Mistress Minded (10 page)

“There's more to you than that.”

He shrugged. “Some days it doesn't feel like it.”

“Stop trying to distract me.”

Finally he looked up at her. “It sounds stupid when I say it out loud.”

She closed the gap between them. Wrapping her arms around his ribs, she nestled her head right over his heart, and listened to its slow, calming rhythm.

“Whisper it to me.”

He said her name and closed his hands over her shoulders. Tipping her face up to his, he dropped one small kiss on her lips. His erection nudged against her stomach and she knew he wanted her. But she also knew that he was hiding something.

“I want you, stud muffin, but I want answers, too.”

“God, Jayne, if you call me that in front of anyone I really will turn you over my knee.”

“Promises, promises. The clothing?”

He lifted her in his arms and carried her to one of the overstuffed chairs in the living area, where he sank down and settled her on his lap. Then he tucked her head under his chin. She tried to move so she
could see him, make eye contact, but he was having none of it.

“My mom had the worst sense of style. One of the reasons my dad left us was that he was embarrassed by her. My mom had no idea how to change that about herself, and frankly, I didn't either. Then I met Susan. She was very fashionable and knew how to dress right. So Mom picked up a few tips from her.”

“Who's Susan?” Jayne asked. He'd never talked about that time in his life before and she had a hard time picturing Adam as anything but the successful CEO he was today.

“She was my wife.”

Jayne still had a hard time coming to terms with Adam as married. It didn't fit with the man she'd come to know. Even in her wildest dreams she didn't picture the two of them married.

She ached to wrap her arms around him but couldn't because of the way he held her so tightly.

“How old were you? You didn't say before.”

“Twenty when we married. Twenty-one when she left. The only good thing she did was help Mom with her sense of style. After that if I saw a woman whose marriage was on the rocks and her clothing wasn't exactly fashionable, I'd help out.”

“You can't fix everyone's marriage.”

“I'm not even trying.”

“Then what are you doing?”

“Leveling the playing field.”

“That is one of the—”

“Don't say it. I warned you.”

“—sweetest things I've ever heard.”

“Oh, God, give me a break. I also can't stand to see a woman hiding from her natural sensuality.”

“Damn, why didn't you say so earlier?”

He cupped her chin and lifted her toward him for a long, lingering kiss—at first just the soft brushing of lips against lips. Then Adam angled his head and let his tongue slowly enter her mouth, tasting her deeply.

When he lifted his head, there was more than just lust in his eyes. She saw affection and caring and a slew of other emotions she'd never expected to see when Adam looked at her.

“I
have
to call Sam this afternoon,” he said at last.

“Apparently I have some shopping to do,” Jayne replied, getting to her feet.

“I'll be done in thirty minutes,” he said.

“No, you won't. You can't get Sam off the phone in less than forty-five.”

“If I had the right incentive I could.”

“I'll see what I can do.”

He stopped her halfway to the door, kissing her again. This time it wasn't the sweet lingering embrace of earlier. His hands cupped her butt and he drew her hard against him. His mouth ravaged hers.

When he set her back on her feet she felt as if she'd
just lived through a class IV hurricane. “What was that?”

“Incentive for you,” he said with a wink, steering her toward the door.

Jayne walked out of their room and paused for a minute on the gravel path. Adam was changing. He was no longer the unemotional man she'd worked for a few days earlier, and though she knew it might be foolhardy, her heart beat a little faster at the thought of why he'd changed.

“W
here are the women?” Ray clamped the butt of a cigar between his teeth and glanced around the room. He checked his watch one more time and then scowled.

Adam wasn't concerned. Jayne had called earlier and said that she and Didi would meet them at the restaurant. He'd missed her while he'd been working. Sam, his vice president, hadn't been expecting a call, but Adam had needed some space from Jayne.

He'd told her things he'd never meant to reveal. He had a lot of difficulty keeping her in the neatly labeled slot he'd assigned her to.

They were dining in the small town at a chef-
owned restaurant that Jayne had discovered when she'd researched the island. She'd suggested Adam check it out and maybe hire the chef for the resort's restaurant. As charming as Perla Negra was, it lacked the amenities guests of Powell International were used to.

“Relax. Jayne is the most organized person I know. They'll be here in time for our reservation.”

“You're right,
compare.
Jayne's a firecracker.”

“She is. I'm lucky to have her. Didi's not exactly a slouch, either.”

“That one likes to make my life uncomfortable,” Ray said.

“I think women are meant to do that to a man.”

“Makes life damn disturbing,” Ray said. His mouth fell open and he dropped his cigar. Adam glanced over his shoulder and felt his own jaw sag. Jayne and Didi stood in the doorway.

Ray muttered something in Italian that Adam couldn't understand, but the sentiment was one he shared. The women both looked breathtaking. Jayne's eyes sparkled when they met his and he couldn't help smiling back at her. Didi was finally wearing something that wasn't butt-ugly and actually fit her body.

