Worth the Challenge (Worth It 3)

Stubble lined his jaw, giving him a rakish air and she imagined what his roughened face might feel like against the sensitive skin of her inner thighs.

She shifted in her seat at the provocative image. Rhett kneeling between her legs, his long fingers wound around the waistband of her still-damp swimsuit bottoms, tugging them gently down her thighs, over her knees, along her calves….exposing her to his gaze. The appreciative glow in his eyes as he drank her in before he bent closer, his lips hovering above her wet, aching center…

“Do you want to eat at one of the restaurants on the resort? Or go somewhere else?” Rhett asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“W-we can stay at the resort tonight. That’s fine with me.” She breathed deep, thankful he couldn’t read her mind. She kept her gaze focused on the window and the passing scenery. Refused to look in his direction for fear he’d take one look at her and know what she was thinking.

She felt like a teenager with a raging hormonal crush on the cutest boy in school. Not that she knew what that was really like, considering her father had homeschooled her. She’d never stepped foot in a high school. But she’d seen enough movies filled with teen angst to get a sense of it.

Ella frowned. Oh, she was being absolutely ridiculous. She should jump him the moment they walked into their villa. He’d given her permission, after all, to make the next move…

“Are you tired? We could always call in room service.” His tone was suggestive—or was that her overactive imagination coming into play?

“I—I don’t care.” She was stuttering like a fool but he was making her nervous.

More like she was making herself nervous.

“I’m up for anything.” Again with the suggestive tone and she swore it wasn’t her imagination. He was teasing her.

“I’m sure you are,” she murmured, causing him to laugh.

Within moments they were at the villa, Rhett opening the car door for her, solicitously taking her beach bag so she didn’t have to carry it. Her palms were clammy, her stomach bouncing with nerves as she followed him inside, her gaze lingering on his backside.

He held the door open for her and she walked inside, the sound of the door clicking shut downright ominous in the quiet stillness of the room. She heard him drop the bag onto the tile floor with a plop and she remained where she stood. Waiting. Trying to build up the nerve to go after what she so desperately wanted.

But he beat her to the punch, thank God. Suddenly he was there. Behind her, his big arms wrapped around her middle as he pulled her against his hard, hot body. He nuzzled his cheek against hers, his breath warm as he whispered, “Take the dress off.”

Tingles washed over her at the hoarse command and she shrugged the straps of her sundress off her shoulders, the top of the dress dropping to her waist. He grabbed hold of the bunched fabric and pushed it down impatiently, until it fell to a puddle around her feet. All the while his mouth was pressed against her neck, his teeth lightly nipping, his tongue soothing away the sting.

She stepped out of the dress, gasping when he whirled her around to face him. The hungry gleam in his eyes was unmistakable. Tilting her head back, she met his gaze, watched with eager anticipation as he descended upon her.

“Close your eyes, Gabriella,” he urged and she did as he ordered, loving how forceful he was. No man had spoken to her in such a commanding manner before.

She found it incredibly arousing.

His big hands spanned across her bare back, his fingers toying with the thin ties of her bikini that crossed at the center. Finally, he settled his mouth on hers, his lips soft, damp and slightly parted. She sighed at first contact, winding her arms around his neck, tracing patterns on his nape with the tips of her fingers. He hauled her closer, against the most primal part of him and she ground against his erection unashamedly.

A possessive hand cupped her face, his touch gentle. He teased her parted lips with his tongue, tracing her lips, offering a delicate thrust before he retreated. Butterflies danced in her stomach, her blood ran hot as it rushed through her veins.

It was too much. It wasn’t enough. Pressing closer, she crushed her chest against his, darting her tongue out for a lick, moaning when he trapped it with his lips and sucked.

Rhett broke the kiss first, pressing his forehead to hers, his breath coming in hurried pants. “We’re moving way too fast.”

“But I want to move fast.” She reached for him, was about to kiss him into silence, but he pressed a single finger to her lips, stopping her.

“Shh.” He traced first her top lip, then her bottom, his touch feather-soft. She parted her lips, captured his finger between them and wrapped her tongue around the very tip.

His lids lowered as he continued to watch her, a little groan escaping him when she sucked him deeper. “Are you trying to drive me out of my ever-lovin’ mind?”

“Yes.” She nipped his finger with her teeth, smiling when he uttered a soft ow. “Now quit talking and kiss me.”

“Feisty little thing, aren’t you?” He did kiss her, sweet and slow when she wanted hot and fast. Again he yanked away from her when she tried to take it further. “Slow down,” he murmured, his fingers drifting down her cheek, his gaze locked on hers. “I want to make this good for you.”

Didn’t he realize it didn’t much matter what he did, it would automatically be good. She wanted him that much? “If you’re trying to romance me, it’s really not necessary. I can promise you, I’m a sure thing.”

He burst out laughing as he grasped her by the elbows and set her away from him. “You’re not messing around, are you?”

“See, that’s the problem. I’m trying to mess around and you won’t let me.” She couldn’t believe she was saying such things, but the anticipation, the heat that had been brewing between them, had set her patience to nonexistent.