

JACK'S hands moved, the very tips of fingers first caressing her collarbones, then lifting to cup her jaw. 'You want to drown?'
Kelsi already was. In the rampant desire flooding her system. 'Yes,' she whispered.
She closed her eyes against the sun as he bent towards her. His lips merely grazed hers---a light rubbing back and forth---until she parted her mouth more and reached onto tiptoe to demand a heavier pressure.
She got it. His hand shifted to the back of her head, holding her firmly as his tongue delved into her hungry mouth. He stroked her---hot and powerful and with unmistakable purpose. The explicitness only excited her more. The force of her need took her by surprise---roaring through her as he unleashed the sensual strength she'd sensed he had. She'd been attracted to him from the moment she'd recovered enough to actually see him after the accident. But even so she hadn't realised the extent of the chemistry she'd feel with him---that any hesitation or caution or modesty would be flung far from her at the first kiss.
'Kelsi,' he muttered, breaking a few millimetres away. 'I fly out to Canada tomorrow.'
'That's nice,' she said, half dazed and desperate to touch her mouth to his again.
He half laughed, half groaned. 'Yeah, but---'
'It's OK, Jack,' she said, stroking his jaw with her fingers. 'Let's just enjoy this afternoon.'
On this beach with its infinite grains of sand and the water that would ebb and flow for ever, she felt as if this afternoon could be as endless as the number of stars in the sky. The fact there'd be no tomorrow was just perfect---there'd be no rejection then either. She'd had too much of that in the past. But she could be free if there was just the here and now.
He looked closely into her eyes, until he was seemingly satisfied with what he saw. As he should be---because it was her total submission to the spark between them. To how wanted he made her feel. And how much she wanted. Her 'on' button had been pushed---but even she hadn't known she was capable of such thermonuclear heat.
He was so tall she had to bend back to kiss him, but that was good because it pushed her body hard against his. She felt the impact of the contact shuddering through every cell. Every nerve pinged with the need to know more of him---all of him---her body hummed for completion.
She rotated her hips, unable to remain still when there was the pleasure of him to be had. He slid his arms right around her, one hand low on her back pushing her even closer, and then he rocked, too, mimicking the movement of sex, making her want their bodies to be sealed---submerged.
In seconds she reached flashpoint. Moaning into his mouth as sexual energy rocketed around her body, desperate for release. He broke apart again and she moaned louder. But he walked around her, pressing kisses on her face and neck as she panted. His fingers traced over her shoulders, playing with the thin straps of her dress. Until he stood behind her, both of them facing out to the horizon. But she was unable to see it, lost in the sense of intimacy he'd spun around her.
She trembled as he slid his hands up her thighs, taking her dress up with them. She didn't care how outrageous she was being. How fast this was. All she wanted was his touch---everywhere.
Despite the tightness contracting her muscles, her legs wouldn't hold her any more. She leant back against him. Firm hands on her waist pulled her down to her knees, an inch of water washed over her legs---delightfully cool against her burning skin.
'You want to surf something?' He nuzzled the nape of her neck.
She tried to push her knees farther apart to give him better access, but they dug into the wet sand. He'd knelt, too, his front sealed to her back, his thighs framing hers, his erection pressing behind her. She couldn't answer, her breathing shot, so hot, as he kissed over the top of her shoulders. His warm breath skimmed over her chest, teasing her nipples to even tighter nubs.
His big arm curled around her, his forearm pressing against her belly as his hand reached lower, fingers slipping under her dress and then beneath the band of her silk knickers. She shuddered as he went lower still, touching her intimately---gently, slowly finding that swollen spot that was so sensitive. His other hand wrapped around her, too, teasing her breasts---cupping them, gently massaging and then tormenting each taut nipple.
She rocked against him, turning her head back to catch his mouth with hers. She liked the strong kisses, she liked the feeling that she was encircled in his power. He was all around her, and in the prison of his arms she sensed she was about to soar. His caresses were sweet rhythmic torture as he kissed her hard.
She ran her hands over his thighs---spreading her fingers wide over their rock solid strength, rubbing him harder as her excitement grew. His touches quickened in response, and went lower, deeper into her slick heat.
