White-Hot Christmas (12 page)

“Chocolate fudge brownie.”

“With chocolate sauce.”

“And marshmallows.”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, that’s just plain dirty.”

Laughing, he slowed the car as it came up to a T-junction, the forest rearing in front of them in a sheet of green. He turned right, the car wheels scrunching on the gravel, and drove a short distance to the parking area, empty of cars in typical New Zealand style, and parked right in the middle. They got out and he locked the car then took her hand, leading her across to the beginning of the walkway.

“Wow.” She admired the beautifully crafted wooden pathway that wound into the forest. “This is amazing.”

“I know. The kauri trees are huge. They were used as masts for early ships—Captain Cook refitted with a kauri mast. The early settlers traded the kauri gum abroad. It was used in settings for false teeth.” He grinned at her. “I’m full of useless facts.”

She laughed. He kept hold of her hand, his fingers warm, as they walked, pointing out the occasional bird to each other, admiring the huge ferns. It was like being in the jungle, such a completely different world. The pathway meandered deep into the forest. Mosquitoes brushed their limbs, although they didn’t bite, thanks to the repellent.

Arching palms and huge kauri trees towered over their heads, fantails flitting between the ferns. The curled fronds reminded her of his tattoo. She brushed it as they walked along the wooden walkway, her fingers tracing the curling black lines, and he looked at her, smiling. A spark jumped between them, quick as a camera flash, sharp as a bee sting, and her heartbeat quickened. She had him all to herself for four days, and she still couldn’t keep her hands off him.

She paused and leaned on the wooden rail, pretending to read a plaque, although her concentration was entirely centred on him. He left her side and crossed the walkway to read a display, coming to stand behind her, leaning a hand either side of her on the rail, his chest warm against her back.

Her heart thudded. It was so humid in the forest she could feel a trail of sweat between her breasts and down her back. His arms were a deep brown next to her pale skin, the muscles toned like carved and polished wood, the tattoo curling up like a fern wrapping around him. He oozed health and vitality and strength, making her realise how it must have been in prehistoric times when women looked for a man who could keep them safe, protect them and hunt for them. She could imagine him as a caveman, dragging her through the forest by her hair. Not that he was a Neanderthal—far from it. She knew she had underestimated him on first impression.

He leaned forward, looking at one of the plaques, and his chest and hips pressed against her. Her lips started to curve. “Is all the talk of logging and tree trunks turning you on?”

“I think it’s the thought of getting wood, actually.” He chuckled, his lips brushing her ear, turning her giggles to sighs as he sucked the lobe into his mouth and nibbled it.

He slid his left arm across her body, pulling her tight against him, his fingers finding her breast, stroking her nipple, while with his right hand he began to raise her long skirt, a handful at a time.

Her eyes widened. “Here? In public?”

“We’ll have to avoid all the crowds.” He glanced around and she followed his gaze, seeing only black tuis with the white bobble at their throats, and the beautiful turquoise-and-cream of a kingfisher flash in the undergrowth.

She rolled her eyes. “I know there’s nobody here now, but what if somebody turns up?”

“Well, you keep watch while I have a quickie.”

She started laughing, then caught her breath as his warm hand finally found her thigh, brushing up it and around to cup her bare bottom.

“No underwear again? You are a wicked girl.”

“Wicked’s my middle name.” She sighed as he pressed his hips against her. He was hard as a rock against her butt.

He moved his hand around her hips to her stomach, threading his fingers through her pubic hair, into the hot, wet centre of her. He gave a sexy laugh against her ear. “Oh my. It looks like I’m not the only one turned on today.” He slid two fingers deep inside her, making her inhale sharply, then moved them up, coated and slick, to rub against her.

She sighed out loud, leaning back against him as he stroked her, his touch gentle but insistent, his breath hot on her ear as he whispered to her all the things he wanted to do to her, making her blush, his hand growing wet with her arousal.

He groaned and for a brief moment pulled away. She heard the rustle of paper, and then seconds later felt his warmth at her back again, his arms sliding around her, enveloping her.

“You came prepared,” she said between gasps of breath.

