In Paradise Page 3

  The thought of Boyd Hatcher stopped him. "Boyd is probably wondering where you are."

  She stared up at him with eyes bluer than the ocean on a clear day. "I shouldn't keep him waiting."

  Jake carried her to the edge of his property, grateful she hadn't somehow managed to lose her shoes as well. "I owe you a dress."

  "So you do. I have an appointment with Raul in the morning. Perhaps you can deliver it to me there."

  Jake lowered her feet to the sand and stood in silence as she turned her beautiful naked butt to him. She was a sight. Beyond perfection. Why did she have to be staying with his mortal enemy?

  CHAPTER 3

  Di let Boyd’s hairdresser, Raul talk her into cutting, highlighting, and straightening her hair. She had her eyebrows and legs waxed. When Raul suggested a Brazilian bikini wax, she agreed, without having a clue what it entailed.

  It took only seconds into the process to change her mind on that one. Instead, she opted for a more traditional wax…which still hurt like nothing she’d ever experienced.

  She was manicured, pedicured, tortured and pampered until she didn't recognize herself anymore. She kept his staff hopping.

  When Raul finished, her hair had been lightened to a beautiful blonde. The kink had disappeared. In place of her old do hung relaxed curls fanning around her head and shoulders. The cut was magnificent, but she didn’t have clue if she could duplicate it at home.

  Raul’s staff showed her how to apply makeup. For the first time in her life, she felt beautiful. Raul could hardly contain his excitement over what he claimed was the success of his career.

  Just as they finished, Jake Forman walked into the salon carrying a large box. She watched him walk past her twice without realizing she sat in front of Raul. On his third pass, she took pity on him. "Is that for me?"

  Jake shook his handsome head in denial and then did a double take. "Are you by any chance missing a dress?"

  "Your damned dog ate my dress and you know it. It didn't just happen to go missing. Is that my replacement?"

  He stilled and looked closely. "What happened to you? And don't you think it's about time I knew more than just your first your name?"

  "Raul happened. Di Stowe. How did you know my size?"

  "Don’t you mean Paradise Stowe? You can return it if it doesn't fit. It's meant to be a token. It's my pleasure."

  “Please don’t call me that. The name is Di…period.” Everyone in the salon seemed to take an interest in the exchange. Several even moved closer. Di had never been the center of attention. In fact, she went out of her way to avoid it at all costs. It unnerved her.

  However, this all would soon end and she'd go back to her boring academic life, so she controlled her nerves to the best of her ability.

  "Let me see." Raul waggled his eyebrows before he swept up the box Jake held toward her.

  Jake looked like he wanted to protest.

  Raul pried the lid off the box before he pulled the garment from the tissue and held it up. What little there was of it. The dress was much too short and bright coral, almost orange.

  Raul gave it a nod of approval and shoved the dress into her lap. "This is good. Put it on."

  "Now? I don't think it's a dress. Not really. It's a token—you heard him say so yourself. As tokens go, that wouldn't begin to cover my—"

  "Di!" Raul barked. "Don't you dare think of walking out of here in that old thing you're wearing."

  "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

  Raul huffed. "Nothing if you're eighty."

  "This is too short."

  "You have dynamite legs," Jake said.

  Everybody stared twice as hard. Raul rubbed his chin as he looked back and forth between the two of them and then snapped his fingers with dramatic flair. "Girlfriend, it would seem you've already captured the interest of both of our famous island authors. How did you do it without me?"

  Raul spun her chair in a full circle. "Is she not ravishing? Perfect?"

  "She was ravishing before. Now she's perfectly ravishing. Too bad she keeps such bad company." Jake turned and stomped toward the door.

  "Aren't you going to see how she looks in her dress?" Raul called to Jake's back.

  Jack raised a hand and kept walking. "I don't think I can handle it."

  "Omigod, he's got it bad," Raul said.

  Jake stiffened as he reacted to the words. He slammed the door behind him.

