Seducing Her Rival (4 page)

Mercedes froze with her fingers on the glass, then let it go and reclined into Lucas’s arms again. She barely had time to sleep. As much as she appreciated the need for charity workers, she couldn’t take more time away from Better Todays to fulfill her own selfish needs—no matter how much she wanted to.

And damn, did she want to.

“But you already promised to help me with whatever the captain comes up with,” she argued. “Hardly seems fair.” She tried to calculate how many hours that would knock off what he suggested. Maybe it’d be enough that she could give his charity an hour a week for a while instead of a lump of time.

“In that case,” Lucas amended, “a hundred hours after we get off the ship. Fair?”

No. Not by half. Then again…with the connections he undoubtedly had in the city, Lucas could help a lot. Maybe enough that they’d be able to outbid Bellamy Enterprises on the property for the playground. Okay, not outbid, but at least make a solid bid first.

“Deal.”

Mercedes couldn’t believe how her nervousness built with every second. She stared at the shot glasses on the table in front of them while Lucas shifted behind her, his cock rubbing against her ass until her eyes practically rolled back into her head from want. He was torturing her, and it hadn’t even been that long since she’d gone to a guy’s place. She mentally ticked off months in her head. Okay, maybe it had been that long. But it only meant she was picky.

And dear God, Lucas was worth waiting for—just maybe not through this stupid bet.

Two could play his game though. Mercedes brought their twined fingers to her mouth and kissed the back of his hand. Forcing his hand open with hers, she trailed her lips along his index finger to gently kiss the tip. Then she ran her tongue out and, as he inhaled sharply, she took the digit in her mouth, sucking on it.

He shivered against her and, the instant his hand was free, he drew it back. His lips met the pulse in her neck. “Did you forget we’re in public?”

“I forgot nothing.”

“Then behave.”

She reached back and caught his chin with her fingers, lifting his mouth from her skin. “Only so long as you do.”

“In that case, I best keep my hands off you until we’re back in my cabin.”

Bastard.
A few minutes later, the band started in again, and Lucas quietly sang along to “Unforgettable
,
” his lips only inches from her ear. She wanted to hear more, and Mercedes’s muscles melted until her body curved against his. The tequila, the music, and the man worked in harmony to erase every pain and worry from her. More than safe, more than desired, in that moment he made her feel…special—like there wasn’t anything more pressing on his mind than her pleasure.

It didn’t matter if it wouldn’t—couldn’t—last forever. She had it right now and was going to cling to it for as long as she could. Even if this ended tomorrow, she couldn’t imagine it ending
badly
, and if it did…the
Allure
was a big ship. Surely with just a little effort they could avoid each other’s space.

The shots on the table mocked her. It didn’t matter if he was whispering romantic song lyrics to her. She wanted to get the man alone and see what other kinds of beautiful music he could make. She picked up the shot glasses and twisted in Lucas’s embrace. As soon as he took one of the glasses from her fingers, she cupped the bulge in his pants, and leaned close, whispering the words that had been on her mind since he’d first started singing, “Don’t you think it’s about time we go to your cabin and get to making tonight a little more unforgettable?”

He tossed back the tequila and nudged her to stand. Grinning, she set her glass back on the table. “I’ll be sure to let you know how Better Todays will collect on that hundred hours.”

“But…” He trailed off as she waved to her still-f glass. “You win. This time.”

“Funny thing, Lucas. With you, I don’t feel like I can lose.” It was true too. He made her feel bulletproof…invincible.

Shaking his head, he grabbed her hand and led her to the elevator. Before the doors even closed, she yearned to kiss him, taste him, touch him. It was all she could do to behave for the ride up to his cabin. She didn’t have much choice either since a couple in their seventies had decided to join them on the elevator. As it was, Lucas maneuvered her to block his raging hard-on from view. The urge to rub against the length had her fingers twitching.