She cried out as he pushed inside. His fingers thrust as she ground down on them in ecstasy. His thumb massaged her clit some more---driving her crazy. She was hot and wet and squirming but it still wasn't enough. Her head fell back, resting on his shoulder. He kissed her neck, sucking, savouring as his fingers plunged and stroked deeper still.
Encompassed by heat and strength and sex, she groaned in pleasure, unable to form the words to beg for what she wanted---for more, all of him, the ultimate intimacy. Her fingers dug into his thighs but it was too late---the pressure built, too much for her to hold, bursting her apart. He held her tight against him as she convulsed, the pleasure coming in violent waves that were too exquisite to endure.
Closing her eyes in the white-hot intensity, she cried out, her raw scream ringing out across the empty beach.
Shuddering, she collapsed back, overwhelmed. Gently he stroked the inside of her thighs, soft swirling touches that sent sparks rippling through her system. It was no longer blood that travelled along her veins, but brilliant light---a kaleidoscope of colour and sensation. And all of it magnificent.
As she floated halfway back to reality she felt the coiled tension in him---iron solidity contrasting with her liquid, languid muscles.
'Feel better now?' he asked softly in her ear.
She had no hope of voicing an answer---no words could express how she felt. No one had ever done that before---no one had held her and focused so purely on her and her needs alone. No one had made her feel so alive. No one had made her feel so fulfilled---and so hungry.
She moved, redrawing her strength, twisting round to look at him. Slowly she shook her head. She said nothing, just crossed her arms over her body, took hold of her dress and pulled it up over her head. She tossed the thin silk up the beach behind him.
Boldly she watched him watch her. She saw his swallow, saw the colour staining his golden skin, saw the sheen of sweat on his forehead, saw the tension in his every muscle. He really did want her.
She was so glad she'd decided to wear her very best matching black bra and knicker set to the beauty salon that morning. Silly how important it seemed to impress another woman---especially one who was about to wax your most private areas. But now she watched with victorious pleasure as his breathing became more ragged as he gazed at the scraps of silk and the detailed lace that made a peek-a-boo show of her nipples. Her breasts pushed tightly against the material and her knickers were drenched---but he knew that already.
She reached forward and lifted the hem of his T-shirt. His breath hissed as he held up his arms so she could get it off him.
'You want it all?' he muttered roughly.
'Yes, please.' She leaned forward and kissed his throat, nuzzling the stubble-roughened skin of his jaw.
'Are you sure?'
She pulled back to look in his eyes. 'Don't you want to?'
'Oh, honey,' he choked on a laugh. 'I want like you wouldn't believe. But don't feel like you have to---'
'Oh, I have to. I absolutely have to.' Smiling with relief, she ran her hands over his chest, marvelling at his physique. He was tall and big but not body-builder beefy. Rather he was long and lean. His skin stretched smooth and warm over him---not an ounce of fat beneath, just honed muscles. High Definition in the flesh. And so much better than any onscreen star. He tensed even more as she spread her hands wide over the light sprinkle of hair, the tips of her little fingers teasing ever so lightly over his mouth-watering nipples.
Yes. She wanted like she couldn't believe as well.
She reached up and kissed him, sucking his lip into her mouth, feeling a weird freedom to explore every kind of fantasy with him. Because this was all fantasy now---a fantasy moment on a fantasy beach that she had to make the most of. His hands encircled her waist and she kissed him as if she'd never kissed another---with nothing but passion, hiding none of her need. Not feeling in the least self-conscious or shy or inadequate, just turned on and ready for pure pleasure, pure indulgence.
She knelt closer, pressing on his lap. 'Come on.' She wanted him in her and pounding hard, hard, hard.
'Make me.' His eyes glittered with diamond-bright light.
Anticipation tingled through her at his challenge. How reckless of him---it was more than an invitation to play, she wanted to torture. She wanted to drive him wild. To make him shake and beg for release as he'd made her. And she wanted him to have an orgasm like the one that was still sending aftershocks along her nerves, leaving her with that incredible driving need for more.
