Recipe for Satisfacton (12 page)

He was about to position himself at her core when he remembered. “Shit. I don’t have a condom.”

“It’s all right.”

He nodded, wanting to reassure her. “I’m clean.”

She grabbed his face with both hands. “I’m on the pill. I trust you.”

She trusted him. And that’s all he needed to know.

With Sterling wrapped around his body, he held her up with one arm, the other reaching down to guide in his stiff cock. He began with a slow, intense thrust, and when he finally buried himself to the hilt, the world fell away. It was amazing how this woman made him forget everything around him.

He moved his pelvis, penetrating her deeply. Sterling bit her bottom lip, no doubt trying to keep herself from crying out. The ecstasy on her face was a powerful aphrodisiac. It fueled his own desire, which had built slowly and without notice, and escalated to an uncontrollable need for release.

His thrusts quickened and Sterling whimpered every time their bodies joined. They smacked in unison, the sound of the water rustling between them the only evidence of their actions.

He snaked his hands up her back and settled his fingers at the base of her neck. “Gorgeous,” he whispered in her ear.

She moaned, the first real sound she’d let out since they started. Her released followed when she tensed, her core clenching his still-thrusting cock. Jack joined her seconds later and they tumbled over the edge of ecstasy together.

They stayed joined for a few moments. When her breathing had softened, Jack pulled out and set her down on wobbly legs.

“Let’s get you back on that raft.”

He swam out a ways to corral the raft. She jumped up, water dripping from her body, her skin glistening in the bright sunlight, her sex swollen and pink from their lovemaking.

When she had settled, she sighed contentedly. “Thank you, Jack.”

Leaning over, he kissed her forehead.

“Can you grab my bottoms?” She pointed to the ocean floor.

He nodded. “Your wish is my command.” Ducking under the water, he grabbed her bikini bottom, the yellow fabric hard to miss in the clear water.

“This is the life.” She swirled her hands in the water. “I love my job, but really, who wouldn’t love just lounging, enjoying the sun all day, not having a care in the world?”

His stomach tightened. Was she loving this lifestyle? What woman wouldn’t? She was probably enjoying the nice break from real life. Or maybe, she was loving what Jack had to offer. It had happened before. He knew the sting of being used by someone he thought cared for him. He’d never make that mistake again.

Grabbing one of her hands, he entwined her fingers with his in the water. “Sure beats the Canadian winters, doesn’t it?”

Next time he would be more low-key. He wouldn’t use his money.

Chapter Ten

The club scene in Miami was a million miles away from anything Sterling had experienced in Toronto. Although, admittedly, it had been years since she’d stepped foot into a club back home, yet somehow she didn’t think the eroticism would be taken to such great heights.

The entire trip had been erotic. The combination of public sex and acceptable nudity had amped up her need for sexual satisfaction and broke through all of her inhibitions. But she was fully aware Jack had a lot to do with her transformation.

This trip was exactly what she needed and for a few hours, she had forgotten her troubles. As soon as they returned to the Jeep and she looked at her BlackBerry, she couldn’t hide from real life any longer.

Two e-mails from her mother were waiting for her, demanding to know what happened to the credit cards. But Sterling was having too good a time, and she wasn’t going to let anything, or anyone, spoil it.

After the beach, they checked into a hotel and showered. Sterling slipped on the little black dress and lingerie Penn had packed for her and following an afternoon spent in the nude, Sterling felt pretty damn good about how she looked when she scrutinized herself in the mirror.

They approached the line and the bouncer immediately greeted Jack.

“Mr. Vaughn. I’ve got some ladies lined up for you. Take your pick.” The bouncer, as tall as he was wide, motioned to the shorter line of scantily clad women.

Her mouth dropped.

“Thanks, Shane.” Jack shook the bouncer’s hand, and cleared his throat as he stifled a cough. “But I have all the company I need right here.” He drew her into his body, settling his hand on her hip.

The bouncer stepped to the side and allowed them entry. She was sure she heard a chorus of groans above the pulse of music coming from the club. She looked back at the group of women, who shot daggers at her with their eyes. But the tiny twinge of satisfaction at the fact that he walked into the club with her on his arm manifested itself in a satisfied smile that curved her lips.

Inside, salsa music pumped from every speaker, coming from the band playing at the front of the room. A line of two men and two women sang words she couldn’t understand, but she knew could only equate to fun.

“What are we doing here?”

He turned his head when he spoke. “We’re going to dance.”

“We couldn’t dance in Toronto?” He picked the wrong girl if he thought she was going out on the dance floor.

“Where better to experience dancing than in one of the most fun cities in the world? Dancing is like breathing here.”

Dancing was the last thing she expected him to be into. “Can you dance?”

Jack pulled out a barstool and gestured for her to sit. “Of course.”

Before she was settled, the bartender approached and laid a bottle of tequila, two shot glasses, lime wedges, and salt on the bar.

