Seven Nights Read online

  Leah arched up, dragging her fingers down the front of his shirt before she started yanking at his buttons. She lost patience by the third one and starting pulling the shirt over his head. With a tug and a small assist from him, she succeeded, tossing it aside before her hot hands came back to his now naked flesh.

  Sean hissed out a breath as her fingers brushed his bare chest, gently, then with more passion and firmness.

  “Leah, Leah, Leah,” he groaned, claiming her mouth again as his fingers found her robe tie. It pulled apart, enabling him to push his hands inside where her searing body heat was trapped. Where her skin was so soft and smooth that he had to hold back a loud, telling groan of desire.

  “Sean,” she protested as he pulled back from her mouth, breaking their intense kiss.

  “Shhh.” He smoothed a long strand of tangled blonde hair away from her eyes. “I want to look at you. It’s been so long since I just looked at you.”

  Then he shoved the robe open and look he did. In all his dreams, as hot and needy as they’d become over the years, none had ever done her justice. Not memory or imagining could prepare him for the sight of her, splayed back on the bed, her robe folded back and her body so gloriously revealed to him.

  Her breasts lifted on each panting breath, their peaks a dusty rose that was darkening and hardening with each passing second his eyes lingered on them. Her stomach was flat, with just the slightest sexy hint of abs. She’d been working out since they were last together. Her thighs were slightly spread, with dark blonde curls that marked the apex. A bead of moisture poised there that Sean guessed had very little to do with her recent shower.

  “Is your fantasy to just look?” Leah whispered. Her face flushed darker and her breathing increased when his gaze found its way back to hers.

  “No,” he admitted, rising up for a gentle kiss on her lips before he trailed down in an exploration of every curve and valley of her body. “I’d just forgotten. How could I have forgotten how perfect you are when I thought about you every day?”

  She stiffened slightly and Sean thought he might have overplayed his hand, but when his lips brushed one rosy nipple, her husky sigh told him he hadn’t. Her fingers came down to tangle in his hair, kneading him closer, urging him to take the nub into his mouth fully and suckle.

  “You remember more than enough,” she said on a gasp and Sean smiled.

  He might have forgotten just how beautiful Leah was, but he hadn’t forgotten how responsive. Or that when he flicked his tongue between the valley of her breasts like… so… she would rise up with a cry.

  Which she did.

  Sean’s cock seemed to double in size as her cry trailed off to a husky, wanton moan. He switched to the opposite breast and spent what felt like a blissful eternity tasting and taunting her with his tongue. By the time he dragged his mouth down her stomach, she was quivering.

  Sean’s erection throbbed, aching to fill her heat, to surround himself in her wet willingness until he was lost in her. Until the past no longer mattered, or even the future.

  “Leah, it’s been so long,” he groaned against her belly and felt his words reverberate against her skin and her hips flex up uncontrollably.

  His trailed his lips lower, only to have her hands come down on his shoulders and give him a gentle shove. But not down, not closer to her core where he wanted to taste, to tease, to make her scream in completion.

  No, she pushed him away.

  Sean complied with reluctance, rolling off of her a fraction and raising his eyes. Eyes he knew were full of questions and a niggling sense of desperation that he hated above all else.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Though her gaze was clouded, the intense emotions she was feeling were clear. Yes, there was desire, but also hurt. Even anger. Then all those things were gone. For the first time since he’d met her, Sean realized he was looking at her reporter’s face. Stoic and unemotional.

  “No.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I realize I let things go too far. I led you to believe that I could… but I can’t. Please, Sean. This isn’t why I called you to my room.”

  She rolled off the bed and pulled her robe around her. She fumbled with the tie for a moment, hindered by the long sleeves, but managed to create a knot that Sean knew was locking him away from more than her body.

  He tried desperately to regain his breath as he got to his feet and grabbed his wrinkled shirt from the floor where it had landed in a heap.

