Lust in Translation Page 17

  “That’s why it should come before, not after.”

  “I’ll remember that.”

  His stomach dropped as he realized why she’d need to remember. She was planning to move on. Not that he wasn’t, he just didn’t like to look at the reality of it too hard.

  “I’m on the pill, in case you were wondering. So it was okay. I mean, we should be careful, but it’s not―”

  He silenced her nervous chatter with a kiss. He’d sought her out to comfort her, make her feel better about the whirlwind she’d come home to, and this conversation wasn’t helping that. She returned his kiss with such sweetness a wave of longing overcame him and he shuddered.

  Her lush lips parted in a grin, and that was all the invitation he needed. Teasing kisses fluttered down on her forehead and nose, her cheeks tight from smiling, the spot just under her chin that always made her squirm.

  “We really shouldn’t do this,” she whispered, her fingers massaging his scalp.

  “Are you afraid you’ll give us away?” Flicking open the last of the buttons of her blouse, he parted the material and quickly unhooked her bra and pushed it aside.

  “Me? I can be quiet.”

  “You’ve never been quiet before.” A row of kisses led him across her jaw and down her neck, his hands roaming the golden skin he’d bared.

  “I was quiet today.” She tugged at his shirt, pulling it free of his slacks.

  “Yes, but you bit me. Which might become a problem if I have to dress in front of anyone.”

  “I did?” Jaime sat up so quickly she nearly bopped him in the nose. Undoing a few buttons, she pulled his collar aside and gasped. “I’m so sorry. Does it hurt?”

  “Yes. You need to kiss it and make it better.”

  Passion surged between them as her lips touched his tender skin. She made quick work of his shirt, pushing it off for better access. He followed suit, discarding her blouse as well. He pulled her on top of him, moving her so her supple breasts were in line with his face.

  With her hands braced on either side of his head, he traced the tender circle of one areola with his tongue, one hand free to roll the other nipple between his fingers, the other roaming the soft skin of her bare back. He raised one leg slowly, pressing it between her thighs as he pleasured her breasts. When she began to rock against his leg, he knew she was ready for more.

  He pulled a nipple deep into his mouth, flicking the tip as his hands worked to free her of her jeans. The button and zip went fast enough, but when his hands slid along her bare bottom, pushing the material away, Jaime sat up, her nipple popping from his mouth.

  “I can’t.” She rolled off him and onto her back. He followed, rising above her.

  “You will.” Their eyes locked in a challenge which startled him in its intensity. If she hadn’t reached between them to grip his hardness, he might have gone mad wondering if she’d really take it this far and then deny him.

  “I meant my knees. The wood floor might scrape up my knees and people will see me changing clothes.” She released her hold, sliding down the zipper. “Do you know how often I fantasized about having a boy up here?”

  “You never did?”

  She shook her head. “I was a very, very good girl. I’ve been making up for it quite well lately, don’t you think?” She freed him from his pants, the skin-on-skin connection inflaming his desire.

  “I think it’s good you waited until you could get a man to come up here with you.” He swallowed, fighting for control as her hand worked him. “And I think if you don’t stop that, I won’t be able to go slow enough for you to be quiet.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  He pulled her hand away and grabbed her other arm to lift them both over her head. “You made me promise no one would find out. Do you trust me?”

  The teasing air in the tree house vanished. “We would never have been together if I didn’t.”

  “Then we’ll go slow and breathe through it, and none of your neighbors will be asking me to inspect their backyards. But if you make noise, you’ll need to play bodyguard and protect me from a gang of horny housewives.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You wish.”

  “You don’t believe me? I guess I’ll have to prove it to you.” He peeled off her jeans and tossed them against a wall where they slid down onto the flip-flops she must have kicked off when she climbed up.

  Ribbons of moonlight filtered through the leaves and fell across her naked body, adorning her skin like lace. He knelt between her legs, running his hands from her knees up her body, enjoying the way she trembled when he skimmed the sensitive skin of her hips and the back of her arms.

