DesertIslandDelight (5 page)

“Mm hmm. Very good.” He continued teasing her with it,
circling her nipples with a touch so light it shifted between pleasure and
torturous teasing. Then he spread her legs wide and drew it back and forth over
her slit, barely grazing her.

She wondered why he was doing it, but after a few minutes, a
heavy, demanding pulse settled at the juncture of her thighs. Lifting her hips
toward him, she silently beseeched him for more.

“Am I making you crazy?”

She nodded.

“Good.” He resumed his tantalizing play.

She whimpered with helpless need, begging him for more. He
toyed with her awhile longer, dragging the flower—and a few times his
fingers—over her drenched furls, making her crazy with need.

Finally, she felt his moist breath warm her entrance. She
offered up a silent thank you as he touched the tip of his tongue to her clit.
God, she was so close, so beyond turned-on that she nearly detonated right
then.

Rocking her hips to dissipate the heat, she clenched her
fists, hoping he’d hurry before she spontaneously combusted.

Chase spread her intimate lips, blew on her exposed folds.
Then he licked her, long, devouring strokes that dipped inside her for brief
seconds at a time. He rubbed her cleft and he used his mouth to do unspeakably
erotic things to her, things she’d never dared imagine.

Tormented by delight, she teetered on the brink for a long,
heavenly minute before falling into the depths of hot oblivion. Ecstasy dragged
her under and took her for the ride of her life.

She was still reeling from the power of her orgasm when
Chase pushed her legs apart and eased himself inside her. Her intimate muscles
stretched to their limit to accommodate him, inch by delicious inch.

A plaintive moan broke from her lips. “Oh Chase.”

His restraint was plain in his strangled gasps, his broken
breaths. He moved above her, sliding his sweat-slick body along hers, slow and
sure.

She lifted her hips, meeting him stroke for stroke, matching
his rhythm in a primitive dance. He shifted positions and grasped her ankles,
holding her legs together at his shoulder. The change drove her closer to the
edge. She slipped her wrists out of the belt then tore the blindfold from her
eyes. The sun was coming up and it took her a moment to adjust to the light.

Chase’s expression was a study in concentration and sheer
bliss.

“I want to see you when you come,” she told him.

He smiled then pulled out of her, but not for long. He
kneeled on the ground, sat back on his haunches and helped her climb onto his
lap facing him. She took him inside her, rocking up and down.

Another orgasm stormed through her, not as earth-shattering
as the last, but powerful all the same in a different, more intimate way.

Chase helped her climb off him and he started stroking
himself as he stared deep into her eyes. She covered his fist with hers and
joined in his quest. He shut his eyes, gasped then detonated in their mutual
grip.

She’d never acted so forward, so completely wantonly and it
felt great.

Chase grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her
possessively to him for a scorching kiss. When they finally drew apart, his
eyes were wide and his grin infectious. “Wow!”

“Same here.” They curled up together on the ground. She
closed her eyes and let herself drift to a peaceful rest.

She woke to bright shards of sunlight streaming through the
holes in the roof of the shelter. Her heart drummed so hard it sounded like an
engine. Only it grew louder. She sat up and prodded Chase, afraid she was
dreaming.

He opened his eyes and bolted up at the engine noise. “Oh
God, we’ve been rescued!”

But what if that wasn’t the case? “Unless that’s the
kidnappers, back to finish us off.”

Chapter Seven

Chase yanked on his shorts at lightning speed then moved the
open side of the shelter to glimpse the shore. Three men were inside the
motorboat as it stopped twenty or so yards from shore. A yacht sat anchored in
the harbor.

“It’s not the kidnappers. Thank God.” But his relief at
being rescued was tempered by unexpected regret. He and Diana were just getting
to know each other in so many ways. He hated the intrusion of real life and
wondered how it would change things between them.

“First thing I’m going to do is call my family.” Diana was
dressing and straightening her tousled hair.

He was being ridiculous. They could hardly live on a
deserted island for any length of time. He waved at the men as two of them
climbed into the shallow water and started toward the beach. “Hello.”

“Greetings from Sheik el-Tayid.” The curly haired man waved
back. “We rescue you.” Then he said something to the other man in their
language.

Diana raced past Chase and ran toward the rescue party.
“Thank you so much.” Her voice broke on the last word. She let the men help her
into the skiff.

Chase followed and minutes later they boarded the sheik’s
yacht bound for his private island.

“How did you find us?” Diana asked the only crew member who
spoke any English.

“Your sign of fire,” he replied. “We search with airplane.”
He gestured toward the sky.

One of the crew yelled something at the man and he hurried
away, leaving her and Chase alone on the upper deck.

“I have mixed feelings about this.” He searched her face for
any of the same regrets but he saw nothing but excitement.

“Are you serious? We could have easily died on the island.”
The breeze blew her hair all around her head. She wiped a lock away from her
mouth.

He tamped down an urge to kiss her, afraid things had
shifted between them now that they’d been rescued. The thought left him feeling
nostalgic and empty. “I guess you’re right.”

