What Happens in Mexico...Stays in Mexico

Chapter Four

Losing his temper hadn’t been a good idea.  Now Sharra wouldn’t talk to him at all.  In fact, she wouldn’t even look at him.  After he’d made his announcement of how he’d treat the woman he loved, her eyes had softened, and for a moment he’d thought she might even kiss him.  But then her lips had tightened, and without warning, she punched him again in the stomach.  When he’d released her to catch his breath, she’d darted away and disappeared into the crowd.  It was only his quick reflexes that had allowed him to catch up with her.

Now they were striding side by side down the sidewalk and if the worried looks from passing tourists were any indication, they both must look mad enough to spit nails.  Matt knew he was.  Hell, he had a right to be.  Treating him like that when all he was trying to do was help.  Her ex-fiancé was an ass.  And wouldn’t any man be pissed if his wife was getting calls like that from another man?

He ground his teeth together at the thought.  Damn it.  Sharra should know she was better off without that bozo.  She should be fucking appreciative that he’d married her and saved her from that moron.

His steps faltered and he swore inwardly.  Damn it.  Matt shook his head at his folly.  He’d done it again.  Forgotten they weren’t really married.  What was it about Sharra that kept making him wish it was for real?  He didn’t want to get married.  The bachelor life was just fine with him.  He could come and go as he pleased and he didn’t have to worry about anyone else.  Least of all a hot-tempered red head with eyes as blue as the tropical sea and a mouth that seemed to bring him to boiling just by a touch.

Too many ties there.  He could just feel it.

Glancing over, he saw her set face and sighed again.  The thing was, he had to get back in her good graces.  He had a job to finish and as much as he hated to say it…he needed her. Sonofabitch…when had it all gotten so complicated?

When she head Matt clear his throat, everything in Sharra went tense.  She felt as if she might shatter, she was still so angry.  All she knew was if she’d had a gun, she would have shot Matt right between the eyes.  Then she would have taken the next plane home and done the same to Frank.

Men were all jerks.

“I’m sorry, honey.”

Matts rough voice made her jump.  Tears burned in her eyes.  Damn!  That wasn’t fair either.  She wanted to be angry for a while longer.  What he had done had hurt and infuriated her.  He had no call to be apologizing now.  She was just getting into a good mad.

“I mean it, babe.  I am sorry.  I was jealous and I didn’t like how he was treating you.  But you’re a big girl.  You could have handled it yourself.”

She was mellowing.  She could feel it…that little bit of warmth around her sore heart.  He sounded just sincere enough to make her believe he really meant it.  But that didn’t mean she’d let him off the hook that easy.  Turning, she glared at him.

“If you didn’t like what Frank was doing, then why did you do the same thing?

Matt stopped and stared at her.  She held back a smile with an effort.  This time it was him doing the wide mouth guppy thing.

“Me?  What the hell you talking about?  I’m nothing like that bastard!”

She jerked to a halt, whirling around to glare at him.  “Oh really?  Seems you two are a lot alike to me.  You both enjoy telling what to do, you want to make decisions for me and you act like an arrogant know it alls.”

His face went red and she watched as his jaw started to tic.  But she didn’t back down.  She was damn tired of the men in her life treating her like an ignorant two year old. 

“All I was trying to do was protect you.”  Matt’s eyes flashed.  “No one should talk to the woman he loves like that.  And,” his cheeked went even ruddier, “I was jealous, okay?  He’s got history with you and I don’t.  You know him, but we’re still strangers.  We might be married, but we’re just discovering each other.  I didn’t want him to fuck that up.  I wanted you to myself.  But I handled it all wrong.  I mean it, babe.  I’m sorry.”

Sharra crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him.  He seemed sincere, but she had experience in dealing with men who said one thing and then did another.  Her father had taught her early not to believe everything he said. But Matt seemed so different than her father.  More solid and dependable.  And he was trying to be honest with her.  For Sharra, that meant everything.  She hated liars.

 When her eyes softened again, something in Matt relaxed.  It had been a close one, but it looked as if she was going to give him another chance.  Taking his life into his hands, he stepped forward and slid his arms around her.

“Forgive me?” he asked simply.

With a sigh, her head dropped to his shoulder.  “I guess I have to.  Being angry in this heat takes too much out of you.”

He brushed his lips over her forehead.  “Then I’ve got an idea for you.  How about we go back to the hotel and get our suits on.  We can have a drink and a swim, and if I remember right, there is a restaurant right there by the pool.  We can have dinner too.”

