The Revenge Game (The Player's Pact) Read online

  “You found the bar,” she said.

  He turned and held the glass out toward her. “It’s for you. I don’t want to impair my performance.”

  “You?” she said. “Never.”

  “You, on the other hand…” He approached and handed her the glass. “You could stand to relax a bit.”

  She sipped the drink. She’d normally have a different style of martini than the standard gin and vermouth, but he couldn’t have known that. She’d been too young for strong spirits when they’d been lovers. “Are my nerves obvious?”

  “Not to anyone else. Only I can see through the cautious facade you’re wearing.”

  “Cautious?” She took another sip of the martini and then set it on a nearby table. “I think you did away with that title back at the reception.”

  “If not cautious, then maybe ‘stiff’ is a better word,” he said. “You have to be both in business.”

  “We’re not talking business now, are we?”

  One of his eyebrows quirked upward. “Did you want to?”

  “I want a great many things, but not that.” She went to him and unfastened his tie. “At least, not now.”

  She’d never seen him dressed like this before. When he’d worked for her father, he’d either worn his chauffeur’s uniform or blue jeans. He’d filled out, too, maturing into a man’s body. When she had the tie off, she unbuttoned his shirt to expose his chest. It was a solid wall of muscle. She nestled up to him, burying her nose in the smattering of hairs there. He smelled like soap and the scent that was unique to Adam. It took her back, as if ten years had gone by in a few seconds. She nearly groaned at the pure pleasure of breathing him in again.

  This was her Adam—the man who could take her apart with his fingers. The man who could make her climax the very first time they’d had sex. He’d given her an orgasm at the reception, and she’d already grown wet, anticipating having him inside her for the next one. How had she done without his lovemaking for all this time?

  “We’re not going to get anywhere this way,” he said as he pulled the tails of his shirt out of his pants.

  “We have all night.”

  “I’m not as patient as you.”

  He tipped her head up to his and kissed her. Not gently this time, but with authority. His lips urged hers apart and played with them until she had to close her eyes in surrender. She wrapped her arms around him, digging her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. This was a prelude to heaven, and she’d savor every moment of it. The taste and feel of him… It was more intoxicating than the drink he’d made for her. In no time at all, her mind was swimming with sensual overload, and she could only hold on for the ride.

  He lowered his mouth to her neck and nipped along the length to her shoulder, then moved back up to her ear, where he groaned right into it.

  “For the love of God, Nicole,” he whispered. “Ten whole years.”

  “Never mind that now.”

  “I have to make up for ten years in one night,” he said.

  He’d have a lot more than one night, but she wasn’t telling him that. They’d have enough time together for him to forget his plan to sink her company. But that would remain her secret for the present. Right now, she needed him inside her. And he’d been right. This was taking too long.

  While he continued caressing her neck, she unbuckled his belt and unfastened the button at the top of his fly. When she pulled the zipper down and eased his pants and boxers over his hips, his sex came free, falling into her hand. Already stiff, it was as long and thick as even her most heated memories.

  How it had frightened her the first time she’d seen it, not knowing how something so large could possibly go into her body. But he’d taken his time and made her so hot with wanting, she’d forgotten her fear. It had hurt for a few seconds, but then…oh…the bliss. She’d have that again now.

  She grasped his shaft and pumped, and now he was the one to tremble.

  “Holy crap,” he said. “Careful.”

  “Always. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt this.”

  “Damn it, Nicole, that’s not what I meant.” He pushed her hand away and bent his head. His shoulders moved as he worked for breath. She couldn’t help but smile with female pride that she could move him so deeply. He’d acquired a reputation as a player, a guy who definitely got around. He’d had a series of rather public affairs with beautiful women. He must have had sex lately, but the touch of her hand had obviously set him off. Good.

  After a bit, he looked up at her. “You’re still fully dressed.”

  “You can fix that.”

  He toed out of his shoes and bent to remove his pants completely. Then, still wearing his shirt, he reached out to take one of the spaghetti straps of her negligee and smoothed it down her arm. The action freed her breast.

  He touched it almost reverently, running his thumb over the nipple. Already hard, the sensitive peak sent a wave of pleasure through her, connecting to her crotch and even the hollows behind her knees. When he bent and took it into his mouth, the world shifted the same way it had at their first kiss. She had to catch his head for balance. The heat and wetness of his mouth sent her back to warm afternoons when he’d taught her about her own body and its response. He’d given her her first orgasm and followed it by delivering many, many more. And now her sex was throbbing, starting the climb to yet another climax.

  She let out a long “ahhh” and swayed.

  With a soft chuckle, he straightened, realizing, no doubt, that he held as much power over her as she did over him. She’d never hidden her response to his touch, and she had no reason to do so now. So, when he bunched up her negligee in his hands, she lifted her arms to let him remove it. Totally naked, she stood and let him stare at her.

  The heat of lust entered his eyes as his gaze wandered over her. “You’re even more beautiful than I remembered.”

  “Thank you.” What else did you say when the man you once loved looked at you as if you were a treasure?