The trip to the sheik’s island took less than an hour. They
disembarked at a marina where three other luxury yachts were moored as well as
what looked like a small cruise ship with the sheik’s logo emblazoned on the
side.

A golf cart carried them to a palace that resembled a
museum, complete with works of art, antique furniture and servants at every
turn.

A man who introduced himself as Mohd led them to a long
hallway on the second story. “The sheik wishes for you to relax before dinner.”
He let Diana into a room then showed Chase to the one next door.

“Thanks.” He waited until Mohd had shut the door to take a
good look around the opulent suite. The room and bathroom had soaring ceilings,
gold fixtures and a closet outfitted with clothes and shoes in his size.

“Damn.” He could have sworn his voice echoed in the
cavernous space. It had everything—except Diana. He wished they’d had a chance
to talk, alone. But he heard the shower go on next door and decided to wait.

Now that they were back in the real world, would things go
back to how they’d been before they became castaways? The sex with her had been
the best, but they’d shared more than that. And he wanted to explore where the
relationship could go.

He prayed she’d feel the same way, but judging by her
demeanor during the rescue, he had a bad feeling about it.

* * * * *

“Falah el-Tayid. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” The
sheik had a British accent and was way more handsome in person than in the
photos Diana had seen of him. His skin was the color of rich caramel and his
eyes sparkled like polished topaz. He offered his hand and a warm smile.

“Diana Weston.” She expected him to shake with her but
instead he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. Heat rose to her face as
she back-stepped. “Nice to meet you too. I didn’t think I’d ever make it here.
Thank you so much for sending out a search party.”

He gestured for her to sit on an elegant sofa in the
expansive parlor next to the dining room. “I heard about your ordeal. I’m so
sorry that your first trip to my country started off with such an unpleasant
experience.”

Not completely unpleasant. Her heels clacked on the polished
marble floor. She sat down, smoothing her gown over her lap. “How did you know
where to look?”

“When neither of you showed up for your appointments, my
secretary checked with the hotel and learned you’d left early yesterday
morning, heading here. I had one of my men retrace your steps. You’ll be happy
to know the men who hijacked you and Mr. Cunningham are now in the hands of law
enforcement.”

“Wow. That’s impressive.”

He took a seat in a nearby chair that resembled a throne. “I
hope your accommodations are satisfactory.”

“It’s perfect, wonderful. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“It’s the least I could do after all you’ve been through.”
He swept his gaze over her. “I had no idea you’d be so lovely. May I offer you
a drink?” He snapped his fingers and a servant appeared in seconds. “What would
you like, Miss Weston? I have whatever your heart desires.”

She swallowed hard and wondered if he just had a flirtatious
nature or was this all on her behalf. “White wine would be wonderful.”

He spoke Arabic to the servant then the woman disappeared.

“There you are.” Chase entered the room wearing an expensive
suit and tie. He made a beeline for the sheik and the men shook hands. “I got
lost almost as soon as I left my room. This is quite a home.”

“Home sweet palace.” The sheik chuckled as he shook with
him.

Chase gave her a covert wink then joined her on the sofa.
“That had to be the best shower of my life.”

She nodded her agreement.

“Khalid, one of my yacht crew members told me about the
hijackers dumping you in the middle of the gulf. You’re quite fortunate the men
didn’t kill you and that you were close enough to an island to find refuge.”
The sheik tipped his chin at Diana. “Attractive women like yourself are often
kidnapped then sold into slavery.”

A chill slithered up her spine. “How awful.”

“Yes. Someone as beautiful as you would fetch a high price
as a…concubine.”

The servant brought a tray with three glasses and a bottle
of white wine and set it on a Baroque table next to the sheik.

“This Pinot Grigio is from my vineyard in Italy. I hope you
enjoy it.” The sheik filled the glasses then handed them out.

Diana tasted it and smiled. “Very nice.” Although it was
fair, at best.

“To your safe return to the world,” the sheik said, offering
a toast. “And to the beautiful lady. I look forward to hearing your
presentation, and yours too, Mr. Cunningham.”

They all drank. Diana refused to meet Chase’s stare, which
she felt more than saw.

“Please pardon my manners, but I have an important business
meeting on the mainland. My chef has prepared you a sumptuous dinner. You can
each make your pitch to me in the morning. For tonight, please make yourselves
at home. There are many things to keep you occupied here.” He shook Chase’s
hand then kissed Diana’s again. “Enjoy your evening, Miss Weston.”

Chase’s cheek muscles ached from the effort of smiling at
that lecherous bastard. Who the hell did the sheik think he was? Just because
he was a billionaire he assumed he could come on to Diana. Although she looked
beyond stunning in an emerald-colored gown.

“He’s a charmer,” Diana said as soon as el-Tayid was out of
earshot.

Chase downed the remainder of the swill the sheik called
wine and set his glass down hard on an end table. “He’s an arrogant asshole.”

“Oh really?”

He got the distinct impression she was laughing at him.
“What’s so funny?”

“You. You’re jealous.” She got up and started out of the
room. “I guess I should be flattered.”

