The River

I am officially lost. According to Mrs. Delaney’s directions, I should have reached Haven Odell’s favorite fishing spot by now, but I’m in the middle of the forest and there’s no trace of water.

I’m tempted to go back the way I came, but I’m afraid that will be difficult because…

well… because I’ve been wandering around like a madwoman for over half an hour and I no longer know which way to go.

“Damn it.” I kick a rock on the ground in frustration, but it turns out to be just the visible tip of a much larger one and all I accomplish is a sharp pain in my toes. “Fuck! Shit!”

“Around here even the rocks know how to defend themselves.” I hear behind me. “You should remember that next time you try picking a fight with one.”

“Aren’t you hilarious,” I say, turning around to see who I have the pleasure of speaking with.

I freeze when my eyes meet the man from last night.

Of all the people I could have run into in the middle of the woods, it had to be him?

I know it’s a small town, but this is too much even for my bad luck today.

I busy myself adjusting my grip on the basket to avoid facing his gaze just yet.

It’s still as intense as yesterday and stirs the same desires in me.

I’d even say more, because now I know what he’s capable of.

“Out for a stroll, morena?” he asks, trying to get my attention.

“I thought it would be nice to have a picnic by the river.” I shrug, feigning calm. A calm I absolutely do not feel with him so close.

“Alone?” He raises an eyebrow and looks at me, amused.

“You’re not the only man I know here,” I lie shamelessly, and he knows it, because his smile widens.

“Owen doesn’t count,” he replies. “And neither does Arthur, if you even got a look at him last night. He doesn’t like outsiders.”

“I assume Owen is Mrs. Delaney’s husband,” I say, thereby admitting he’s right and that I don’t know anyone here besides him. If sharing a steamy moment in the bathroom counts as knowing him. “And Arthur… is he the restaurant’s owner?”

“The owner is his wife—she inherited it from her parents.” He smiles again. He seems to enjoy my ignorance.

“I was actually on my way to meet Haven Odell,” I confess. It’s not a lie, but it feels like one.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes.”

My discomfort grows because of the way he’s looking at me.

“And does he know?”

My silence gives me away and his smile tells me that, once again, he’s having fun at my expense. And I decide I’ve had enough for one day, so I prepare to resume my search for the river, or the road home. Either option works, as long as I can get out of this damn forest.

“If you’ll excuse me…” I clear my throat before continuing. “I need to be on my way.”

“No,” he says after I’ve taken a couple of steps away from him, making me turn my head.

“Excuse me?”

“I won’t excuse you.” His smile does not bode well. Or perhaps it bodes something too good.

“It’s just a figure of speech,” I explain, though I know he understood perfectly well. “I don’t need your permission to leave.”

“You need me to get back to town.” His words stop me once more. “If you keep going that way, you’ll get lost.”

“I’m already lost,” I murmur so he won’t hear as I take another couple of steps. “Thanks for the offer, but I can manage on my own.”

“I’m not offering.” I don’t know how he moved so fast, but he’s right behind me now and his hands grip my arms firmly. His breath grazes my neck and I feel a shiver. “I want payment for my services.”

Before I can say anything, he snatches the basket from my hands and spins me around so our bodies face each other. His mouth captures mine in a merciless assault. Only when I feel my back slam against a tree trunk do I realize we’ve been moving.

“I liked the pencil skirt,” he whispers against my ear, “but it doesn’t matter. The clothes won’t last long on you.”

“We can’t—” He places a finger on my lips.

“We couldn’t yesterday either, and we sure as hell did.” He flashes that grin before kissing me.

His tongue assaults my lips without mercy until I yield and let him in.

He plays with mine, stealing my breath and any shame I might feel about being seen.

When his hands press against my breasts until they’re so sensitive that a mere touch makes me shudder, when his teeth mark my skin at the base of my neck, when his leg slides between mine and rubs against my sex, I moan with pleasure, lost in the sensations it all provokes.

At this point, nothing matters anymore except feeling him inside me again.

“Easy, my morena.” He laughs against my mouth when my hands rush to pull his T-shirt off. “This time we’ll enjoy it much more.”

