Night of the Senses Read online

  Chris hooted and howled. “Relax, dude. We’re in Florida. There are no earthquakes here, crazy man.”

  Evan tried to focus, but his eyes were still hazy. The ground felt steady now, and when he could see well enough to take inventory, nothing looked amiss. All the furniture still stood upright. All the pictures hung straight. All the windows were intact. No cracks wormed the walls. Feeling like an idiot, he raked his fingers through his sleep-tousled hair. “It must’ve been a dream.”

  Chris snapped his fingers high in the air over his head. “Wake up, man. I was shaking you. You’re supposed to meet with that Jordin chick in twenty minutes, remember? You’d better snap to it if you want to shower and change first.”

  Evan’s gaze flew to the clock seeing the truth of Chris’s statement. Damn! Why had he promised to meet her tonight? Thunder boomed outside the window and rain pelted with more fury than before he’d fallen to sleep. The cool breeze fluttered the curtains and caressed his naked flesh and all he wanted to do was make love to Chris for the rest of the night. He loved rainy nights languishing in bed, but he didn’t relish having to get drenched. “Call the front desk and tell them to have her wait.”

  He jumped in the shower for once not inviting his lover to join him. He knew he could never resist the temptation of Chris’s naked bod, and he didn’t have time to get horny again. After washing his hair, he spritzed it then towel dried and sprinted out naked, his dick wagging.

  “Unless you want me to fuck you again right here and now, you’d better hide that big luscious cock of yours,” Chris drawled as he sprawled naked on the bed, fondling his shaft and gazing longingly upon Evan’s penis.

  Flames shot up Evan’s belly, and he forced himself to look away and take several deep breaths to restore his equilibrium. He grabbed a dark blue Polo shirt and sporty shorts then slid his feet into a pair of bamboo flip flops he’d picked up the week before at Paradise’s gift shop. They were all the rage with the tourists this season.

  “Later, dude,” he muttered as the screen door slammed on his backside and as he still refused to look temptation in the eye.

  “You bet,” Chris drawled. “Hurry back, lover. Champagne’s chilling on ice, and we have chocolate-covered strawberries waiting. There’s extra chocolate we can drizzle all over each other’s cocks and lick off.”

  God, but he was about to say forget his interview, pivot on his heel, and march right back into the room and dive on top of his lover. The idea of ODing by chocolate consumed him, and it took all his willpower to keep moving forward. He hit his cell phone’s speed dial button to his favourite florist and ordered a bouquet of Chris’s favourite roses to be delivered the next day. It was almost their anniversary. Nothing was too good for the man of his dreams.

  Evan dashed through the big fat raindrops to the other building where Jordin waited in the hallway by his office, looking crisp and cool in a yellow sundress. The frock accentuated her whiter than white limbs, making her look like a charming ghost.

  “Come inside.” He held the door wide and closed it behind her. He checked out her slim, trim shape, her fad styling, and the perky bounce to her step, liking what he saw. On the surface anyway, she looked pretty, clean cut and polite enough—good employee material.

  He waited for her to take her seat then claimed his chair, facing her. An extraordinarily tall man, it always seemed he had to sink a long way into his seat. He linked his fingers in his lap to keep from twiddling his thumbs and bestowed what he hoped was a friendly, smile to put her at ease. “What brings you here? To Paradise, Florida, I mean. And where are you from?”

  He made a bet with himself it wasn’t the sunny south unless she was one of those people who abhorred the sun and cocooned themselves inside with AC.

  She laughed lightly and tucked her wavy, brown hair behind her ears. Then she treated him to her wide-eyed green gaze. She crossed her legs and cupped her knee in her hand. “Well, I’m originally from Anchorage, Alaska, but I attended college in Utah.”

  Alaska? Utah? That sounded like the other end of the world, practically another planet. He was in awe and did a double take. No wonder she seemed so different from the usual blasé tourists he met. “Wow! How’d you end up here, across the country?”

  She seemed to consider that for several moments then licked her shimmering lips. Again her hands mimed the words when she spoke. “Truth? I needed a break from the frigid arctic temps and the snow but mainly from my overbearing father.”

