When she had settled, she sighed contentedly. “Thank you, Jack.”
Leaning over, he kissed her forehead.
“Can you grab my bottoms?” She pointed to the ocean floor.
He nodded. “Your wish is my command.” Ducking under the water, he grabbed her bikini bottom, the yellow fabric hard to miss in the clear water.
“This is the life.” She swirled her hands in the water. “I love my job, but really, who wouldn’t love just lounging, enjoying the sun all day, not having a care in the world?”
His stomach tightened. Was she loving this lifestyle? What woman wouldn’t? She was probably enjoying the nice break from real life. Or maybe, she was loving what Jack had to offer. It had happened before. He knew the sting of being used by someone he thought cared for him. He’d never make that mistake again.
Grabbing one of her hands, he entwined her fingers with his in the water. “Sure beats the Canadian winters, doesn’t it?”
Next time he would be more low-key. He wouldn’t use his money.
Chapter Ten
The club scene in Miami was a million miles away from anything Sterling had experienced in Toronto. Although, admittedly, it had been years since she’d stepped foot into a club back home, yet somehow she didn’t think the eroticism would be taken to such great heights.
The entire trip had been erotic. The combination of public sex and acceptable nudity had amped up her need for sexual satisfaction and broke through all of her inhibitions. But she was fully aware Jack had a lot to do with her transformation.
This trip was exactly what she needed and for a few hours, she had forgotten her troubles. As soon as they returned to the Jeep and she looked at her BlackBerry, she couldn’t hide from real life any longer.
Two e-mails from her mother were waiting for her, demanding to know what happened to the credit cards. But Sterling was having too good a time, and she wasn’t going to let anything, or anyone, spoil it.
After the beach, they checked into a hotel and showered. Sterling slipped on the little black dress and lingerie Penn had packed for her and following an afternoon spent in the nude, Sterling felt pretty damn good about how she looked when she scrutinized herself in the mirror.
They approached the line and the bouncer immediately greeted Jack.
“Mr. Vaughn. I’ve got some ladies lined up for you. Take your pick.” The bouncer, as tall as he was wide, motioned to the shorter line of scantily clad women.
Her mouth dropped.
“Thanks, Shane.” Jack shook the bouncer’s hand, and cleared his throat as he stifled a cough. “But I have all the company I need right here.” He drew her into his body, settling his hand on her hip.
The bouncer stepped to the side and allowed them entry. She was sure she heard a chorus of groans above the pulse of music coming from the club. She looked back at the group of women, who shot daggers at her with their eyes. But the tiny twinge of satisfaction at the fact that he walked into the club with her on his arm manifested itself in a satisfied smile that curved her lips.
Inside, salsa music pumped from every speaker, coming from the band playing at the front of the room. A line of two men and two women sang words she couldn’t understand, but she knew could only equate to fun.
“What are we doing here?”
He turned his head when he spoke. “We’re going to dance.”
“We couldn’t dance in Toronto?” He picked the wrong girl if he thought she was going out on the dance floor.
“Where better to experience dancing than in one of the most fun cities in the world? Dancing is like breathing here.”
Dancing was the last thing she expected him to be into. “Can you dance?”
Jack pulled out a barstool and gestured for her to sit. “Of course.”
Before she was settled, the bartender approached and laid a bottle of tequila, two shot glasses, lime wedges, and salt on the bar.
Jack smiled at the man and reached over the bar to clasp his shoulder. “Alex, this is Sterling. Sterling, this is Alex.”
Alex winked. “Nice to meet you, Sterling.”
Built as though he should be a bouncer, Alex’s T-shirt hugged his broad chest, and his biceps stretched the sleeves. His dark skin was accentuated by the white shirt and when he winked at her, that devious sparkle told her he knew how to have a good time.
Alex’s inquiry interrupted their brief moment. “Jack, do you want me to clear away that section of the bar so you’ll have room to work your magic?”
Make room? Work his magic? What the hell kind of place was this?
Alex glanced to his right and made a gesture with his hand. “Carmen. Look who’s here!”
Sterling peered around Jack’s body, and down the bar. A squeal penetrated her thoughts as a woman rushed him, her arms sweeping up and grabbing him around the neck.