Sex for Beginners Box Set(50)
Colin exhaled and rolled to her side to keep from crushing her, then turned his head to look at her profile.
Zoe’s eyes were still closed, her lips parted, her chest moving up and down as her breathing returned to normal. Satisfaction swelled in his chest that he was able to do this for her, to help her explore her deepest fantasies. But her heart obviously belonged to her fiancé. It was a shame because the man had no idea what a treasure he held.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
He realized her eyes were open, that she’d caught him staring. “No. That was amazing, as always.”
She smiled and nodded. “Are you going to untie me?”
He sighed. “I suppose I must before someone thinks the boat has been abandoned and boards to find out.”
At the panicked look in her eyes, he laughed and began to free her bonds. As he loosened the knots, he kissed the tender areas of her skin where she had strained against the cords. “Who knew the knot-tying badge I earned in Scouts would come in so handy?”
She grinned. “You have Boy Scouts here?”
He nodded. “How many times have you visited my country?”
“Dozens. Although usually the layovers are just for a day or two, in Sydney, sometimes Melbourne. I was in Cairns twice and saw the Reef, but I haven’t seen much of the rest of the country.”
“How long have you been a flight attendant?”
She hesitated. Even though they’d talked about their families, he wondered if she would resist talking about herself.
“Since graduating college,” she said finally. “I have a degree in communications and I speak a couple of other languages. I had planned to teach, but all I could think about was traveling…getting away.”
From her parents? he wondered. “And have you seen the world?”
She nodded and pushed herself up, reaching for her clothes. “My language skills helped me secure a position as an international flight attendant. I’ve been lucky over the last ten years to see lots of exotic places and experience different cultures.”
“You make it sound as if that’s all coming to an end.”
She was quiet while she put on her bikini top. Colin moved to fasten the tie behind her neck and she allowed him to help her, holding up her hair. He couldn’t resist dropping a kiss on her silky shoulder. She sighed in response, then slid off the bed to finish dressing. “I’m giving up international flights so I can be home more.”
“Ah. So you won’t be coming back this way in the foreseeable future?”
“No,” she said bluntly.
From a tiny shelf next to the bed his cell phone rang. Colin glanced at the screen and saw Benjamin’s name. Remorse arrowed through him. “Sorry, I need to take this.”
She picked up her tennis shoes and gave him a little smile. “I’ll wait for you on deck, Captain.”
He smiled at her attempt to lighten the mood—both of them seemed a little preoccupied. As her shapely legs and feet disappeared up the steps, he connected the call he’d been dreading.
“Hi, Ben.”
“Colin,” Ben said, his voice curt. “I’m returning your calls.”
“Ben, listen, mate…I don’t know what to say. You know I care about Lauren, but—”
“But you need a girlfriend in Atlanta, too? And you bring her here for the month that Lauren is in New Zealand?”
Colin frowned. “What? No. I met Zoe on the flight back. She’s only here for a few more days.”
“So this isn’t going anywhere?”
“No. In fact…she’s getting married when she goes back to the States.”
“Oh, that’s rich.”
“Come on, man, it just happened. She was looking to blow off some steam before her wedding, and Lauren has been pressuring me about getting engaged. We’re just having a harmless little naughty.”
Ben gave a rueful laugh. “Someday you’re going to get your heart broken, and you deserve it, you skunk.”
“So did you rat me out to your sister?”
“It’s not my place,” Ben said. “But I should warn you that she suspects something’s up because you haven’t answered her calls.”
Colin massaged the bridge of his nose. “Thanks, mate. So when can you and I get together again to talk about the Atlanta property?”
Silence vibrated over the line. “To be honest, I’m having second thoughts.”
Colin scowled. “Because I haven’t proposed to Lauren?”
“Blood is thicker than water, mate. I don’t think it’s a good idea to enter into a partnership with the bloke that my sister might wind up stabbing. It’s not good for business or for family reunion s.”
“If I didn’t know better, Ben, I’d think you were blackmailing me.”
“Have fun with your American, Colin. When you get your donger out of a knot and you come to your senses, let me know.”