A gusty sigh feathered across his throat sending fire trailing down to his cock.  “A swim sounds good.”

Matt gritted his teeth.  She’s just a job.  She’s just a job.  The mind-chant didn’t seem to be heard by the lust raging through his body.  But he was pretty sure if he tossed up her skirts right there on the sidewalk and did what he wanted to, not only would dinner be off, but he’d be out on his ear faster than a bum asking for handouts at the Waldorf.

* * *

“This is nice.”  Sharra leaned back in her lounge chair and sipped at the big fuzzy drink he’d ordered for her.  The mini parasol was now stuck above her ear, giving her a slightly exotic look.  “I guess I just needed to relax.”

Matt smiled at the picture she made.  Damn, she was a beautiful woman.  When she’d stepped out of the bathroom wearing a miniscule bikini, his tongue had all but fell out of his mouth.  After he’d scooped it back in, he’d muttered something about getting down to the pool so they wouldn’t miss their reservation.  He had to get her out of the bedroom fast before he did something he probably wouldn’t regret, but would definitely screw up any chance of using her to get the formula back where it belonged.

Now, seeing her stretched out on the chaise, so relaxed and tan, her long legs glowing with suntan oil and her firm round breasts peeking out of the blue-green bikini halter, he wondered if he was still drooling. 

He was glad they were surrounded by other people.  Otherwise he might do something crazy, like drag her into his arms and kiss her until she couldn’t breathe.  He’d even made sure after their quick swim he’d stayed in the pool and away from her.  It also helped to hide his ever-present erection.  Though the cold water sure didn’t seem to help cool the fire inside him.

Now, he leaned on the side of the pool, his arms crossed on the lip, his legs kicking slightly to keep himself afloat.  “It does feel good, doesn’t it?”  He tipped back his beer and took a long swallow.  “Almost worth getting hot for.”

Sharra giggled and twirled her straw.  “I should still be mad at you, but I’m enjoying myself too much.”

“A few more of those and you’ll forget you were mad.”

Her eyes sobered.  “I think not.  It was drinking that got me into this, remember?”

Matt swore inwardly.  Last thing he wanted to do was make her self-conscious again.  And since he couldn’t tell her the truth about the bartender doctoring her drink, he had to let her think she had drunk too much.  The lie all but choked him, making the taste of the beer go bitter.  It was getting harder and harder to lie to Sharra.

Damn if that didn’t fuck things up even more.

“Thank you for dinner.”

He blinked at the soft words, then smiled.  “You’re my wife.  Feeding you is what a husband is supposed to do.”

Troubled blue eyes met his.  “It still doesn’t feel real.  Being married I mean.  It’s like a hole in my memory.  I wish I could remember.”

His gut twisted.  Damn it, she was doing it again.  Making him feel guilty.  Cursing under his breath, he levered himself out of the pool and went to her.  Sitting down by her side, he bent and dropped a kiss on her trembling mouth.

“I hope the time we’ve spent together today helps.  We had a good time.  Well…” remembering their fight on the sidewalk, he grinned ruefully, “at least most of it was good.”

The sheepish grin on his face made Shanna’s stomach dance with nerves.  He could be infuriating, arrogant and confusing, but there was something about Matt that touched her deep inside.  Something that drew her no matter what the circumstances.  Was that what had made her fling caution to the wind and marry him?  The awareness that shivered through her each time he was near?  This curling desire that grew stronger the closer they got to each other?

Her body warmed and it wasn’t from the fading sun.  It was Matt.  He was the cause and this time she couldn’t put the blame on the tequila.  Engaged or not…married or not, this man made her feel things she’d never felt before.  And a part of her yearned to be reminded of what she had forgotten.

What she was feeling must have been visible on her face, because Matt’s eyes darkened to pewter.  His breathing thickened and his shoulders tensed.  Very slowly, as if waiting for her to object, he bent and his mouth covered hers.  But this kiss was different.  It wasn’t playful, or fierce, or even dominating.

This was seduction, plain and simple.

She melted beneath it, feeling as if her will was being drawn from her by his skillful lips.  His work roughened hand skimmed up her arm to knead gently at the back of her neck and hold her still.  Her nerve endings fired and she quivered at his touch, wanting…needing more.  When he nipped at her lower lip, she gasped, and with a groan of satisfaction, he delved inside.

His taste was dark and masculine and filled with secrets that Shanna longed to discover answers to.  Without even being aware of it, her arms lifted to wrap around his waist, bringing their bodies flush together.  The hard length of his erection pulsed against her belly, and she felt her own body respond in kind.  Liquid heat flared in her breasts, and her quim went wet and needy.  A part of her was shocked at the ease in which Matt was able to make her want him, but the other part didn’t care.  That part just wanted him closer.  It was that part she listened to now.

