Liar Liar (12 page)

Jess was a knockout, even if she didn’t know it. The sedan had plenty of room for an afternoon adventure, especially the back seat variety. If only she hadn’t put the brakes on their sexual relationship. He wet his lips and wondered for the umpteenth time what it was about this woman that pushed him so far beyond his well-intentioned plans for satisfying her and his business ethics. This trip was turning out to be much more than he bargained for. And he suspected a wilder ride lay ahead.

“We’re here!” he announced with unfeigned cheerfulness as they rolled to a stop in a gravel parking lot.

It wasn’t until she’d seen the huge inflated raft strapped to the top of the battered white van that she’d realized where he was planning to take her.

“We’re doing what?” Jess shrieked. She stared in disbelief. Her mouth gaped, giving him a glimpse of her sweet red tongue. What he could do with that….

“You said no risky hikes,” Matteo chided, mentally shaking himself. “You didn’t say anything about this.” He gave her an encouraging smile. “C’mon, it’ll be fun.”

“Rafting? You have got to be kidding!” She put her hands on her hips. “The water is probably freezing this time of year. I can’t go in this.” She glanced down at her khaki walking shorts and the pink cotton t-shirt that clung to her breasts in an unconsciously sexy way.

“You’re absolutely right. About the water and your attire.” Matteo stalked into the overhang and pawed through a selection of wet suits and other gear hanging near the back. “Here. You’re a medium, right?” He tossed her a black and yellow wet suit, bright orange rain jacket and a pair of booties to slip over her tennis shoes.

She caught them with a bemused expression. “What if I said I couldn’t swim?”

He paused. That could be a complication. “Can you?”

Her lips compressed as she eyed the gear. “Yes,” she grudgingly admitted. “But not well enough for raging rapids.”

Raging, he thought, was an apt description for the ride he wanted with her.

“Are you planning to leave the raft?” He crossed his arms.

Jess sighed. “Of course not.”

“Lifejackets are mandatory. So are helmets, to protect that pretty head.” He patted her affectionately on the crown, resisting the urge to run his hands through her silky locks. Or to throw her down right there in the back of the van and make love to her. She wouldn’t need to swim, then.

She mumbled something about ‘adventure’ and bit her lip. Matteo grinned, sensing he’d won this round. “Changing rooms are over there. I’ll wait for you by the van.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” She disappeared behind the curtain.

Matteo laughed. You and me both,
querida
, he thought. You and me both.

She was an adrenaline junkie.

Jess cackled as the raft dipped and spun in the river eddies, drunk on the rush of adrenaline as the raft guide barked another set of commands.

“Forward, three strokes. We’re coming up on some level three rapids. Keep sharp!” Their guide leaned into the huge oar he used to guide them away from the rocks.

Jess pulled, using her body to propel her yellow paddle through the murky water. The raft lurched past the obstacles with only a small bump on the left side.

The guide chuckled. “Good job! You two really know how to work together.”

Oh, how she wanted to be working with Matt. With, underneath, on top of…it all went together. Her libido was in overdrive around him. Matt, his face and body glittering with river spray, flashed her brilliant smile. His eyes gleamed beneath the shadow of his helmet, in a way that made her wonder what he was thinking.

She’d never had so much fun in her life.

Forget liars, forget scam artists…river rafting in Montana was like a wild roller coaster ride on water. She felt more relaxed than she had in years. Huge scraggly pines stretched overhead, and twice they saw an eagle’s nest. The magnificent birds were silent sentinels as she and Matt floated through the calmer waters toward the more exhilarating rapids.

She’d been scared and hesitant at first, as the guide had explained how they had to synchronize their efforts to keep the raft afloat and out of danger. She’d worried that Matt, with his superior strength would be irritated or condescending of her efforts.

“I mean it,” the guide continued, oblivious to the magnetic tension between her and her partner. “Most couples can’t handle this kind of teamwork. You guys rock.” He took a swig out of his canteen. “Take a break for a bit, though. The next set of rapids is around that bend.”

Jess placed her oar over her knees, being sure to keep her handle inside where it couldn’t knock anyone senseless.

“Would you take our photo?” she asked. She tried to unhook the clasp of the inflatable dry box that held their rental car keys, Matt’s wallet, and her digital camera.

“Whoa, I’ll get it!” Matt juggled the box and his oar. “Your hands are wet.”