Because of the distraction, she hadn’t paid any attention when Lucas pushed the button for his deck. Then she’d been far too busy watching him watching her. He wasn’t drunk, not by any stretch, but his eyes were already hooded. Part of her wished the elderly couple would get off so Lucas could shove her against the wall and take her right there. The saner part fought a shiver as she imagined him doing it—and then imagined them getting caught.

The latter image didn’t bring an ounce of shame with it.

When they stepped off the elevator, she started. Twelve—her deck. She knew she hadn’t told him her cabin number, but pressure on the small of her back urged her down the corridor toward it. The panic subsided the moment they passed by her door but, with that gone, another thought took its place. His cabin was on the same deck. So much for being able to avoid him if this went badly. Then again, if it went well…

Either way, at least the walk of shame would be short.

At last he stopped in front of a door about mid-ship. She’d noticed it earlier, only because there wasn’t another one right next to it. He popped open the door and held it for her. She paused long enough to drink him in once more. The full curve of his lips, the hunger in his eyes, the bulge tenting his trousers. Nope, no illusions about what would happen in this room. Sucking in a contented breath, she stepped inside.

“
Dios mio
.” She might’ve been mistaken.
This
room didn’t have a bed. It was more like a foyer with a far wall composed of nothing but windows. Moonlit ocean as far as the eye could see—or at least as far as the glow reached. The water was flat but the view showed just how big his room was. She had to tear her gaze away but looking around only brought home exactly how different their lives were. Her entire stateroom could fit in the entryway, never mind the dining area to her right or the living room to her left with a…was that a
baby grand
? And where was his damn bed?

She didn’t even realize she was shaking until Lucas slid his hands up and down her arms. “Hey. Look at me.” Trying to school her face into something resembling nonchalance, she turned in his embrace. He tipped her chin up with one finger, gazing so deeply into her eyes that the rest of the room faded away. “It’s just you and me. Just tonight. None of this matters. We can go to your cabin instead if you’d like.”

Laughter almost choked her. Yes. They should definitely go back to her tiny cabin with clothes still strewn on the couch. “No. It’s…beautiful here. Just not what I expected.”

It was a lie though. She should have expected something like this. Lucas hadn’t exactly hidden his wealth. Still, she hadn’t anticipated quite this level of indulgence. It meant he was even more well off than she’d thought, the kind of guy who could have easily bought a five hundred dollar T-shirt for two hours rather than the measly fifty he’d spent. People like him didn’t stay in simple staterooms. To him this was probably tiny—even with the piano.

The caress of his hand against her cheek drew her gaze right back to his eyes. And his lips, so very close. “Would you like a drink?”

Not wanting to lose her electric contact with his fingertips, she shook her head. “We already drank at the bar. Many more and I won’t remember the one thing I really want from you right now.”

Lucas’s fingers twitched then moved lower to cup the back of her neck as his other hand gently drew her closer. “And what is it you want, Ms. Vega?”

To orgasm until she couldn’t think anymore. “I think you know.”

He shook his head and a slow smile crept across his face that sent heat pooling between her legs. “I’d hate to be wrong. End up putting my own desires ahead of yours.” Even as he said it, he moved closer, tipping her head back as he leaned in.

Nope. It was time for him to put himself out there. “Sorry. You lost, first move is yours.”

“No quarter. Is that really how you want to play this?” His voice brought her back to the moment and the brush of his breath over her lips.

She shivered and leaned closer. He was turning her own words against her but, with him this close, she didn’t care. Even if she agreed, she still had him at an advantage. “
Si
.”

“Well, why didn’t you say so?” His smile turned wicked and, before she could breathe, his hands tightened on her arms, yanking her to him. Then his lips were on hers, cutting off all breath and any hope of protest, but protesting was the very last thing Mercedes wanted to do. Melting. Melting sounded much, much better.

Chapter Three

The pressure of his fingers sent need coiling low in her belly. She dropped her purse, barely noticing as it popped open and the contents scattered. Instead, she wound her hands in his hair as she opened to him. Now he slowed down, rather than taking the kiss deeper and sating the part of her starving for him. He languidly traced her lips with his tongue until she thoug
ht she’d explod
e.