  He wondered why she spoke sign language when she so obviously could hear him. Unless she was an expert in reading lips. He was curious to see her employee application and find out more about her. Meanwhile, he was fascinated by the way she waved her hands about. Having taken a couple semesters of sign language in high school for his language credit, he was surprised that he still remembered most of the words. He’d only used it on the rare occasion that a deaf guest checked in and that hadn’t happened in more than a year. Sympathising, he nodded. “I have an overbearing parent, only in my case, it’s my mother.”

  With a conspiratorial, not totally happy expression Jordin leaned forward. “Does she try to tell you who to date? Who to marry? Where to worship?”

  Now that he had a better look at her, he was fascinated by her eyes. Twin suns sparked out from her irises, adding an exquisite dimension to her wide eyes. He revised his opinion of the colour. They weren’t merely an ambiguous green but a breath-taking evergreen-amber-hazel combination. As she moved around, the size of the amber suns grew larger or diminished to tiny rays spoking out. He could drown in those eyes.

  Surprised at the direction of his thoughts, he shook himself. The only eyes he wanted to drown in were his partner’s.

  “Oh, yeah,” he drawled, bringing himself back to the topic under discussion. His dear old mom hated Chris or more the idea of him. And she made no attempt to hide her disappointment of his sexual orientation and his ‘bad choices’. Either way, the end results were the same. “She used to push women at me, mainly, her friends’ daughters. She still can’t get it in her head that I’m an adult who makes his own decisions and runs his own love life.”

  Jordin nodded emphatically as if in total sync. “My dad and your mom must’ve been twins, separated at birth. It’s not fun, is it? I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to get out from under his control before he suffocated me. If I stayed, he and his church would run the rest of my life. If I join his church, it has to be because I believe in it not him.”

  She bounced her foot around midair, frowning at it. When her hands got into their momentum, it was a juggling act just to watch her. “Anyway, I’m sure there’s something here I can help you with. I worked in a diner as a waitress while I was in high school. I’m a whiz at running a register.”

  He jotted notes on his pad. He did more doodling than honest to God note taking. Still fascinated by her eyes, he sketched them but grimaced that he didn’t do them justice. Never had he seen such amazing eyes. “You said you went to college. What was your major? Where’d you go?” It was too much to hope for a restaurant-hotel management grade, but he did nonetheless.

  Jordin inhaled deeply and linked her fingers to control her wayward hands. It was an occupational hazard that she couldn’t keep them still. She’d spoken with her hands so often, she practically thought with them. Some people typed, she signed. In her case, she’d learned it long before formal school of any kind. “I have a degree in teaching sign language and working with the deaf. Unfortunately, there’s not a plethora of jobs. Fortunately, my minor is in business, which I hope is more marketable.” As much as she’d questioned her dad and his church, she’d learned to have backups and be prepared. She not only kept food storage for emergencies but planted her fruit trees in prep for the future. She let her gaze wander around the room then let it wander out the window to the rain-drenched beach. Even when raining, the tropical paradise appealed to her. She was so very tired of the dreary, snowy days and chapped lips. The lack of sunlight drove
her craziest of all. If she had to spend another winter in Alaska, she’d be certifiable. She craved bright, sunny days. “Maybe this is my forte. I won’t know ‘til I try.”

  He didn’t have any management positions open nor did he foresee any. He was happy with his management staff, and they seemed content. Who would want to give up a sojourn in Paradise? Deep in thought, trying to figure out where to put her, he tapped his pen on the desk. Her eyes glittered at the last sentence, and her lips parted. He hadn’t forgotten her offer to waitress, but he wasn’t sure if she would really be content with such menial labour. Then he decided she wasn’t planning a career in Paradise, just a summer’s break. “Would you be willing to work your way up, start with something a bit beneath your training? Learn the ropes?”

  Her eyes glowed, and she scooted forward on her chair and put her elbows on his desk. “You bet I would. Does that mean you’ll give me a chance? I can start right away. It’s getting late so I need to get a room if they’re not already all rented.” She grimaced at her animated hands and tucked them beneath her legs.

