Modern Girl's Guide To Vacation Flings (20 page)

"I don't understand why you just don't stay," he said as she was getting dressed.

Beth was tempted, looking back at him stretched out, naked and unashamed. All she wanted to do was crawl back into bed and lick all those strong corded muscles. Was that so wrong? But she'd put up these walls for a reason.

"I think I'd like a Cappuccino tomorrow with extra sugar," she said, ignoring his comment. She slipped on her shoes and started the search for her missing purse. She couldn't remember if she'd tossed it onto the table when they came in or dropped it at the door, like she did most nights when they came in frenzied, tearing at each other's clothes.

"Stay tonight, Beth." he said. "I know you have to be exhausted. It's nearly two in the morning. I'll be down to your room in less than six hours."

By the tone of his voice, she could tell he wasn't going to let it go this time, so Beth came up with a diversionary plan. If she gave in a little, like maybe the private dinner he wanted, Matt would stop pushing. They only had six more nights together, and she didn't want this easy rhythm they'd developed to end.

"Not tonight," she said and bent down to kiss him, lingering a little longer than she should. Fuck. She was in trouble. Just a few more nights and then this would just be a pleasant memory. Something she'd never forget, for sure, but just another memory. "How about we do something different tomorrow? Could you meet me on the upper deck in the morning, instead of the gym? I haven't tried the rock climbing wall and I think it would be fun. And tomorrow, let's plan on dinner. Just the two of us."

Chapter 11

Modern Girl Tip #7: Be Spontaneous—Being cautious and setting boundaries doesn't mean you can't be spontaneous. Get out there and try new things, both in and out of the bedroom. Now's the time to spice things up. Go on an adventure or even try that one kinky thing you were always afraid to try
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It wasn't quite eight, and Matt didn't think he was late, but Beth was already geared up and stretching out by the time he'd arrived. He could have stayed there all morning and watched her, but she looked up and caught him staring.

"I was beginning to think you changed your mind."

"I was ambushed by my brother." Matt picked out a harness and helmet from the shelf. "He wanted to know if you were going to be joining the family for the wine tasting after dinner. I told him we had plans and wouldn't be joining them tonight."

"I didn't realize they would be expecting us tonight. We should just skip our dinner plans tonight. If there is a family thing." Beth stood up and tried to take the helmet out of his hands. "This thing between us shouldn't interfere with plans you already have. I can keep myself occupied this afternoon and I'll see you all for dinner."

"Oh no you don't." He pulled the helmet out of Beth's grasp and kissed her hard on the lips. "We've spent the last week having dinner with my family. I'd like to have you all to myself for a change."

Was the woman daft? Now that she'd agreed to have dinner with him alone, there wasn't a chance in hell he'd give that up. Except for their morning workout and that night at the club, she'd refused to spend any time with him alone. Unless it was in his bed.

"This trip is for your parents. You'll be home before you know it. And from what you've told me, you don't get much time away from work. Take the time now. Besides, you get plenty of time alone with me. What we've been doing has worked well and I'd hate to cause problems now."

"I'd much rather spend the entire evening with you. A beautiful woman beats out swan towels any day. Now, do you want to do the basic climb or the expert?"

"Swan towels?" she asked, wrinkling her brow. "You are a very strange man, Matt Carver."

"What?" he said with a shrug. "It's the truth. I'd suck at folding towels anyway."

Beth stood there with her hands on her hips, shaking her head. He couldn't tell if she was about to come up with another excuse or laugh at his absurd comment. She was adorable, and he wanted to pull her into his arms and give her a proper kiss.

"So about dinner tonight."

"Matt, you're going to defeat the purpose of having me around if your family hates me. Your mother will start pushing Kitty again, hoping to drag you away from this thoughtless woman you're dating. Is that really what you want?"

"Are you kidding? My mother loves you. She's been trying to pry details out of me since she met you. I could tell her I'm planning on spending the rest of the cruise locked in my cabin with you and she'd send water and food every few hours so I wouldn't have to leave. Besides, even before we started this, I wasn't planning on spending every second with them. Bridget has all these spa days and classes planned for the women. Jason and I were just going to hang out and drink. And the office keeps calling with work. Trust me. Spending the evening with you is a much better plan."

"How about we make this interesting," she said. "Why don't we race? The winner gets to decide on dinner tonight."

"Fine, but the dinner has to be the two of us, not my family."

"Deal."

Matt turned to the wall. Brightly colored hand holds were peppered across the faux rock in various patterns. The green was easy. The purple challenging. And the red was for experts. Matt could easily navigate that run. There were several indoor clubs in Chicago that he frequented. Besides running, it was one of the few sports he enjoyed.

"Your choice. I'm good with any of them, so you pick."

Beth tilted her head to the side, considering the wall. Damn she was cute when she did that. Matt wanted to skip the climb, the dinner, everything, and go back to his room and lock them in for the rest of the cruise.