Only when she whimpered did he slip his tongue into her mouth, caressing hers, flicking it when she got too demanding. Then he drew back, holding her at arm’s length. Heat rose in her cheeks at the thought of the sounds she’d made. Pathetic.

Lucas’s devilish grin was back, taunting her. “And that’s a little sample of what I want. Which, I do believe, makes it your turn.”

What did she want? She wanted more. But she also wanted less: less holding back, less teasing, less gentleness. “Of course.”

Considering her ideal relationship involved a lot of give and take, she knew how to play the aggressor if she had to. She returned his smile, well aware hers was less playful than his, more predatory. The tiny line forming between his brows only confirmed it. Good. She stepped toward him, shoving his chest playfully, and he took a step back. One more should do it. “Don’t worry, I don’t bite…much.”

Another step. Hands still on his chest, she pushed once more and sent him tumbling over the arm of the couch. She straddled him as soon as he was on the cushions. This time when their mouths met, she refused to kiss him halfway.

When his lips didn’t part for her, she began nipping at them, sucking on the sensitive flesh. He could deny her entry for a while but the way his cock shifted beneath her told a different story—one of hunger equal to her own. As she kissed him again, she ground against the bulge in his pants. He let out a little groan, opening his lips. She took the offering and plundered his mouth, taking everything he had to give. And just as he surrendered and reached for her, she moved on, trailing lips and teeth along his neck.

She slithered down his body, nipping at his chest and abdomen even as the hem of her dress rose with the movement. He alternated between clutching at her and letting go, as if he couldn’t decide whether he wanted to control the moment or not. As Mercedes used her teeth to pull his shirt free from his pants, she voted for not. Rather than continue with her mouth, she spread her palm over his erection.

Everything in her wanted to rip off his pants and just take him, but she wouldn’t do that. Couldn’t. She needed him to want her as much as she wanted him; she needed him to be willing to chase after her—at least a little.

Still hovering there, her mouth inches away, she rubbed her hand up and down his length. Catching his zipper on the down-stroke, she pulled. Her heart pounded with need and excitement as she opened his button.
Control, Mercedes. Be in control of yourself for a few minutes.
She almost lost the mental battle as she stroked him through the silk boxers—he felt so good—but he was shuddering beneath her. Time to finish, so he gave in before she caved and surrendered herself to him.

Lowering to get closer, she wriggled down his body once more, planting her feet on the floor at the end of the sofa, and stilled with her mouth hovering just above his twitching cock. Mercedes exhaled as she moved, blowing heat down his length, eliciting another moan. “And
that,
Lucas, is more in line with what I want.”

“And I want
you
. In my bed. In my shower. In the Jacuzzi on my balcony.” He propped himself on his elbows and stared her down as she stood.

He has a Jacuzzi on his balcony?

When she didn’t respond, he drew himself onto the arm of the sofa, setting his knees between her legs. “On top of the piano. Pretty much any other place I can think of. Now. No more playing. What do you want?”

Cojeme
. She was in the insane suite of the sexiest man she’d ever met; he was wealthy, successful, delicious…and he wanted her. “That. All of that.”

“Good.” He stood, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and tugged her head back, his mouth grazing over her neck and collarbone.

His kisses made her so dizzy the room tilted, and for the first time all day, she didn’t care. Now he pushed, his mouth driving her backward until her spine slammed against the wall. Lucas slid his hands down her arms, raising them over her head and pinning them there. When he let go, she lowered them less than two inches before he pressed them against the wall again. That plus the growl shuddering against her jugular had her so wet she wanted him to take her right there against the wall.