  "Quick, Nicole, see where he's going." Raul turned back to Di and pointed his slender index finger at her. "You get this on and model it for him. And don't tell me you aren't interested in him. You started glowing the second he came into my salon."

  Di gulped. She was glowing? It was one thing to have a vacation fling, but quite another to get her complexion involved. Glowing? That wasn't on the agenda. Di had an elderly mother who depended upon her.

  Di had responsibilities.

  She also had thirteen days left and she wanted in the worse way to feel another orgasm like the one Jake gave her on the plane, without the part where she passed out. If there was any way possible to make that happen, she had nothing to lose. No way would she spend the rest of her life pining about a lost opportunity.

  Jumping up, Di hugged the dress as she tried to figure out where she should change.

  "Way to go, girl! There’s a bathroom that way, through the door." Raul pointed with an exaggerated hip thrust. "Hurry."

  Di made a dash for the restroom. She took off all of her clothes. If she was going after Jake, she wasn’t about to let him see her old and worn undergarments. It took far too long to get into the dress, since she kept stopping to look at herself each time she caught her reflection in the mirror. The garment fit like a glove, but way too short. It hit mid-thigh and accentuated her full curves.

  "Hurry," Raul called again from outside the door. "He's eating a late lunch at the diner up the street."

  Di opened the door and Raul moaned. "Fabulous. He doesn't stand a chance. But those shoes. They're all wrong. Nicole?"

  Nicole came running.

  "Her shoes!"

  "What size do you wear?" Nicole asked.

  "Tens."

  Nicole gasped and then gave Raul a shrug.

  "Don't worry," Raul said, before he went back into the main room and clapped his hands. "Attention, ladies. We need a pair of size tens, worthy to catch a hunk and accent this dress."

  "How about mine?" an attractive woman with her foil in her hair asked.

  "Perfect." Raul went to retrieve the high-heeled mules right off the woman’s feet.

  "Just leave them here with Raul when you're finished with them. And make sure to tell Raul everything. That's the price you have to pay for borrowing them. And maybe—do something naughty in them?"

  "Naughty?" Di thought about arguing, but figured Raul would have the last word. "What should I do?"

  Raul gave a larger-than-life gasp and put his hand on his hip. "You poor thing. You will be my special project. First, get over to the diner. Run, don't walk.

  “Second, smile at every man there on the way to Jake's table. He's so predictable. He always sits at the back.

  “Third thing on the agenda, thank him for the dress and tell him I said it's a sure-fire lure way to get lucky. Ask him if that's what he had in mind."

  That didn't sound so hard and, as Di walked into the diner it became easier by the second. The faces staring at her communicated their appreciation, bolstering her confidence to an all-time high. She didn't even wobble in her borrowed heels, too much.

  She only hesitated once, when she spotted the elderly woman who'd sat across the aisle from her on the plane.

  Small world.

  * * * * *

  Jake watched his new neighbor wend her way toward him like a drunken sailor and wondered what had possessed him to buy her a dress certain to make him so hard he wouldn't be able to walk either.

  But, it wasn't just the damned dress. Raul had transformed her into the proverbial swan and t
he dress had only gilded her fucking golden feathers.

  Why did she have to know Boyd? Not just know him, she was close enough to stay at his house.

  How close was that? Was she sleeping with him? Did he dare just come out and ask? "Are you sleeping with Boyd?"

  Di's stopped in front of him, her blue eyes wide. She blinked once, then twice. "No! I've never. No, I'm not." Her mouth snapped shut.

  Relief. He believed her. "How do you know him?"

  "I met Boyd in New York City, when he called the college where I work asking for advice on a painting he was interested in purchasing. This compulsion to talk about Boyd borders on obsessive."

  Jake didn't want to go there. Boyd was the one with the obsession. Wasn't he?

  "You gave him advice about a painting? What is it you do, exactly?"

  "No business talk. I'm on vacation. Two weeks in paradise, and I want to remember this trip for as long as I live. I'm looking for someone to show me a good time, no strings attached. I thought I'd found that man. Was I wrong, neighbor?" She gave a look around as though not comfortable making a public declaration.