  Her enthusiasm was catching, and he couldn’t help but smile at the pretty female. “I think we can fit you in. We do a pretty brisk business. Can you start as a waitress tomorrow, on the evening shift? I’ll have my night manager, Zoe, get you set up with a room. Report to the Conch Cafe at 2:30 p.m. and ask for Rochelle.”

  Excitement flashing in her eyes, she jumped out of her chair so fast it crashed to the floor. She winced but pumped his hand. “Thank you. You won’t regret this. I’m a really hard worker. I won’t let you down.”

  He eyed her more soberly as she picked up the chair and shrugged prettily.

  “There won’t be any vigilante daddies gunning for us, will there?” That’s all he needed.

  Amusement fanned out from the corners of her eyes and a matching smile bubbled on her lips. “Oh, no. My dad doesn’t believe in violence. He’s very religious and God-fearing.”

  “Uh huh.” In his experience, religious nuts were often just the ones you had to watch out for the most. He had trouble holding his judgment and his breath and wondered if it was too late to have second thoughts.

  Chapter Two

  Jordin snuggled up to Evan, inhaling his sexy essence, ecstatic to be near him. Still in awe that he didn’t move away or flinch when she sidled up to him, she ran the flats of her palms across his broad shoulders and then down his powerful arms. He was so soft yet hard, his silky flesh stretched over his tight tendons and well-honed glutes.

  Her normal type of man was tall, dark and handsome, the darker the hair and eyes, the better. Being tall and broad-shouldered, Evan only met one of her qualifications. His eyes were the bright blue of a swimming pool on a sunny afternoon. His hair was the same hue as the Gulf shore sands with a healthy dose of sunlight streaked through. Despite not being her usual type, his brand of handsomeness made her so hot she was on fire. She’d make an exception for the cutie and never look at a dark-haired man again, no matter how handsome, not even if he was a Greek god.

  A sensual smile played around his lips, one she was sure was a perfect match to her own. He scrunched his shoulders and rolled his head. “Um. Don’t stop.”

  Longing for much more, but light-headed just from touching him, she murmured, “Don’t stop what?” She leaned closer, wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed her cheek against his.

  “Touching me.”

  Taking that as an invitation, she nibbled his ear then ran the tip of her tongue along the rim of his lobe. “Will all night be long enough?” She yearned to drag it out for eternity. One night would never be enough, yet she’d take what she could get and do her best to make him want more as much as she did.

  “You taste so yummy.” Gingerbread, chocolate, or Chinese food couldn’t trump his flavour. One taste and she was hopelessly addicted. “I could eat you all up.”

  He twisted around then lifted her up and onto his lap as if she were lighter than a pillow. His arms stole around her middle, trapping her, and crushed her to him.

  His cock, swollen and urgently pressing against her, made her squirm. Her pussy was so wet he had to feel her moist heat. She quaked so bad he had to know he had the same effect on her she was having on him.

  He lowered his head and let his lips hover a kiss away. “Who’s stopping you, darlin’?”

  “Is that an invitation?” Her voice came out so husky, so sultry, it was a purr. She lifted her lips until they were only a hair’s width apart. She so wanted to know his kisses, to call him hers, to be his. But she wanted him to initiate their first kiss…if there was to be one.

  The wait was torturous. Pure exquisite agony. But she waited, staring so deeply into his eyes she was in danger of drowning.

  Finally, he said, “Most definitely.”

  She wanted him badly, felt wanton, and her pussy ached for his touch she ground her hips against his. Unable to stand it any longer, feeling the magnetic pull, she closed the gap and drank from his lips. Deeply, so deeply, she exposed her heart and bared her very soul.

  Against his lips, she moaned her pleasure. She gave her fingers permission to sift through his silky hair, to feather over his hard muscles then run down his back. She longed to feel naked flesh against naked flesh, to know his complete possession, to earn his love and devotion.

