She swallowed a moan. “All work and no play,” she murmured. “It makes Mallory a partner one day.” But right now the dream that had sustained her most of her life seemed distant and far away. Unimportant in comparison to the sensual feelings rioting through her.
Unimportant compared to being with Jack.
She’d begun to suspect he had valid points about her reasons for pushing so hard for partnership and losing her sense of self. But no way she’d waste a minute of her precious time with him dissecting her possible mistakes. She had the rest of her life to do that. She’d rather enjoy now.
He sat up and suddenly she felt a tugging on the back tie of her bathing suit.
“Jack…” Warning laced her voice.
“Relax.”
“He says as he pulls off my top.”
He laughed. “I just untied it.” His fingertip traced the line where her bathing suit had been and she arched her back in response.
God, the man was good. If he could arouse her with simple words and innocent touches against her skin, heaven help her when the real sex
ual play began.
“But I haven’t pulled it off. Yet.” His warm palms pressed hard against her back. His hands wrapped around her ribs and sides, his fingertips inching toward her swollen breasts that ached for his firm touch.
She let out a small whimper, and when he eased her from her stomach onto her back, she rolled willingly and gazed into his eyes. The top string of her bathing suit remained tied, but the material slipped revealing her to his gaze.
His expression, darkened with need and desire, met her stare. She swallowed hard as she wondered what erogenous zone he’d touch next. So far every part of her body had turned into a mass of writhing need beneath his hands.
Without breaking eye contact, he pulled her to a sitting position, reached for the bikini top and drew it over her head. She fought the urge to cover herself and was rewarded by the clench of his jaw and a low, guttural groan.
The knowledge that he obviously liked what he saw eased her embarrassment enough to let her get playful again. “I thought we were getting ready for the sun,” she said, reminding him to use his imagination.
“And I hoped you could teach me the fine art of skinny-dipping. Seeing as how you’re a pro and all.” One side of his mouth lifted in a charming grin she’d bet had devastated more women than she could count on both hands.
Her heart leapt to her throat. “It’s something to consider. Later.”
“Okay then in the meantime, I don’t want to miss any sensitive areas.”
He poured some more oil into his palms and rubbed them together. “I’m warming them,” he explained, in answer to her questioning look.
Mallory couldn’t draw her stare from the sight of his large hands or her thoughts from the hope that he would use them to cover her breasts and satisfy the desire aching inside her.
“Come here.” He crooked his finger at her.
Mesmerized by the husky gravel in his voice and the lure of his touch, she moved forward on the bed and settled in front of him, seated on her knees.
He mimicked her position. Thanks to his greater height, he seemed to tower over her. Anticipation rose within her but Jack did nothing to rush his movements or put an end to her expectation.
Then slowly, his eyes never leaving hers, he leaned forward and captured her lips in a kiss. His mouth was warm and hot, giving but intense. He devoured her with nibbles and slow licks of his tongue. And just when she thought she was lost in him, those hot hands cupped her waiting breasts.
The unexpected touch sent a jolt of sensation to her core and she moaned. She would normally have been mortified, but his reaction obliterated all rational thought. He deepened the kiss, making love to her with his mouth while his hands began an exploration all their own. He squeezed gently with the edge of his fingers while pressing insistently against her nipples with his splayed palm. She grabbed hold of his hips to anchor herself against the dizzying, spiraling waves of need.
She couldn’t say who broke the kiss first. She was shaking with need and desire and shock. She’d never been so wanton or responded to a man with the intensity with which she responded to Jack. The knowledge gave her pause and she scooted back to the headboard, seeking space.
His eyes were glazed and unfocused, much like hers, she assumed since he looked as shaken as she felt. Silence pulsed between them.
Mallory leaned back against a bank of throw pillows. She glanced around for a covering for her exposed skin, but found nothing within reach. She settled for closing her eyes against the sight and feeling of being raw and exposed.
But all she saw beneath shut eyelids was Jack, rubbing his hands together and her imagination conjured the feel of his slickened palms against her still tingling, still wanting flesh.
“I haven’t finished protecting you from the sun.”