Jack smiled at the man and reached over the bar to clasp his shoulder. “Alex, this is Sterling. Sterling, this is Alex.”

Alex winked. “Nice to meet you, Sterling.”

Built as though he should be a bouncer, Alex’s T-shirt hugged his broad chest, and his biceps stretched the sleeves. His dark skin was accentuated by the white shirt and when he winked at her, that devious sparkle told her he knew how to have a good time.

Alex’s inquiry interrupted their brief moment. “Jack, do you want me to clear away that section of the bar so you’ll have room to work your magic?”

Make room? Work his magic? What the hell kind of place was this?

Alex glanced to his right and made a gesture with his hand. “Carmen. Look who’s here!”

Sterling peered around Jack’s body, and down the bar. A squeal penetrated her thoughts as a woman rushed him, her arms sweeping up and grabbing him around the neck.

Good thing they were inside, because insects would be sure to take up residence inside Sterling’s mouth, her jaw now sitting on the floor.

Carmen’s skirt was barely the width of a tube top and her shirt… What shirt? She wore a damn bra. She whispered something in his ear but Sterling couldn’t hear over the music. He gripped the woman’s arms and ducked under her embrace.

Carmen gave him a sad face, then she locked eyes with Sterling. The same daggers that shot at her on her way in were being thrown rapid-fire. These Miami women sure liked to give the cut-eye.

What the hell was she doing here? What the hell was Jack thinking, bringing her to this place, to this city, where he had obviously had way too much fun?

He turned slowly to face her, wearing a guilty expression. As he should. “I’m sorry.”

She sighed. What did he have to feel guilty about? He shouldn’t change just because she was around. She knew he was more than this. More than parties and women. He was more than the bad-boy picture the tabloids painted. She wondered if he had any idea how special he was. But for now, she’d play along.

“I’m getting a glimpse at the real Jack Vaughn. I should be honored.”

He grabbed her by the shoulders, an earnest expression taking over his face. “This is not the real Jack Vaughn. It might have been once…but it feels like a lifetime ago. I don’t want to be that man anymore. I’m here with you.”

She lifted her hand to his cheek. “I know.”

Out of the corner of her eye Sterling heard Carmen hiss in frustration as she abruptly turned heel to flounce off, annoyed at Jack’s shift of attention.
Bitch.
She focused her attention back on the beautiful man in front of her.

He softened against her, his tense shoulders sagging just a little. Despite his reassurance that his interest was directed only at her, she was still curious.

She leaned closer and whispered, “I want to know exactly what you do here that requires a section of the bar to be cleared.”

He smiled, slammed his hand down to catch Alex’s attention, and motioned to the end of the bar.

Immediately, Alex approached the customers sitting at the edge and they moved.

What would it be like to have such power? To have people jump at your every whim?

Jack grabbed her hand and helped her off the stool.

When they reached the end of the bar, he swept her off her feet and sat her down. He grabbed her legs and swiveled her until she laid flat on her back. Alex brought over the tequila and its accoutrements.

“What are you doing?” she squeaked.

“Showing you what women usually line up for.”

She shot him a disgruntled look.

He raised his hands in the air in defense. “Not being cocky, just stating fact.”

He poured a shot of tequila. Then he leaned down and kissed her, soft and sweet, and it spoke volumes about the man she’d chosen to spend time with.

When he picked up the saltshaker, she had a feeling she knew where this was going.

“Body shots?” she asked.

He nodded and leaned forward, his lips connecting with her jaw. They moved down until he found that spot on her neck, the spot where her pulse pounded with anticipation. She slanted her head, exposing more of her skin, giving him more access.

He licked her neck and shook the salt onto the wet spot, then traded the salt for a lime wedge. His licked the salt, shot the tequila, then sucked on the lime. Lick. Shoot. Suck. He repeated the actions—pretending to shoot more tequila—on the other side of her neck, then he let out a low growl and claimed his territory at the hollow of her throat and her cleavage.

Sterling started to giggle breathlessly. “Hey, that’s not part of a body shot.”

His eyes pierced hers with a smoldering glare, but then moved down her body, licking the side of her knee and ankle.

Her head swam with desire. The sight of his pink tongue in contact with her skin turned her on more than anything. The knowledge that people could be watching them, witnessing this intimate encounter, only fueled her lust higher, faster…deeper.

He returned to the top half of her body and ended with a kiss.

“We’ll have to continue this in our hotel room,” he whispered. “There are a lot of other parts I’d like to lick underneath that dress.”

She sucked in a deep breath. She was all on board.

He grinned at her reaction. “Too bad I’m not done with you here yet.”

She sat up but he kept her seated on the bar, her legs dangling over the edge, and ordered two beers. He stood between her thighs, sipping on his beer. It took all the willpower she could muster not to launch off the bar into his arms and ravish him in public. She tamped down her libido and initiated small talk.

