Twelve Days of Pleasure (10 page)

Chapter 10

T
he rains had finally come, as did heavy gales of wind. The resort's staff had secured all the patio furniture and drawn the storm shutters on the windows and doors. Kendrick and Vanessa were locked in, safe and secure from the inclement weather.

Music played on the bungalow's Bose system, low jazz tones billowing through the late-afternoon air. The two had been laughing and joking for most of the day, their conversations easy and casual.

Kendrick sat at one end of the sofa, his legs outstretched. Vanessa sat at the other end, her legs extended over his. She was sipping on a mug of hot tea while he drank coconut water. Time seemed to fly and they learned more and more about each other.

“Why do you hate to exercise?” Kendrick questioned. “I mean, with your abs I'd think you loved it.”

“It loves my body and I work hard, but I have to. I'm not naturally thin and I come from a family who has suffered with diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. I know I have to take care of myself if I want to stay healthy. Besides, I like to eat. And to eat the foods I love means I have to stay in the gym whether I like it or not.”

“You do like to eat!” Kendrick teased. “You get excited just talking about food!”

Vanessa laughed, fanning her hand in his direction. “I am not that bad.”

“Say something about bacon,” Kendrick commanded.

“Bacon? It's really good when it's crispy. You can eat it on a salad. Bacon is...”

“See!” Kendrick exclaimed. “Got you twitching you want some so bad!”

Vanessa laughed again. “You are so not funny.”

“But you're laughing.”

“I'm laughing because you're such a fool.”

A sudden gust of wind blew harshly and glass shattered in the distance. Kendrick pushed her legs off his and rose from his seat. He moved to the sliding glass doors and peeked out. A large tree limb had slammed into one of the glass tabletops propped against the wall, shattering it. Once he confirmed that it was only bad weather posing a threat to them, he moved back to his seat. Sitting back down, he pulled Vanessa's legs onto his lap again, and gently massaged her feet. His touch was warm and teasing and as he palmed the bottoms of her toes, she smiled.

Vanessa slid into the sensations that were teasing her nerve endings. His hands felt good and she found herself wishing he would never stop. “You're very good at that,” she said.

Kendrick nodded. “I'm very good at everything I do.”

Vanessa rolled her eyes. “I'm sure there's something you're not good at.”

“Well, when you figure out what that is, let me know,” he said. There was a smug smirk on his face. “So what are you good at?” he asked.

“I'm a fantastic baker. My double chocolate fudge cupcakes will make you slap yo' mama they're so good. Oh, and I make the best cheesecake in the whole wide world.”

“I'll have to taste it to believe it,” he said.

She fanned her hand at him. “You'll be smacking your lips, your hips, and slapping yo' mama. And I like your mother. I'm going to feel bad for you when she slaps you back!”

He laughed heartily. “What else?”

Vanessa paused for a brief moment as she reflected on his question. “I'm a darn good filmmaker,” she said finally.

“That's what you're in school for, right?”

She nodded. “I only have one more semester till graduation but I've been making mini movies since I knew what a camera was. In fact, this is the longest time I've ever been without my video camera. I'm used to taking it everywhere.”

Kendrick eased slightly forward in his seat. He still caressed her feet. “Where's it at?” he questioned, shifting his gaze to her face.

She shrugged. “Still with my things in Miami. We left in such a hurry that I forgot to grab it.”

He nodded slowly. “Were you filming while you were in Miami?”

“Yeah. I took film of Gabi that I was going to make into a mini movie for Alexandra and Paolo for Christmas,” she said. She paused as she thought back to the trips she and Gabrielle had taken to the beach and playground, neither having a care in the world. The memories made her melancholy and she shook the sensation, willing herself back to the moment. She shook her head and forced a smile onto her face when she realized Kendrick was studying her.

Kendrick took a deep breath. He hesitated for a moment before asking his next question. “Did you ever do any filming when you were with Marcus Bennett?”

She paused, sensing he'd shifted from Kendrick the friend to Kendrick the secret agent. She exhaled a deep sigh as she nodded her head. “I did. I shot a lot of film when we were on Marcus's yacht. It was always a party, lots of people, and I thought it would make some good footage for something later down the road.”