Desperate for him to touch the rest of her body, she stayed in place when he let go this time. Blissfully, his hands skated down her sides as he knelt and lifted the hem of her dress. His fingers toyed with the edge of her black lace panties, and she tilted her hips toward him, wanting so much more. The lace tightened on her backside as he balled the front of it into his fist and yanked. She gasped at the pressure of the damp fabric on her clit. Then the seams gave way, and the lace scraped against her sensitive flesh. Her muscles contracted, tightening as the sensation sent her into the start of an orgasm—more ripple than wave—and she bit her lip to keep from whimpering again.

“Please, Lucas.” Aww hell. Had she just begged? She would
not
be that girl, no matter how badly she… His tongue flicked at her clit and she forgot every reason why begging was such a bad thing. Desperate for more, she lifted her right leg and hooked it over his shoulder. He delved deeper with his tongue, stroking her to the edge of an orgasm—a real one this time.

Then he squeezed her ass and sucked on her clit until her eyes rolled back in her head. “More…”

His only response was to lick her again.

Then he stood, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, not wanting to lose an inch of contact. Lips pressed against her neck, kissing and nibbling as he carried her deeper into the room. She couldn’t focus on anything other than his mouth and the erection pressing against her center until her ass hit something hard and slick. Lucas’s hands roved up her back, supporting her weight as he tipped her onto the black, angled wood.

A loud
crack
sounded and then her perch crashed down so she was lying flat atop the baby grand in the corner of the room.

Grinning, Lucas ripped his tie off. “That worked out better than anticipated.”

Still gasping for breath, Mercedes watched as he stripped off his pants. “Better? You broke their piano!” She didn’t even want to think about how much that was going to cost.

“Totally worth it.” In two steps he was at an end table and reaching into a drawer. The shiny square he pulled out caught the light as he returned to his position between her thighs.

Condoms? He has condoms in the living room.
Before she had time to think about the implications, he had it rolled on and yanked her hips over the edge. At least he wasn’t arguing about wearing protection. Then he cradled her ass, the tip of his cock teasing at her entrance until she wriggled.

“Say it again.”

What?
All she could think about was having him inside her, scratching the damned itch she’d felt since meeting him, the one that had been driving her mad since dinner. “I…”

“Say please.”

Oh God.
He was going to totally undo her—and she didn’t care. “Please, Lucas. Please take me.”

He thrust into her, that single move driving her over the edge of orgasm, and the last gossamer thread of her control snapped.

…

Lucas combed his fingers through Mercedes’s hair as they soaked in the Jacuzzi. Watching as rays of moonlight kissed the water, he opened his mouth to speak.

She twisted on his lap and her hand shot out of the water, covering his lips before any sound came out. “If you apologize again, I will stab you in the throat with my shoe.”

Chuckling, he turned her hand over, kissing her knuckles. Having seen the heels on
her shoes, he decided to avoid death by stiletto. “I was only going to ask if you’d let me make up for…uh…how quickly that ended.”

“
Amado
, I’m not feeling at all neglected. A tiny bit sore maybe…”

He was still disappointed in himself. Normally he had enough control to hold off his own orgasm for a couple hours. Thirty minutes of bliss with her atop a broken baby grand wasn’t nearly enough. “We did agree to the Jacuzzi as well as the piano…”

“Now?”

He trailed kisses down her arm, his dick doing its best to nudge her ass into the proper position. “No time like the present.”

She twisted in his embrace until she straddled him like she had on the couch earlier.
Much better position
—her perky breasts with their deep rose nipples jutting so nicely from the water—even if she did need to sink a little lower if they were…

“Bed. There are people awake all around us and we both know I’m not the quietest person.” Maybe she wasn’t, but he could think of plenty of ways to keep her mouth engaged other than screaming his name. “Besides, I believe you promised me the bed at some point as well.”

He groaned and leaned his head against her chest, planting teasing kisses on her breasts. Bed meant drying off, which meant delaying. Then again, it also meant he’d get to see every glorious inch of her laid out before him without the blind heat of their first time. He lifted his head and nodded. “Bed it is.”