Jess handed it over, feeling a prickle of elation he’d agreed to a photo to commemorate this experience. Mementos of their time together. It boded well for a longer term relationship.

After the guide snapped a few shots, they focused on the scenery and the swift running water until they emerged, tired and elated, three hours downstream.

Three hours of exhilarating adventure. Just what the doctor ordered. By the end, she was tired, but elated.

“I can’t believe I did this. It was so incredible…I’ve never done anything like it!” Jess unhooked her helmet and shook her hair out while the tour guide loaded the raft onto the van. It felt good to trust her own skills.

“You were terrific!” Matt’s eyes shot sparks in the sunlight. “Hungry? We could grab some chow and picnic on the river bank before heading back.”

“You got it.” Jess paused a minute. “Hey, wait a minute. Isn’t this supposed to be an ‘all expenses paid’ trip paid by LoveLines? We’re off the hotel property and I didn’t bring my purse. You bought the excursion. Doesn’t seem right that you should shell out for lunch.”

Matt paused. “You’re worth it, Jess.”

Well, she couldn’t argue with that logic. Or the look on his face as she stripped off her wet-suit jacket. He looked like he wanted to strip off more than her jacket. Heat flared between her legs. She liked the sound of her name on his lips. Despite the chill breeze and her damp suit, she grew unaccountably hot.

“Then I’m in.” She agreed happily. It was nice being away from the lodge, away from the other LoveLiners and the pressure--almost like being on a real date. Jess grinned. And Matt actually seemed to be the perfect guy. It was still early yet, but he just might have potential.

Maybe the LoveLines program was legit, after all. She’d have to dig in further to ascertain what the client alleged and why. The thought of pouring over paperwork instead of over Matt’s hot bod made her cringe.

They rode back to the rafting shop, making note of a lovely secluded turn roughly half a mile from the highway. Matt pointed out a local grocery store as they stopped and within a half hour, they’d turned in their wet gear and packed a grocery bag with French bread, havarti cheese, ham, an apple, a package of Dixie cups, napkins and a four pack of pinot bottles with screw tops.

They backtracked to the side street, a worn dirt and gravel road which was more of a cattle path, than anything. Settled on a semi-secluded spot, they stretched out where the trees overhung the river bank. It was warm, without a hint of clouds in the early afternoon sky. Matt took off his jacket, his biceps flexing as he spread it on the dry grass for her, along with some towels stowed in the back. He was as yummy as a fudge bar, without all the calories. Jess sighed, wishing regretfully for a sudden storm to give them an excuse to strip off their clothing. She leaned in closer, until her leg was touching his. The hairs on his calves tickled her skin.

Matt seemed to follow her train of thought. His gaze fixed on her mouth as she ate and drank. His fixed attention was almost as invigorating as their rafting trip. As she tore off another hunk of bread and washed it down with a mouthful of fruity white wine, Jess found her mind wandering again and again to the gorgeous guy next to her. It seemed almost impossible that a catch like Matt had stayed a bachelor. Her inner bullshit alarm was resolutely silent as they chatted. Definitely a good sign.

“Do you date much, back home in….?” she asked, taking another sip of wine.

“Dallas. Well, Fort Worth, actually. Yeah, I guess so.” Matt leaned back and ran his hands through his hair. “I mean, not lately. But I’ve had my share.”

“Uh-hmm.” She wasn’t sure if she liked the sound of that. “So, why the dating service? Sounds like you had things pretty good.”

Matt stilled. “Oh, I don’t know. Sex without love is just…calisthenics. I want something more.” He leaned closer and brushed her cheek with his hand. Heat shot through her. She loved the feel of his hands on her. “You had crumbs on your face.”

She swiped her lips, self-conscious until she found his eyes hawking her movements. There was no mistaking the heat in his gaze. He wanted her. Crumb-cheeks and all.

He couldn’t be more perfect, she thought. Hot fudge sexy and looking for love. She wanted to know more about him, but more than that her body craved being near him. If she wasn’t careful, she could really fall for him.

That she wanted him to fall for her in return surprised her.

“Where’s the strangest place you’ve had sex?” she ventured, biting into an apple slice.

“Oral or all the way?” He gave her a look that said he was considering both. With her. Now.

“Matt!” She gave him a playful punch on the arm. “C’mon,” she challenged. She threaded her leg under his.

