Stranded(16)

“It wouldn’t hurt to have a few more just in case. I was thinking of climbing up the tree to get those few that are dangling from that nearby branch. It looks like they’re going to drop but the stubborn things won’t fall.”

“You can’t climb up there and back down without getting scraped up. This bark is too rough. Why don’t you give me a boost and I’ll try to reach it?”

He studied the tree and judged the distance. “That just might work. If you can balance on my shoulders, I think you might be able to reach that branch.”

“There’s only one way to find out.” India smiled at him and Rafe melted. God, she was gorgeous.

Trying to keep his composure without making a total jackass of himself, he moved to the base of the tree and knelt, holding his clasped hands in front of him. “Okay, step up, my lady.”

She moved toward him with a giggle. “I hope I’m not too heavy for you.”

“I’m sure that won’t be a problem. I’m much stronger than I look,” he teased.

“That isn’t what I was talking about and you know it.”

“Don’t worry, India, you’ll be fine.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I am.”

She stepped into his hands using the tree as leverage before he lifted her high enough to step on his shoulders.

Rafe gritted his teeth at the pressure, but it wasn’t unbearable. He grasped India’s ankles to keep her steady. She wobbled a bit, but he held her steady. Once she’d gained her balance, he waited a few minutes before asking, “Do you have it?”

“Almost. If you could move over just a tad to the left, I’ll have it.”

“Okay, hold on to the tree.” Rafe was careful as he moved a few inches at a time.

“I’ve got it!” she yelled triumphantly. “I’m going to toss what I can reach to the ground.” Not only did she knock down the three he’d been trying to get, but a few more tumbled down with them.

“Fantastic!”

“Thank you. Now get me down.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Rafe made the mistake of looking up. He had a direct view of a dainty pair of panties. His cock jumped to attention and he lost his hold on her ankles.

India let out a yelp as her grip slipped on the tree.

Thinking quick, Rafe held out his arms to catch her. She barreled into him, knocking him to the ground. He was temporarily robbed of breath.

“Oh my God!” She scrambled to her knees. “Are you all right?” Concern was etched on her lovely face.

It took a moment to get his breathing under control. The way she leaned over him made her breasts look like they’d fall out of her sundress. They hadn’t been on the island for a full day, but he knew he couldn’t go another second without tasting those soft looking lips.

Rafe didn’t bother to give it another thought. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling India against him, and then rolled on top of her.

“Rafe!” she gasped in apparent surprise. “What are you doing?”

“Something I’ve wanted to do from the moment I laid eyes on you.” His hold tightened. There was no way he’d let her go. He was so fucking hard he felt like he’d burst.

She shook her head back and forth. “No, Rafe. This isn’t right. We shouldn’t do this.” Her protest sounded weak, and she didn’t fool him for a second. India was attracted to him as much as he was to her. He’d noticed the way her gaze had cut to him earlier and how she looked at him. Even now, her body was warm and welcoming beneath his, her lips quivering as though anticipating his kiss.

Unable to deny himself a moment longer, Rafe lowered his head.





Stranded





Chapter Five


The second his lips touched hers, India was utterly and completely lost. Was there any point in protesting when this was what she’d been thinking about since she met him? Rafe was right. She did want him.

His mouth was warm and insistent, pressing against hers in a hungry act of stark possession. Her hands snaked along the curve of his broad back to rest on the sides of his sinewy shoulders. She wished he weren’t wearing a shirt. India wanted to feel his bare skin beneath her fingertips.

“Open your mouth. Let me taste you,” he muttered against her lips as his fingers delved into her hair.

India sighed, parting her lips to grant him access, giving way for his tongue to slide and explore the recesses of her mouth. He tasted of salt—and pure heat. Her body tightened in her need and want of him. She couldn’t recall craving something this deeply in a very long time, never realizing a kiss could be so powerful. Perhaps she had and that’s why she’d been wary when they met. But none of that mattered now.