Twice Tempted (Bad Boys Erotic Tales) Read online

  Chapter 4

  “Forget that exchange…and forget the darn architect.” She stared back at him, color flagging her cheeks.. “Just get ready for some fun, maybe some of that pleasure you were talking about. I’m not one of those girls who make it a habit of going crazy. I’d like to do something wild. Once. I want to forget who I am, if only for the night.” Rob watched Sam’s chest heave, and her blouse buttons spread, until they were ready to pop. The display had him reconsidering his goodwill overture in wanting to help her out. He kept envisioning her naked and open to him.

  This was a fine mess. Only a moron would tell such a sexy woman she shouldn’t let loose, but blowing off steam with Randall Cainwright’s daughter would be tempting fate in a bad way. He could pussyfoot around the issue or take hold of it with both hands. The movement of her lithe body held him. She gracefully crossed the room with every one of her curves calling out his name. Hell, if she wanted to cut loose then things were about to get seriously crazy.

  “You know, some people do yoga,” he offered.

  “I’ve tried countless forms of exercise and de-stressors. Everything from walking to meditation, Reiki, yoga, even Brazilian kickboxing. I’ve never once gone out drinking. Not even in college. Can you believe it? Well, not tonight. I want my get-out-of-hell free pass. Just for twenty-four hours.”

  He exhaled, and revisited his need for balance. He was already convinced that he needed a change. Why not force the issue with a knockout whose body felt so right, so good?

  “Give me a moment to pack up my equipment.” He began putting his cameras away, and half-seriously wondered if he still had contacts in Boston, or even New York, who’d be open to hiring him.

  Sam suddenly looked up, and their eyes met. The sexy discharge of hunger within her eyes hit him full force. He watched her smooth her hands down her body. Hell, if he had to go back to freelancing it would be worth one night with her.

  Sam smiled before lowering her gaze and punched a few keys on her laptop. By the time he announced that all his gear had been packed up, she had her attaché case in hand, and appeared ready to go.

  “Shall we?” she asked softly, leading him out of her office. Silently, they moved down the hallway.

  They stood next to one another in the elevator, and Rob cast Sam a sideways glance. She was nibbling on her lip—a nervous habit he’d gathered. The sight of her had him wanting to kiss her nerves away.

  The tension between Sam and her father could have been sliced and served on a sandwich. A world apart from his life growing up. His parents were happily married and lived in Boston on a quiet street; they probably would have never heard of Cainwright outside his photography stint.

  She blinked rapidly, and he imagined caught in a life like this had its problems, even if she had everything money could buy. Still, he had no desire to become a wedge between his business reference and a father-daughter feud. Sam and her father would patch up their issues as soon as she decided to come down from her ivory tower and he’d be cast out onto his ass if his contacts dried up.

  “Tell me truthfully. Not one moment of rebellion?” he asked. “Even while a teenager?”

  She shook her head. “My father has a long memory. Besides, it would have been my mother who suffered.”

  He digested that piece of information slowly. The previous year, he’d attended a holiday party at one of the Cainwright resorts. It had been impossible to ignore the gossip and rumor mills, and he’d heard what a tyrant Cainwright was to anyone who crossed him.

  “I’m on the ground floor. How about if I drive?” he said as soon as the elevator doors opened. “That is if I haven’t been towed.”

  She hesitated, biting that pink lip of hers. “Okay. Beautiful day for an escape.” She shielded her incredible eyes, gazing upward. The smile she flashed dissolved his thoughts. She continued to smile as she walked next to him. Outside, Sam opened her purse, and retrieved the designer sunglasses he’d noticed on her earlier.

  Rob guided her to his car. “Over there. Last space.”

  “A refurbished Porsche? What year?” She asked, glancing over her frames.

  “1975. A project that I worked on between gigs.” He walked around to open her door. “Want the top down?” he asked.

  “Down. Why not? Let’s live a little. Leave our problems here. There are plenty of bars along the beach. Ever swim in the moonlight?” Before she sat, Sam shimmied her hips, tugging her skirt up her legs.