  Neighbor. There was the rub.

  She moved closer. "Are you up for the job?"

  Jake smiled. Not only was he up, he was harder than granite.

  "If he turns you down, put my name at the top of the list," one of the locals sitting at the next table said loudly.

  “What’s your name?” she asked as if she had every attention of adding him to her to-do list.

  Jake didn't want to think about anyone else taking her up on her generous offer. "Two weeks in paradise, huh? With me? And your roommate is okay with this?"

  "Boyd is busy writing. He says he's creating the next New York Times bestseller about the art world and doesn't want to be disturbed on penalty of death."

  Jake huffed and ignored Boyd’s delusions of grandeur. He wanted to concentrate on Di. "I've never been anyone's two weeks in paradise before. I don't know if I can live up to it."

  "Did I say thank you for the dress?" Di did a slow turn. Her shapely ass begged for his touch, but somehow Jake controlled himself. Her legs were impossibly long and toned to perfection, despite being glowing white.

  "You're welcome. I think. If you start a riot in it, I'm not responsible. Have you eaten lunch?"

  "I don't think I can sit in this thing, let alone eat."

  "Then let's walk." Jake laid his napkin on his half-finished plate and stood to reach for his wallet. His appetite for the same old tuna sandwich he'd eaten more times than he could count had just changed to a different sort of hunger. He didn't trust he might not jump her right here and now.

  "Walk?"

  "Not far. I promise." Jake took her hand and headed out of the restaurant. When she teetered on her heels as she stepped beside him, he understood and changed his destination. "I'm parked over there."

  Jake helped her into his Jeep and leaned over to buckle her in. Once again her unique fragrance nearly brought him to his knees. He had to kiss her.

  The initial touch of their lips ignited a fire inside him burning hotter than anything he would have imagined.

  What was it about this woman? Next thing he knew, he'd be writing romances, for crissakes! Two weeks in paradise might be his complete undoing if he wasn't careful.

  Di threaded her fingers around his neck and burrowed against him, opening her mouth to invite him inside. Jake deepened the kiss and had the unmistakable sensation of free falling. His spirit soared while he struggled to breathe. He wanted in Paradise Stowe again.

  His desire for more of her barreled through him like a runaway freight train.

  "Hurry," she whispered into his mouth.

  Hurry where? He wasn't about to take her in an open Jeep parked along the busy street. Or could he? Nah. They'd get arrested for certain. Jake pulled free from her lips and dashed around to the driver's side.

  Five minutes later, Jake pulled into his compound and drove down to the beach...his private, secluded beach.

  When he helped Di out, she slid into his arms, physically reassuring him she hadn't changed her mind.

  "Are you still in a hurry?"

  She nodded.

  He ran his hands down over her rump and squeezed her up against the hard evidence he could deliver. When she raised a leg, her dress slid up and exposed the fact she'd forgotten her panties—again. All he had to do was unzip to bury his cock in her wet warmth. He wanted inside her right now. It was all he could think about.

  She rained kisses on his neck, then began to tug at his ear lobe. "Please?" she whispered. "I'm on fire."

  It was only about thirty steps to his lanai, where a luxurious chaise awaited them. He knew he couldn't make it. He turned and leaned back against the seat, with her gyrating against him. He reached down to release his cock. She grabbed for the roll bar. At the same time, he lifted her against him.

  She wrapped her legs around him. Her wet heat enticed him. Even better, his hard cock dipping into the warm velvet made him want to shout. She wiggled, trying to get him deeper, where they both wanted to be. It had been so long since he'd experienced skin against skin. Irresponsible of him, but he only wanted a second inside her...just a moment of paradise.

  Then he was there. She opened to him, allowing him to squeeze into her tight pussy...so hot and inviting.

  His conscience prevailed. "Wait. I need protection."

  He could feel her freeze and then moan. "I'll be quick."

  She released the grip she had on him with her legs and he lowered her to her feet. "Can I help?"

