Then Came You (The Wilde Sisters #2) (11 page)

“Yesterday, at the pool, I couldn’t help but notice your tan. Your face is much darker than your chest, which makes sense being in Aruba, but I thought you’ve been right out straight busy with work. When have you had the time to lie out in the sun and tan your pecs? Your abs? Which are mighty fine, by the way.” Her soft, pink lips lifted into a teasing grin.

Grayson shook his head and laughed. “I can hardly keep up with you, Miss Wilde.”

“I’m sitting down not going anywhere so I don’t know what the problem is. I just asked you a simple question.” She quirked her eyebrow and gave him a serious stare down.

“An odd question, but I’ll answer it. I’ve been flying back and forth between New York and Aruba for nearly a year. This project is a big one and we’ve faced many challenges. In the earlier stages I spent more time wining and dining potential investors. It’s only been of late that I haven’t had the time, or the necessity, to do so. I’ve taken on more roles and responsibilities than I normally do with Montgomery Designs.”

“You like it. The new hands-on approach,” she stated rather than asked.

“I do.” Her candidness was refreshing. And sexy. His melancholy mood had dissipated into the night sky and her clean, fresh scent mingled with the ocean breeze, tempting him beyond his control.

“That’s good. A man who works with his hands is much sexier than one who sits behind a desk all day.” Thyme licked her lips and flipped her long mass of curls behind her bare shoulder.

He couldn’t take it any more. Tossing dignity, manners, and etiquette aside, Grayson framed her face in his hands, pulling her to him, and pressed his lips firmly against hers. He didn’t wait for her to accept or adjust, but forced her mouth open with his tongue and kissed her speechless.

She didn’t waste any time and slid onto his lap, deepening the kiss. It was too late to worry about scaring her. There was no way she could avoid feeling the rock hard excitement in his pants with her rear sitting high on his thighs. Grayson ran his hands through her tangled, wind-blown hair and then brought them to her shoulders, exploring the softness of her skin.

One shoulder was draped with the silky fabric and the other was open, bare, and inviting. He’d never had the urge to lick and bite a woman before. He trailed his fingers down her neck and shoulder, his mouth following, tasting the sweetness and saltiness of her skin.

She smelled of flowers and sweetness and innocence. He knew she had a wild past, she’d admitted and boasted about it many times, and her mouth spoke out of turn and abruptly, but underneath there were layers of hurt and vulnerability that he wanted to nurture and take care of.

Someone moaned, possibly him, and he stroked his hands down her arms and brought them to her ribcage. She didn’t protest, didn’t squirm away, but rather pushed her body into his. Taking this as a go-ahead sign, Grayson’s hands slowly drifted and stroked the underside of her breasts with his thumbs.

The next moan came from Thyme. She ground her hips and butt into his raging erection and he nearly exploded in his pants.

“God, Thyme. I—”

“I thought you may have gone overboard. I—oh, excuse me.” Scott cleared his throat as Thyme jumped off his lap, leaving Grayson in pain. He couldn’t stand without making the tent in his pants more obvious.

“Perfect timing. I was just telling Grayson I could use another glass of that fabulous wine.” Thyme wrapped her hand around Scott’s arm and led him toward the dining room.

There was no need to be drunk to lose control and worry about his image. He had Thyme to take care of that.

***

Thyme

Holy heavens. That could not happen again. Thyme had no idea an inner beast lived inside Grayson waiting to get out and take control of her.

Even though she enjoyed every second his tongue was in her mouth and on her neck, and his hands on her body, she couldn’t let it happen again. He was her boss, sort of. There was no possible happy ending on this one. Their first kiss had been a result of too much wine and the romantic scenery. The second. Heck. The second kiss was pure lust.

And couldn’t happen again.