He was utterly motionless as she undid the button on his long denim shorts, and unzipped them. His erection sprang free. Commando man, huh? She pushed his chest. He smiled and lay back onto the sand, the water lapping his skin. Astride him in her underwear, she looked down at the embodiment of sensual perfection. He knew what he was doing, he totally knew. An experienced lover. But that was OK, because today she wanted the best. She'd never had the best of experiences in bed, never been brilliant, as her ex had brutally informed her, but now the lingering high from the most awesome orgasm of her life gave her confidence, and from the way Jack's muscles were straining she thought she had a shot at not bad.
So her smile matched his in wickedness. Until she realised she didn't know where to touch, which bit to kiss. She bit her lip, let her finger walk over him to start while she decided. The rippling reaction of his muscles was inspiring---so she let her mouth follow the path. All too soon she knew what she wanted, the crunching urge deep inside her womb fuelled her passionate hunger to take him in her mouth and pleasure him until he'd only be able to see stars---right now. Straight to the joystick.
Her hand clamped round the base of his erection. He groaned as she kissed him. She felt his whole body tense up even more. She licked the head of him, swirling her tongue over the thick ridge. And then she opened up and took him in. He was big, silky soft and iron hard and she couldn't get enough of him. She pumped her hand to match the movement of her mouth, intoxicated by the scent of him and the taste of salt, the heat of the sun beating down on her back. His breathing was as laboured as hers now so she used both hands, her tongue, and increased her speed and suction.
'Kelsi,' he gasped. 'If you want what I think you want then you have to stop.' His fingers dug into her arms. 'Now.'
Flushed, she lifted her head and looked up at him. She firmed her grip on him and spoke her mind. 'I don't want to stop.' She wanted him to come hard and loud and utterly uncontrollably---as she had.
He closed his eyes. Flashed them open again, determination anew in his expression. He moved fast. Pulling the straps of her bra down, and then the cups, so her breasts were in his hands.
'Beautiful.' He strained up, gusting hot air on her nipple just before he sucked it into his mouth.
She shook, her fingers loosening their grip on him. At that he moved, flipping her over onto the sand, the water splashing as he pressed kisses to her belly, his hands peeling her sodden knickers down.
He stopped as he looked at her exposed body, his eyes widening. 'You're a redhead.'
Kelsi screwed her eyes shut. She wasn't red. She wished she were---a lovely rich auburn or something. But in truth she was orange. As in carroty. Bright orange hair with almost see-through skin that freckled up the moment she got within ten miles of a sunny spot. She'd spent her childhood being teased about it---dyed it the minute she'd had the money to buy the chemicals. Thank goodness for L'Oreal.
But she was still orange down there, although she'd thought about dying that many times, too. Sensitive skin meant she'd never taken the risk. Her self-consciousness sprang back as the joy got killed. She moved, wanting to curl away so he could no longer see her. Years of taunts haunted her. The reaction was never good from men. She should have remembered that. But he moved, his hands gripping her, his leg weighing heavy on hers so she couldn't escape. And he looked up at her, his blue eyes seeming to pierce right through her.
'Don't tell me you were going to get rid of it at the spa today.' He slid a finger through the narrow strip of hair and suddenly she lost the ability to even think about moving away. 'It's beautiful.' He stroked her some more before bending down and licking her as slowly and with as much reverence as a man knowing it was his last ever taste of paradise. 'Don't ever get rid of it.'
It was the first time a man had even hinted that he liked it. The few others she'd been with had seemed to find it amusing---and not in a way that made her feel very sexy.
Jack looked up at her, registering how still she was. 'I mean it.' And then he bent again, his mouth convincing her wordlessly.
Her legs parted wider with his touch, her desire skyrocketing again---only more so. Never had she felt so desired. Never had she had someone hold her like this.
'Jack.'
'Yeah.' He twisted, grabbing the shorts that were halfway down to his ankles. He pulled them off, pulled his wallet from the pocket, pulled a condom from that. She was glad he'd thought of contraception because it hadn't even occurred to her in the madness that was this lust. In moments he'd rolled it on and was back beside her, his hand heavy and low on her stomach.
'I wanted this the second I saw you,' he said bluntly. 'Was it the same for you?'
In this majestic setting there could only be truth. 'Of course.' She ran her fingers down his jaw, her thumb across his lower lip. 'You're incredibly handsome.'