But Adam couldn't take his eyes off of Jayne. It scared him to realize how important she was to him and to his life. He couldn't take the risk of letting her be that vital, and he wondered for a second if he shouldn't just distance himself from her now.

Actually, he didn't think he could.

Didi started to look a little apprehensive, and crossed her arms over her chest. Jayne gestured for her to drop her arms to her sides, which the other woman did.

“Well, aren't you going to say anything?” Jayne demanded.

Adam recovered first and crossed to the ladies. He took Didi's hand in his and brushed a kiss against the back of it. “You look beautiful. Ray and I are going to be the envy of every man in the place tonight.”

Then he turned to Jayne, and smooth words deserted him. He pulled her close and kissed her fiercely, needing her with a desperation that made his soul wary. When he lifted his head, her made-for-sin mouth was dewy and swollen from his kisses. Adam wanted to say the hell with dinner and retreat back to their room.

“Babe…I…you…” For the first time since they met Ray was almost speechless.

“Cat got your tongue, Ray?”

“You look nice. I think our table is ready.”

“It's a wonder you're any good at your job,” Didi said.

Ray wrapped his arm around Didi's waist and led her toward the hostess stand. Adam and Jayne followed, listening to the bickering couple.

“I'm much better at it when I don't have you sticking your nose in my business.”

“Babe,” Didi said in a good imitation of the way Ray always said it. “I'm not sticking my nose in, I'm making sure you do things properly.”

Luckily, they soon reached the table and were seated. It was one of the best in the house, in front of a large open window that let in warm sea breezes and had a view of the ocean equaled by none. Adam kept his hand on Jayne's back even after she sat down. He liked the feel of her silky smooth skin.

He also liked the fact that he had the right to touch her. That Jayne belonged to him. And dammit, she did belong to him, in a way no person ever had before. He shuddered a little as he realized it was too late to guard against caring for her. He already did.

Their waiter was a young Jamaican man with a smile a little too friendly when he turned it on Jayne. Adam leaned over and kissed her mouth in a way that told the world she belonged to him. Then he calmly ordered for both of them.

Jayne pinched his leg under the table and he reached over to her thigh and caressed it. Ray and Didi excused themselves to talk to a couple who were staying at the resort.

“What was that about?”

“What?” Adam took a sip of his drink, continuing to caress Jayne's leg under the table.

“That male territory thing you did. Why don't you get out a Sharpie pen and write your name on my forehead?”

“You'd let me do that?” he asked.

“You're hopeless,” she said with a laugh.

“Only where you're concerned.”

Her breath caught and she looked up at him with…Oh, God, don't let it be love in her eyes. His heart speeded up and he knew the situation was quickly spinning out of his control.

A small band took the stage and soon the sounds of reggae and calypso music filled the joint. Adam watched Jayne humming along under her breath and swaying to the music.

“Want to dance?”

“Yes, but you need to talk to the chef and then I think you should—”

He quieted her by sliding his hand down her neck to her collarbone and holding her carefully. “Come on,” he said, tugging her to her feet. “It's been too long since I held you.”

She said nothing as he led her to the dance floor and pulled her into his arms. She nestled there trustingly, laying her head on his heart as she always did, and he prayed that she couldn't hear its frantic beating.

 

The rest of the week flew by and Jayne spent every hour of the day with Adam, learning more about him. She realized he loved to be on the water and had rented a sailboat for them to use every afternoon. She'd always known that he was intensely private and
very driven, but on the island she learned why. She thought she finally understood why he limited himself to relationships that were clearly defined. He wanted to protect everyone involved.

She'd never have guessed the man who was ruthless in the boardroom and who was known as a shark in the hotel world would have a hidden depth of caring that would make her heart ache.

Today he was on the beach playing a game of coed volleyball with a group of singles that had come to the resort looking for some fun. Adam had been casually studying the resort demographics. She knew because she'd spent as much time at her computer, making charts and graphs and compiling reports, as she had with Adam.

But she didn't mind it. In fact, she found that their relationship had added a dimension to their work life that she hadn't expected.

He valued her opinion, and he took breaks more frequently now just to sit quietly with Jayne. Sometimes they'd go for a walk, other times she'd tease him by calling him stud muffin and he'd fall on her, making love to her with a fierceness that convinced her he must love her.

Adam planned to take the charming resort and make it into an all-inclusive vacation destination for families. She'd just concluded a call with a treasure hunter who'd agreed to redesign the treasure map.
Ray had all but said that Adam could purchase La Perla Negra.

Jayne thought that might be why Adam looked so relaxed today. She sat on the sidelines, watching him play. He was bare-chested and sweaty, and when he looked at her she felt the intensity of his gaze even from beneath those dark sunglasses of his.

The game broke up. Adam perched on the arm of her chair and took a sip of her margarita. “Where were you?”

“Talking to Guy O'Bannon.”

Adam raised one eyebrow in question.

“The treasure hunter.”

“What kind of name is Guy O'Bannon?”

Jayne shrugged. “I think he made it up. He was funny as anything. I made arrangements for him to come down to the island. For a fee he'll redesign the treasure hunt and add some false trails as well as help us with the legend.”