He steps back from me, pulls off his shirt, and spreads the blanket on the ground, all under my watchful gaze. Then he extends a hand and I take it without hesitation. He’s lit a fire inside me that I need to put out, and I’m certain only he’ll know how.

I bite my lower lip as I watch him slowly unzip my jacket.

He slides his hands over my shoulders and removes it, taking the chance to caress my arms in the process.

He’s left me so sensitive that this simple touch makes my heart race.

His smile at my reaction finishes soaking my underwear—if it wasn’t already after that first kiss.

I try to move closer to him, but he pulls away, his smile widening.

He enjoys my frustration, but I don’t care, as long as he gives me what my body craves afterward.

Because right now I’m completely captivated by him and I’ll do anything he asks if it means having him inside me.

“Let’s see what I missed last night,” he says before freeing me from the rest of my clothes. “God, it’s even better than I imagined.”

Now he’s the eager one and he presses against me to kiss me once more.

He savors my skin as he descends toward my breasts, devouring them until he draws fresh moans from my lips.

Gradually, we let ourselves fall onto the blanket and he removes his own clothes.

Now that we’re completely naked, skin against skin, he positions himself between my legs and kisses me again.

I can feel the brush of his cock against my sex and it drives me wild.

I move, seeking a more intimate contact, a deeper one, but he denies me.

I protest with a growl that makes him laugh, yet he doesn’t relent.

He continues with his torture—so delicious—keeping me utterly on fire for him.

His mouth descends across my belly and a cry escapes mine when he reaches his target and runs his tongue over it.

He plays with my clit until I feel a flame consuming me from within.

I explode in his mouth and shudder until nothing remains but ashes of my own being.

“Delicious,” he says, climbing back up my body until he reaches my mouth.

Though he’s left me spent, his kisses manage to awaken my desire once more.

It’s impossible to get enough of him. He finds a condom in his pants and puts it on with efficiency and speed, ready to seek his own pleasure.

But it’s my turn to take him to heaven and I push him onto his back. I’ll make him beg for me.

“I owe you payment for services rendered.”

I straddle him and feel him fill me as I descend slowly.

He’s so hard that every nerve ending sends jolts of pleasure through me.

I can’t stop my head from falling back in complete abandon.

It’s too intense. When his hands settle on my hips, I begin to move over him.

I can hear his groans and that excites me even more.

The idea of torturing him has vanished from my mind as soon as I felt myself stretching to the limit to take all of him.

I brace my hands on his chest and pick up the pace.

“Fuck,” he growls.

He flips us over effortlessly and he’s on top of me. Now his movements are rougher and his mouth devours mine with feverish need.

He slides one arm under my leg and lifts it to his shoulder, leaving me completely exposed to him.

When he enters me, I feel as though he’s piercing straight through me and I scream with pleasure.

I’m not a woman who lets passion take the reins—I’m cautious and guarded—but this man has blown past all my barriers and shattered my control.

I surrender until we reach the summit together.

He finally collapses on top of me, spent.

Our breathing mingles, but we don’t speak. His hand caresses my cheek so carefully that I’m not sure he even knows he’s doing it. And suddenly, he props himself up on one elbow and looks at me. I see the glint of desire in his eyes before he places a kiss on my lips and withdraws from inside me.

I dress quickly while he disposes of the condom.

Yesterday he left the moment it was over, but this time that won’t happen since he has to guide me back to civilization.

But I don’t know if I want to talk to him after what we’ve done.

I never behave this way. I don’t sleep with men I don’t know, much less have a repeat within twenty-four hours.

That’s not who I am and I don’t want to give him a false impression.

“I’ll walk you back to town,” he tells me once he’s dressed.

“If you just point me in the right direction, that’ll be enough.”

“I’d rather make sure you get there safely.” He steps closer to kiss me. Then he picks up the blanket from the ground and folds it with practiced ease. “Besides, you’ve paid for my services. It’s my turn to hold up my end.”

You’ve already more than held it up, I think.

I grab the picnic basket and follow him when he starts walking.

We walk side by side, in silence, for a good stretch, and no matter how hard I try to think of something to talk about, I can’t come up with anything.

What do you say to someone you’ve shared incredible sex with but whose name you don’t even know?

“Sorry your meeting with Haven fell through,” he says just as I open my mouth to ask his name.

