2. Chapter Two
Chapter Two
C hance
Owlish brown eyes make me lose my head for a few seconds. I see her lush pink lips moving again. She’s speaking. To me. I don’t hear a word, but I have to respond.
“How can I help you?”
Her eyes shutter.
Fuck. I must sound too brash.
“I came to give you these.” She holds out my primly folded jacket. I didn’t expect to get it back. “And your wallet. I found it in the jacket and thought you must have missed it. There was no money inside.”
I collect the offering and place it on the counter. “I’m aware.” I have no use for cash.
We stay that way for a few seconds. Long enough for me to register her lovely features I missed in the elevator because I was trying hard not to ogle her.
She’s a brunette bombshell with arresting eyes and a cute oval face. She’s not rail thin, but also not big either. Just somewhere in the middle that makes me want to pull her close and feel her softness.
I blink away those thoughts. Women aren’t my thing. That’s Baxter’s thing, my little brother. I’m all work, no play.
Still, I’m sorely tempted by this brunette.
“Um, thanks for earlier, and have a goodnight.” She starts to turn away.
“Sit. Have a drink.” With me.
She spins, eyes curious. “Did you say something?”
I fucking did. What is wrong with me? I don’t have time for this.
“Let’s get a drink. Except, you’re occupied.” I glance behind her to the blonde whose eyes followed me from the moment I walked into the bar. I expected her to come over and then I would turn her down. That was my MO. I had no idea she was scouting for her friend.
The blonde looks away, whistling. I almost crack a smile. Almost.
The elevator train wreck turns back after looking at her friend too. “I’m not occupied.”
“Good.”
She climbs onto the barstool and fortunately for her, this dress doesn’t split. That won’t be easy to deal with in a place like this for sure. All eyes would be on her. But that door back there should lead to a private staircase to ensure she’s well-hidden from sight.
“How was your meeting?”
My gaze falls on her. “Good.”
No one cares what I do as long as it produces results. It’s weird to be asked and I have nothing to follow that up with.
Silence lingers between us. She glances over her shoulder.
Despite not doing much talking, it’s nice to have her next to me. If only to keep off the other ladies that try to get my attention.
“Want a drink?” I wave over the bartender before she decides she doesn’t like sitting here after all.
“Yes, thank you.” Her cheeks round with a smile, and my lips twitch.
Cute.
She orders a Malibu Sunset. The moment it comes, she’s on it, pulling from the straw. It bubbles a sound—far louder than our non-existent conversation.
I set aside my feelings about, well, everything and order myself another Martini. “Your first time in Magic Island?” Her skin is still too fair, a clear sign she just showed up here.
“Yes. My bosses—well, former bosses granted me a weekend vacation to here.” She gestures around. “It’s amazing.”
I nod. “Why former?”
She laughs, but there’s hurt hidden behind it. “I was fired a week later. They clearly just wanted to do something to soften the blow. So they slot me in for this vacation and then I’m fired.”
“That... must be hard.”
“Nah.” She waves a hand. “I’m having the time of my life here.” She purses her lip. “Well, aside from that moment in the elevator. I’m not counting that.”
I can’t help the slight quirk of my lips.
She picks up on it. “You’re laughing at me!”
“You have to admit, it was a bit hilarious.”
“Not for me, it wasn’t. I was mortified.”
“And now?”
She presses slender fingers to her cheeks, blowing out a breath. “I am less so. Just don’t tell anyone.”
“Who would I tell?” I shrug.
“Well, for one. It’ll make a good joke for your colleagues in your meetings.” She sits up, face straight. “Guys, you won’t believe this?” Her voice is a tad deeper. “This lady’s dress got stuck in an elevator and she flashed me.”
I frown. “Is that me? My voice?”
“Yeah, yeah. That’s you telling my story and getting a kick out of it.”
“I don’t sound like that.”
“Yeah, you do.”
“And I don’t talk that way.”
“Ever heard yourself speak?”
“Every day.”
“Like once or twice a day, because you don’t speak much.”
“No, just three times.”
Her eyes glow with held-back laughter. “I could have sworn it was only two and a half times.”
“Frankly, tops is two and three quarters.”
She bursts into laughter, pressing her hand to her lips.
The sound is fresh and hearty and just what I need. The bar’s getting busy. I want her all to myself.