'And you're bewitching.'
Her body reacted swiftly to the compliment---her nipples going even harder, her inner thighs tightening in anticipation. She smiled, fluttered her lashes as she peeped up at him. 'A witch now? No longer a vampire?'
He tilted his head on the side and seemed to assess her slowly, the smile on his lips widening. 'I'm thinking nymph.'
'Oh-h-h.' Her juices flowed faster. 'A nymph.'
She arched her hips against him, her intent pure provocation---a playfulness that was so new, and yet so much fun. 'You think?'
'A very sexy nymph.' He lifted his hand to cup her face. 'A nymph I'm going to have to have.'
'Then hurry up and have me.'
The sand was warm and wet on her back, but his body above hers was even hotter. He frowned slightly as he braced above her. 'You're tiny.'
Oh. That had been a past complaint, too. Why did she even bother with a bra when there was barely anything to bounce.
'I don't want to crush you.' His voice choked.
Oh. He didn't just mean her breasts? She glanced down his body. He was a lot bigger than her. But she wasn't a china doll. 'You won't.'
But he was careful as he settled his weight on her---too careful. She arched again, rocking her hips, teasing him. He was close enough now for her to slide her slick sex back and forth against the hard head of his. His jaw firmed as she did it again and again. She didn't want gentle. She wanted wild and crazy. And she wanted it now.
His large hand gripped her hip, stopping her. Their eyes locked and then in one powerful motion he moved into her. A sure, strong stroke. She cried out as he filled her.
'Too much?' he rasped.
'More,' she pleaded, almost insane with the sensation. 'Please more.'
He paused but then pushed forward again.
She shuddered, the pleasure so exquisite that she couldn't cope, crying out as he drove her deeper and then deeper into the blissful abyss. She gasped, sucking in a lungful of sea air as she struggled to stay together. And a couple more deep gasps later she got it---her rhythm, her strength. Able to meet him stroke for stroke, she half moaned, half laughed and traced her hands over him, glorying in the incredible body riding hers.
Oh, sweet mercy, the man was fit. And as their movements merged into the one perfectly matched rhythm he flipped them both, holding her fast to him until she was astride and he beneath. The water splashed around them, but did nothing to cool.
She looked down at him and teased. 'I don't want to crush you.'
His grin flashed, too. But then she reached behind her, down to where their bodies met, and, cupping his balls in her hand, she squeezed ever so slightly.
His harsh groan ricocheted through her as he quaked. His hands gripped her tighter and he sat up, changing the angle in a way that made her draw a quick, delicious breath.
'You're in for it now, honey.' His hair dripped salt water, his smile gleamed wickedly.
Their slick chests sealed as he held her in his large hands, rocking her onto him, around him. Until she was panting and pleading---but he didn't let her have the release then. No, he merely moved once more---moved her---and began the torture all over again.
They were naked under the searing sun, in the lapping water. Instruments of pleasure---mindless, endless pleasure. There was no past, no future, no innocence or experience. Nothing but the two of them and the magic that flared in the marathon moment. The freedom was intoxicating---a wild, reckless feeling that had her wanting all kinds of things, here and now and deeply physical.
Blind touch, pure sensation, wild eroticism.
And ecstasy.
Screaming, raw ecstasy.
Kelsi let her eyelids open just a fraction so some of the brilliant blue sky above her was visible. She felt their heartbeats galloping, the water washing over them higher and higher as the waves rose and fell. She was completely naked beneath a near stranger on a barren bay. It was beautiful.
'Thank you,' she murmured.
She felt him take in a deep breath, felt him relax that bit more as he exhaled and answered. 'It was such a pleasure.' He lifted up onto one hand, a slightly rueful look in his eye. 'I wanted this place to seduce you,' he admitted. 'I wanted to seduce you.'
'And I feel so much better for it.'
He smiled.
The ebb and flow of the waves, the sound in her ears made her even happier. 'It's such a cliché.' She giggled.
'It's a universal truth. Fresh air always clears your head.'
Fresh air and a hunk of a man to fulfil every sensual wish.
'But you need to get out of the sun,' he said, running a finger over her shoulder before slipping away, splashing back into the water.