With a smile, he said, “Are you ready to salsa?”

“You salsa?”

“Don’t look so surprised.”

She was very surprised. He just didn’t look like a dancer. Although she knew firsthand he had great moves in the bedroom.

“My last name may be Vaughn, but my mother’s maiden name was Ramirez.” He punched out the word mother with a bitterness she’d never heard in his voice before.

“You’re half Latino?”

“Puerto Rican, to be exact.” He poured two shots. Was one of those for her?

“I had no idea.” It would explain his darker complexion. “You really are full of surprises.”

She glanced around the room. Men and women twisted and twirled in a sensuous rhythm all over the dance floor. Their feet moved in time to the music, their bodies swayed to the beat. They moved as one entity, even though they each had their own part to play.

She focused her attention back to the bar. Jack handed her the shot. The smell flooded her nostrils, singeing her airway.

“Sterling Andrews, do you swear to dance, drink, and surrender yourself to the music?”

She was definitely in for surrendering—but it wasn’t to the music.

She glanced over to the dance floor. Excitement sparked in her stomach. Dancing looked like fun. Being wrapped in Jack’s arms, writhing and grinding in public, looked like even more fun. “You can teach me to do that?”

He nodded. A wicked gleam deepened in his brown eyes.

Jack licked his hand and sprinkled salt on his skin. He grabbed the shot with one hand and the lime wedge with the other. Hopefully he’d have enough alcohol to cloud his brain when he tried to remember how much of an embarrassment she was on the dance floor.

She followed his direction, readying her own shot. What the hell did she have to lose? She held up her glass and said, “I surrender.”

They clinked glasses.

Lick. Shoot. Suck.

Before she knew it, she held his hand as he guided her out onto the dance floor.

They started out with simple side-to-side movements. The heat made her light-headed—which could very well have been from the man holding her close. He impressed her in so many ways in the short time they’d known each other, but the way he moved on the dance floor sent every one of her erogenous zones into overdrive. The man was all sex, pure sin. And he was hers for the night.

They visited the bar between lessons, although after two shots, she was done drinking. She was actually having fun. She never would have thought she’d be the type of person who could loosen up without the alcohol. But she was loose and ready to surrender.

“When am I going to be able to dance like that?” she yelled over the music, and pointed to the couple beside them—so wrapped up in each other they probably wouldn’t have noticed a bomb go off.

“Have another shot or two and you’ll
feel
like you’re dancing like that.”

She laughed. “You’re probably right.”

He gripped her hips and steadied her. “Can we add another move now? Do you think you’ve got this one down?”

She nodded. She could add another move. When she was with him, she could do anything.

…

Their hotel was on the other side of the strip, but Jack didn’t want the night to end. Instead, they strolled through the crowded streets. Even at 2:00 a.m. the party hadn’t stopped. Eclectic sounds of music filtered into the streets from the different clubs they passed. The rush of the ocean was a distant murmur in the background.

“So how do you feel about salsa dancing?” he asked.

Sterling hugged his arm. “I feel good. I didn’t think I had it in me.”

“I’ve seen the way your body moves. You’re a natural.”

She’d been surprisingly pliant. Yes, that was the alcohol at first, but after about twenty minutes something else took over. Determination shone in her eyes.

“I still don’t think it was necessary to come to Miami.”

He pulled her to a stop. “Did you try something new?”

She nodded.

“Was it exciting?”

She nodded again. This time with a smile.

“Then my work here is done.” He would have taken her to the ends of the earth if need be. All he wanted was to see that smile on her face.

“Look!” She pointed down the street. “There must be a celebrity over there. Look at all those cameras flashing.”

His happiness balled into a heavy knot in his stomach at the sight of paparazzi lurking outside the entrance to a club.

“Come on.” He tugged her across the street.

“Jack?” she squeaked. “Where’s the fire?”

He wasn’t in the mood for harassment. He was never in the mood for harassment, but especially not when he was with Sterling. It was one thing to print lies about him, but he would never be able to live with himself if Sterling were dragged through the mud. It had happened once before, the night his mother passed. That poor holistic practitioner was raked over the coals for weeks simply for setting up a meeting.

Pulling her behind a van, he settled them out of sight.

Just the mere sight of those idiots caused his blood to boil. Anger simmered beneath his skin at the thought of them screwing with his life…again. It had all been fun and games before. Photos of him partying and alleged sex tapes were par for the course, but when they dragged his innocent, sick mother into the equation, that was hitting below the belt. It was then that Jack vowed he’d never allow the media into his life again. At least not voluntarily.

When he finally looked over at Sterling, her expression had saddened. Shit! Did she think he didn’t want to be seen with her?

“This has nothing to do with you, sweetheart. I would love to tell the world how much fun we’re having but unfortunately, that’s not what will be printed. They’ll dig into your background and look through your garbage.”