  He shucked out of his shirt and reached for her hand. When she gave it to him, he led them to the king-size bed. Neither of them bothered with the covers but lay on the comforter—she on her back and he propped up on one elbow beside her. It was the same position they’d been in when he’d kissed her for the first time. Tonight, they wouldn’t stop at a few kisses.

  He ran his large hand over her from her chin down to her breast and then over her ribs to her belly. His tanned arm made quite a contrast with her paler skin. She let him explore, just watching while he slid his fingers into the curls between her legs. Moisture collected there, and when he found it, he smiled.

  “You’re so hot,” he said.

  “Adam…”

  “Especially here.” He parted her lips and touched her clitoris. Hot? Oh, yes, she was hot. He could make her that way in an instant. He continued rubbing, until every nerve ending came alive. As she closed her eyes to concentrate on the movement of his fingers, he bent over her and took a nipple into his mouth. The combined pressure of his mouth and hand set her whole body on fire. It was so good. So damned, freaking good.

  She didn’t swear, but only the strongest words could describe the way he made her feel, as if she was soaring, floating on waves that lapped at that spot between her legs. Soon, one would crash over her and slam her into orgasm. Just a little more of his mouth tugging at her nipple and his fingers playing with her clitoris, and she wouldn’t have to wait long.

  Then, he rubbed her harder and faster, and she climaxed with a rush. All the air seemed squeezed out of her, but she managed to shout as her inner muscles convulsed. He kept with her, drawing out the ecstasy until she sagged against the bed.

  Finally, she could breathe again as he gathered her against him, tucking her head under his chin. She hadn’t misremembered how he could make her feel. She simply didn’t climax that way with anyone else. She never had, and now she’d have to face the fact she never would. Adam truly owned her body. And lucky for her,
he hadn’t finished with her yet.

  …

  Damn, but the woman turned him on. Adam held Nicole to allow her a little afterglow before he finally gave himself some relief. How many times had she snuggled against him like this after climaxing? After all this time, he couldn’t possibly count all the orgasms he’d given her back then, including her very first. Each one had been precious to him—proof that he was a good enough lover for her—proof that she trusted him.

  As for her—good enough for him? Better than anyone else he’d had before or since, and that remained true. No more than just the feel of her hand on him had almost set him off. He was going to have to find some control if he wanted to make her come again, and he was definitely going to do that.

  She was so much like the young woman he’d fallen in love with all those years ago, still a bit uncertain about her appeal. But she’d also grown into full womanhood, even running her father’s company now. He’d be doing her a favor by taking that money-sucking pit off her hands. She wasn’t going to see it that way, of course. They’d have to deal with that problem later on. They wouldn’t fall in love again. There were too many hurt feelings there. While he’d been working his ass off in graduate school to make himself into the man she deserved, she’d become engaged to someone else. He wasn’t sticking his neck out for her again. But if she wanted some fun in bed, he could supply that.

  She stirred, stretching and propping herself on his chest so she could look into his face. She wore the hazy smile of a woman who’d just had a really good climax—one he’d given her.

  “You haven’t lost your touch,” she said.

  “There’s more where that came from.”

  She let out a wicked laugh, definitely not like the innocent he’d known ten years ago. Then she touched her lips to his and nibbled on the lower one.

  “So that’s how it’s going to be.” He flipped them over so she was on her back and he was looking down at her. Then he kissed her again, claiming her mouth over and over. Twining her arms around him, she responded as if he were her first meal after fasting for a week. Their breaths mingled as their tongues touched. All the while, his erection throbbed, pillowed against her thigh.

  She could literally drive him out of his mind with lust. At this point, a selfish lover would shove into her and thrust until he’d finished. But if her arousal matched his—if he could make her come before him—how much sweeter the eventual orgasm would be. He had one sure way of accomplishing that, but he’d better be prepared before he started.

  He pushed himself up and off her so he could get to his wallet.

  “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “Protection.”

  She pointed toward the bedside table. “In the drawer.”

  “Really?” He opened the drawer and found a whole box of condoms. Very handy, but that brought up the question of why she had them there. And why so many? Did she routinely bring men to this very bed?

  Oh hell, no. He was not going down that route. Who she slept with was none of his business, just as his sex life was none of hers. They were here for a one-night stand. Then tomorrow, it would be business as usual.

  He opened a packet and put the condom on, only to find her staring at him.

  “What?” she said.

  “Nothing.” Then he covered her again, taking most of his weight on his arms. She could have other men if she wanted, but he was going to burn the images of their bodies fitted together into her memory so deep she’d never get it out.

  That settled, he began a slow process of covering her with kisses, starting at her mouth and then her jaw and then along her neck and down. When he got to her breasts, he lavished the one he’d neglected earlier, and it was just as sweet as the other. She responded as she had before, with a sigh of pleasure and sliding her fingers into his hair.

  But he had even better places to go. So, he released her nipple and continued kissing down her torso to her belly. By now, she had to have guessed his intention, and she parted her legs to make room for him to work. Still, he lingered where he was, letting the anticipation build. He did stroke the lips of her sex, though, to reinforce what was about to happen.