  Dangerous electricity crackled between them, threatening to bolt from them like lightning if he didn’t do something to break the tension. He dipped his head and explored her body with his hands and mouth in a slow thoroughness sure to make her forget about anyone and anything except him and the pleasure he could bring her.

  She tensed each time he neared the apex of her thighs, and he enjoyed every anxious moment he brought her to. He felt that way, excited and eager simply by standing next to her. Bringing that same sensation to her brought him a surge of power.

  With a fingertip, he traced his name across her belly, then reached for his pants to find a condom. Jaime rested her hand on his arm.

  “Let’s not. I want to feel you.”

  He grew impossibly harder at her husky words, pushing down his pants and readying himself for what always felt inescapable with her. When they were this close they were like magnets drawn together. Who was he to fight the laws of the universe?

  With his palms on her inner thighs, he gently drew her legs apart, opening her secrets within. She was a vision as she lay back, her knees bent, her entire body on display. It was the most erotic image he’d ever had the pleasure of seeing, much less experiencing. He’d planned on drawing it out and keeping them here all night, but when she stretched her arms overhead and arched her back, he couldn’t see any point in waiting to be inside her.

  On his knees, he gripped her hips, tilting her body so he could see their joining. Taking himself in hand, he traced his name against her sex, making her writhe before entering her with a series of short, fast thrusts. With her hips tilted, he could feel the head of his penis rubbing against the spongy soft area within her.

  He rocked into her, watching the blush spread across her breasts and up her neck, her hands clenching and relaxing as he brought her higher and higher. He wanted her to scream, wanted to hear her cry out, but knew she wouldn’t. She wanted the pleasure he could provide, but she didn’t want anything more from him.

  A sadness spread within him, but instead of retreating he redoubled his efforts, rubbing his thumb in slow circles over her clit until her breath was ragged and her body clenched around him. He looked into her eyes as they flashed with desire as she climaxed, her legs falling open and the muscles of her stomach quivering.

  Without withdrawing, he pressed her legs back, then lifted them together over one shoulder, giving himself an amazing freedom within her. While his hands roamed the smooth expanse of her legs, he pressed deeper with fast, smooth movements, grinding his pelvis against hers.

  She bit her lip and reached for him, but in this position she wasn’t able to control, could only receive what he wanted to share with her.

  “I can’t wait,” she rasped. “Come with me this time.”

  He parted her legs again, moving between them and up her body. Time stood still as he peered down into the brown depths of her eyes. Desire and need bloomed in the darkness of her gaze, urging him to complete the sensation.

  In that moment, he knew with a fatal simplicity this feeling wouldn’t wane simply because he put something as insubstantial as an ocean and a continent between them. Whatever this sensation was, it existed outside of space and time. It would always be, and he’d never have his fill of it.

  Half-crazed with need and driven to distraction by the thoughts swirling in hi
s mind, he couldn’t contain all he felt in his own body. He pushed the feelings deep into her, praying she’d understand them better than he did. She lifted her shoulders, her mouth finding his the moment his climax took them both over the edge.

  She pulsed around him as he spilled himself deep within her, relishing the sensation. Jaime’s kisses continued, but in his current state it was all he could do to roll her on top of him and receive. She stretched out along his body, no part of her touching the hard wooden floor as she rocked against him.

  Within her, he remained so sensitive he wasn’t sure how much of it he could take. He reached down, gripped her bottom in both hands and helped her find another climax. Her body clenched and pulsated around him, pleasure and pain mixing to drain him of everything he had.

  Long moments later, Jaime shifted on his chest, her face rising to his. “This was such a bad idea.”

  He shifted, intensely aware of still being inside her, no matter what she thought of the situation.

  “All I want to do is fall asleep right here, and somehow I’m supposed to get dressed, climb down a ladder and make it into the house.” She dropped her head again, her hair tickling against his chin.