  The smooth expanse of her firm skin tempted him further. A ripple of pleasure shot from his neck in both directions, and mingled with the remnants of his hangover. A drink sounded promising, and he hoped it might numb his desire to stand toe-to-toe on the threshold of insanity with this girl.

  “You’re right. It’s a beautiful day.” He unlatched each side of the roof and noticed through the glass that she was pulling down the hem of her skirt; he wondered how on Earth she’d be able to get out of the tight compartment afterwards.

  In that instant, he wanted to rip the flimsy piece of material off her. Jesus, the things he could do with a woman like this, someone who craved a taste of life. Her hunger and his desire were a reckless combination, threatening to make them combust.

  Rob pressed his lips together. Sam was certainly a firecracker waiting to be lit. Tomorrow, he might come to the conclusion that his new little adventure was more than he bargained for, or could handle. But hell, if would be fun while it lasted.

  Rob opened the trunk and stowed his camera bags and lighting equipment. He shoved the tripods into the back of his car. He reached for a pair of not so special Ray-Bans and backed out of the parking lot, peeling off his guest pass, and tossed it up into the wind. Sam was still mute, twisting her hair into an elastic hair tie, and he wondered if she was rethinking her plans.

  “I feel like I’ve signed up to escort the heiress of World Travel to West Palm just to defy her father. That’s what this is, isn’t it? One last hurrah before you settle into the corporate world.”

  “Yes and no. Look, I’m sorry to drag you into this, but…” She held out the coin, his lucky half-dollar that he’d carried around for eons. At the moment, she needed it more than him.

  “I’ve worn the luck thin already. Time for a new owner. Keep it and see what it brings.” He reached over and curled her fingers closed around the coin.

  The texture of her skin, so soft and warm under his fingers, forced him to shut up. Her expression, open and trusting, struck a chord—one he couldn’t so easily ignore.

  “Thanks. I could use some good luck for a change.”

  “Why not rethink your life plans? Not for a long time, just a good time. I’m willing to be part of that, but honestly, I’ve got no desire to come between you and your father. Whatever’s going on there, it’s pretty typical.”

  “Stereotypical? I don’t think so. I’m trying to figure out how to make my escape, my real escape. Really, I messed up by letting him dictate my life while I was in college. I’m not about to let him control the rest of my life. I appreciate your insights, but I assure you this isn’t the act of a spoiled rich girl. If anything, I’m desperate to make my own way. I’ve got plans. And, yeah, I’m ready to blow off some steam just so I can avoid a potential meltdown beforehand. Hey, I’ll understand if you don’t want see me after this. I don’t even know if I’m going to be around, so put that in your pipe and smoke it, Rob Graham.”

  He laughed at her valiant attempt to school him. “Touché. Sorry if I gave you the impression I had any harsh judgments. I don’t. You can hold your own in defending yourself. A good skill today, considering the world. Tell me something?”

  “Shoot,” she said and smiled.

  “What do you really want to do with your life?”

  She inhaled. “Would you laugh yourself silly if I told you I plan to leave the country and live abroad?”

  Her wish to escape might mean a lifetime, if she actually severed the cord from her family. There was a chance she might tell her
father that he had something to do with her decision, and his name would be mud in the photography industry, if not society in general. Cainwright had deep ties and international connections. “You might be hogtied before you could say Jiminy Cricket. Your father’s a reputation of getting what he wants.”

  Her eyes widened, and she paused, as though searching. A father like hers could take control of her passport or her trust fund or threaten her in some way. Sam had mentioned that he’d done as much to her mother, his own wife. This was impossible to stand on the sidelines and watch. Men like Cainwright believed they owned everyone, even the people they were supposed to love, and he would stop at nothing until he wore Sam down or wore her out.

  “Let me ask you something more personal?” he ventured, needing answers from her.

  She flashed a grin, cocking her head slightly. “Of course. We’re buddies now.”

  “What happened to your mother?”

  “You mean regarding my parents’ relationship?” She gazed downward, twisting her fingers. Finally, she cleared her throat. “In the end, my mother fell in line and learned to be the proverbial good wife, at least by my father’s standards.”

