Paradise (10 page)

She made a face at his last observation. How could he know all this when they’d met only this morning and hadn’t really talked? Well, he talked enough for both of them.

“Okay, Sherlock, how did you draw these conclusions?”

“Simple.” He sat up cross-legged opposite her, providing yet another close up view of his tantalizing torso. Her heart did a quick flip-flop. She couldn’t take much more of this.

“You came for the tour even though your boyfriend bailed on you -- independence. You could have canceled, but you felt you had an obligation -- integrity. You didn’t like the idea of camping in a swamp, but because of the contest rules, you showed up anyway -- determination. When the storm came up, you hauled butt paddling so we wouldn’t get caught -- hard worker and team player.”

“So why am I adventurous? I certainly haven’t shown any inclination to explore anything.”

“Ahhh, but you have. That’s the most telling trait of all.” He hesitated and those caramel eyes bore right through her. “You’re exploring yourself.”

She raised a questioning eyebrow, ignoring her heart thumping like a bunny’s back foot, and he continued. “When it became apparent you would be alone in the wild with a single man instead of a happily married couple, you could have balked and no one would have thought the worse of you. But instead, you went ahead with the trip. I’d say that’s pretty adventurous, wouldn’t you?”

Under his gaze, a pulsing heat formed between her legs. As he pointed out, she was alone in the wild with a single man, a devastatingly attractive, half naked, single man who had been turning her insides to mush for the last few hours -- well, at least when he didn’t annoy the snot out of her.

This was ridiculous. She had to stop reading sensuous meanings into everything he said. “Well, maybe,” she fumbled. “I really didn’t think I had a choice.”

“Come to think of it, Nick did hustle us along, didn’t he? We’re both anxious to drum up more business through Channel Ten. I’m glad you decided to follow through. I’m really enjoying this.” He looked down at himself. “Despite the cold and the wet clothes.”

She followed his gaze. Whether from the drop in temperature or her unwavering scrutiny, his nipples tightened into erect buds before her eyes. She couldn’t look away. Thoughts of taking them into her mouth, licking them, nipping them danced across her mind. Horrified, she realized her breathing was erratic, and she wet her lips in anticipation. Eddie hadn’t moved a muscle. She sensed him watching her, waiting for her to do -- what?

With a determination she didn’t possess, she ripped her gaze away from his chest, trying to recover her control. “It’s getting late, isn’t it?” she ventured. “Maybe we should go to bed.” She wanted to slap herself in the head at her poor choice of words. Her eyes darted to his. He stared at her, his golden eyes darkened and his lips parted.

“You’re right. It is getting late,” he rasped. “Maybe we should go to bed.”

Chapter Five

Robbie lay curled in her sleeping bag as far from Eddie as possible. Her orange sweatshirt, wrapped around a pair of jeans, served as a pillow. The extra sleeping bag under her didn’t provide much padding, and she shifted again to get comfortable.

This was all Leah’s fault, planting the idea of a fling, but who would have thought the opportunity would present itself so quickly? Fortunately, Tarzan was all business. But, oh he was a charmer. The type of guy who could never be serious about a woman. He must have a harem back in
Tiny
Town
. That would have made Eddie perfect for a quick affair. Some hot, sensational, mind-blowing sex with him would make her forget that louse, Rick. How could she have thought he was hot? Compared to Eddie, he wasn’t even the same species. The kink in her side became impossible to ignore, and she rolled over again. Was that her imagination or did something bump the platform? She waited, her heart pounding wildly. Nothing. Her imagination had better settle on something else less stressful than bumps if she was to make it through the night.

She sighed. When Eddie turned off the lantern, the darkness was total.
No street
lights, no McDonald’s signs, no nothing except complete blackness -- and cold. It was just too darned cold for April. Hey, What gives? This was the South. Shivering, she wrapped her arms tightly around herself inside the sleeping bag. In truth, the bag kept her nicely cocooned. The shiver was more from fear than cold. How could she go to sleep knowing man-eating monsters surrounded them? And didn’t those damn frogs ever shut up?

She listened. Eddie’s breathing was as slow and even as a baby’s. How could he sleep with that racket out there? On second thought, thank goodness, he did. After that “go to bed” comment, she’d almost attacked him.

Playing the moment over in her mind, it was obvious he didn’t mean what she wanted him to mean. The guy was just tired and wanted to go to bed. A long sigh rushed passed her lips. Just for an instant, though, it seemed he wanted to go to bed with her. Her imagination grabbed that thought and galloped away.

Too bad he hadn’t meant it. She could be crawling her way over that lovely chest right now. Her fingers entwined in his dark, shaggy hair as her mouth covered his. His knee would spread her legs. No, wait. Rewind. She was on top.

She would straddle his slim hips, taking him deep inside. He’d be long and thick and hard as stone just for her. His hands would guide her, position her for their enjoyment.

Sensuous moans would fill the tent, pushing her to pleasure him more completely.
Hal
f closed with desire, his eyes would never leave hers. Despite the cold, a thin sheen of perspiration would form on his torso. Her fingers would move downward to splay across his chest. Finding his harden nipples, she’d…

Her ragged breathing forced her out of the fantasy. Lord, did she have a fixation on this guy’s chest or what? Wow, that sure chased away the cold. The scintillating images warmed her from the inside out.

Whoa, girl, this runaway train of thought is not doing anyone any good. Remember what he said? This trip can be as comfortable or as awkward as I make it. He isn’t the least bit interested in me. He has a thing going with that slutty waitress at the greasy spoon. Girl, you get your hormones under control or you will not survive this week!