“Always, when you’re around.” He pushed her legs apart and she lifted her hips, letting him slide into her in one smooth movement. Then he pulled her back into his arms, his left tight across her, playing with her nipple, his right hand delving back into her moist warmth, even as he started moving inside her.

Merle arched her back, pushing against him. His arms held her tightly, his fingers relentless, and she knew he wasn’t going to let her go until she came. The thought was enough to make her orgasm bloom, and she gasped as she felt her thighs and stomach begin to tighten.

“Neon…”

“I know, I can feel it. Come for me, baby.” He deepened his thrusts and she cried out as the wave swept over her, her internal muscles tightening in exquisite pulses, and then she felt him shudder and knew his own climax had taken him, and his palm pressed against her warm folds, pulling her against him as he swelled, hot and hard, inside her.

Afterward, he turned her into his arms, holding her tightly as her breathing began to slow. She nuzzled into him and he smiled, stroking her hair back off her forehead, kissing the top of her head. Suddenly he felt guilty for taking her right there, in the middle of the forest. Yes, it was exciting, but she deserved more than a quick shag because he felt horny. He wanted her in a bed where it was comfortable. He wanted her where she could lie back while he pleasured her, and not have to worry somebody was going to come around the corner.

“Come on.” He took her hand and led her slowly back up the path. They threaded through the walkway to the car, and he opened the door for her, getting in the other side.

He reversed out and set off back to town. Merle sat quietly, humming to herself, sleepy and relaxed, and he reached out and held her hand, wanting to touch her.

He put some music on the iPod and they drove listening to it for a while, not speaking, although he didn’t let go of her hand, and his mind was whirring. When they reached the main road, he put the car in park and turned in his seat.

“Do you want to go home yet?”

She checked the clock on the dashboard—it was nearly three o’clock. She shrugged. “I’m not desperate, but I don’t mind if you want to—you must be tired. I haven’t forgotten you were on nights yesterday.”

“Nah.” He smiled. “I only need four or five hours’ sleep. Okay, I’m taking you up to Mangonui. There’s the best fish and chip shop in New Zealand there, and beautiful views. I’ll continue your education on the Northland.” Seeing her smile and feeling a wave of happiness, he turned the car left and headed up toward Doubtless Bay.

As they drove, he asked her to tell him more about the subjects she taught at university. He’d sensed earlier she didn’t want to talk about her mother or her responsibilities back home, but he did want to know what she was interested in. She told him about the digs she’d trained on, and her favourite historical sites. She seemed thrilled when he revealed he had a secret fascination with armour and weaponry. They spent a pleasant half an hour or so talking about medieval wars and battle tactics, and the benefits of the longbow over the crossbow. It was not a conversation he could recall having had in the past. Nor could he imagine having it with any other woman. That thought made him frown.

Before long, they were pulling into the harbour where he parked right on the waterfront. They walked up to the fish and chip shop and he bought them hoki and chips and squid rings and prawns and a heap of other stuff, and laughed as she tried everything, grease running down her fingers and chin, squealing as he squirted her with lemon.

Afterward, they walked slowly past the shops back to the car, and when they got there, he put his arms around her and kissed her languidly, the sun warm on them, the smell of salt in the air.

He pulled back and looked at her. She sighed happily, smiling at him, reaching up to smooth a lock of his hair he realised must be sticking up. He turned his head and kissed her palm.

“Stay with me tonight,” he said before he could change his mind.

She looked up, her blue eyes wide. “Really?”

“Really. I want to make love to you slowly, lying in a soft bed without the risk of stones digging in my back. I must be getting old.”

She blinked slowly. “Make love?”

He hadn’t used the term before. It was the first time one of them had admitted they were doing more than having sex. His heart rate increased, but he decided to play it light. He didn’t want to scare her off. “Well, you know, shag, screw, fuck. It’s not like we’re engaged or anything.”

She laughed. “How could I resist such an invitation? Okay, Mr. Romantic, you’ve won me over.”

He tightened his arms around her. “Good.” He kissed her again. Why did he feel such a surge of pleasure at the thought of taking her home?