  Finally, he gave up teasing her and eased his shoulders between her legs, bringing his mouth to her sex. Her clitoris was already hard, so he licked it and received her answering gasp. Yes, that was the spot.

  As he continued loving her with his mouth, his mind returned to the first time she’d allowed him to do this. In his bed, above her father’s garage. It hadn’t been nearly as luxurious as this stateroom, and she’d climaxed so hard she’d cried afterward. Not sobs, just tears he’d felt against his chest as he’d held her after. At the time, her reaction had only confused him.

  Her reaction now was quite simple—it was that of a woman becoming highly aroused. She tasted like honey, so he continued stroking her most sensitive spot. She was getting closer. He could finish her this way, but that would only postpone their eventual coupling, and he’d been patient enough.

  “Adam,” she called. “I want you. Please.”

  What a woman. He shifted, lifting himself over her with the tip of his sex between her lips. One surge drove him home inside her.

  Just like always, she was pure heaven, so tight and hot around him. He pulled nearly out and plunged back into her as deep as he could go. Then he started thrusting, hard and fast. He’d already gone past any possibility of gentle exploration. He needed this woman—all of her—right now.

  She seemed as moved as he was. Wrapping her legs around him, she lifted her hips to meet each thrust. Neither of them seemed to get enough of each other. And all the while, the pressure built inside him, an orgasm already coiling in his sac. This was going to be a really powerful one. All he needed was hers to make it complete. And for that, he had to hold on—just hold on for another minute. He could do it. He had to.

  Still, his body wouldn’t stop. It was on automatic pilot now, driving him to the end. The bed shook with the force of their movements. He raised himself up on his fists for better leverage, still pumping.

  After what felt like forever, she gave him the sign. The rising cry that signaled her climax. Her muscles tightened around him and then broke into spasms as she shouted. She finished him. His orgasm rushed through him with the force of a freight train. He climaxed in wave after wave. His mind went blank as his voice joined hers. Exquisite. Unbelievable.

  When it ended, he barely had the strength to roll off her, but she remained in his arms as they lay side by side, both breathing heavily.

  Holy crap. Even better than it used to be with her. Better than any lover or lovers he’d had since, and he’d tried a lot of different tricks. Somehow, she made sex supernatural.

  How did she do this to him? He’d loved her, and she’d betrayed him. He’d hated her…no, hated her father…no, he’d hated both of them. And now here he was, lying next to her in the perfect peace and relaxation only a world-class orgasm could create.

  How in hell had he gotten here?

  Chapter Three

  Sunlight woke Adam up, and a cool breeze greeted him. He sat up and looked around him. Right. He’d gone to Nicole’s yacht with her after the wedding reception, and after that incredible sex, he hadn’t had the energy to think about going home. Now the sun was way above the horizon. He couldn’t believe it—he’d slept through the night. He never did that. He also never slept past dawn.

  The other side of the bed was empty, and the door to the boat’s fantail was open, which explained the breeze. She was probably out there now…and he needed to figure out what he’d say to her. This was only supposed to be one night, for old time’s sake. But that didn’t make the goodbye any less awkward.

  He threw back the covers and sat up, resting his legs over the side of the bed. His clothes lay in a heap where he’d taken them off, so he went over and pulled on his boxers and pants. No way was he going to open a closet to see if she had an assortment of men’s robes in there. The cond
oms had been enough to make him feel possessive. He didn’t need any more reminders that she’d moved on.

  When he went to the fantail, he found her sitting on a deck chair near a small table, a cup of coffee in her hand. He discovered something else. The harbor had disappeared.

  What the hell? “Where are we, Nicole?”

  “Good morning to you, too,” she answered. “There’s coffee, and I put out a mug for you.”

  There was a carafe on the table, alongside an empty mug. He might even drink some…after she told him where in blue blazes they were.

  “Where are we?” he repeated, carefully enunciating each word for emphasis.

  “We’re on our way to McKee Island,” she answered. As if that was supposed to mean anything.

  “And where on God’s green earth is that?”

  “It’s one of the larger barrier islands off the South Carolina coast,” she said. “It was named after the pirate William McKee. He hid out in a cove there, and legend has it, he buried treasure there, although no one’s ever found it.”

  “Thanks for the lessons, but I did not agree to go with you to some damned island.”

  She stared out to sea and sipped her coffee. Her lips might have curled into a smile. “Have some coffee. It’ll improve your mood.”

  “Damn it all to hell.” He went back into the bedroom and found his cell phone in his jacket pocket. He’d call the office and order a helicopter to pick him up on McKee Island. But the phone didn’t have any bars. When he tried opening his internet browser, he also got nothing but a progress line that didn’t go anywhere. He could use the thing for a paperweight but not a lot more.

  “There are no cell towers out here,” she called.

  He tossed the phone on the bed and went back outside. “You know you’ve kidnapped me, right?”

  She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “Are you going to turn me in?”

  Damn. Of course he wasn’t. “I’m not going to get you arrested.”