Kendrick had stopped massaging her feet. He was now leaned forward. “Where's that film, Vanessa?”

“All my stuff is digital. It's uploaded to my cloud account.”

Kendrick was suddenly anxious. He jumped and Vanessa's eyes widened.

“What?” she questioned.

“I need to see that footage. It might explain why Bennett's got people looking for you.”

“He has people looking for me?”

Kendrick met the look she was giving him. Seemingly realizing he had spoken out of turn, the words falling from his mouth before he could catch them. He reached for her hand, clasping her fingers between his palms.

“You're safe. I hope you trust that,” he said, his tone calm.

She took a deep breath, nodding her head. The look he gave her was soothing. “I do,” she whispered softly. “You make me feel safe.”

* * *

Hours later it was still raining cats and dogs, the harsh roar of thunder and lightning breaking through the late-night sky. They'd lost power and Liam had arrived with a multitude of candles, two flashlights and a decadent meal of lobster and shrimp salad atop a bed of romaine lettuce. Before bidding them a good-night he lit a fire in both fireplaces, giving them light in both the living room and the bedroom.

The flicker of flames cast a warm glow around the space and with the harsh winds and rain outside, the romantic hideaway felt abundantly comfortable. After playing a horde of board games and a few rounds of Truth or Dare, Kendrick excused himself to go check that all was still well. Disappearing out the front door he was gone just long enough for Vanessa to become concerned. She had risen from her seat to peer out the blinds when he returned, drenched from the onslaught of water falling from the sky.

“You're soaked,” Vanessa exclaimed. She hurried to the bathroom, returning seconds later with an oversize beach towel. She stood watching as Kendrick pulled off his T-shirt and then she stepped in to wrap the towel around his broad shoulders.

“Thank you,” he said, swiping at the moisture across his face and head.

“Everything okay?”

He nodded. “I just wanted to make sure no one could sneak up on us unexpected.”

She shook her head. “I doubt even Marcus would think to come out in this weather.”

“You can never be too sure.”

A faint smile pulled at her mouth. “You should get out of those wet pants,” she said. “Then sit in front of the fireplace. We don't want you to catch cold.”

Kendrick grinned. “Are you trying to get me naked?”

Her eyes rolled. “Please, I've already seen you naked.”

He laughed. “I know. That's why I asked.”

She laughed with him. “I wasn't impressed,” she said. She held up her hand, spreading her thumb and index finger an inch or so apart.

“You're one to talk with those lopsided boobs of yours!”

Vanessa's eyes widened, a look of astonishment on her face. “My boobs are not lopsided!” she exclaimed.

“Looks like you got a plum and a lemon stuck in your bikini top!”

She swatted a playful hand at him.

“I'm dead serious,” Kendrick said. “Plum and lemon,” he said, tweaking one of her breasts and then the other.

Vanessa slapped an arm across her chest, surprise registering on her face. “You've got some nerve!” she said as she lifted her hand to punch him playfully a second time.

Kendrick jumped out of her reach, egging her on. “You're right,” he teased. “They're more like a lemon and a grape. A lemon and a grape,” he echoed as he made a mad dash to the other side of the couch with Vanessa in hot pursuit.

It became a game of chase as the duo raced around the room like grade-schoolers.

Vanessa laughed heartily, the wealth of it gut-deep. She suddenly came to a quick stop and turned, the gesture unexpected; Kendrick reacted too slowly, running right into her. As they slammed into one another Vanessa accidently kneed Kendrick in the groin. With the wind knocked out of his sails he doubled over in pain, clutching himself between the legs. He dropped to the ground, rolling onto his side as tears misted his eyes.

Vanessa slapped her hand over her mouth, gasping loudly. “Oh, my God...oh, my God...oh, my God!” she repeated over and over. She dropped down to the carpeted floor beside him. “I am so sorry! Are you okay?”

Kendrick was still gasping for air. “You...you broke me,” he finally muttered.

Vanessa laughed. “Now you're only a half inch,” she said.