He dived, swimming out---for a moment looking like some fantasy merman or something. Except he had legs. Really good, muscular ones.
She sighed, reluctant to move, but then if she didn't she really was going to drown. She sat up and looked about for her clothes. Her most expensive lingerie was floating back and forth on the tide, ruined by sand and salt water. She screwed it into a ball and put it in the drenched hat with the equally sodden wrap. Thankfully her dress had landed farther up on the beach and remained largely dry. Most of the sand tumbled from the fabric as she shook it, but there was still half the beach in her hair and sticking to her body. She didn't care. She really didn't care---still on a high from the most intense sensual experience of her life.
She turned to watch him emerge from the water. The faint imprint in the sand that their bodies had made as they'd lain together was just visible. But as she watched the waves washed the marks away. Just like that, it was a smooth blank canvas once more. They might never have been there. No one ever would know. But she didn't want the memory to go just like that. She wanted to savour it like the precious thing it was.
She slipped into her dress and tried not to watch too obviously as he pulled on his shorts. He really did have the most incredible body she'd ever seen.
'So.' She cleared her throat. 'Training in Canada?' It wasn't that the silence was awkward, but she needed to think of something normal and stop the spinning of her nerves.
'Yeah, I've been in the pool a lot to keep my fitness up, but there I'll get back on the slopes.' He matched her steps as she walked back along the beach, eventually turning up towards the car. From the corner of her eye she could see his mostly bare, bronzed body.
Deep inside she softened again while her breasts tightened. Muscles that had been languid were licked to attention by anticipation once more as she remembered the moments that had passed too soon. She knew that when they got back to the car the spell would be broken---but she wanted to feel the magic some more. She wanted him again---this second.
Now that really was insane. She swallowed, trying to get a grip on her pulse as they walked beneath the stand of trees where her car was parked. But it was all she could think of---she wanted him to kiss her again, she wanted him to do everything again. Dear heaven, she wanted to do it all and more to him. The crazy lust overwhelmed her again. She stumbled. His hand shot out and he grabbed her wrist, helping her regain her balance.
'Kelsi?' He pulled, gently drawing her close to him.
She stared up at him, overwhelmed by the chaos of emotions running through her body. She'd never had a sensual experience like that before. She'd never felt revered or wanted or as desirable as that. She'd never felt as at one with another---so in sync, so comfortable. She'd never come with a man like that before.
And she was so grateful she was near to tears.
Jack lifted her up so he could kiss her again. Pushing down the growl of frustration that threatened to emerge from his mouth as if he were some bear just out of hibernation and lethally hungry. He was shaking with starvation now---but they couldn't do it again.
Damn.
She trembled as he put her on the bonnet of her car; he felt the answering spasm in his muscles and clutched her even closer.
'I only had the one condom.' He groaned, forcing himself to cling to reality. 'Kids aren't part of my plan.'
'No,' she muttered.
'We have to stop.'
'Mmm...' Her hands skated across his chest.
He grabbed them between his, holding them firm. 'Not helping, Kelsi.'
But he couldn't not kiss her. Not when she looked as disappointed as he felt. He liked ultraphysical sex---pushing it hard. Full-on and frantic, leaving him and his lover both too exhausted to move. Like everything he did, he liked it to extremes. He'd thought the beach had been his most extreme experience ever. He'd thought he wouldn't be able to get hard again for at least twelve hours. But here he was filled and ready to fire not much more than fifteen minutes later.
He swore hard in his head while his mouth ravaged hers. Burning up for this surprisingly fit woman who seemed to still be as hungry as he---who'd just given him the most sensational sex of his life. But he made himself ease it back, slow it down so their kisses soothed rather than stirred.
Yet even those gentle touches were an indulgence he couldn't give up. Not when she nipped and then suckled on his lower lip like that, not when her small fingers tugged at his hair so he'd bring his head closer again.
Yeah, kissing her was irresistible. And the idea of being inside her again became imperative. He could take her back to his hotel and they could spend the night together. She made him feel invincible, filled with unending energy. Raw sexual attraction---and a compatibility that astounded him given their physical disparity.