  “You can’t pretend you didn’t want this. Not when your nipples were like pebbles on my tongue. Not when I could smell your desire like perfumed heat.” She moaned and he reached for her. “But I know you, Leah. I remember what you’re like when you want- when you need me inside you.”

  Her eyes flashed up, needy once more, but she backed away. “You’re right, Sean. And I won’t pretend that I didn’t want you. That I don’t still want you.”

  He took a step forward, but she held up a hand to ward him off.

  “But I can’t give in to those desires. I can’t lose control. Not with you.”

  Her words echoed in the room around him. Lose control. That was what had happened, wasn’t it? Sean hadn’t come to her villa to make love to her. He’d made plans to press her boundaries, but not to end up sprawled out on the bed with her, inching toward heaven and making her cry out with pleasure.

  He’d lost control, too. The careful control he valued so much. The plans he’d laid for months had been forgotten the moment he drew her lips to his.

  If anyone had to regain equilibrium, he did.

  “Fine.” He barely managed to get his shirt on without tearing the fabric in his tense hands. “You aren’t convinced. But will you still meet me in the dining room at seven-thirty?”

  She hesitated and he held his breath, hoping he hadn’t pushed her too hard, too fast. Hoping he hadn’t destroyed all his hard work in one lusty moment.

  “I-I will.”

  “Good.” He sighed in relief and turned to go.

  “Wait, Sean?”

  Turning back, he nodded. “Yeah?”

  She sank her teeth into her lip and for a moment she looked so much like she had when he’d first met her so long ago. His heart ached at the sight.

  “If it doesn’t go well, I want my clothes back,” she said softly.

  He considered that. If it didn’t go well, he was going to have to give up a lot more than her luggage.

  “That seems fair. I’ll see you tonight.”

  With that, he opened the door and stepped outside. The island humidity hit him like a wall and he leaned back against her door with a sigh. After his stunning lack of control a moment before, he’d put a lot of pressure on himself. All he could do was put the finishing touches on his plans for tonight and hope Leah would be able to surrender to the fantasies he so wanted to fulfill with her.

  ***

  The dining room was empty. Leah tugged on the hem of her ultra-short cocktail dress and glanced around in confusion. This was the place she’d been told to meet Sean, but it was totally empty.

  Had she set her watch improperly when they’d landed? Maybe set it an hour or two fast or slow? It said seven-thirty, but by that time the dining room should have at least a few other couples waiting to be served their supper.

  Instead, the other tables weren’t even set, save for one in the middle of the room. Candles glowed on it and the chairs were turned out in invitation. Soft jazz music began to play in the background and the main lights in the room slowly turned down.

  Leah’s hands started to tremble. She had a strong urge to turn tail and run, but bit her lip and stood her ground as Sean entered the room from another door. For a moment, he stood in the doorway, framed by the dim light. Her heart just about stopped.

  He wore a suit rather than the more casual fare he’d been in earlier. It was cut perfectly for him. The black jacket accentuated his broad shoulders and muscular physique in a way that made Leah’s mouth go dry. His dark hair was slicked b
ack, but the light still caught a few coppery highlights. It seemed like he didn’t notice her for a brief moment as he looked over the room with a wide smile. It was a proprietary expression. One that made Leah’s chest swell with pleasure.

  Sean had done this. He’d used his vision and his intelligence to build this place. From the look on his face, he knew it and was so proud of it. She was proud of him, too.

  Then the gray steel of his gaze came to rest on her. The look of possession in his stare didn’t lessen, just changed to something much more sexual.

  His lips parted as he dragged his stare from her head to her toes. She felt naked beneath his perusal, like he’d touched her all over rather than just looked at her. Her knees trembled as he started across the large, empty room toward her.

  “You look…” He trailed off. “Amazing. I knew that color would look great with your hair.”

  Her hand came up immediately to brush over the blond curls. Ones she’d left down. It seemed unnatural to have them sweep over her shoulders. Normally, she pulled her hair up in ponytails, French twists, braids, anything to keep it out of her way. But she’d left it down tonight.

