been one for any type of long-term commitment. I... We should, um—”

Rafe turned around and the big smile on his face shocked her.

“What...” The words wouldn't form in her mouth.

“I'm relieved.” He chuckled and walked over to where she was standing. When he looked down at her, she couldn't help noticing that there was something about his eyes, but she couldn't place it. “I've been feeling so guilty, Kelly.”

“Why would you feel guilty?” She put her hand on his arm. She needed to touch him. It was as if his body called to her. The more she tried to stay away, the louder the calling.

Rafe gave her a lopsided grin and held her hand.

“Since I've met you, I couldn't even remember what your sister looked like. You're so beautiful and kind. And I wanted you in a way I never have any woman before.”

Kelly chewed on the inside of her lip, a nervous habit she'd developed in childhood.

He stepped closer and gently held her face in his hands. He leaned in and placed a light kiss to her lips.

Gasping at how aroused his kiss made her feel, her first instinct was to throw herself at him, instead he must have misread her surprise.

Rafe frowned. “I apologize. I got carried away....”

He wanted her. Now.

Me. Not Mimi.

“Oh, you're not wrong at all. I feel the same way. I've been feeling guilty, too.”

For more reasons than he might guess.

Tell him the truth.

Not now. Let him get to know me and then I'll explain. We'll laugh about how silly it all was.

No. She had to tell him the truth before they went any further.

“Rafe—”

But then his lips captured hers in a hungry kiss. And a small sigh escaped from her, allowing him to deepen the kiss as he took her into his arms. Warmth spread through her limbs, making a direct line to her core.

When his fingers stroked her cheek, her jaw and moved lower, she lost all sense of what was around her.

As their tongues danced together, she wasn't sure which one of them moaned first, but as she ran her hands over his taut chest and shoulders, his hard erection tempted her to reach down.

Capturing her hands, he ended the kiss and took a step back. He gave her that boyish grin again. “I think we need to take a breather.”

Instantly disappointed, Kelly wondered if maybe he didn't want her as badly as she'd thought. “Sorry, I guess I was the one who got carried away. I, uh...” Humiliated, she found her fingernails the most interesting things in the world.

Reaching out for her, he lifted her chin with his finger. “I do want you,” he said, his voice a low growl. Taking a deep, steadying breath, he cleared his throat. “In every way I can have you.”

Happiness filled Kelly from the tips of her toes all the way to her blond ponytail. “Then?”

He took her hands in his. “Call me old-fashioned, but I want to take it slow.” He stared at her deeply, giving her another devastating smile. “Okay, not exactly slow. But I want you to understand that you aren't my second choice or a rebound. You're it. I was attracted to your sister, but you and I have— I don't even know how to describe it.”

“A connection,” she suggested.

“Right. And I want to take you out on dates and, um, woo you.”

Kelly burst out laughing.

He frowned, clearly unimpressed with her reaction. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“No, sir. I'm all about the wooing. But I was thinking we've had lunch and dinner together. We went to a party and strolled on the beach. That's like four dates already.” She batted her lashes at him.

Rafe nodded. “I like a woman who isn't afraid to go after what she wants.”

“That's me,” she said. “You don't go after thirty-foot waves if you're a coward.”

But you are. You should tell him the truth.

“Hmm. I'm thinking a swim might be good,” he said.

“Now?”

“C'mon, it'll be fun.” His lazy grin curled her toes. Fine, if he wanted to swim, she'd swim. Maybe he was right about slowing down, but she didn't want to.

“On second thought, that's a great idea, Rafe. I'm in,” she told him, and stripped off her top and skirt, prancing right into the water.

6

R
AFE
'
S
GAZE
WAS
glued to Kelly as she dived naked into the sea. Slack-jawed, he couldn't remember a lovelier or more erotic sight. She was exquisite, pure and natural from her shapely legs to her well-toned ass. When she surfaced, she pulled the band from her hair and the mass of heavenly waves fell around her shoulders.

Lifting her arms up toward the moon, she posed waist-deep in the water. He was no exhibitionist, but he wasn't stupid. She'd offered him a gift, and he would not turn it down.

In seconds, he'd stripped and followed her into the sea. The temperature was several degrees cooler than earlier in the day, but heat suffused his body as he neared her.

“This is where I live,” she said, looking lovingly at the sky. “The moon gives the gift of waves, and I give her unconditional love.” Her tone of voice gave him serenity and a piquant desire. He knew she must be part sea nymph just from the way she rode the waves. His cock twitched as he imagined her riding him wild and free.

He clenched his jaw, desperate to regain control even as the water pushed him toward her. “I didn't think the moon was a woman. I've always heard there was an old man in the moon.”

She shook her head, smiling. “No, only a woman could do something this magical.”

“You have a point.” He believed it because he could hear the unconditional acceptance of it in her voice. Exotic, alluring and yet utterly open and captivating. Just like her. In that instant, he realized he understood her better than he ever would her sister, despite all the wonderful letters. “I get the unconditional part. Probably sounds crazy comparing the military to the ocean and the moon, but I feel the same way about the corps. The corps made me the man I am today. It made me a man, period.” Would she really understand his linking her feminine mystery to his devotion to the Marines?