  He smoothed the strands down to her shoulders, relieved she hadn’t thought being together here was a bad idea. “You do tend to fall asleep after. I hadn’t noticed that until now.”

  “Beats the heck out of trying to walk.” With a sigh, she rolled off him, the night air biting at his wet cock.

  While Jaime found her clothing, he did the same. He smiled at the situation once they were completely clothed. Even though the scent of sex hung thick in the air, he’d be able to keep his promise that no one find out their affair if someone spied them together.

  “Thank you.” Jaime grinned, buttoning up her blouse. “You did make me feel better.”

  “You should feel fantastic.”

  “I would if I could sleep here.” She leaned closer and grazed a kiss on his cheek as she crawled to the hole in the floor and slipped down onto the ladder. “Wait until I’m inside to come down, okay? Just in case someone is looking outside.”

  “Now who is acting like a spy?” He leaned down to kiss her as she descended. “You could come with me.”

  “My mother would know if I don’t come down for breakfast.”

  “No, I mean to Paris.” The words surprised even him. What was he saying?

  “And do what?”

  “Teach. You speak the language and many others. You’d have no trouble finding a job.”

  “Xavier―”

  His gut clenched, his heart racing. She was going to say no. “Marie-Chloe keeps apartments in the city. You could have one of those.”

  “And what about us, Xavier?”

  “We could keep on. I’m living at the family house, so there would be no pressure.”

  “Thank you for making this easier.” Emotion made her voice thick. “I needed the reminder. I came back to start my life, not to put it on hold for another year to be your mistress.”

  “I can’t stay here, Jaime. I have responsibilities in Paris, family.”

  “I’m not your responsibility, Xavier. I can take care of myself. What I can’t do is hang up my hopes and dreams to move to another country so that we can continue to have sex and nothing else.”

  She ducked down the hole and made it to the ground with a thud. He scrambled to his feet, but her hissing voice warned him off.

  “If you follow me, Xavier Moreau, I will never forgive you.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The leather-bound menu held vast delicacies Jaime had only dreamed of trying. And some no amount of money could tempt her to sample. With so many options, how did anyone choose?

  Jaime looked up as Allison padded into the tiled room, tugging the plush terrycloth robe tighter against her lithe body.

  The bride-to-be flopped into the chair next to her and sighed. “You have to stay with me today. They’re freaking me out.”

  Jaime smiled and wrapped a comforting arm around her little sister. They would be Allison’s cousins, otherwise known as the bridesmaids from hell, who insisted on this spa day. Not that it was a bad way to spend the day, but an entire day with Bev and Barb could send anyone over the edge. As it was, it only took changing clothes to send Allison running.

  “They want me to get a butt facial.”

  Laughter shook both women. “It could be worse,” Jaime said, wiping her eyes. “There is a caviar pedicure. That ought to smell great.”

  “Is this scary to you?”

  “Scary?” Jaime opened the menu again. “Nothing is scary. Stinky and a bit odd, but it’s a good idea. I’m actually glad they’re practicing our hair and makeup today. No surprises tomorrow.”

  “No, I mean, well, they said they were going to take my hair off.”

  Jaime swallowed a laugh. “What?”

  “You know, down there.” Allison squirmed in her seat. “It’s part of the bridal package.”

  Jaime took her sister’s hand. “You don’t have to do anything but have a good time and relax.”

  “But Bev said I should. You know. Take care of things. And I have no idea what Trent is expecting. We’ve never talked about it. I mean, just what is a Brazilian? We’re going to Hawaii, so maybe I should ask for a Hawaiian.”

  Cruel and unusual punishment, that’s what it was to have to keep from laughing. Really. Had she been this naive at twenty-two? “Don’t listen to Bev. She’s getting her butt polished.”

  “What are you getting?”

  “I’m getting a facial, manicure, pedicure and a hot-stone massage. Then I’ll do my trial run-through makeup so I’ll be ready for the rehearsal.”