  Rob nodded. “Sometimes that happens. It’s not your fault. Your job is to be yourself. Find out who you are. It can be tough. Trust me. I’m still searching.” That was all he needed to hear. He’d take her out and let her unwind but hell, he’d be careful. Make that more than careful.

  The last thing Sam needed was another man taking advantage of her, using her and treating her like a pawn. He sucked in a breath, realizing he still hungered to take advantage of her in so many naked, glorious ways. Ruefully, he exhaled, shaking his head. Chivalry sucked…and not in the right way.

  “I want to be happy, successful, and appreciated for who I am. It’s difficult living up to someone else’s set of expectations. I don’t know that I’m ready to share my life plan with anyone yet.”

  “That’s cool. I didn’t know if you needed someone to talk to. I’ve been told I’m a good listener.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. She glanced down to her lap.

  “Would you like to listen to some music?” he asked.

  “Yes. Let’s get rid of this doom and gloom talk. I’d much prefer to hear about your life and all the exciting things you do. The places you’ve seen.”

  “Help yourself. There’s an iPod or the radio. Me. Not much to tell. You’ve probably seen all those vacations spots. Same as me.”

  “I seriously doubt that. Not the same with parents and staff always watching.” She scrolled through his playlists and selected one that started with a pop hit. “You listen to this?” she asked.

  “A friend put those on there.”

  “Oh. I didn’t ask.” She shifted on the seat. “I guess I should…but what’s your status?”

  “As in relationships?” he asked.

  “Yes. Are you in one?”

  “I don’t think I’d be heading down to West Palm with you if I was. What wife or girlfriend would understand that?”

  “You travel all over the world. A photographer’s wife would have to understand, right?”

  “Point taken, but no, I’m not married. I’m not in a serious relationship of any sort, unless you count a scrappy feline who found me and just won’t leave.”

  Sam laughed. “Really? So, you’re a single guy with a cat.”

  “Take a look. Her name is Shelby.” He fished his cell phone from his pocket.

  “Never in a million years would I have guessed you’d have a picture of a white…no, a calico cat on your phone—never.” She handed back his phone, and then stroked the side of his hand. A few swipes of her soft fingers across his skin before she let go had him spinning out of control. All he could think about was getting her naked. Inside the car become micro-sized even with the top down. Her fragrance swam in his nostrils. He hungered to do something bad, very bad with her.

  Flashes of green palm fronds interrupted the bright blue ocean. The sky overhead held white clouds, and the golden sanded beaches glittered. Sam sang along with the music and had keyed into the GPS the address of the property.

  So far, he couldn’t tell if she was merely upset with her father and was about to show Cainwright a thing or two. Or what? He wanted to believe Sam fully desired to be daring, even if this drive along the beach might suture her wounded pride.

  He parked in a reserved World Travel parking spot on the side of a ten-story oceanfront building, where the beach backdrop and boardwalk would serve a definite purpose. What, exactly, remained to be seen. She possessed more qualities than he should have been contemplating. Aptly, he silenced the warning bells that had begun to toll.

  “Let’s get some shots of you along the shoreline.”

  “Fine, but I’m taking off my shoes. I’ll never make it otherwise.” She leaned over and began to remove her shoe.

  An itchy desire stirred inside of Rob, ramping way up at the sight of her swelling curves playing havoc with his imagination. Suddenly, her neckline fell away and he gazed at the creamy mounds of her breasts. Swallowing hard, he considered his options. Options. Was he insane? This was Cainwright’s daughter…his pride and joy. Future World Travel executive.

  And then, she glanced up casting a sultry smile over at him. At that moment, he pushed aside all thoughts. His brain broadcasted primal instincts.

  “What about you?” she asked.

  “Good idea,” Rob muttered, taking out his camera, and opted for switching lenses and filters in order to give his blazing imagination a rest.

  “There. I’m ready.” She pointed her bare foot, extending it in front of her.