“Are you serious? I don’t have a jealous bone in my body.”
It was true. Even when Adrienne had flaunted the fact she was having an affair
right before they separated, it wasn’t jealousy he felt so much as anger—and
relief. He followed Diana into the dining room.

“Whatever you say.” She sat at the head of a table the
length of his entire apartment in New York.

He thought about taking a seat next to her but changed his
mind and went to the opposite end. “You should celebrate. Looks like you’ve got
this account in the bag.”

Two male servants came into the room and placed salads out
for them. “More wine, sir?” one of them asked in heavily accented English.

“No, thank you. I’ll have a glass of water please.”

As soon as the men left, Diana narrowed her eyes at him. “I
will
win the sheik’s account, but it’ll be because he likes my ideas better.
Don’t you dare set this up like some sort of popularity contest.”

“Popularity contest? Not at all. But let’s see how long it
takes him to get into your panties.”

She shot out of her chair, tossed her napkin onto the table
and marched from the room, leaving him feeling like a jerk.

“I’d like my dinner brought to my room, please,” he heard
her tell someone before her footsteps grew distant.

Aw hell, maybe he
was
jealous. His disdain for the
sheik had started the moment he saw the guy flirt with Diana. He slumped in his
chair as he picked at his salad. Hungry as he was, the food tasted like
cardboard. But he didn’t have the luxury of self-pity. He had a pitch to
practice so he could win a multimillion-dollar account in the morning.

* * * * *

Diana set her barely touched dinner tray on a table outside
her room. She glanced toward Chase’s door but noticed no signs of life.

Why did he have to be such a jerk downstairs? He’d been so
awesome on the island. For heaven’s sake, he’d saved her life more times than
she cared to count. Why couldn’t she look past his bullheadedness? She should
be flattered that he was jealous of the sheik, but when he assumed she’d get
the account based solely on her feminine assets, her blood had boiled.

Too many people in the ad business had made similar
assumptions about her and she’d fought far too long to prove it was her talent
that got her where she was.

She headed back inside her suite and paced the floor. Maybe
she’d given Chase the wrong impression after they were rescued. Sure, she’d
kept her distance, but she’d been embarrassed at being discovered by the
rescuers in such a compromising position with Chase. Plus there was the shame
factor since she’d obviously enjoyed being tied up and teased by him. They
hadn’t had even a second to discuss where things were going between them before
the rescuers delivered them to the sheik’s island.

Once they arrived at the palace, she’d been focused on
calling her mom and sisters, telling them how much she loved them and making
plans for a long overdue family reunion.

How had this all gotten so messed up? She stepped out onto
the balcony and inhaled the sea air. But the beautiful setting only made her
pine for someone special to share it with.

Chase.

She leaned over the railing toward his room and glimpsed him
through the sheer curtains covering his window. He looked as if he was having a
conversation with himself. But she recognized his behavior for what it was—he
was practicing his pitch and she should be doing the same if she had any hope
of winning the account.

She considered withdrawing from her pitch session. She owed
Chase so much, maybe she should just let him have the account by default. But
the more she thought about it, the more she was sure she couldn’t do that. She
was too damn competitive. And in truth, if the tables were turned, she’d hate
to get an account that way.

Perhaps after the sheik made his decision—whichever way it
turned out—she and Chase would be able to make a fresh start. After a good
night’s sleep, she was sure they’d be able to work it all out. She was ready to
take a chance on him, something she’d never have envisioned doing, but Chase
had come through for her like no man ever had before. He wasn’t her father. He
was a good man and she yearned to give their fledgling relationship a try.

* * * * *

Chase was already in the dining room by time Diana got there
the next morning. “You’re up early,” she said as she poured herself a cup of
coffee from the carafe on the table.

“I ran into the sheik a couple hours ago when I took a run
on the grounds. He joined me and I gave him my pitch.” He scrubbed his hands
together. “So you’re up after breakfast. He’s on a conference call now but I’m
sure he’ll be through by the time you finish eating. Everything’s delicious.
Try the pancakes.” He gestured toward the buffet table set up with platters and
bowls full of all sorts of yummy-looking food.

Chase looked way too confident for her comfort. “So how’d it
go?”

“How’d
what
go? Oh, my pitch?” He gave her a coy
grin. “One of my best yet.”

“About the account, Chase—”

A server walked in with a chafing dish and set it on the
buffet. Diana waited until the woman had left before continuing, but she hadn’t
gotten two words out when Mohd came in and handed her a large gift-wrapped box.

“From the sheik,” he said. “He’s been called to a meeting on
the mainland, but he’ll be back in a few hours.”

Chase looked just as confused as she felt. “Okay.” Sitting
at the table, she opened the package and pulled out a purple leather purse,
identical to the one the kidnappers had tossed into the sea. “What…how did he
know?” She ran her fingers over the butter-soft leather.

Mohd took a backward step. “Sheik el-Tayid arranged the
kidnapping to test your resourcefulness and watch your actions under pressure.
You were never in any real danger.”

Her chest tightened and uncomfortable heat stormed through
her. “He…this was all his doing?”

Mohd smiled. “It’s not unlike him to do such things.”