“It doesn’t matter. I almost prefer it this way.” I’m silent for a second before confessing the truth. “This was Mrs. Delaney’s idea.”

“Oh, really?”

“I’ve come to negotiate the sale of Mr. Odell’s business.” I frown, thinking about it. “If I can even get him to listen to the advantages of what we’re offering. Mrs. Delaney suggested I win over the son first and showed me where to find him.”

“And how were you planning to win him over?” His insinuation offends me and I shoot him an angry look, forcing him to clarify. “It was just an innocent question, morena—don’t get worked up.”

“I know what innocent questions from guys like you are really about,” I snap.

“Guys like me? Who’s trying to offend whom now?”

“You know what? Forget it.” I don’t feel like arguing with him. “Just tell me which direction to go and I’ll find the town on my own.”

“Come on.” He stops me. “We were getting along—let’s not ruin it now. I’ll admit my question was out of line if you admit your comment wasn’t exactly fair either.”

I think about it for a moment before giving in, because I don’t want him to think I’m easy to appease. I don’t handle sexist insinuations well—or the not-so-subtle ones either, if I’m being honest—so I won’t settle for an apology if there’s a next time.

“Fine.”

I gesture ahead with one hand for him to lead the way and, when he starts walking, I follow.

“You were lucky I found you.” He smiles as if the little spat were already completely forgotten. “It’s very easy to get lost in this forest.”

“I suppose.” I’m not sure what he wants me to say, but I’m not going to admit that I’m glad he found me. My body still burns every time I think about it.

“Oh, well.” He feigns offense. “That hurt.”

I simply smile and he nudges me with his shoulder as a silent response.

I have the feeling that if I got to know him, I’d discover he has a great sense of humor and a brazen mischief with a roguish edge.

And I’m not sure we should get to that point because I came here to work, not to get cozy with someone I’d get along with all too well.

We walk in silence again until I hear my phone ring. I wasn’t even sure that a place like this, with so many trees and the mountains so close, would have any signal. It didn’t occur to me to check, though I imagine I would have eventually if I hadn’t bumped into him.

“Debra Hardwick,” I answer automatically without checking who’s calling.

“Oh, hi, Dad… Everything’s fine… I haven’t had the chance to meet with him yet, but tomorrow I’ll call again to set up the appointment…

Don’t worry, Dad, it’s under control. I’ll keep you updated and…

Yes, Dad, of course I can handle this alone.

I don’t need Carson and you know it… From what I heard this morning, it wouldn’t have helped much if he’d stayed either.

Besides, I’ve told you many times he’s not right for this kind of work.

His thing is intimidation, and that won’t get anywhere here.

Quite the opposite, actually. Give Carson a multinational…

I’ll call to report once I’ve had the first meeting. Don’t worry… I love you, Dad. Bye.”

I hang up, a bit embarrassed that he heard the conversation. He probably knows the Odell family and might disagree with the sale of their business. I know nothing about him, so I don’t know how he’ll react. I should have hung up and called back when I was alone.

“Hardwick,” he says.

“Yes. I’m the boss’s daughter.”

I’m surprised that, of everything I said, that’s what catches his attention.

“I didn’t know your father sent his own daughter to fight his battles.”

“I’m a lawyer and more capable than many of his men,” I defend myself again.

“Easy, morena.” He smiles. “That wasn’t a criticism.”

“It sounded like one.”

“It was a compliment.” He moves closer to me. “If a man trusts his daughter enough to leave his business in her hands, it’s because his daughter is an exceptional woman.”

“Thanks.” I furrow my brow, still doubting whether that’s what he really meant. “I think.”

“We’ll have to work on that trust thing.” He smiles again. “You can’t have sex that good with someone you won’t give any credit to.”

“What makes you think we’ll have sex again?”

“What makes you think we won’t?” He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me toward him to kiss me.

As soon as he has me completely surrendered, he continues: “Walk straight ahead and you’ll see the town just a few meters away.

A pleasure running into you again, morena. We’ll see each other again. I promise.”

He kisses me a second time and disappears among the trees. If it weren’t for the fact that my body still feels relaxed after the two orgasms he gave me, I could swear it was all a figment of my imagination.