“Right. The Marines is a part of you, like the moon and sea are a part of me.” She glanced over her shoulder. The light of the orb's reflection cast an almost supernatural glow along her skin.

He wanted to touch her, but he was almost afraid to spoil the mood. The water eddied between them. Dragging them closer yet edging them apart, like two magnets, attracting and repelling. Her smile invited him to tell her anything.

And damn if he didn't want to. “I was safer in the corps than hanging out at home. Like a lot of my buddies, I was a screwed-up teen with two choices—jail or the military. My dad was pretty set on what choice I should make. He and my mom had done their best, but I was a hardheaded brat. Signing up with the Marines was one of the best decisions I ever made. A year after I joined, I was going to college online and serving in Afghanistan.”

“What did you study in school?” she asked.

He wanted to see her face clearly, but a few wayward strands of her hair blocked his view.

“Business. My former captain and I have a security firm we began last year. I work on the books with another friend of ours, and Will runs the day-to-day operation.”

“Wow. I was already impressed by you, but you are one
awesome
dude.” Her light tone echoed a far more profound admiration.

He laughed. “You are such a surfer girl.”

“Never pretended to be anything different.” She lifted her shoulders as an innocent gesture. “I felt brave when I walked out here. Now, I'm nervous.”

“Me, too,” he said honestly. “This was all so fast. I just want to make sure that you understand that I meant what I said. This has nothing to do with your sister. This is all about you and me.”

She reached out to him then. Outlined by the enormous glow of the moon behind her, he could see the need that burned in her eyes. Pert breasts greeted him with tight pink nipples begging for attention.

“Beautiful,” he said reverently.

Her eyes traveled from his face on down to his pelvis, his want for her evident.

“Yes, it is.”

Sucking in a breath, he touched her.

“Mine,” he whispered before his mouth claimed hers in a searing kiss.

He was so engrossed in tasting her that he didn't notice the wave until it crashed down on top of them. His injured leg gave out and they both slipped beneath the water.

Kelly held on to him and he pushed with all his might. The strain on his leg sent a stab of pain into his hip and back, but he managed to push her above the surface. She helped him in turn, and they both sputtered and coughed.

“That was fun,” she said, giggling.

Rafe winced. The pain in his hip and leg released fresh agony with every new wave that slammed into them.

She stopped laughing. “Oh, no, this is too much for your injuries. That's what I get for trying to be romantic and forcing you to make out with me in the ocean.”

He wanted to do a lot more than just make out. “The leg is fine,” he lied. “And, I'm going to show you romance.” Ignoring the pain, he wrapped her in his arms and lost himself as his mouth joined with hers.

Cupping her breast, he thumbed her nipple. She moaned his name in response and though Rafe didn't think it possible, his erection grew harder.

“Kelly!” A voice penetrated from the darkness, abruptly ending the sensual haze she felt she was in.

“Kelly, is that you?” the man persisted in a French accent, calling for her again.

Rafe grabbed her hand, trying to reassure her. Whatever this was, it didn't sound good.

“What's wrong?” Kelly asked dreamily.

“Are you okay?” the man asked.

Rafe didn't know who this guy was, but murder crossed his mind.

“This is so not happening,” she said through gritted teeth. “Adrien, I'm fine. This isn't a good time.”

“I can see that, but it's an emergency. Some woman is on the phone and she's crying hysterically. Something about your papa. Sounds important, but I do not understand a word she is saying.”

Rafe could see the tension in Kelly's face. The humor and desire had gone out of her expression as though she'd been struck by a gale-force wind. To him she said, “I can't believe this. I'm so sorry. I don't know what's going on, but I have to check.”

Then to Adrien she yelled, “Tell her I'll be right there.”

“Of course, let's go. It's an emergency. Tell me what I can do to help.” Rafe forced his leg to cooperate, while trying to shield her nudity from the guy on the beach. Rafe barely relaxed his vigilance until the shadowy figure sprinted off toward the main building.

“This might take a while if it's who I think it is,” she said apologetically. She found his shirt, which he'd left just beyond the water's reach, and slipped it on. That was a sight, with her beautiful, tanned legs poking out the bottom of the white cotton.

“No problem. I should head back to my bungalow.” Rafe shoved on his jeans, which wasn't easy since his leg was aching. Tiny, hot needles of pain burned deep in the muscles. “I'll see you tomorrow for the—what is that class called?”

“Pilates.” She smiled but it didn't quite make it as far as her eyes.

Rafe leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “I'm being serious, let me know if you need help.”

“Thanks,” she said as she gave him a quick hug and sprinted away.

In contrast, he limped toward his room and grimaced.

At this rate, cold showers might become a part of his regular routine.

* * *

“
M
OM
,
STOP
CRYING
. Everything is fine. You know Dad will pop back up at the house tomorrow. He always comes home to you.” Of all the nights for her father to take off on one of his little adventures—if he were here, she'd—

“This time is different,” her mother insisted. “He didn't even leave a note. And Sissy Carpenter saw him talking to that new tennis coach, Samantha. You know how much your father loves tennis.”