Resigned, she practiced her yoga deep breathing exercises. Concentrating on the flow of her breath, she banished the delicious thought of seducing her tour guide.

Another, more demanding bump jarred the platform. Her relaxing inhalation caught in her throat. Uneasiness turned to worry and zoomed to terror. What if a huge alligator knocked over the platform? They’d be thrown into the water and become a midnight snack for some over-sized reptile and then -- God help them -- the snakes would come and slither over them before the…the piranha and sharks finished them off! Damn. The snakes could be sneaking up on them right now.

It was so dark, she couldn’t say whether her eyes were open or closed. She listened but couldn’t hear Eddie’s breathing. He wouldn’t run off and leave her, would he? She’d been downright rude to him for most of the day. She could be here alone right now with the snakes and gators.

She rolled over taking her sleeping bag with her. Eddie should be somewhere on the other side of the tent. She rolled over again hoping to bump into him. Nothing. She tried it again, beginning to feel like a hot dog in a runaway bun. Nothing. Maybe he
had
left her here alone. One more time…Umph.

Thank goodness. She was stopped mid-roll by a solid, unyielding form. Cautiously, she reached out a hand to ensure it was Eddie and not a lost gator looking for some late night munchies.

Her hand tunneled under the sleeping bag and found warmth and soft springy hair. A white hot flame rose in her center. She was stroking that very chest that had so occupied her all evening. His skin was warm, hot almost, as her palm grazed the sharp plane of his pectoral muscle. Hoping she hadn’t woken him, she snatched back her hand, but not before it registered the feel of a hard flat nipple.

Her breath came in short, shallow pants that no amount of yoga measured breathing could control. The urge to skim her fingers once more over that taunt bud overwhelmed her and she raised her hand. With the tip of her finger, she grazed the pebble hard nub, circling it twice before flinching away.

Her pulse thundered in her ears, and she brought her fingers to her lips. A long shudder racked her body. She pressed her legs tightly together, enjoying the wet sensation. Reaching up again, she stopped.

No! No feeling up the tour guide! What if he wakes up? He might just leave me out here in the middle of nowhere.

Slowly and quietly, she eased herself next to him, scarcely touching but needing the reassurance that he was there, that she was safe. Concentrate on the inhalation and exhalation of each breath. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. It did no good when all she inhaled was fresh rain, sexy male and Irish Spring. The dampness between her legs didn’t help, either. So instead, she concentrated on his breathing. Slipping into an exhausted sleep, her last thought was how nice it felt to have Eddie’s arms around her.

* * * * *

Party’s over, thought Eddie when Robbie’s hand slid from his chest to cup his jaw. She lay snuggled against his side, her head conveniently resting below his chin, allowing him to brush soft kisses in her hair. He’d watched her sleep since first light, taking in the softness of her breasts against his side, the warmth of her breath as it whispered across his chest hair.

Her lashes batted his collarbone as the trappings of sleep fell away. He closed his eyes and waited. The soft, pliant curves that had nestled against him so sweetly all night went rigid, and a sharp intake of breath confirmed her return to awareness.

He opened his eyes a slit and took in her horrified expression. Was she really so appalled at spending the night in his arms? She hadn’t been so picky last night when that gator bumped against the platform and scared her. The way she shivered, the poor woman must have been terrified. He’d been more than happy to offer her a sense of protection, even if he had to feign sleep so she wouldn’t be embarrassed.

Robbie shifted and, regretfully, he let his arm drop open. Hearing the muffled sound of fabric on fabric, he watched her do a little butt scoot, sleeping bag and all, across the tent. When he knew he couldn’t keep from smiling, he made a show of rolling away as if still asleep.

Once she had fallen into a deep sleep last night, she had snuggled against him. She was soft and curved in all the right places. It wasn’t long before her arm covered his chest and her fingers caressed him. He’d had to grit his teeth more than once to keep from moaning out loud. It had been torture, incredibly sweet torture.

But that was last night and last night was over. Even if she hadn’t been their “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” contest winner, she wasn’t what he wanted. He’d had enough of her type. The “it’s all about me and my Manolos.” My God, she was a walking designer label. She probably had one tattooed on her butt. Worse, she was so career hungry, so infatuated with
New York
and success, she hadn’t even notice the beauty all around her today. She had a one track mind. Too bad his train was headed in a different direction.

Besides, Miss Manolo Shoes had someone. Even if the BC pills hadn’t given it away, Nick mentioned she’d wanted the trip for her boyfriend. Did they break up? Had his job interfered? Yeah, that was probably it, his job. Whoever he was, he was one lucky bastard.

He concentrated on keeping his breathing measured. Who was this woman? Why had she dropped into his life now just when he thought he knew what he wanted? She wasn’t it, but God, he wanted to hold her again, feel her soft curves melting into him. The image of her holding little Drew slid across his mind. Beautiful as she was, she was even more stunning with a baby in her lap. Just for a while longer, he wanted to pretend she was his.

This is absurd. It doesn’t happen out of nowhere like this. One thing is certain. Nick owes me big time for taking this tour.

* * * * *

Robbie awoke a second time to the smell of coffee and frying bacon. Hmm, maybe the swamp did have room service. Snuggling down deeper into the sleeping bag, a calm tranquility settled around her. She’d survived her first night. Maybe this whole “great outdoors” thing wasn’t totally awful.