The warmth of his skin infused her, and the cleft between her legs grew moist. She wanted more than her leg under him.

“Easy.” His eyes twinkled while he rubbed his chin and pretended to think. “The Bronco Bowl in Dallas during a rock concert. All the way.”

“What? With all those people around?” Jess shook her head.

He shrugged. “It’s pretty dim near the top rows. The music covered up the…uh…noise.”

Her cheeks were on fire. “Wow. I could never be that brave.” A leaf fluttered from a fallen limb and drifted into the river’s lazy current.

“Define brave?”

“Well, I mean…it’s not like I haven’t thought about it. I mean, what woman hasn’t, right? But Stan, my ex, wasn’t really into exhibitionism. At least not with me.” She had fantasized about it for a long time. The wanton desire that would lead her to shed her clothes along with her inhibitions...the thrill of possibly being caught. Even now her crotch radiated like a furnace.

“So, what’s stopping you? He isn’t in the picture anymore.”

She couldn’t very well tell Matt that he’d been her first sexual experience since her divorce. It made her sound like a loser. “I guess timing? Never found the right time or place.” Or guy, she finished in her head.

Matt scanned the tree lined river bank. “What about here? It’s a good place to start. No one’s really around.”

Jess gulped. Liquid heat flooded her just at the thought of being so…so….uninhibited. “I don’t know. I mean, I don’t want to mess this up. I…uh…like you.”

He looked thoughtful for a moment, before he moved closer. “You’ll like me even better after today, I promise. Trust me.”

Oh, how she wanted to! She waited, but her bullshit meter was mute.

Jess exhaled slowly and nodded. “Okay.”

He ducked his head and placed a sizzling kiss on her lips. Her body responded without forethought. She opened herself without thinking. It was so easy with him. His mouth was a firebrand that marked her skin. She wanted this, wanted him. Dimly, she remembered telling him she didn’t want sex. What a liar she was turning out to be! After a few long moments, Jess fought to clear her senses.

“Wait.” She pulled away. “Maybe, we shouldn’t. Someone could be watching.” She scanned the area, but other than the river eddies, nothing moved. “I don’t even know your last name.”

Matt recoiled. “You’re a beautiful woman, Jess. Let them watch. No one knows you here.” His mouth covered hers. “Trust your instincts,” he urged against her lips. This wasn’t a gentle seduction like before, but hot and urgent. She moaned. He tugged her pink shirt over her breasts, and returned his untamed onslaught, kissing and suckling at her breasts. When he sank to his knees, still nuzzling her stomach, Jess inhaled sharply. His fingertips traced patterns down her bared ribcage while the breeze raced over her skin with icy intensity that matched Matt’s fire. “And it’s Brandt.”

“Hmmm?” she asked dreamily.

“My last name. Brandt. It means ‘fire’ in German.” His tongue trailed to the pulse point on her neck. “As in The Smoking Brandt Ranch.”

How apropos. He was like a live flame, so hot and hard. And, he gave her full disclosure. Could she give him full access? Should she?

It was so tempting, the thought of her body being bared beneath him in the open daylight. Her milky white skin threaded with his darker, tanned limbs. After the day’s excitement, she couldn’t imagine a more fitting afternoon. His mouth moved lower, growing more insistent. He fed on her hungrily, with a wild, unrestricted passion--something she’d never experienced. She felt a piece of her shuttered soul break off and drift away, a hard edge polished to smooth, like a river pebble. It was glorious, and she wanted to ride that flow.

It was time to let go.

She sat up and cautiously slipped her shirt over her head, holding it in front of her like a shield. Nothing happened. There were no screams of passing tourists; no lightning struck her, save for the sparks shooting from Matt’s eyes. His gaze roamed up and down her body, and slowly she lowered her cloth shield and set it aside.

Bared, almost naked under the open, blue Montana sky. Her cheeks flamed. Nice girls would stop, right now. With a jolt, she realized she was tired of being nice.

Instead, she turned to him. He covered her body with his own, laying her back against the dusty river bank, while he suckled the tips of her breasts. With each stroke of his tongue, she grew more and more aroused.

Matt expertly twisted and the drawstring of her khaki shorts loosened, exposing the top of her pink panties. “So pretty,” he purred. He tugged once, twice, and they fell away to her knees. Goosebumps that had nothing to do with the temperature formed on her trembling legs.