They got in the car and he drove them back along the state highway, holding her hand all the way. They sang to songs on his iPod. He felt ridiculously happy.

As they got nearer to Kerikeri, Merle frowned. “I’ll have to get some things from Bree’s.”

“What do you need? Don’t worry about clothes. You won’t be needing those.”

She nudged him. “Don’t embarrass me.”

He laughed. “How can I possibly embarrass you after what we’ve done?”

“I don’t know. You have a special knack.” She sighed. “I wish I could sneak in when she wasn’t there. She’s going to love this.”

“Jake said they were meeting friends at five. They’ll probably be out.”

“Good. We’ll go in and out, black ops.”

Shaking his head, laughing, he took the turn-off for Bree’s house, and before long they were pulling in the drive. Bree had given Merle a key and she let herself in. Following behind her, Neon heard her rustling in her bedroom, packing a small bag. Then she came out. “I’ll leave her a note,” she said, finding the back of an envelope and a pen. She wrote,
Staying with Neon. See you later. Stop smiling. BTW you owe me two hundred dollars.

His smile faded. “Two hundred bucks? What’s that for?”

“Oh, I loaned her some money a few days ago.” She smiled. “Come on.”

He followed her back out to the car, aware she was lying and was referring to the bet Jake had told him about. Was that all what this was about? Winning a bet with Bree?

Suddenly he remembered the bet he’d had with Jake. He hadn’t thought about it all day, but the memory of it made him uncomfortable. He couldn’t possibly be angry with her for doing the same thing.

She slid in the car beside him with her bag and clipped herself in. He did the same. She glanced across at him, but he didn’t say anything as he started the engine.

“Are you okay?”

“Fine.” He started to reverse.

“Neon.”

He stopped and looked across at her.

She frowned. “What’s up? Have you changed your mind?”

He studied her. Her eyes were carefully guarded, the way they were when her mind worked furiously, trying to puzzle him out. She had only been joking around with her sister. What the hell was wrong with him?

He smiled. “Of course not.” On impulse he leaned across and kissed her. Her mouth opened under his, her hand coming up to slide through his hair, and he thought of how she’d welcomed his touch in the forest, how she’d blushed when he whispered to her some of the things on his mind. Nothing mattered but these four days, nothing else was important, not Bree or Jake, not their parents, not Ella or anyone else from their past. It was just him and her, enjoying the moment until it was time to move on. Suddenly he was desperate to take her to his house, to get her on her own, on his territory.

“Come on.” He drew back. “I’m going to take you home.”

Chapter Ten

Neon drove along Bree’s road, halfway along taking a left turn into a quieter lane that wound toward the inlet. Merle glanced across at him and he smiled, and she felt a wave of relief. Back at Bree’s house, she’d been sure he’d had second thoughts about inviting her back, but it seemed his doubt had passed.

He slowed down and turned in to a long drive that meandered past an orchard filled with mandarin trees and then curled around in front of a long, low house.

“How long have you lived here?”

He parked and turned off the engine. “About six months. I had a flat in town before but it was quite small and…I like space.”

She got out, immediately smelling the lemon trees surrounding the property, and followed him up to the front door, carrying her bag. He opened the door and indicated for her to go in before him, and she walked into the house.

It was light and airy, the pale walls and light-coloured furniture adding to the feeling of space. The living room housed a sofa and chairs and a huge TV. The kitchen was brand new, and she could see bedrooms along the hall. The floor was polished wood, and the walls held several large, colourful abstract paintings.

She walked around the living room while he shut the door. She ran her fingers along the bookshelves, seeing books about rugby, surfing and history, especially the First and Second World Wars, and then bent to examine his DVD collection, smiling as she saw the seven seasons of
The West Wing
all lined up at the front.

She continued her perusal, aware he was watching her. An acoustic guitar stood on a stand by one of the armchairs. “You play guitar?”

“No, I like looking at it.”

She poked her tongue out at him, walking over to the window. A large area of lawn ran down the hill, disappearing into bush. A few metres up the path, she could see the railings of a swimming pool. “You have a pool?”