  Jake didn't know. He'd used the condom he carried in his wallet on the plane and hadn't replaced it. Once upon a time he had some extras in his glove box, but he wasn't sure they were there now. After opening it, he reached in to sweep everything onto the floor of the Jeep.

  Sure enough he found a couple of shining foil packages in the heap. He retrieved one, holding his prize between them.

  Di reached for it. "I always wanted to see if I could do this. I'd like to touch you."

  Her words surprised him. Just how inexperienced was she?

  Most women didn't ask, they just dove right in. "Go for it."

  She tore open the package, then hesitated. The rise and fall of her shapely chest reminded him he'd yet to see her breasts. He wanted to see them...touch them. But more than that, as she reached a shaky hand toward him, he wanted her fingers wrapped around him.

  Her contact was tentative at first. She ran a single finger down the length of him. "So soft, velvety."

  She grabbed hold, wrapping her fingers firmly around him. "At the same time, like steel. If I had one of these, I'd be touching it all the time. It feels wonderful."

  "Oh, Lord, you're killing me."

  She dropped little Jake like a hot potato. "Sorry. Did I hurt you?"

  "No. I was about to embarrass myself and I want to show you a good time. How about we get you out of this dress before I have to go shopping for another one? Turn around."

  Her compelling glance communicated how much she wanted him and then she complied. His world shifted, just enough for him to recognize he might be headed for trouble. Jake ignored the warning and forged ahead.

  He lifted her hair aside to get to her zipper. When he peeled the dress over her shoulders, he had the distinct sensation of being kicked in the gut. Her pale skin glimmered in the sun, and the view of her from behind as he let the dress drop to the sand nearly undid him.

  She was a sight to behold. One he'd never forget. A perfect hourglass shape, with skin so perfect and translucent she humbled him. While he tried to collect himself she turned to face him. Her breasts stood high, each more than a handful. He wanted to reach for them.

  "Damn."

  "What did I do now?" Her voice was shaky and unsure.

  "You didn't do anything. It's what looking at your gorgeous body does to me." Her full, rounded body was perfection. The woman he’d once believed was plain was now the most spectacular lady he'd eve
r had the privilege to see, let alone touch.

  He leaned back against the seat of the Jeep feeling unworthy. "I wish I'd started this someplace more comfortable, but frankly I don't think I can walk."

  She made a trembling attempt to sheath him and then handed back the rubber. "You better do this. My hands are shaking."

  Her hands were shaking? Suddenly, so were his. Somehow he managed to sheathe his throbbing cock, while not taking his eyes off of her. "How about the back seat?" he asked, feeling like a simpleton. What about this woman made him so green?

  Jake was suddenly regressing to his teenage years. Not waiting for her answer, he swung into the back of his Jeep. He needed to be inside her. A fierce desire consumed him. No sooner did he sit in the middle than she leaped into arms.

  He lifted and her long legs spread on either side of him. She wiggled against his erection until he entered her, ready to plunge all the way. He thrust upward the same time as she dropped down onto him. The result nearly sent him over the edge.

  "Don't—don't move." Jake turned inside out as he fought not to release and prayed she took him literally. He leaned back against the seat and she reached up to the roll bar. She didn't budge or ask for an explanation. It could have been hours or seconds. Jake couldn't be sure before he began to move inside her.

  He reached down between them to touch her clit and applied pressure to her protruding, little friend. "Come on, baby," he told her as he gently massaged and hoped she'd catch up before he left her behind.

  "Coming," she squeaked.

  She milked him with her contractions until every thought left his brain. Everything was about the explosion he knew was coming. With each thrust he delivered, he wondered if it would be his last. Miraculously his balls loosened, but the sensation of being ready to detonate with each pump didn't lessen.

  Exhilaration carried the momentum to a feverish pitch. She cried out a second time and he lost it. He entered a place he'd never been, more mental than physical, more emotional than he'd ever known sex could be. As good—no better than good, as great as it was, it scared the shit out of him.