She Does Know Jack (28 page)

Sprawled out,
trapped beneath her, he watched her eyes smolder. She stole his breath. The
beauty was sexy as hell, and he was more than ready for her. She shifted
slightly forward and watched, fascinated as his erection jumped. God, she was killing
him.

“Brielle.” His
voice came out rough. No shit. He was at the end of his restraint.  “I barely
held on the last time you were on top of me.”

She gazed at him
like he was the most important man in the world, and a hot, primal buzz rushed
through his already heated body.

A slow, wicked
smile curved her lips. “I’m not asking you to.”

Ah, hell. He
swallowed and ran his hands down her waist, over the soft curve of her hip to
cup her sweet bottom. “You drive me crazy, you know that?”

“So you keep
saying.” She kissed him deeply, meeting his tongue while her fingers closed
around his throbbing erection.

A grunt
strangled deep in his throat, and unable to hold back, he thrust into her hand.
Restraint gone. She slayed him. He was done.

In a swift
succession of moves, Brielle sat up, reached for the condom he’d tossed on the bed,
ripped the packet open and struggled to roll it on his thick length. Ah, sweet
mercy he’d never tire of her touch, but if she didn’t hurry… He clenched his
teeth and the bedspread, and by the time she finished, his torso was damp with
sweat.

Incredible.
Holding his
gaze, which no doubt matched the arousal blazing in her eyes, she guided his
tip where she wanted and sank down, gasping as he filled her. Deep.

“Oh…hell yeah,”
he breathed, gripping her hips, as inch by inch, he slipped into her silky heat.

 Closing her
eyes, she rocked slowly, and let out a sexy, throaty sound he felt in his
bones.  They weren’t kissing, they were barely touching, he just lay on his
back watching ecstasy flush her skin as she took him in…all of him, right to
the hilt. The oneness, the incredible connection was like nothing he’d ever
known, and nearly more than he could bear. He had to take them there. To get
them to the release that promised to be mind-blowing.

He began to
move.

“Jack—”

“I know.” His
voice was hoarse. “I’m right there with you.” He held her gaze, a pool of
desire so dark, so hungry he might have drowned if it weren’t for his grip
tightening on her hips, keeping her with him on their journey.

Moving in slow, torturous
thrusts, he reveled in each glorious bounce of her beautiful breasts.  And when
she bent down and kissed him hard and deep and wet, then sat up and rocked her
hips, he let out another rough groan from deep within. Yeah, she was fucking
killing him… But what a way to go.

Breathing
ragged, she placed her hands on his chest as heat spread like an inferno
through his body. He could tell she was close, very close. And so was he.

Lifting his head
off the bed, he glanced where they were joined, his whole being tightening at
the erotic vision they created. He wasn’t going to last. Brushing his thumb
over her center, he watched as she gasped and clutched his arms. He brushed her
again, this time increasing the pressure, and enjoyed the sensual vision
Brielle made when he sent her over the edge. Moaning, she came in a series of incredible
spasms that drew her name from his lips as he lost control and joined her with
one last, hard plunge.

 Utterly
boneless now, she collapsed onto him. Somehow he managed to wrapped his arms around
her and hold her trembling body close for several minutes while they both
worked to steady their breathing. As the frenzied beat of her heart slowed against
his chest, he placed a kiss to the top of her head and tightened his hold.

She snuggled
closer. “That sure beat wild monkey sex.”

He chuckled and
squeezed her tight. “Hell yeah, but I’m certainly not knocking that either.”

“True.” She
nodded. “Still, there’s something to be said about restraint.”

“Yeah…like
what?”

“Like, good—”

“Good?” He
shifted to his side, and she rolled onto his arm. “That was a hell of a lot
better than good.”

She laughed up
at him, lifting a finger to trace his jaw. “How about…great. Fantastic.
Incredible.”

“That’s more
like it. Good thing I brought more than one condom.” He captured her hand and
kissed her palm. “Give me twenty minutes, and I’ll show you how incredible
restraint can be.” And she would sure as hell enjoy it.

Brielle cocked
her head and smiled. “You sure you need twenty?” Tugging her hand free, she
brushed her fingers over his pecks, down his abs, smiling as they quivered
under her touch.

The wench.

He nuzzled her
neck. “Maybe ten.”

“Mmm….”

She grazed his
groin, lightly stroking, and he grew hard with each pass.

“Well, what do
you know?” He leaned over her, once again, all hard and hot for the tempting
woman. “Seems I’m ready now.”

T
he next morning, Jack entered the dining
room feeling better than, well, ever. After the amazing night he’d spent with
Brielle, how could he feel anything else?

“What are you
smiling about?” Matthew asked, studying him from head to toe as Jack approached.
A sudden grin appeared. “Or should I ask, who?”

He glanced
around. They were the only occupants, except for Matthew’s ever-present
cameraman. “I’ll give you three guesses, and the first two don’t count.” He
headed for the coffee pot in the corner, his own smile broadening.

“Ah, I see.”
Laughing, Matthew grabbed his cup and rose from the table.

Jack sipped his
brew, enjoying the strong, bitter taste while he watched his brother pour
himself a refill.

“So, I take it
you’ve straightened things out, then?”

Hot liquid hit
the back of Jack’s throat as he choked on his brother’s rather astute choice of
words.

Matthew
chuckled, slapping Jack’s back. “I guess that’s an affirmative.”

Yes. He and
Brielle had
straightened
things out several times during the night. The
last time nearly shattered him. Making love to her in the Jacuzzi had robbed
him of his strength. Even now, heat sliced through his body just thinking about
how amazing it had felt buried deep inside Brielle, her glorious legs wrapped
around his waist, warm, bubbling water lapping around them.