  Why? Because Sean had always said he loved her hair.

  “I’m an idiot,” she muttered under her breath as he finally reached her side and offered her an arm.

  When she took it, electricity shot between them, heating her blood and clouding her brain. She hardly felt him offer her a chair or sit down. Leah fought to stay in control of her emotions and tamp down her body’s traitorous reactions to the man across from her.

  “So,” she said, hoping to sound nonchalant and purge the hot memories of Sean’s touch, kiss... “How is it that we have this dining room to ourselves? It seems like it ought to be brimming with couples right now. This can’t bode well for your food.”

  He leaned forward and a good portion of air in the room vanished. “It’s my island, Leah. I can do whatever I want here.”

  Leah’s muscles clenched at the thoughts that filled her mind with that statement. Whatever he wanted. She could only imagine what that would include.

  “So, you’re saying you closed the dining room tonight?” she asked past her dry throat.

  As she took a long drink of ice water, Sean nodded. “That’s right.”

  “And what about your other guests? They’re paying a premium price to enjoy all the amenities your island offers. Including a five-star restaurant.”

  Sean’s eyes widened. “Always the reporter, eh?”

  “Always,” she returned with a smile, even though she knew it was a lie. A reporter had no right getting so fluttery and nervous around someone she was interviewing.

  He sighed in surrender and answered her in a monotone that made it more than clear he was only humoring her to get what he wanted. “While there aren’t many other guests here presently, the ones who are are being treated to complimentary room service, or a special feast down on the beach.” He tilted his head. “Surely you must have heard the music coming from the sands when you walked over here?”

  Leah frowned. Actually she hadn’t, but that was because she’d been too focused on her memories of Sean’s seduction in her villa. Of her own out-of-control reactions and need for more. More. More.

  Was she so wrapped up in her former fiancé that she couldn’t even take in her surroundings? If so, she was in trouble. Deep trouble.

  Sean leaned even closer, until his mouth was just a breath from hers. “Perhaps you were distracted?”

  His lips drifted nearer, but Leah forced herself to pull back. “Sean, what about your security cameras? Your wait staff? Anyone could see us.”

  “The security cameras have been turned off in the dining room this evening. And as soon as the wait staff brings us our dishes-” He motioned toward the kitchen and three staff members emerged, carrying wine and covered plates. “They will begin their night off with full pay.”

  The waiter and two waitresses smiled at Leah, then quickly faded away. She and Sean were completely alone. The thought gave Leah a thrill she couldn’t push aside.

  “You see, you have nothing to worry about. What happens between you and I tonight is just that.” His hand trailed out to cover her own. “Between you and I.”

  Leah took in a ragged breath as Sean stroked the top of her hand for a few, all-too-brief moments. How could he do this to her with just a benign touch? Her nipples were hardening, body aching for his mouth, and she was wet, as if he’d caressed her far more intimately.

  “Now.” He withdrew his hand and reached into his pocket. From it emerged a red silk scarf. “For your first fantasy.”

  “What is that?” Leah squeaked out as Sean stood up to come around behind her. Then he dropped the scarf over her eyes.

  “Surrender to your senses, Leah,” he whispered as he tied the scarf as a blindfold.

  Utter darkness enveloped her, and she couldn’t hold back her shiver of anticipation. Unfortunately, she was just about ready to surrender everything.

  All Sean had to do was ask.

  Chapter Four

  Leah’s hand balled into a fist on the tabletop and a shiver raced through her body that Sean couldn’t ignore. Was it fear or desire that made her quake?

  Maybe both considering he had effectively disarmed her by taking away her sense of sight. She was completely at his mercy, which was exactly what he wanted.

  Taking a short breath, Sean leaned forward to place a hand on Leah’s bare shoulder. Slowly, he glided his fingers along her impossibly soft skin. It felt like heaven and he wanted to take more than just this feather light touch. It took all his willpower to hold back.