  Didn’t she realize what she was doing? They both were playing with fire. Only she had enough high-powered safety-gear not to get burnt. He came ill-equipped to deal with this female fire-ball.

  He was on the road to hell, good intentions or not. Either he’d start to enjoy the sights, or turn around and exit before it was too late. He’d volunteered for the mission and took her invitation to troll her body, letting his gaze travel down one leg, and then up the other.

  “I’d better follow suit.” He kicked off his shoes. “Let’s get these shots before we lose the angle of the light. Some up here, but the majority down by the water.”

  “I can’t wait. It must be exciting traveling around to resorts and taking pictures in exotic locations. I bet you meet a ton of people.” She moved to stand next to him and picked up one of his cameras. The breeze lifted her hair in swirling designs.

  He picked up a camera, taking his time. “Like anything habitual, it can become a job. And as for the people, I don’t know if tourists are typical. More like escapees.”

  “Like me? I suppose—”

  “No. For the record, I’ve never met anyone like you. Give me a moment. I’m going to put a filter on the lens, given that the sun is almost overhead. Keep your sunglasses handy. But your hair is coming undone.” Dark curls framed her face. He reached out and brushed a few loose strands from her cheek.

  “I can braid my hair.” She pushed her face into his hand.

  He couldn’t help himself. It was too easy. He caressed his thumb along her jaw. “We really would have done right to have a photography team here to help me get the shots just the way your father wants them.”

  Sam laid her hand on his arm. “Not to worry. He issues directives like there’s a band of Fairy Godmothers or genies waiting in the wings, ready to make his wishes their commands. We’ll just do the best we can.”

  For a long, long moment they gazed into each other’s eyes.

  A flush fell over her face. She stepped back and proceeded to braid her hair. She finished quickly, then stood facing the beach, biting her lip.

  What he would have given to know her line of thinking. If her thoughts were anything similar to his, they were headed straight for getting undressed and knowing each other well beyond work buddy status.

  Coming up behind her, he asked, “Ready or not? We’re not g
oing for close-ups here. You’re here to provide scale, and we’ll focus on the property.” He bent the truth, just to ease her nerves. “We’d better get a move-on.”

  Taking the lead, he piloted her across the boardwalk and down to the shore. The moment he touched her to shift her angle, he inhaled, caught in a wave of wanting to get to know her better and wanting to ease a mounting urge to dive into her, making her climax before he came hard.

  She shyly smiled as he brushed back her hair. He watched her lick her luscious lips. The sight parched him to the bone, as though he were dying of thirst, and she a long cool drink.

  Chapter 5

  Back in the car, the moment stretched in silence as she unbraided her hair. The time spent standing in front of Rob’s camera on the shore had hiked up her excitement. His hands on her body had stirred and teased all her senses to life. The scent of his aftershave intoxicated her. She was so hot, but the sun had nothing to do with it. An inferno melted her insides, spreading heat throughout her body.

  “So now what?” she asked.

  “Are you hungry? Do you want to find a place…to get a drink?”

  Rob leaned over toward her before he reached out, lightly tracing the edge of her face, and she almost moaned aloud. They’d spent only a few hours together, and she wanted him—bad. Her breasts pushed up against her shirt, her nipples tight inside her bra. She closed her eyes as she sat there in his convertible. Maybe I need a straightjacket instead of an escape, she considered.

  She blinked, staring over at him. “Yes. Anything.”

  “Where to?” he asked, then softly swore. “Damn. You’re impossible to ignore, like a hurricane.”

  “I don’t mean to be.” Confused, she swallowed and gazed into his eyes. He caught her chin and tilted her face toward him.

  He bent and lowered his head, brushing his mouth over her lips, and whispered, “It’ll be okay.”

  “I don’t know how.” Her face grew warmer, her eyes widened, and she inhaled a shaky breath. The space between her legs pulsated; she pressed her thighs together hard enough to make her muscles start to quiver. Her heartbeat pounded in her chest. A deep yearning filled her, from her toes to the crown of her head. Hunger and lust and need ensued; she longed to be possessed. “I-I want you to kiss me again.”