But he’d be damned if they dried off here, not least of all because she’d eyed the railing nervously when they stepped from the living room. Out of the water, he donned one of the fluffy white robes the suite had come with, holding the other open for Mercedes. As soon as she was wrapped inside, he swept her into his arms.

“I can walk, you know.” She laughed, a rich, throaty sound that had already started to drive him wild.

Ignoring her words, he carried her to the bedroom. Setting Mercedes on her feet, he slid the robe from her shoulders and breathed her in as he dried her off. If he stood closer, he could have tucked Mercedes under his chin, but her height was the only average thing about her. Her breasts were full and rounded, and her waist was so tiny he wanted to try wrapping his hands around it to see if they’d fit. And that ass. That glorious ass. Just the hint of curve peeked at him from his angle near the floor, but he wanted to grab it, knead it, bite it. Instead, he contented himself with tracing the tattoo on her hip: a pair of roses in bloom. When he looked back up at her face, he found her cheeks flushed.

“My God, you are beautiful.”

“I bet you say that to all the girls.” Her lips were twisted into a smirk.

He eased her onto the bed and used the robe to pat her skin dry, taking care not to miss a single spot. She was right. He had said that very thing to more women than he cared to count, but none of them had ever called him on it. That alone earned her something more. The words he’d remembered on first meeting her echoed in his skull:
perfection in skin
. He wouldn’t say that though—those three simple words meant too much to him—but she needed to hear something and he was more than happy to spill the jumble of other thoughts going through his mind. “You’re more than beautiful. You’re luminous. When you walk into a room, heads turn, because you have this light inside you that makes you glow. And it’s fire. It’s this blaze of passion and drive and desire intense enough to burn up a normal person, but you contain it, direct it, let it shine on others.” He planted a kiss on her tattoo. “And I’ve never said
that
to anyone else.”

“Stop.”

He paused his ministrations and lifted his gaze to meet hers.

She bit her lip, and her eyes shone with an emotion he couldn’t quite name. “You are not allowed to get mushy when you promised to have wild sex with me again.”

From the look on her face, if he didn’t get down to business soon, they were going to end up cuddling and talking and…not having sex. Without another second’s hesitation, he threw her robe to the side and undid his own, his erection springing free. “Then I’ll save it for after.”

She stretched languidly, running her hands down the length of her body before crooking a finger to urge him closer. Like he needed the encouragement. He climbed onto the bed, crawling over her warmth. “After sex, you can be as romantic as you want,
amado
.”

Hovering over her, he hooked one ankle and brought her foot up to his shoulder, planting soft, teasing kisses down the length of her calf. “Really? I can’t even do this now?” The snarled Spanish words were probably a curse of the highest order. Too bad he couldn’t make out any of them. His tongue traced circles on the side of her ankle until her noises ceased and her eyes rolled back. “What was that?”

Flames burned in the depths of her dark eyes as she glared at him. “I said if you don’t take me now, I’ll be forced to assume you aren’t a man at all.”

The anger might have proven a bit more believable if she hadn’t been quite so breathy. Still, it was what he wanted, so who was he to argue? Keeping her foot hooked over his shoulder, Lucas grabbed Mercedes’s hips and yanked her to the edge of the bed. “Whatever you want, gorgeous.”

He slid two fingers into her, probing at the spot that sent her quivering beneath him, and leaned forward to grab a condom from where they’d left them on the bed. Satisfied she was more than ready, he donned the annoying barrier and entered her.

Mercedes might have admonished his self-control earlier, but it was the one thing he had that no one could take from him, and he used it on her now, moving in slow, shallow strokes as his thumb rubbed at her clit. He kept her at the edge of orgasm, watching as she clutched at the sheets and writhed beneath him. When her hands found her breasts, kneading them and pulling on her nipples, and her moans turned to whimpers, he thrust into her fully. She gasped and her hips rocked against his, grinding in some vain attempt to get him deeper.

His muscles shook as he fought to not come right then. This woman did things to him that no one ever had before. He couldn’t get enough of her, and it was like his damn dick wanted to empty just so it could get hard again.