Beth picked the expert course, and Matt almost stopped to make reservations at Sonnas for them now. Everyone in his family was competitive. Everything from sports to academics, and Matt was no exception. A gentleman might let her win, but this was his chance to get exactly what he wanted. And there was no way he'd give up that opportunity.

"Don't think that because I'm generous in bed I'll let you win," Matt whispered in her ear as he walked past and clipped the rope to his harness.

"Generous in bed? Weren't you the one begging last night," she quipped. "Just promise me you won't feel too bad when I beat you."

This competitive side of her was surprising, and fuck if he didn't find her challenging tone extremely hot. But then again, there wasn't much about Beth he didn't find appealing. He reached down to chalk up his hands, deciding that he would take it easy on her. It didn't matter if he won by a little or a lot. And if she thought the race was close, she'd be less likely to balk at his suggestion.

"On three," she said, finding her first handholds.

The high flush on her cheeks reminded Matt of the way she'd turned bright pink last night when she was on the edge and begging for him. He was so wrapped up in the memory, he missed her countdown. She was a good five feet up the wall before he even started.

He had known she was fit, but watching her move up the wall with grace and speed made him realize her workouts weren't just for show. She used her long legs and flexibility to find the best positions. Often times using grips in positions he'd never attempt. And like the expert climber she seemed to be, when there wasn't a convenient place to put her foot, she'd use her arms to pull herself up a few more inches.

About a third of the way up the wall, Matt realized he'd not only underestimated her ability, he'd also set himself up for failure by letting her get so far ahead of him. Not because he wouldn't have been able to catch her, but because every time he looked up to find his next hand hold, he was presented with a fantastic view of Beth from below.

More often than not, he found himself watching her move instead of advancing up the wall. And in the end, she reached the top several minutes before him.

Sweaty and a little embarrassed by his performance, Matt finished the course and rappelled down the wall to join her where she was waiting.

"I'm not sure, but I think I was hustled."

"What? Me?" Beth placed a hand on her chest and batted her long eyelashes. "I would never."

"I'm not saying you didn't win fair and square, but—" Matt leaned in close so only she could hear "—I was a bit distracted by the view. I could see your black lace bra every time you pulled yourself up."

"Oh, my God. You couldn't. Could you? Do you think he saw?" She eyed the attendant with horror.

"Don't worry. I don't think he saw. Remember, I had a front row seat."

Nervously, she yanked at the hem of her short tee a little lower and started unhooking her harness. Grinning, he walked over to the shelf next to the climbing wall and put away his gear. It was cute that she was embarrassed. After the last few nights, he was beginning to think nothing phased her.

"So, it's lady's choice. What's it going to be for dinner? But remember you agreed, nothing with my family."

"I have something in mind. I just need to check on a few things. I'll let you know this afternoon." Wiping the sweat off her face with a towel, Beth stepped into the long shadow of the climbing tower and leaned against the wall. "Right now I need a shower. I'm going to hit the woman's dressing room. Why don't I call you later?"

He wasn't sure if Beth was once again trying to push him away, or if she was giving him an out. They'd fallen into this pattern of meeting up for a short while and then parting ways. The time had gone by so fast this morning, and he wasn't ready for her to leave.

"Why don't you come back to my room for your shower? I know you have bathroom envy." He came up next to her on the wall and pressed the towel into his face. Maybe they both could shower in his room. It would be a tight squeeze, but he'd enjoy it. "Then afterward, we can do something. Honestly, I don't see why we can't spend the entire day together."

"Matt, you have other commitments. Your family—"

"My family is having a good time. They won't even miss me."

"Let me get cleaned up. The showers in the locker room are big. Even larger than the one in your cabin. After a week of showering in a coffin and I could use the space," she said, still resisting him. "After I'm done, I'll call you."

"You're right. The showers in the cabins are too small. And I could use a shower, too," he said and grabbed her hand. Matt walked with her back to the fitness area, but instead of letting her go, he pulled her into the large handicapped bathroom opposite the dressing rooms.

After seeing her in the shower their first night together, Matt fantasized about joining her. But she was right, even his larger bathroom shower wouldn't accommodate what he wanted to do. When she'd mentioned the larger showers in the fitness center, he'd remembered seeing the private handicapped stall. The large room and bench was perfect for every deviant thing he had in mind. Not to mention the solid, locking door. He could almost hear her sexy moans echoing off the tile walls as they walked through the door.

When Matt pulled her into the private shower room, Beth wanted to complain. He was already pushing every limit she'd tried to impose. But after surveying the room, Beth was completely on board.

The shower stall was large enough for four people and had safety bars on two sides with a sturdy looking teak bench running the length of the back wall. There were all kinds of things they'd be able to do in that space. She was standing there imagining where she might like to take him when the sound of the locking the door broke the silence.