Hooked

Captain Dylan was flirting with her.

Not blatantly, of course. Just a little extra eye contact, a smile that promised more. A touch on the shoulder to steady her when the boat lurched down yet another monster wave. Some pseudo-concerned expression meant to weaken her defenses.

Her defenses were already weak enough, thank you very much.

Her face was green and her hair was limp and tangled from the constant barrage of salt spray. The smell of diesel and burnt coffee, combined with the continual roll of the boat, made her stomach heave. She was decked out head to toe in completely inappropriate “outdoorsy” resort wear, clothes so new the creases hadn’t even been worked out yet.

She looked ridiculous.

So why in the world was he coming on to her?

She glanced around at all the other passengers. Maybe the fact that she was the only female on the charter fishing trip had something to do with it.

Great. She was a target by default.

Well, this couldn’t go on. She was in town for work, not a roll in the hay. Especially with a devil-may-care fishing boat captain like Dylan. Her father’s example had taught her well—stay away from playboys.

“Look.” She swallowed down her nausea as the boat pitched down another rolling wave. “I appreciate the thought, but you’re wasting your time.”

“Excuse me?” Slate-blue eyes reflected the rich color of the ocean under the cloudy sky. A puzzled frown settled over his features.

She waved a hand vaguely between them, then clutched the slick railing again as the boat struggled its way back up the wave. “I’m sure lots of women are flattered when someone like you hits on them, but I’m not one of them.” Madison winced inwardly at the snobbish tone in her voice. Dimly, she wondered when she’d started channeling her mother.

“You thought I was hitting on you?” Amazingly, he looked almost insulted, his shoulders pulling down and back as he straightened.

“Flirting. Whatever.” She could feel a deep blush creeping up her neck. “I mean, it’s nothing personal. I’m just not interested.”

A muscle worked in Dylan’s jaw. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Madison nodded briefly, grateful that the confrontation was over. She turned to go, only to be stopped by a strong, calloused hand on her elbow. Even through the damp khaki sleeve she could feel heat spread up her arm. An unfamiliar warmth settled in her chest as her heart raced out of control. Startled, she stepped away, tugging her arm from his grasp.

“Was there something else?” Even to her own ears she sounded horribly snippy, but the embarrassment of the situation, combined with her seasickness, did away with her usual restraint.

“Just a question.”

She gave a slight nod, barely moving her head in an effort to keep her nausea under control.

“You said, ‘someone like you.’ What exactly did you mean by that?"

ADULT EXCERPT

He turned to look at her.

Her hair softly brushed his shoulder. “More than one risk, to tell you the truth.” Eyes drifting shut, she leaned forward and touched her lips feather-light to his.

The temperature in the hot tub shot up several degrees as she slid one water-slicked hand up his arm to tangle in his dampened hair. Dylan groaned deep in his throat and wrapped his arms around her, hauling her forward until she was settled in his lap. He tilted his head just a fraction, enough to deepen the kiss.

The tips of her breasts, taut and beaded underneath the smooth fabric of the bathing suit, brushed against his heated chest. Water lapped between them as he slid his hands down her back to grip her hips, pulling her closer.

She moaned against his lips and stroked her hands down his back, caressing the play of muscles as the water gently lifted them in a rocking motion.

Dylan trailed his hand from her hip up her side, reveling in the shiver that traveled through her entire body at his touch.

He pulled back from her kiss long enough to whisper hoarsely, “God, you are so beautiful.” Then his mouth descended on hers, his hand stroking the soft, damp curve of her waist.

This time, Madison was the one to break the kiss, throwing her head back until her hair trailed in the steaming water. Her breath came in little pants as Dylan planted kisses down her neck. Then he pulled back and looked at her.

Madison’s water-drenched skin shone in the filtered moonlight, her golden hair trailing in the water like a mermaid’s. Her mouth was slightly open, her eyes closed. She was his every fantasy, his every wish for the future come true, and she was in his arms.

Then her eyes opened and she moved, pushing on his shoulders until he was pressed back against the edge of the tub. She straddled him, her thighs around his waist, pressing against his straining erection.

“Madison,” he said, though he wasn't sure if it was a warning or a plea.

Her hand trailed down his chest, past his abs, and delved beneath the waistband of his swimsuit. And then, oh God, she was stroking him, making his hips buck beneath her.

“You have to stop,” he hissed, holding on to the last shreds of his self-control.

“No, I don't,” she crooned, rubbing her thumb over the broad tip of his cock.

“But I'm going to—” He clamped his mouth shut as she moved off him, silently urging him up, out of the water, until he was seated on the smooth river stones at the edge of the hot tub.

She moved between his legs, which dangled in the steamy water, and tugged at the waistband of his board shorts. Breath hissed out between his teeth as his cock sprang free, hard and straining against his stomach.

With a soft smile, she leaned forward and took him in her mouth.

A shudder ran through him as she stroked him with her tongue, damp heat surrounding him. Her blond hair spread out on the surface of the water, tangling in the currents. She looked like a mermaid. One hand cupped his sac, squeezing lightly.

With a groan, he threaded his fingers through her hair and held on, thrusting into her avid mouth as he gave himself up to the exquisite pleasure. She swirled her tongue around the sensitive tip, then dove deep again, setting up a rhythm that pulled him deep into the maelstrom.