Ben hung up. Colin disconnected the call and cursed at getting himself in such a bind. As he reached for his clothes, he stared at the lengths of cord lying on the bed that he’d used to wrap around every delicious inch of Zoe Smythe’s body. And bloody hell, he started to get hard again.
Colin scrubbed his hand down his face. Ben was right—he was being a jerk toward Lauren. And Zoe was obviously having some misgivings about their arrangement. He rubbed at his breastbone. On top of everything else, he was starting to have these strange…stirrings when he was with Zoe.
This had to end.
He’d take her to Manly and they’d have fun for the day. But sometime before they returned to the hotel, he’d find a way to call off their games. For everyone’s sake.
* * *
ZOE STOOD LOOKING ACROSS the bay, watching other boats crisscross the blue waters—ferries taking tourists and commuters to Taronga Zoo, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay and Manly; commercial fishing watercraft rigged with poles and nets; and colorful cruise ships giving catered tours of the harbor.
One of the big cruisers motored by with its air horn blowing and well-dressed passengers waving. Her throat convulsed.
It was a wedding party.
The bride’s white dress and veil shimmered in the sun; the tuxedoed groom was holding her hand high. They were dancing, celebrating the first day of the rest of their life together. The sheer joy on the bride’s face mocked Zoe. She would bet that woman hadn’t embarked on a kinky affair mere weeks before taking her vows.
She’d overheard Colin’s raised voice on the phone, and suspected the conflict with the person on the other end had something to do with her.
Her body still pulsed from their lovemaking, her skin still bore the imprint of the cord that he’d used to restrict her movement while he did incredible things to her with his tongue…and other parts of his body. But afterward, when he’d asked about her career and her plans—the line of questioning had seemed too intimate.
Worse, she was starting to experience something when she looked at him, something that felt dangerously close to attachment, and that simply couldn’t happen. The allure of the affair had always been sex with no strings. The fantasy with no emotional investment. Things were getting too sticky. It would be best to part as friends now and go back to their respective worlds before anyone else got hurt.
Zoe inhaled deeply, filled with resolve. They would have a fun afternoon in Manly, but sometime before they returned to the resort, she’d find a way to end their arrangement.
For everyone’s sake.
At a noise behind her, she turned to see Colin emerge from the cabin. She was struck anew by his masculine good looks. He smiled, but she could tell it was forced.
“What’s all the commotion out here?”
“A wedding party on a harbor cruise ship,” she said, pointing.
“Ah.” He nodded, then cleared his throat. “I guess I’d better get you to Manly before the day is gone.”
“Sounds good,” she said, returning a forced smile of her own.
He cranked up the anchor, tightened the mainsail and they were soon under way, a current of tension running between them. Zoe focused on the magnificent surroundings, the swish, swish of the water against the boat, the salty spray on her face and arms.
A few minutes later, Manly Wharf came into view. The bayside city reminded Zoe of Key West, with its mix of colonial architecture, trees and beaches. Except where the Keys had palm trees, Manly was known for the towering Norfolk Island pine trees along the harbor shore.
A dock employee came over to help guide the sailboat into an empty slip. Colin climbed out to secure the lines to dock cleats, then reached in to assist Zoe out of the boat. When he clasped her hand and pulled her up next to him, a jolt of awareness speared through her chest. His breath fanned over her cheek and her throat convulsed nervously.
A bizarre reaction considering all the intimacies they’d shared.
“Thanks,” she murmured, pulling away and shouldering her bag.
Colin gave the man a tip, then they strolled toward the wharf. He suggested an outdoor café for lunch and she agreed, although neither of them exhibited much of an appetite. The activity around them filled in around their small talk. Although they both tried to put on a good face, Zoe was conscious of the anxiety vibrating between them.
At the end of their half-eaten meal, they strolled through the many shops and art galleries. Zoe knew Colin could probably afford anything he wanted, but when it came to shopping, he exhibited the same disinterest most men had, seemingly content to follow her in and out of shops. When they came to a jewelry store, Zoe decided to spare him.