Chapter 9
9
I t had been a very odd day. I was busy, and even though the day sped by, it also seemed to drag.
10 o'clock hung like weight out there in front of me. A million different scenarios raced through my brain, and all of them led to being in an inclined position with Beck.
I couldn't show him how antsy I was and I knew exactly what my intentions were for tonight. Were they the same as his?
Seduction.
I had to get him out of my system. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to focus and that couldn't happen. Even if it was eons since I had some horizontal fun.
I hardly remembered the walk to his cabin, but here I was, standing before his closed door with an armload of file folders and a laptop. Would we get any work done?
Or…not.
All I had to do was raise my hand and knock and I'd soon know.
"Here we go," I said softly and put Fletch out of my mind. He didn't belong with my intentions for Beck. The age gap between us didn't bother me. The fact that he was Fletch's partner did. I had to scratch my itch for Beck, then I'd put him out of my mind as well. I was an adult and free to live my life, and choose who I wanted to sleep with — the door swung open and there he was in all his magnificent sexiness.
I swallowed, suddenly feeling very shy and nervous, which wasn't like me at all.
"Come on in." Beck stood back holding the door and I walked past him, catching his scent, fresh, manly, with a touch of whiskey. I knew the layout of his quarters. But it was much more grand than I expected. The cabin was large, beautifully decorated, and there was even a fireplace, which blew my mind. I tried not to look impressed.
"Thanks." I walked to the closest table and put down the armload of information. A shiver ran along my spine knowing he was behind me. If I turned, would he be as close as I hoped he would be?
I turned and gasped. He was just inches away, and so close the heat of his body washed over me.
He put his finger under my chin and gently tipped it up until we looked into each other's eyes. My body went molten seeing his expression.
It told me everything I needed to know. I launched myself into his arms and wound my arms around his neck, pulling his head down. Our mouths met with a ferocity that revealed both of our needs.
He lifted me, his hands sliding down my back to grab my ass. We both groaned and I wrapped my legs around his hips. He was hard, and I wanted to shed the clothes on us so I could feel him, skin to skin.
Our tongues met. I inhaled him and couldn't get close enough. The sexual tension since we met had been overwhelming, and now we were in each other's arms.
He stopped kissing me and looked into my eyes. "Are you okay with this?" His words were simple and direct.
I nodded. "Very much so."
"This can be complicated." He raised his eyebrows and I knew what he was getting at.
"I don't need complications, but I don't care." I lifted my face and welcomed his kiss. This time it was gentle and soft and far more exciting than the rough frantic coming together of moments ago.
Kissing him, our bodies fusing was unexpectedly perfect. From the minute I laid eyes on him when I came aboard Intrepid I knew I was in for trouble. He was trouble with a capital T.
Beck walked me back to the bed, our mouths never parting, bodies still bonded together. He had no trouble bending over and laying me down on the bed. The passion that brought us together moments ago, wild and hot, gentled. His tenderness so achingly glorious. He pushed my hands up and buried his face in my neck, his lips and tongue tracing a fiery trail over my skin.
I was completely undone. The touch of his mouth on me, the scent of his hair, the way his fingers ran down my arm leaving a trail of goosebumps, and the weight of him on me was sublime.
He stood, startling me, and I reached for him. Beck pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. I sucked in a sharp breath when he was revealed. Firm and chiseled muscles with a dusting of hair across the planes of his chest. A small tattoo just below his left shoulder. I followed his treasure trail hairline and watched him kick off his pants, revealing the spectacular vee on the sides of his hips that disappeared under the waistband of his tight, black shorts. The bulge behind the fabric was what I ached for.
My eyes fixed on him, I began to undo the buttons of my shirt, but he brushed my fingers aside and finished what I started, then pushed my shirt off me.
"Mmm, lovely," he murmured, resting his knee on the bed beside me. I was struck by a sharp jolt of desire at his words and expression in his eyes, stormy and passionate.
My gaze roamed over his face and I was moved. I knew there was a softie inside this gruff bear of a man and reached up to cup his cheek. He looked startled by my movement and I placed my other hand on the other cheek. A surge of more than desire barreled through me and brought tears to my eyes.
What was happening?
"Hey, it's okay," he whispered. "We can stop."
I shook my head. "No, no, I don't want to."
"Why are you crying then?" His voice was soft, gentle which undid me further.
"I-I don't know."
He kissed my cheek and rolled me into his arms. We lay there like that for a few moments. Finally, I had myself put back together and reached for him.
This time I moved on top of him and smiled. "Ready?"
He laughed. "Always."
B eck woke to a darkened room. For a second he was confused about where he was and shifted in the bed. The warm body beside him moaned and curled into his side.
Memories of their night together rushed back. They'd been dancing around each other and their attraction was off the chain. At first, he felt awkward at their age difference, but that seemed to melt away when she was in his arms. She didn't seem bothered by it in the least. Her enthusiasm and allure infected him and he needed no encouragement. Beck closed his eyes and rested his head back on the pillow. What the hell was he going to say to Fletch about this?
The best thing would be to wait it out and see what this was. If it was anything at all. When she'd cried the swell of wanting to protect and shield her from pain had taken him by storm. He hadn't expected her vulnerability, it was a contradiction to the confidence she exuded at other times. They were magic together.
He dozed off, never feeling so contented.
The rhythm of the yacht shifting woke him up. Micki was gone. Her place beside him was cold and it saddened him. For the first time in his life, Beck wasn't in any hurry to jump out of bed and get to work. Instead, he reached his hand over and placed his palm on the pillow beside him. Micki's pillow.
Beck wanted what happened between them to be more than a one-time thing. However, what he wanted and what she wanted may not be the same thing. Even though he wanted more, the complications could prove impossible.