  She lost herself, becoming one with him as she had never been with another. Hot, so hot she was going to go up in smoke if she didn’t get some relief, she tugged his shirt out of his pants, over his head and burrowed against him. His heart hammered against hers and they beat in sync.

  She licked her way from his chest up his throat to his jaw. Then, as she moulded her breasts to him, she nibbled her way to his lips. Against them, she murmured, “I want you so very badly.”

  With a primitive growl, he plundered her lips. His hands slipped under her shirt, unsnapped her bra then crept around to her breasts. He took their fullness in his hands and tweaked her nipples between his thumbs.

  Slowly, inexorably, he drove her insane, and she strained to be closer. Unable to breathe, she tore away from his lips and gulped in air. His scent inebriated her, and she dragged in more of it. She knew she could never get enough, would never be satisfied with just one night. She longed for this to stretch into forever.

  Ravenous, desperate to be one with him, she insinuated her hand between his pants and warm flesh. The snap of his slacks popped open, and she helped the zipper whoosh down the rest of the way. Impatient and eager, she pushed down the offending cloth to reveal his powerful thighs.

  “Eager little minx, aren’t you?” When Evan squirmed out of his underwear, he made her perform gymnastics so as not to get dumped on the floor.

  “I’m not the only one.” She gave her smile permission to blossom, to curve up on one side. Coyly batting her lashes, she said, “It would be boring with only one.”

  “I’m not boring, darlin’. Not at all.” Evan set about proving his point, tearing the rest of her clothes off with his teeth and with a howl, flinging them across the room.

  Her pussy clenched, and she thrilled to his mastery. She let her hands roam him as his roamed her. She sought his long, hard cock and reverently ravished it with her hands.

  But that wasn’t enough. No not nearly, so wantonly, she ground her hips against his. His cock felt so hard, so good against her, but she craved more. She needed it inside her before she went crazy, before she went up in a wisp of smoke. Insanity threatening her, she wrapped her fingers around his thick girth and pulled it to her. She spread her legs wide and tilted her hips in unmistakable invitation.

  Quivering so badly she knew the earth must be shaking beneath them, she huskily murmured, “What are you waiting for?”

  His hands spanned her waist, and he dragged her to him. With one long, smooth stroke, his cock plunged into her and filled her pussy.

  Wildfire licking through her veins, she impaled herself on him and lost herself in the ancient lovers’ dance. Ecstasy poured t
hrough her and she gave herself over to the mindless pleasure.

  Their souls mingled and coherent thought fled. She was a conduit of pleasure desperately seeking more.

  Lightning struck several times in rapid succession then its thunder shook her to her core. She clung to him, digging in her nails so she wouldn’t tumble into off the edge of the earth.

  Each exquisite touch stoked her fire higher until it reached the heavens. And then it went beyond, encompassing the entire universe. Uncontrollable shivers racked her, and moaning, she clutched him and clung for mercy.

  His strokes became wilder, unmerciful and mind-numbing, and she was sucked into a whirlpool of emotions she was helpless to escape. Nor did she want to. If this was drowning, she wanted to drown in him forever.

  A shrill, foreign sound ripped into her dreams, blasting them apart. Evan evaporated as if he’d never existed. Only the fading rapture attested to her dream.

  Cursing the damned nuisance, she desperately clung to the vestiges of her fantasies. But they faded far too fast as if they’d never happened, leaving her sad and shivering.

  She glared at the phone several moments, wishing it dead before the fog of her stupor lifted, then she dove for it. Too late, she heard the tell-tale beep that it was going into voice mail. She checked it and, when she saw her father’s number, grimaced. It figured he’d be the one to drag her out of Evan’s arms.

  Sighing, not in the mood to deal with his typing service, she leaned back and texted him. Even thousands of miles away, her father had a way of ruining her romantic encounters.

  * * * *

  Later that afternoon, Jordin giddily danced around on air. She thanked the heavens for her new job. Working as a waitress, she was in an excellent position to check out all the men who came in, and they’d never suspect her daddy was loaded and she was due to inherit half his wealth. Plus she’d get to lounge on the sunny white shores all day and get a tan to make everybody back home in Alaska oh so jealous.