“Want to take a walk?”
“Sure.” She’s off the barstool the next moment, but then her heel catches on the footrest.
She falls into me and I catch her easily. Her soft body melds into mine. I swallow a groan and in the same breath, get a whiff of her flowery fragrance. I want to pull her closer and smell her more but she pulls away, cheeks red.
“Um, sorry. I slipped.”
“I saw.” I nod to the bartender. He knows to put the drinks on my tab. “You okay?” I grab her elbow in a bid to steady her. But I leave my hand there because her skin is soft and smooth. I haven’t felt anything this nice in a long time.
“Yes, I am.”
I drift my hand to the curve of her lower back and guide her out of the hotel.
It’s the biggest on the island, surrounded by gardens and backed by the ocean. Even from the entrance, the sound of the waves hitting the beach is discernible. It’s a sight to behold at night, but for tonight, I want us to walk through the lit-up gardens.
The night sky is clear of clouds and spattered with stars and the air is cool and crisp.
“Wow.” She pauses and tilts her head back. “Beautiful.”
I’m arrested by her instead. The smooth curve of her neck and dip in her throat. Both slope down to the low neckline of her dress, exposing smooth skin and the top of her tits.
“Yes, beautiful,” I rasp.
Her eyes meet mine and she smiles. Can she tell what I’m thinking?
If she can, she gives no indication. “Let’s go.”
“Of course.”
I guide us toward the path, past benches with couples and a clear pool where a couple of folks are dipping. And then we break into the narrow trail. Lanterns with yellow lights line either side of the cobbled path.
“Oh, my. This is gorgeous!” she gushes, moving ahead of me.
“I think I spotted this in the brochure. It’s more beautiful than I imagined.
You’d never find this in the city.” She stops and squints into the copse of trees.
“Are those fireflies?” she gasps. “There’s a host of them. Have you ever seen so many?”
I don’t get a word in. And I’m happy not to. Her awed excitement satisfies me. Takes my mind off the shit going on with me. I should be discussing with Baxter and Landon, my brothers. But here I am, trailing behind a brown-haired beauty whose name I haven’t gotten yet.
She’s a detour out of my strict schedule, just as she was in the afternoon. But like then, it’s not unpleasant. Hell, it is very pleasant.
She halts. “Look! Another path.” She points to the road that goes left. “Let’s go there.”
I haven’t been down there before, but I’m certain it’s safe whatever it is.
She doesn’t wait for my reply and starts down the path. I follow her. We’re surrounded by chirping crickets and buzzing insects and an even denser press of trees.
She’s about to speak when her phone rings. She takes it out, eyes the screen. A frown instantly mars her lovely features. “I’ve got to take this.”
She plunges ahead while speaking in harsh, short sentences.
My brows furrow as I stick close to her. I don’t want to eavesdrop but it’s quiet and I catch phrases like, ‘stay away’ and ‘I want nothing to do with you.’
The call ends as we break into a space. A fountain bubbles in the center, surrounded by benches.
She sighs and sits on one of them.
I sit next to her and wait.
“It’s my ex,” she admits quietly. “We broke up two weeks ago because I caught him cheating. He wants to get back together,” she scoffs, shaking her head. “Not in this life, we won’t. But he won’t stop trying.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
Her gaze whisks up to meet mine. “Sorry, I don’t even know why I’m telling you. I just...” She blows out a breath, her shoulders sagging. “Nat thinks it’s ridiculous the way I feel about it.”
“And how do you feel?”
“Hurt.” She chews on her plump lip. “I know we weren’t on the best terms in the last year of our relationship but I was trying. I even considered therapy. Only to find out he was getting his fix with another woman.”
She presses her eyes shut and turns her face up to the sky. The cool moonlight plays on her features, keeping me spellbound. “I want to do something. Just to take revenge on him and claim back some part of me.”
“And that would be?”
Her eyes take on a curious light as she eyes me. “You’re a stranger and I won’t see you again after this weekend.” Before I can speak, she presses on. “I can give you something I always felt uncomfortable doing with him.”
“And what’s that?” My voice manages to remain even, though my heart’s thumping. Her voice has grown huskier and even though she hasn’t said an explicit word, I already know where she’s headed.
She kneels between my spread legs, a serene look in her gaze.