“Great. Now all I need is for Ray to sign that contract and everything will be in place.”

Adam signaled the waitress and ordered a Corona. Then he lifted her from the chair. He took her place and settled her on his lap, curving his hand around her waist and caressing her with languid strokes of his fingers. “I like this place. I never expected to.”

“Why not?” she asked, trying to focus on the conversation and not the delicious tingles spreading over
her body. She rested her head on his shoulder and wished that this special closeness never had to end.

“This is the resort that my dad brought his secretary to when he left us.”

“Oh, Adam.” She tried to turn to face him but he held her tightly in his arms. Then he leaned down to glare at her.

“Don't say my name like that. I'm not a broken-hearted fourteen-year-old.”

“I never thought you were. It's just… I wish you never had to suffer,” she said, speaking from the heart. She knew that there was no way to protect Adam from being hurt, and to even think that this strong man needed her protection was almost ridiculous. But it didn't change the way she felt.

“At least I had my dad for those fourteen years. I'd forgotten all the good memories for a long time,” Adam said at last. He cupped her face, tilting it back so he could sip from her lips. She tasted of salt and lime from her margarita.

His fingers feathered over her skin, as light as the sea breeze, and her body responded. She would never get enough of him. She'd stopped thinking that they would ever be apart, because it was too painful to imagine a time when he wasn't in her life. He owned her, body, heart and soul, and she suspected sometimes that he knew it. It didn't really bother her because she felt as if she was coming to own him in the same way.

He lifted his head, his lips wet from her kisses, and his eyes narrowed. Under her buttocks she felt him hardening. She had the feeling they weren't going to be sitting in the sun for too much longer. But anticipation was exquisite, and she knew he felt the same when he rubbed his hard-on against her and then leaned back against the chair.

She cast around for something to distract them. “How do you feel about your dad now?”

“I can't forgive him, Jayne, and I don't think I ever will be able to. But at least now I can remember the good times before.”

“I'm glad. Childhood should leave lots of good, lasting memories.”

He opened his eyes and she smiled up at him. “You sound like a sappy old greeting card,” he murmured.

She knew she'd gotten too close with her probing, and didn't want to back down, but knew she had to. “Yeah, you bring that out in me, stud muffin.”

“I thought I warned you not to call me that,” he growled.

“Don't get all bristly. Here comes your beer.”

“I'll take it with me.”

“Oh? Where are you going?”

“Back to our room, to paddle that sweet backside of yours.”

“I don't think so.”

“Then you should have been paying attention.”
Adam lifted her against his chest and stood up. “Be a good girl, Jayne, and grab my beer.”

A river of anticipation swelled inside her. She didn't fear him and knew he'd never hurt her. So she reached for his beer and cradled the cold bottle against her stomach while she signed their tab with one hand. Adam walked up the path to their room with sure steps. And Jayne knew in her heart that she and Adam were going to be together forever.

 

Adam had Jayne open the door of their suite, and walked into the sun-filled room. He wasn't seriously thinking of spanking her, though with her sassy mouth she'd tempted him more than once to turn her over his knee. What he wanted more than anything was to make love to Jayne. Their time at the resort had been the most ideal fantasy of his life, and at the same time the most tense.

He knew it couldn't last and was afraid for the first time that he wouldn't be able to manage this properly. That somehow Jayne would slip through his fingers and his life would once again be filled with cold beauties instead of the fire that Jayne brought to his soul.

Adam walked into the bedroom. The drapes were drawn and only a little dappled light filled the room. He settled Jayne on the edge of the bed.

She offered him his Corona, and he took the beer and set it on the nightstand. Turning back to her, he slid his palm down her leg, cupping the flesh of her
calf and then pushing the delicate sandals off her feet. Then he slipped his hand under the skirt of her sun-dress, caressing the firm flesh of her thighs. She shivered, her eyes drifting closed. Her legs parted and he slid his hand closer to her center.

He teased her through the silk of her panties, feeling it dampen in response to his touch. He slid one finger under the elastic leg band of her underwear and traced her opening. Her legs thrashed.

Her breathing was rapid now, her breasts straining the buttons on the bodice of her dress. He leaned down and tongued her nipple through the fabric. She gasped his name and held his head to her.

“Open your dress,
chère.
”

She fumbled with the buttons and he watched her. Finally she had them all undone down to her belly button. The fabric shielded her from his gaze except for a thin strip of creamy flesh visible through the opening. The rounded curves of her breasts moved with each breath she took.

“Bare yourself to me,” he said, his voice a growl.

She nodded and pulled the bodice open. Her nipples were starting to harden, the pale pink flesh becoming darker. He pushed her skirt to her waist and looked down at her, spread before him like a sensual feast. God, he was hungry for her.

He kissed her abdomen and then moved lower, to the very heart of her. When her hips lifted in response, he parted her and thrust his tongue into her
body. She tasted exquisite and he felt himself hardening almost painfully. The need for her was too demanding to resist. She moaned his name.