Lucky Charm (Lucky 1)

“Well, if things got that bad with Marlene, I sure as hell am not going to take that chance with you!” His brown eyes flashed with determination.

But she was equally determined to make her point. “Well, I’m not going to give you a choice.” She settled into his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled him close and planted a warm, hot kiss on his lips.

CHAPTER SEVEN

DEREK HAD NEVER BEEN able to win an argument with a determined Gabrielle. And the woman now straddling his lap was equally strong in her resolution to come out on top. Pun intended. Although, he wasn’t laughing. He was completely, thoroughly aroused.

Her lips were hot and seductive as she made her point. A point he couldn’t remember, thanks to the pulsing in his groin and the desire flooding his body. He couldn’t focus on anything except the delicious woman seducing him on the beach, so he did what any sane man would do.

He kissed her back. Slid his hands up the bare skin on her back and kneaded her soft flesh, all the while deepening the kiss. He slid his tongue

around her mouth, losing himself in sensation. Need surrounded him.

A haze of pure enjoyment rushed over him when suddenly, she cupped her hands around his face and slowly ended the kiss.

He breathed out hard.

“I missed this,” she said softly, her gaze meeting his. “I missed you.”

“Yeah. Me, too.” More than he’d wanted to admit.

Even now, the tremors in his body continued, along with the sound of desire filling his ears. Of course, it could be the ocean behind him, but he chose to believe Gabrielle’s effect on him was that potent.

“What are we going to do about it?” She wiggled her hips against him, and though her dress covered all his sins, her eyes darkened, telling him she felt him grow hard between her thighs.

She certainly wasn’t going to accept “nothing” as an answer.

“We need closure,” she said.

“I agree.” He couldn’t just let her walk out of his life. Not yet. He needed more.

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “You do, huh?” Her lips curved upward in a pleased and somewhat smug smile.

For once they were on the same page.

“Excuse me,” a stranger said.

Startled, both he and Gabrielle jerked their gaze upward.

A woman stood over them. “This isn’t a private beach. And it’s not the place for public displays of affection,” she said, toe tapping in disapproval. “I suggest you get a room.” She sniffed and strode off, her nose in the air.

“I’m mortified,” Gabrielle said, her voice rising in horror.

Derek couldn’t help but laugh. “Relax. She’s a stick-in-the-mud. We’re off in our own corner, not bothering anyone.”

Gabrielle bit down on her lower lip. “Well, still. There are kids around. You wouldn’t want Holly coming across a couple doing what we just did on a public beach.” She delicately climbed off him, careful, he noticed, not to look at the lingering evidence of his arousal bulging in his jeans.

“Good point.” He pulled her toward him again and placed a brief kiss on the tip of her nose. “It’s just that you can make me forget everything but you.”

She grinned and rose to her feet.

He followed, straightening his clothes and thinking about Gabrielle’s effect on him. Decision made, he had no choice. He was finished denying the attraction. Nothing in the curse prohibited a short-term affair.

Closure, as Gabrielle had said.

Together they packed up the blanket and basket, when suddenly he turned and faced her again. He wrapped his arm around her waist, but instead of letting himself get caught up in another embrace, he turned her around and playfully swatted her behind.

“No more PDA,” he said, laughing. “Let’s get our things and get moving.” He grabbed the basket while she picked up the blanket and they started up the beach.