Thyme had no desire to live in New York City and there was no way Pretty Boy would toss away his millions to live in little ol’ Maine. She would never fit in with his lifestyle. Hell, the trillion-dollar yacht had been a fun ride, but she didn’t like the feeling of walking on eggshells. Everywhere she turned there were priceless artifacts, artwork, and furniture. Thyme feared the red wine. What if she spilled on the ivory upholstery? She wanted to turn to white wine and non-staining food, but the merlot was heavenly. How the upper crust lived this way, she had no clue.

Thankful and angry when Scott broke up their hot and heavy make-out session, Thyme had pushed herself off Grayson’s incredibly hard body and put on her prim, proper, and polished act. She much preferred the trashy Thyme who was straddling Grayson’s impressive erection, but, not wanting to embarrass Grayson any more than she had already, Miss Prim emerged and distracted Scott from the display of near-sex.

“I’m so glad you enjoyed the wine. It’s from one of my wineries in Italy. Grayson will have to bring you there sometime. We have a lovely villa you two lovebirds can stay at.”

“Oh…I…we…um…” So much for poise and polish.

Scott patted her hand and laughed. “You’re good for the boy. He’s always so serious and straight-laced. I was afraid he would die single and lonely, but now I see why he’s so secretive of his lady.” He led her down the stairs to the second level balcony where the other couples were enjoying the night air, and then to the dining room.

“I’m not his lady.” That may have come out wrong.

“Oh? Grayson hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night. And when you’re with me I swear I see a twinge of jealousy in his eyes. And from what I just interrupted, it looks like…well, no need to be embarrassed. I think you two make a fine couple.”

If he only knew she was the spawn of two hokey parents who believed more in worshiping Mother Nature than their own children. And if he only knew that she was just as flighty, with a college degree in partying, never holding down a job for more than four months.

Which would probably end any day now.

“Your hospitality has been…over the top, Mr. Barry.”

“Please, dear, call me Scott.”

“Scott.” They stopped at the bar in the now empty dining area. “And maybe I shouldn’t have any more wine. What I’ve had has already gone to my head.”

“Coffee or tea, perhaps?”

“Tea sounds lovely, thank you.” Didn’t she sound so eloquent?

While he served her tea—from a fancy silver teapot—he made idle conversation about the places he and his wife had sailed. The visits typically coincided with his purchases: hotels, resorts, wineries, a soccer stadium in Brazil, but he didn’t sound ostentatious. Oddly, Thyme didn’t feel talked down to, but felt a part of the conversation.

Her limited travel experience didn’t make Scott flinch or pity her. Instead he took it as a reason for her and Grayson to visit, to travel.

If only.

“Your life sounds amazing, Scott. How do you keep up with all of your businesses?”

“Oh, I have surrounded myself with hard workers and dedicated family members. It has taken me decades to build up to where I am today, but I’ll never forget my humble beginnings.” He sipped his port and beckoned Thyme to a pair of plush chairs on the deck. “My mother raised all five of us by herself, God rest her soul. As the youngest of the crew, I got away with the most.” He laughed. “Oh, the stories my brothers and sisters could tell. I think they had it easier in adulthood, having to bear much of the responsibilities around the house. I, on the other hand, was the baby and never lifted a finger. And I took full advantage of my doting siblings.”

“Let me guess. They work for you now?”

“Not quite. I commuted to Fresno State College and earned a degree in business and thought the rest would fall in my lap. I invested the little I earned while waiting tables in the stock market and did fairly well. Once I graduated I wanted to buy something. A house to rent, a business office, something low key. Donald, my oldest brother, came across a great investment. He had a wife and two kids to support and couldn’t afford to buy the winery himself, so I volunteered to go fifty-fifty with him. We turned Wine & Barry’s around and the rest is history.”

Thyme nearly dropped her china teacup. “Ohmigod. Wine & Barry’s is you? I mean, you own that?”

Scott laughed. “Technically I own forty-nine percent, but my brother and his wife Libby are the brains behind it. Libs designs the label and runs the marketing for the wines.”

“I love her already. It’s one of my favorites. Tasty and easy on the wallet.”

“Grayson will have to bring you to California as well.”

