She became aware her hands were stroking Jamie’s shoulders, and alternately spearing themselves through his short hair. He was making deep noises of pleasure and approval, not unlike when he ate something delicious. The sounds further amplified Rachel’s arousal, and she had an almost overwhelming urge to ride the hard muscle of his thigh. Anything to assuage her mounting desire.
As if he knew what she wanted, Jamie intensified the kiss, licking deeply inside her mouth as he slid his hand over her hip and cupped her rear, urging her closer. Rachel complied, curling one leg around him as she pressed herself against his rigid length. Jamie gave a groan, and slid his hand inside the stretchy material of her bikini. He squeezed her buttock, his hand massaging the flesh and pushing her against his erection.
Rachel moaned softly, and reached between their bodies to cover him with her palm. Through the cool, wet material of his swim trunks, he was hard and hot.
She needed to touch him.
She quickly worked the lacings at the front of his trunks, and loosened them just enough to slip her hand inside. When she wrapped her fingers around his length, he jerked reflexively. He dragged his mouth from hers, and his breathing was ragged in her ear.
“God, that feels so good,” he said hoarsely. “I want to be inside you.”
His other arm came around her, lifting her into a better position. But without his free arm supporting them against the edge of the pool, they both sank below the surface of the water.
Rachel came up first, gasping for air. Jamie came up behind her, and pulled her toward the shallow end until their feet touched bottom. When she would have turned toward the steps that led out of the pool, Jamie caught her arm.
“Wait.”
Rachel gave him a cautious look. His expression was taut, and beneath the clear waters she could see he was still aroused.
So was she.
If the water hadn’t served to douse their rising passion, Rachel was certain she would have had sex with Jamie right there, in the pool, his broken leg be damned.
“I feel like I’m always apologizing,” she said, her breathing still uneven.
“Then don’t. The only thing I’m sorry for is letting go of the damned edge.”
He gave her a lopsided smile and tugged at her until she stepped closer. She was careful to keep some space between them, and she fixed her attention on his face. No way was she going to look down at his broad chest, or his cobblestone abs, or lower to where his partially unlaced swim trunks were tented at an impressive angle.
“Jamie,” she protested softly, seeing the expression in his eyes.
“What?” he demanded.
“We can’t do this.”
“Why not? We both want to.”
“But it’s not right.”
“Why? Because you’ve decided it’s not?” He tipped his head and looked into her eyes. “We’re both free, consenting adults, Rachel. Who would we be hurting? Nobody.”
“It’s too soon.” As excuses went, it was pretty lame.
“Really? Because you said you hadn’t lived with Deke for almost two years. The marriage was over long before you got those divorce papers. So who’s kidding who?”
Did Rachel want to drag Jamie out of the pool and finish what they’d started? Yes, badly. But she’d have regrets afterward. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept with a guy for the sheer pleasure of it, without having the construct of a committed relationship. Had she ever? Maybe, once. When she’d been in college. And as much as she’d loved the sex, she’d hated the self-recrimination that came later. She wasn’t like other women she knew, who fully embraced their own sexuality and pursued their own desires without guilt or worry. Besides being her brother’s friend, he was her client. She wouldn’t cross that line again.
“I can’t, Jamie,” she said now. “It has nothing to do with my not wanting to—I just can’t.”
“Can’t?” he asked. “Or won’t?”
Rachel tugged her arm free. “Does it matter?”
“Yes, damn it, it does matter.”
Rachel gestured helplessly. “I won’t have sex with a guy when I know there’s no possibility of anything more.”
“How do you know?” He held up a finger in warning. “And don’t tell me it’s the age difference, because I’m not buying it.”
“Look, Jamie,” she entreated softly. “You’re a great guy—really. You’re gorgeous and you’re smart, and any girl would be lucky to have you look twice at her.”
“Just not you, huh?”
He sounded bitter and looked disappointed, and Rachel had the distinct impression it went deeper than just being told she wouldn’t have sex with him. She’d let him down on some elemental level. But she couldn’t tell him the truth—if she let her guard down and allowed herself to act on her feelings, their relationship could easily get out of control. She didn’t want to risk falling in love with Jamie Colter.