Kendrick suddenly grabbed her, flipping her onto the floor beside him. His fingers danced across her midsection as he tickled her until she gasped for air.

“Stop! Stop!” she exclaimed between giggles. “Stop, Kendrick!”

Kendrick rolled his body against hers, pulling her into his arms. He held her close as they both panted heavily. He lifted himself ever so slightly, his gaze connecting to hers.

Vanessa's breath caught deep in her chest as she met the intense look he was giving her. His stare was searing, piercing her soul deeply. There was something in his eyes that pulled at all of her emotions. Saline burned hot behind her lids but they were tears of joy and happiness. She pressed her hand to his chest, her fingers stoking the inferno that would be difficult to cool.

She trailed her fingers across his breastbone down to the taut muscles of his six-pack. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling with anticipation. She drew her hand around his waist until her palm was pressing against his back. Still staring into his eyes she pulled him to her and he went willingly.

Kendrick leaned toward her as if he had no control of his body. As he got closer she closed her eyes, anticipation painting her expression. Closing his own eyes he kissed her. His lips touched hers, grazing them lightly. His heart began to beat faster and his breath quickened. The kiss was easy and gentle, both needing that touch. He kissed her hungrily, allowing his lips to glide over her lips. Heat swelled thick and full between them, the moment combustible.

Vanessa slid her hands around his neck and pulled him in tightly. She kissed him back with all the passion she could muster. Her lips parted as she relished the sensations sweeping through her body. She was breathing him in and her spirit felt nourished, her body completely energized. She heard herself moan, a soft guttural rejoicing that rang through the air.

Kendrick pushed his tongue past the line of her teeth and they parted easily, allowing him inside. He tasted her and she was as sweet as a decadent flavoring of honey and cinnamon. His tongue danced alongside her tongue, an easy two-step that quickly shifted into a rhythmic fox-trot. He slid one hand beneath her waist, his palm resting against the curve of her buttocks. The other slid behind her head, tangling in the length of her hair as he covered her body with his own.

Vanessa's hands skated across his back and she found herself clinging to him. Heat coursed beneath her skin, her muscles quivering intensely. The synapses in her brain were on overload, her body functioning with a mind of its own. The wanting was unbearable. It was the sweetest pain she had ever known.

Kendrick suddenly broke the connection, needing to catch his breath. He pressed his forehead to hers, her skin damp and heated. His mind was racing but the desire in his heart overshadowed the last remnants of doubt floating through his head. He wanted her and in that moment nothing else mattered.

He suddenly pushed himself up onto his knees, staring down at her. Her face was flushed, color tinting her cheeks. She bit down against her bottom lip as she lifted her gaze to his. Desire shimmered in her eyes. Her back was arched, her chest heaving up and down as she panted softly. Her legs were parted around his, one bare foot sliding up and down against his calf. Kendrick suddenly trailed a finger against her inner thigh and she jumped, her eyes widening. A smile pulled at her mouth.

Kendrick smiled back as he stood. The seductive bend to his full lips made her gasp out loud. She lifted her torso, rising up on her elbows to watch him. He undid his belt first, then slowly unfastened the metal buttons on his denim jeans. When he pushed them past his hips and down to the floor beneath his bare feet, his erection protruded eagerly. He wrapped his hands around his member and stroked it gently.

Vanessa giggled. “Okay, so maybe it's a little bigger than this,” she said as she gestured with her thumb and finger. And it was. Her eyes were widening. He was full and thick and hard as steel.

Kendrick laughed. “Oh, it's much bigger than that,” he said as he bent down to step out of his pants. He reached into the back pocket of the garment and pulled his wallet from inside. Digging through the leather case he pulled a condom from an inner compartment. He kicked his jeans behind him and dropped back to his knees. He leaned forward and slid his hands beneath the hem of her T-shirt. Vanessa sat upright, crossing her arms in front of herself as she helped him pull the garment up and over her head. His eyes dropped to her breasts. Her nipples were hard protrusions, like dark chocolate kisses against her honeyed complexion. He teased one and then the other with the back of his fingers before lifting his eyes back to hers.