She wriggled against him, feeling his shudder, hearing his indrawn breath as her hip rubbed against his hard cock.  His hand tightened on her neck and the kiss became more desperate, yet still filled with the seductive power of a man who knew just how to tease the emotions from a woman.

The last bit of the wall between them crumbled as Shanna gave in to the need racing through her.  That he could make her feel this way with just a kiss amazed her.  She arched up against him, reveling in the strength of his firm body, wishing she could pull him down on top of her.  She was tired of pretending.  Tired of wondering…what if. 

And if she had her way, she wouldn’t be wondering much longer.

“Christ!”  Matt tore his lips away and put his forehead against hers.  “Damn, woman!  That almost got out of hand.”  He couldn’t help but pull her closer.  He loved the feeling of her body against him even though they were both sticky with sweat and the drink Sharra had spilled when he grabbed her to him.

“Maybe…maybe we should go back to our room.”

The words were said shyly, but to Matt they had the same affect as an atom bomb being dropped.  The lust he was fighting went from simmering to incendiary in an instant.  His fingers bit into her arm and his eyes locked on hers.  Fighting for control, he asked, “Are you sure, baby?  You know what will happen if we get inside that room.”

Her cheeks went a pretty pink.  “I-I know.  I want it to.  I think I’ve wanted it from the first time I woke up and saw you this morning.”

Any hope he might have had of been a gentleman disappeared with that confession.  Without another word, he stood and scooped her into his arms.  He wanted to show her he could be a romantic when necessary, and it had the happy secondary effect of hiding his raging erection.

Sharra squealed and several nearby tourists laughed and applauded.  Matt flashed them all a grin.  “Honeymoon,” he shouted back as he strode through the revolving door and into the lobby.  A few seconds later they were in the elevator and he almost dropped her when her hand slid down between them and squeezed his already throbbing cock.

“Jesus!”  His eyes crossed when her sharp teeth bit down on the side of his neck.  “You’re going to kill me, sweetheart!”

“Are we there yet?” she murmured as her busy mouth moved up to nibble on his ear.  “I want you, Matt.  I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anyone like this before.”

His body clenched hard and he almost came right there in the elevator.  Swearing hard, he shifted so his mouth captured hers.  Their tongues warred together in a kiss that was as hot and steamy as the Mexican sun.  Forgetting romance, he dropped her to her feet, pushed her back against the elevator wall and feasted.

Finally…  The thought shot through her mind, immediately followed by more…oh God, please more…  She’d kissed Matt before, but this was something different.  This was a mutual raging hunger that couldn’t…wouldn’t be denied.  It didn’t make sense…she hardly knew him, but right now she didn’t care.  He belonged to her and she loved it.  She wasn’t about to stop him.  She wanted his touch.  His hands were everywhere as his body pressed hers against the cool metal wall.  She felt possessed and dominated, but instead of bothering her, it only excited her more. 

She moaned when his seeking fingers slid under the ties at her hip and traced down her butt cheeks to tickle the cleft between.  She went even wetter, and Sharra blushed as she felt the heat of her passion trickle down her leg.  The ache in her belly grew stronger and she wished she could toss all caution to the wind and throw him to the floor right here in the elevator.

Instead, she returned the favor, easing both hands under the tight swim trunks and squeezing his ass, while grinding herself against his erection.  Matt shuddered and groaned out her name, and his kiss became even more desperate.

She cried out when his hand moved from her rear to the soft mound of hair between her thighs.  He cupped her and she arched against him, feeling the liquid heat burn even hotter at his touch.

“Sonofabitch.” 

Matt’s curse made her want to giggle, but the feeling of his fingers teasing her clit was all she could focus on.  Her nipples tingled and her knees turned to jelly.  She pushed against him, bewildered and mesmerized by the desire he made her feel.  She wanted more…she wanted everything…she wanted him.  Then, without warning, the ding of the elevator door opening made them both freeze.

“Excuse me!”

END OF CHAPTER FOUR

* Chapter One * Chapter Two * Chapter Three * Chapter Four * Chapter Five * Chapter Six *

* Chapter Seven * Chapter Eight *  Chapter Nine *  Chapter Ten * Chapter Eleven *

* Chapter Twelve * Chapter Thirteen * Chapter Fourteen * Chapter Fifteen * Chapter Sixteen *

* Chapter Seventeen * Epilogue *