 He grinned
before taking another sip, savoring the hot liquid as he savored the hot
memory. Afterwards, they’d practically crawled to the bed where he’d fallen
into the most deep, contented sleep of his life—with her curled in his arms,
delectable curves pressed against him tight.

Somewhere
between The Limelight and last night, he’d fallen in love with Brielle Bennett.

Jack paused, cup
in mid-air, as that revelation ricocheted through him, placing a name to the
unknown emotion that had been stirring inside for some time now.

“Are you all
right, Jack? What’s wrong?” Matthew frowned.

He snapped out
of his shock and focused on his brother. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine. I’m just
fine.” Lips twitching into another full smile, he refilled his cup. And he was
fine. Better than fine.

It’d taken all
his willpower to leave Brielle at dawn, but he knew he had to get back to his
room unseen. He hadn’t wanted anyone to catch him leaving—not the contestants,
not his brother, not his men...and especially not the cameras. He’d
deliberately pulled Rodriguez from hall duty last night, sending him up one
deck to guard the stairway. Guilt flashed through him, but Jack washed it away
with a sip of black coffee. His men had slept in worse conditions.

“I can see
that.” Matthew chuckled as he walked back to his chair and sat. “It looks good
on you.”

Jack frowned.
“What does?”

“Happy.” Matthew
winked.

“Yes, we are,”
Danni said as she and Mandy breezed into the room.

Jack searched
beyond them, hoping, waiting…yearning to see Brielle again. That woman had
become more than a distraction. She’d become all-consuming—every thought, every
movement, every nerve ending needed her. It was as if she’d awakened him—like
he’d never really lived until they’d touched.

Jack winced. Ah
hell. 
I’ve turned into my sentimental brother.

He glanced at
Matthew, who grinned knowingly at him. It was official. Brielle had turned him
into a romantic...but he didn’t mind. Their shared feelings had opened up new
doors to him, and Jack planned to explore every single one with the sexy, leggy
brunette.

“Good morning.” Though
Brielle greeted the group, her gaze met his, stealing his breath as she neared.

His body hummed
to life, screaming for her touch. He did his best to keep his hands to himself
and not lean into her when she brushed him to grab a cup.

“How’s the
coffee?” Her eyes smiled into his, warm, affectionate and just little hot.

He grinned back.
“Perfect.” A small thrill shot through him at the sight of the blush creeping
into her face. No one was near, not even a cameraman, so he leaned close for
only her to hear. “Sleep well?”

“Like a
satisfied kitten,” she replied in a low, breathless purr while reaching for the
sugar. “You?”

His lips
twitched. “Like a log.”

“I wish we could
break away for…more.”

His ears picked
up her soft sigh, and all too soon, she blinked the longing from her eyes, then
turned and joined the group.

After a
statement like that, it took Jack a moment to find his legs.
Damn, but she
was potent.
He followed her to the table and dropped into the chair next to
her as the cook entered with breakfast.

“So, what are we
doing today?” Mandy asked, spreading a white linen napkin on her lap.

“Well,” Matthew
said, smiling at the girls. “I thought we’d get in a little more swimming and
things before we head back at two.”

An image of
Brielle in her bikini flashed through Jack’s mind. Ah hell. He was in for
another afternoon of sweet torture. But today would be worse…much worse. Today,
he had more memories and knowledge of all her hidden treasures.

While his gut
twisted, he ate breakfast and plotted new and exciting things to do to her once
they were alone.

Warm fingers
stroked his thigh, and he clenched his jaw against the heat rapidly gripping
his insides. Christ, he was already hard and throbbing, consumed with the need
to take Brielle. If ever restraint was required, it was now. Not restraint like
last night. A different kind. Her hand moved, and a wicked finger outlined his
groin.
Fuck restraint
. He needed willpower, that’s what he needed. Or
ten minutes alone with her in the nearest closet.

He glanced
sideways at her and swallowed a groan as she bit into a strawberry and slowly
licked the juices from her lower lip. The memory of those lips around him had
the erection her fingers had started flaring to full tilt. Make that five
minutes alone. Jesus, he wasn’t going to last. Could they sneak more time on
this yacht? No, it would be more feasible to steal away tonight at the mansion.
Of course, how the hell he’d do that hadn’t come to him yet, but it would.

The rest of
breakfast went by in a blur. Jack’s hand made its way under the table to deploy
some maneuvers of his own. Caressing Brielle’s silky skin afforded him by her
sundress, he inched upward, following the curves of her inner leg, to her
quivering upper thighs. Ah hell…she was wet. If her hand hadn’t stopped him,
there’s no telling what his hunger might’ve driven him to do.

“Well, what do
you say we play a game of pool before we hit the water?” Matthew’s question
gained Jack’s attention, and when he noted the others chorus in agreement, he
reluctantly removed his hand.

Thank Christ his
shirt was untucked. With luck, it would hide the result of Brielle’s ministrations.
It was going to take him several minutes he didn’t have before his pants would
loosen to a bearable fit. Taking his brother’s cue, he stood, zipper not quite
digging into him as painfully as he’d expected.

“Jack,” Brielle
whispered as she rose. “We need to talk.”

“Yes,” he
replied just as low. “I’ve got a few things I need to say to you, too.” His
mouth watered at the thought. Oh yeah. She was going to pay for her teasing
with a lot of panting and calling of his name.

“Not about
that.” Her gaze was troubled and serious as they followed the others out of the
room, falling several paces behind.

He sobered fast,
heart kicking the hell out of his ribs. “Is something wrong?”

“No, yes…I mean,
no.” She shook her head, eyes clouding with uncertainty. She stopped him just
inside the recreation room. “There’s something I’ve been trying to tell
you—that I
need
to tell you, Jack.”

“Go ahead. I’m
all yours.” He smiled, hoping to encourage her past the apprehension he saw
flicker through her eyes.