Her dad loved anything he could do that would get him out of the house when his wife was in residence. Once a dedicated neurosurgeon and preoccupied for a lot of Kelly's life, he'd since retired a few months ago. He still consulted on special cases from time to time, but he didn't see new patients any longer.

Her mom, a former supermodel, decided she was in no way retiring. She threw herself into the details of her clothing label, perfume and makeup lines and kept herself busy with all kinds of commitments. Her father was done with the limelight. All he wanted to do was play tennis and the occasional game of golf. But her mom nagged him to accompany her to one thing after another.

As if to keep his wife in check, he would take off at a moment's notice. He'd leave on the auspices of an important case, and Kelly and Mimi were stuck picking up the pieces.

Their mother's fits were legendary. Most of the time she was the life of the party, but it had taken several years for them to discover she suffered from depression. Drugs helped, but not when she added alcohol to the mix. Unfortunately, it sounded as if her mother had found the key to the liquor cabinet again.

Through her floor-to-ceiling window she watched Rafe limp to his room. Stupid wave had done more damage than she'd thought. Kelly had been through enough physical therapy to know how long real healing took.

Her mother droned on about the tennis coach.

Kelly sighed. “Mom, you know he wouldn't cheat on you. You said you did come home three days early to surprise him. He probably figured you wouldn't even know he was gone. He's off playing golf with his buddies. Drinking one too many martinis and passing out at nine, just like he does at home.”

This drove her mother nuts since she was a night owl who still liked to go out to clubs and late dinners. Even though she was more than fifty, her mom didn't look a day over thirty.

Kelly reminded herself that her dad might be a jerk sometimes, but he loved his wife. He never failed to tell her how beautiful she was and how important she was to him. And he constantly lavished gifts on her as if she were a harem princess. The two of them existed in a dysfunctional fairy tale, but it worked for them. Most of the time.

“But to not even tell me,” her mother wailed again.

This had to stop.

“Mom? I met a guy—a great one.”

The phone went silent.

“You never tell us about the men you date. It took us a year and a half to find out about Germaine.”

“Greg, mother.” That was one of the ways Mom hinted she didn't like someone. She always got the name wrong. Not once had she or Mimi dated a guy that their mother called by the correct name.

“This one is different. He's a marine, and so strong and honest. I didn't think they made men like him anymore.”

“Oh, sugar!” The Southern drawl always came out after a few vodka cranberries. “He sounds like heaven. I always did love me a man in uniform. Where did you meet?”

That was a tricky one. “Here. He's a guest staying at the resort.”

“Oh, how romantic,” she crooned, her overwrought mood completely diverted.

“It was romantic, Mother, until your call interrupted what was turning out to be a really great date,” she grumbled.

“Sugar, I'm sorry. You know how it is. Your daddy, I don't think he understands how much his leaving hurts my feelings. I really resent him for that.”

So did Kelly, in a way. Though he had a flair for the dramatic when it came to Mom, he'd always been reassuring and kind to his daughters. A calming force. The good cop when it came to sorting things out. But Mom was right. He also had a habit of missing recitals and pageants and always showering them with extravagant gifts to make it up to them.

“Hmm, I think it's time you changed it up,” suggested Kelly. “You need to go somewhere with a bunch of your friends. Take a mini vacation and don't tell Dad. When he gets back, he's going to freak when he doesn't find you at home waiting to fawn all over him again. Sometimes a chick has got to do what she has got to do when it comes to relationships.”

There was a long pause. “I always thought Mimi was the game player when it came to men. I never expected to hear something like that from you.”

True. Normally, Kelly wasn't the type of woman who went in for games. She preferred to tell it like it was. Her parents' marriage had taught her the importance of communicating and sharing the truth when it came to expectations and desires.

Okay, so she hadn't been exactly honest in the way she invited Rafe to the resort, but she'd been nothing but honest with him since then. Except that part about Rafe's voice mail message for Mimi. She hadn't expected the universe to be so generous with the timing of that entertainment report. But when Rafe kissed her—whatever risks she'd taken, they were worth it.

“But you might be on to something,” her mother said. “You get back to your date. I have a vacation to plan,” her mother said cheerily. “Love you, honey, sorry about interrupting your fun.”

“Love you, too.”

She checked the time; the call had lasted only twenty minutes. Rafe was probably in his room.

Kelly changed out of his slightly damp T-shirt and put it in the hamper to be laundered. Poking through her medicine cabinet, she found the special healing balm her physio had given to her when she'd pulled her hamstring.

Rafe's letters hadn't done justice to the extent of his injuries. The scars on his thigh, back and hip signified a grislier time than he'd let on. And even with the initial injuries healed, the scar tissue, possible nerve damage and muscle atrophy could set his full recovery back for years. While she prayed it wasn't true, she acknowledged there was the possibility he might have a slight limp for the rest of his life.

Hips were funny that way. If everything didn't heal exactly as it needed to, it was difficult to repair the damage. Her friend Roni had been one of the best surfers on the pro circuit until her board popped up and came down on her hipbone, smashing it to pieces.