  “Hot stones?” Alli wrinkled her button nose.

  “The heat makes you feel like you’re melting into the table.”

  “That sounds good. But what about, you know?”

  “Getting hot wax spread on your hoochie-coochie?” She let her smile widen.

  “Jaime! Don’t make fun. Do I need to do it?”

  “Can you wear a bikini?”

  Allison quirked a brow. “Of course. I got two new ones to take to Hawaii, but I don’t… Oh, I get it. Yes, nothing shows in a bikini.”

  “Then you’re fine. It’s whatever you want to do, anyway. Don’t listen to Bev or Barb. They’re trying to scare you.”

  “Well, they’re succeeding.” She crossed her arms across her chest. “I wish we hadn’t waited. It’s a lot of pressure.”

  Jaime took her hand and then looked her in the eye. “It’s beautiful. It will be beautiful, and you’ll never regret waiting for him. Bev and Barb are jealous. Making love is magical, and you deserve to have a beautiful night.”

  Allison leaned closer and wrapped her arms around Jaime. “I’m so glad you’re here. What would I do without you?”

  “Probably wind up having your butt polished.” Allison’s shoulders started to shake as she began to cry. “Hey, you’re going to be fine. It’s Trent for goodness sake. The man hasn’t had sex in two years. He’ll make sure you enjoy yourself, that way you’ll want to do it again.”

  Allison sat up and wiped her eyes. “I hate that you’re leaving me too.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Mom’s going to Arizona, and she said you weren’t staying either. I’m going to be all alone.”

  “You’ll never be alone again, almost-married lady.”

  “I know. I just thought you’d be here. I wanted to make sure you didn’t wind up with another jerk.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You always go for the most unavailable men. I thought if you were here I could help. I already have a list of guys I want to introduce you to at the wedding.”

  “What do you mean I go for unavailable men? Every relationship I’ve had has been long term.” Except for Xavier, who with his European address was as unavailable as they came.

  “You always thought Nick still had feelings for his ex. You got tense eve
ry time he’d go home. And Brad from college? He was so focused on school and landing the right job, he barely had time for you. You stay so detached. I know if you just find a nice guy, someone who adores you, a guy who you actually care about rather than tolerate, things will end up different.”

  She didn’t know how to respond. Of course she held a part of herself back in relationships. Didn’t everyone? She’d been left behind by her father, two serious boyfriends, and in a few days Xavier would follow suit.

  The fear that loomed at his leaving was like nothing she’d ever experienced. She’d slipped up and left her heart unguarded and wound up falling in love with a man who’d never even considered loving her back.

  Was that why she’d fallen for him so quickly? Because she knew he would leave her, proving her point? She’d read once that you were destined to make the same mistakes over and over until you actually learned from them. But what exactly was she supposed to learn?

  “Tonight at the rehearsal dinner, I want you to give Brandon a chance.” Allison stood, smoothing down her robe.

  “I really don’t need to be fixed up.” Not with Xavier watching, and not until she figured out what it was she wanted to do next in her life. Nothing was going to work out until she got herself straight.

  “He manages the restaurant we’re having dinner at. You’ll like him, I promise.”

  Before she could give a list of reasons why she did not need a matchmaker, a woman arrived to start their spa treatments. Jaime decided to relax and enjoy. Her problems would all be there after her hot-stone massage.

  …

  Xavier had never actually seen a damsel in distress until he caught Jaime’s pained expression at the rehearsal dinner. All night he’d watched her ping pong between men. At first he’d been annoyed, thinking she was trying to manipulate him with jealousy, but then he’d noticed something more.

  Every single person who came to talk with her brought a man. Her entire family had taken on the role of yenta, and she was stuck in a battle to see whose man would catch her eye. He started to laugh and then caught himself. She was likely to be in quite the mood, and laughing at her predicament could get him maimed for life.