She had colour now---pretty pink rose petals bloomed in her cheeks. So much nicer than the pallor when she'd come flying out of the car to see if she'd killed him. The fresh air suited her; so did the kissed senseless look.
But when he lifted his head to look at her beautiful body, he realised the light was darkening. He looked to the sky---heavy clouds had rolled across and were dropping lower with every second. Canterbury was famed for providing four seasons in one day and it seemed the weather had gone from summer to winter in minutes. The wind lifted, no longer the crazy warm breeze but a cold, threatening blast. And despite the way he ran his hands over her, he could see the goose bumps peppering her upper arms. They had to go. But he didn't want to destroy this moment.
'We need to get back to town,' he said, sounding harsh with frustration. 'It's going to rain.'
The disappointment darkened her eyes even more and he saw then just how tired she was. So he kissed her again, his hands gently rubbing her upper arms, slowly and lightly. Then he told her, 'I'm driving back.'
He saw her hesitation, just knew she was going to argue, so he kissed her again until she was lax and he could feel her soft drowsiness. He repeated his intention and smiled as she muttered OK.
Ten minutes into the drive she'd twisted sideways in the seat and gone to sleep---smiling. She looked so sweet. So vulnerable. And so not his type. Jack looked back to the road as he felt the big fat oops hit him.
Despite her sophisticated surface there was a sensitive depth there. He'd seen it in her terror after the accident, he'd just forgotten it when she'd turned sex kitten on him on the sand. And frankly he'd been too hot for her to be able to stop anyway. He'd wanted, and he'd got---just like always.
But she was a softy, wasn't she? And that soft side was only going to get scrunched if she hung out with him any more than another five minutes. He liked fun with women who were as strong as he---who could handle physical challenge without emotional entanglements. She'd hardly been able to handle a near-miss car prang. Hell, she'd probably still been in shock after the accident and he'd just taken total advantage of her. He felt really bad now. He couldn't spend the rest of the day fulfilling carnal fantasies with her---even if it was what his body was screaming at him to do. He really didn't want to hurt her and he'd seen the vulnerability in her eyes---he'd seen her surprise when he'd shown his interest. She wasn't a player.
So it was better to end it all now.
As he waited at a red light on the city side of the hill he leaned across and woke her with an irresistible last little kiss. 'Where do you live?'
She stirred, blinking rapidly as she told him. He drove straight there, determined to finish up this oh-so-gorgeous interlude before he was tempted back to touch more.
'You don't want me to drop you somewhere?' She straightened up in her seat.
He shook his head. 'The walk will be good for my knee.'
If she went within a mile radius of his hotel he'd drag her in with him.
He pulled over where she'd said to. 'Big house.'
Her pretty nose wrinkled. 'It's been converted into four flats. It's all carved up inside.'
He looked closer at the old stately house. One of the last original buildings remaining on the street---and the For Sale sign up in front of it meant she'd probably be moving soon. The property would be demolished and developers would put up ten town houses in its place---as what had happened with the rest of the street. Shame for the old dame---despite the wear and lack of love the structure was solid and the detail handcrafted.
He got out of her car, trying to ignore the horrible tightening inside. He didn't much like drawn-out goodbyes. But she moved so she was right in front of him, standing on her tiptoes in her bare feet, her fingers lightly cupping his jaw so she ensured she had his attention.
'You were right, you know,' she said simply. 'Thanks so much, Jack.'
He swallowed and nodded and simply couldn't give her a kiss. Oddly hurt that she so readily accepted that there wasn't going to be anything more between them. Not really wanting to be thanked as if it were some kind of service he'd provided---as if he'd just been her intimate masseuse or something.
Hell, maybe she was tougher than she looked. Maybe he should just go in there with her and explore the comfort of her bed. Except she was walking. Away. As if she didn't care at all---and that was for the best, right?
'Good luck with your training,' she called.
He stood on the footpath and watched her open the big wooden door. Not moving until it had closed again behind her---because he was too tempted to storm in there after her and kiss her 'til she begged him to be inside her again. But she'd disappeared now, so he walked, trying to make his tense muscles relax---reminding himself that he'd just had a fun time on a beach with a cute girl. That was all. Nothing more. Nothing serious.
But he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that he'd just left a part of himself behind.