  “Don’t be scared. I promise I won’t push you any farther than you want to go.” He was happy when her tense arms relaxed a fraction and her breathing slowed a little. “Leah, this is a fantasy. Just enjoy it.”

  Her voice quivered as she whispered, “In this, at least, I-I trust you.”

  Her unexpected words made Sean’s heart leap. Her trust felt even better than her skin had.

  Almost.

  He inched his chair closer as he pulled one of the covered dishes to the middle of the table. He lifted the metal cover to reveal a beautiful bouquet of jasmine and orchids from the island’s private gardens. It let off a waft of tropical scent that filled the space around them with sensual sweetness.

  “Mmmm.” Leah’s moan was soft and struck a primal chord in him. “That smells wonderful.”

  “Congratulations. You’ve guessed what the topic of tonight’s fantasy will be,” Sean said as he plucked an orchid from the tray. “Tonight, I want you to surrender to the scents and flavors of my island.”

  Leah’s breath hitched, but she didn’t say anything either in protest or encouragement. Sean couldn’t really blame her. Here she was, feeling exposed in the large dining room, blinded by the scarf around her eyes.

  Gently, he pressed the orchid’s pale pink petals against Leah’s shoulder. The flower stood out against the light tan of her skin. As if by instinct, she turned her face toward the orchid and took in a deep breath.

  “From your garden?” she whispered.

  “Yes.” He could hardly manage to get the word past his dry lips.

  Swallowing hard, he began to drag the flower down the length of her arm. He let it dip into the bend of her elbow, making no comment when Leah hissed out a breath of pleasure. Every hormone coursing through his system was screaming at him to lay Leah back on one of the empty tables and take her. To shove that scandalously short dress up to her hips, wrap her shapely legs around his waist and delve deeply into her wet and willing body.

  In short, to forget about the fantasy and enjoy every last moment of reality.

  From the look on her face, she probably would have let him do just that and much more. Her body betrayed what her mouth wouldn’t. Her parted lips were moist and red and she swallowed back quiet moans as he dragged the flower petals back up her opposite arm. As he brought the flower across the delicate arch o
f her collarbone, her nipples puckered under her satin evening gown.

  Yes. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. But he forced those desires back, far back into the cloudy recesses of his mind. Taking her without finishing his planned fantasies would feel fantastic. But he wanted more than a quick, mind-blowing coupling with his former fiancée. Much more.

  He wanted her to see what a success he had become. The success her parents had claimed he would never be. And he wanted her to surrender.

  Absolutely and completely.

  Sean leaned closer and breathed in Leah’s scent. Now it was mingled with the touch of orchid fragrance. He stroked the flower between her cleavage and Leah’s fists clenched.

  “Smell good?”

  She jerked out a tense nod. “It… feels good, too.”

  “That’s what I want,” Sean said as he pushed a lock of blonde hair away from Leah’s flushed face, then tucked the flower behind her ear. “I want you to feel good.”

  To his surprise, Leah smiled, then reached out to blindly grope for his hand. When she caught it, she brushed her fingers along the top and gave him a gentle squeeze.

  Sean’s heart lodged firmly in his throat as he looked at their intertwined hands. A few years ago, holding her hand had been something he’d taken for granted. Now, seeing her long, delicate fingers against his, seeing the callous on her right middle finger from where she played with her pen while taking notes, he was honored.

  “Hungry?” he asked, guiding her hand back to a spot on the table where he reluctantly let it go.

  A small smile turned up the corner of Leah’s lips. “Yes.”

  The sexual innuendo in her voice was more than evident. She was hungry for more than food. Well, so was he, but he was going to exercise control as long as he could before he gave in and had his own ultimate fantasy. Leah. Against the wall, on the floor, on the table. It didn’t matter where.

  “Good.” He pushed the dish of flowers away and pulled another closer to him. Under the cover was a plate of tropical fruits. Chopped mangos, guava, pears and grapes were piled high, nearly dropping off the sides. Choosing carefully, he picked up a ripe sliver of mango.