"She won't admit it to our father, but she loves it. Her first week there, she called me ten times a day in tears, telling me nothing was worth what she was going through, but after a few months, the calls started coming in less often. I had my doubts that she would see it through, but I am very proud of her now. She's grown more than the rest of us, I believe."
"She sounds like a good woman."
"She is now. Without a doubt, she was once a self-centered little witch, but this lesson has changed all of us for the better, and probably Brielle the most. My siblings and I are closer than we have been since we were small kids, and this last Christmas was the first time we all got together because we wanted to, and not because we were obligated to. It has changed us, and I am grateful to my father for giving us a swift kick in the derrière," Crew said with a small smile.
This man before her was strong as solid steel, both with his love of his family and his complete focus on helping a stranger. He was also kind and gentle when he needed to be, loyal and compassionate. How could Haley help but fall for him? She knew it was a deadly error. But she didn't know how to pull back, how to lock down emotions that she'd never felt before. Somehow, she must try. Could she just focus on Walker?...Who? She couldn't even seem to picture the face of the man who was the reason she'd begun this entire process.
A peaceful silence surrounded them as they continued eating, both of them lost in their own thoughts. She just hoped Crew never became a mind reader, because she didn't want to reveal so much about herself.
When they'd taken their last bite, Crew led her to a couple of lounge chairs placed side by side, with a fire burning in a pit off to the side, keeping a dim glow of light around them. Haley slipped off her shoes, and the sand felt soft and cool as it slid between her toes. As she looked around, she realized they were completely alone. This must be his own personal area.
Haley lay back on one of the chairs, enjoying the soft breeze blowing over her, and she felt Crew's hand move gently across her stomach, sending butterflies fluttering from the pit of her stomach to her toes and back.
"Seduce me, Haley," he whispered.
She turned her head, her eyes suddenly heavy as she looked at him.
"I don't know how. You're supposed to teach me," she murmured.
"Seduce me," he repeated, heat flaring between them.
"I can't … " she trailed off.
"Seduce me."
Something inside her came alive and her body moved. She didn't know what she was doing, but somehow nature took over and it became all about quenching the fire within her.
Chapter Fourteen
Crew watched the flare in her eyes as she made her decision. There was passion in those green depths, but there was also grit and determination. She was done being a wallflower and was ready to explore what was locked within the deepest realms of her being.
As difficult as it was for him to keep his hands to himself, he lay back and waited. She needed to break free, and for her to do that, she had to escape from her shell. He wouldn't let it go too far, not far enough that she'd have regrets. He would just let her see what effect she had on him.
After their last course, he'd dismissed his waitstaff, to eliminate the chance of interruption. He could now give her a hands-on lesson of what a woman could do to a man. Damn but he was attracted to her, and that was a problem for his noble plan. He never would have believed that this was the same woman who'd stepped into his life on a sidewalk and offered him money.
She'd already grown, and now it was time for him to show her exactly how much.
Lifting the fabric of her skirt above her knees, Haley moved over, straddling his lap and positioning her luscious round behind right against his rapidly growing erection. A groan escaped from his throat, and she smiled in victory.
Watching her expressions as she tentatively moved her hips in a slow circle was about the sexiest damned thing he'd ever witnessed in his life. He was certain he wouldn't survive her exploration.
"What do I do?" she asked as her hands rested on his chest. He wouldn't tell her. She had to listen to what her body was demanding of her. She needed to let go of her inhibitions and dance to the beat of her heart.
"You need to seduce me. Make me think of no woman other than you," he whispered.
She tensed as if unsure of the next step, then slowly bent forward. He almost breathed out in relief as her lips neared his. He wanted to taste her flavor, devour her mouth. But she kissed only the corner of his lips before moving on to his chin.
When her mouth trailed delicate kisses along his jaw, and then her tongue smoothed its way along his neck, his erection jumped painfully as it tried to escape the confines of his slacks. She could obviously feel his excitement, because she pushed her hips harder against him as the two of them played a very dangerous game.