itty-bitty top with a forefinger then dipped beneath the tight fabric to the smooth flesh beneath. Maintaining her gaze, he leaned over and let his tongue trace the same path. Her scent filled his nostrils—the same lavender and roses he’d noticed earlier plus coconut from her suntan lotion—as he licked over the slope of one breast.
Not enough . Not nearly enough. He peeled the red material from her breasts, revealing taut pink nipples to the afternoon sun and his gaze. Proud and full breasts that enticed and enthralled him.
She made a tiny sound. Jack couldn’t decide whether it was shock or one of encouragement.
Then her lips parted and white teeth flashed in a grin full of challenge. “You gonna stop there?” She rolled slightly, reached behind her back, and Jack heard the faint click of her bikini top closure. The red fabric slid down her arms. A shrug made the material fall away, leaving her topless and vulnerable to his gaze.
A breath hissed through his teeth. He couldn’t have stopped to save himself. His heart thundered and his taniwha stretched and stirred, prodding him to continue. Slowly, he lowered his head to take one pink nipple in his mouth. Jack closed his lips around the taut peak, the need to do everything all at once riding him hard. Like a man who hadn’t eaten for days, he feasted. Savoring the flavor of her—the texture. Gently biting. Tasting her and tormenting himself with her silky skin and sinful curves.
Dicing with danger.
Emma cradled his head, her fingers entwining in his hair, urging him onward. He drew hard on her nipple and she bucked beneath him, brushing against his groin.
“Harder,” she murmured in a dreamy voice. “That feels so good.” Emma had no pretense in her. She was innocence and honesty wrapped in a bow.
And he wanted to take this to a conclusion. Jack pulled away far enough to scrutinize her face. Her eyes were closed and her lips curled up in a dreamy smile. That smile jerked him back to reality.
Jack rolled away, trying to ignore the gleam of her nipples, still wet from his mouth. He wasn’t interested in anything more than a roll in the sack. Getting his rocks off.
“We’d better go.” He stood and handed his shirt to her so she could cover up. “We have a job to do. Mucking about on the beach isn’t getting it done. Besides, we’ve got this dinner thing.”
* * * * *
“I can’t believe it,” Jack muttered, glancing at the huge box Emma carried. He rolled his eyes while the taniwha inside stomped a Maori war dance and combined it with a few exuberant high kicks, judging by the feel of his bouncing gut. A year’s supply of condoms. “I’ve never met anyone with such dumb luck.”
“I can’t help it,” Emma said cheerfully without a trace of remorse or embarrassment.
Hell, no. He’d been the one who’d caught the flack. Lots of jokes and pats on the back—all with the same message. He should eat lots to keep up his strength. Sure, it was all in good fun, but the sly innuendo wore thin after a while.
Worst of all, Emma’s win had called attention to them. Everyone in the whole damn resort would recognize their faces. It was difficult to skulk around on an investigation when everyone was busy snickering.
“What are you going to do with a year’s supply of condoms anyway?”
“Use them,” Emma said sweetly.
Jack’s fists clenched at his sides, and he felt as if someone had kicked him in the gut. The thought of Emma using the condoms with another man fueled his temper—not that using them with him was a better proposition. This afternoon had been a mistake. He wasn’t going to touch her again. She was commitment through and through. He was free and easy—a different species of fish altogether.
Jack opened the restaurant door for Emma and stood back as she sashayed into the night air in her short black dress, which showed far too much skin for his liking. Gritting his teeth, he stalked after her. Colored lights lit both