I do nothing, worried I’d spook her if I move.
She keeps her eyes on me and reaches for my belt buckle. Her fingers graze my length through my slacks. I close my hands into fists, watching her.
She tugs on the belt and loosens it. Then she goes for my zipper. Her eyes hold a question. I nod once and she continues, pulling down the zipper and exposing my briefs.
And my cock jutting against it.
A small gasp leaves parted lips. She exhales and palms me through the material.
An ache so sweet shoots from the spot through my veins. I grunt and thrust into the grip of her hand.
Her brown eyes are wide, her breath coming faster, her chest rising and falling. She drops her gaze to the point where she’s touching me and strokes once, twice, and then licks her lips.
The need to claim her pink, chatty mouth overwhelms me, but I hold still. Going too hard now would scare her off. She has no idea who I am, or what I’ve put off because of my past. She’s simply here to take what she needs and I have the instinct to give it to her.
She catches the waistband and tugs it low. My cock pops free, standing proud and tall. Cool air whispers on it, followed by the heat of her breath, and then she’s closing her mouth around the head.
“Fuck me,” I hush. My eyes go blind and I toss my head back.
Her mouth is soft and wet and hot, shooting pleasure like a drug straight into my brain. My ironclad control breaks and I spear my fingers into her hair.
I massage her scalp, encouraging and she rewards that with a moan that vibrates along my shaft.
I close my fingers around her hair and hold her still, then thrust upward twice, three times. She takes it like a champ, relaxing her throat so I can go deep.
“Fuck.” I sink back against the bench, forcing myself to keep from deep-throating her until I finish. “Sure you don’t like this?”
She pulls up from my cock, and her fist quickly replaces it, stroking. Her mouth glistens with her spit and my precum, and her chest is heaving, her tits nearly popping out. She’s a sight.
“No. I don’t.” Her forehead scrunches. “Didn’t. You taste...” She licks the slit at the tip of my cock and a groan tears from me. “Different.” She does it again, oblivious to the agony she’s putting me through. “Good different.”
“Fuck,” a growl tears from my throat. “Go back.” I ease her head down. “Taste how good and different it is.”
She moans at the back of her throat, her eyelids fluttering as she takes my cock in again. She squeezes the base as she sucks on the head and I’m in heaven. I throw my head back and heave at the night sky.
“Are you good?” she says from a cock-stuffed mouth.
I have to keep her talking. Need to see it.
I sit up and grab her chin, ensuring she stays on me. “Yeah, I’m good, but if I’m not, what would you do differently?”
“Probably take off my bra…” She chokes a little and shivers.
I sit forward, worried she’s cold but no. Her eyes split and they’re heavy with lust.
She’s so turned on she’s shaking, and I haven’t even touched her yet. I’m going to and I’ll make it more than good. But I need her talking.
I rub her cheek and feel my cock poking the inside of her mouth.
A deep rumble builds in my throat, my balls fisting. So fucking close.
“You’d take off your bra and…?”
It takes a few moments of slurping before her eyes focus. “I’ll rub my tits all over your cock.”
“That’s a fucking sexy thought. Wanna show me those tits now?” I rasp.
She lets my cock go with a pop sound. The night chill replaces her warm mouth but it’s no issue. In a second I’ll be rewarded for my patience as she pulls at the sleeves of the dress.
“Maddie!” a voice calls out. “Mads!”
She goes still, her chest heaving, her wide eyes searching the dark around us. “That’s Nat.”
“You’re Maddie?”
Nat calls again, her voice closer.
“Yes.” She scrambles to her feet. With hurried motions, she picks up her purse. Her eyes are apologetic. “I’ve got to go.”
I nod, ignoring my aching cock. I rise too and stuff it back. “You should. Your friend sounds worried.”
Maddie backs away, her tongue sweeping over her lower lip nervously. It probably comes away with the taste of cock because she wipes her mouth with the back of her hands.
“Maddie!”
She gives me a look I can’t decipher and heads off the way we came.
“I’m here!” her voice rings out moments later.
“Finally!” Nat is saying. “Where did you go? It’s dinnertime.”
I stand next to the fountain, disbelief leaving me cold.
I don’t care that Maddie’s trip here is only lasting a weekend. I must see her again and we’ll finish what we started.