“Where are we going?”

Thyme jumped at the sound of Grayson’s voice. “Scott was just telling me about his winery in California.”

“My family would love to meet you both. You have an open invitation to both California and Italy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to talk with the captain. I think it’s time to head back to the harbor.”

“He’s a nice guy,” Thyme said after Scott left.

Grayson grunted and shifted, pulling at the cuffs of his shirt. “About what happened earlier.”

Thyme blushed to the roots of her hair, embarrassed for throwing herself at Grayson and looking like a cheap floozy. She was foolish to think someone like Grayson Montgomery would ever look at her as anything more than the nanny. A slutty nanny. She didn’t belong with him any more than she belonged on this bazillion-dollar ship.

“It won’t happen again. It was the wine. I had too much. My job is watching Maddie and helping you two bond. I apologize for crossing the line.”

“Oh. Yes. I, uh, am sorry as well.” He looked like he wanted to say more but continued to shift from foot to foot. Damn that steamy kiss for ruining things between them. He’d never respect her now. But hell, respect was the last thing her body wanted.

***

Grayson

The last hour on the yacht was excruciatingly painful. Both physically and figuratively. Grayson had heard of the term
blue balls
but had never experienced it before. When Thyme jumped off his lap and went off with Scott, Grayson took some time to think about baseball, the only competitive sport he could actually follow. Unfortunately the ache below his waist did not subside.

He thought about Sophia, but that only made him grin. She’d have a conniption fit when she learned of Thyme. He thought about his parents. Eva had already fallen in love with her. He thought of his daughter. Thyme had a natural ability to calm, protect, and love her. He thought of his job and how she inspired him to continue to follow his dream.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, could take his mind off of the spunky brunette. He took some time to breathe in the sea breeze and ventured off to find his nanny. His Naked Nanny.

Scott and Thyme looked comfortable, enjoying each other’s company. That unfamiliar surge of jealousy escaped once again. Breathing deeply through his nose, he counted to ten until he had regained control over his body. Scott had to be at least thirty, if not forty, years older than her. It wasn’t chemistry in a romantic way he was witnessing, but a comfortable companionship. A few weeks into their relationship and he and Thyme didn’t have that camaraderie that Scott had with her.

Grayson needed to tramp down his jealousy and talk about their mind-blowing kiss. He wanted more. Lots more. Scott finally left them alone and Grayson attempted to bring up the uncomfortable subject of their kiss and how they should handle the change in their relationship.

Taken aback by her apology, he couldn’t confess his undying love now. Not that he loved her. It was just a case of unbridled lust. Once he got her out his system he could focus on his job. His daughter. Now he felt like a love-stricken teenager, stumbling out a stupid apology when he wasn’t remorseful in the least.

He couldn’t very well admit that the kiss unraveled him. Grayson could play it cool. Hell, he’d been doing it for the past thirty-two years. What was one more night?

When they finally docked, they bid farewell to the other couples and Thyme hugged Scott and Selma.

“Thank you for your hospitality. Your yacht is lovely. I had a wonderful time.” Thyme fretted that she wouldn’t fit in. She didn’t say so, but he’d read the signs. But she blended in perfectly. Grayson wasn’t sure if that pleased or worried him.

“Yes, thank you. As always, you’re very gracious hosts.” Grayson shook Scott’s hand and kissed Selma on the cheek.

“The men are going out fishing tomorrow while the ladies stay in town and raid the local boutiques. You interested in joining in?”

Grayson didn’t think twice. “Thank you, Scott, but I’m going to spend tomorrow with Thyme and Mad—” He stopped before outing himself. “We have plans already, but I appreciate the invitation.”

Scott nodded and clapped him on the shoulder. “I can’t say I blame you. Enjoy your time in Aruba, you two.”

Grayson put his arm around Thyme, resting his hand on her waist and guiding her down the ramp to the dock. She seemed shakier now than when they first arrived. He seemed to cause her more angst than the billionaire with the outrageously enormous boat.