Stranded in Paradise (The Blake Boys Book 13) by Rhonda Laurel Page B
Authors: Rhonda Laurel
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to him she was only a few inches away. Even in her heels, she had crane her neck back to look up at him. “Confidence, honesty, and sincerity.”
He moved closer to her. “In that case, I can honestly say you are the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met in my life. You’re charming, smart, funny, independent, self-assured, and graceful. Qualities I love in a woman. And now that I’ve met you, I’m glad we didn’t meet before. You are the kind distraction I avoid but longed for at the same time. I would have done something stupid that screwed up my priorities. And right now work is all that I can afford to have on my plate.”
“I sincerely hope you believe that.” Autumn smiled, kissed him on the cheek, and walked away.
* * *
Jared watched as Autumn sauntered away in that form-fitting white dress that outlined her curves and he wanted to kick himself. There had to be a law against a woman looking that good. It was no wonder the lounge lizards swarmed on her as soon as she’d entered the room. Not only was she exquisite, but she was intelligent and business-savvy. He’d read that NuWave was taking the technology world by storm. She was everything he was looking for in a woman…if he were looking.
He walked back to his bungalow, half tempted to take a lap in the night waves rushing to shore to cool down. He hadn’t had that kind of immediate reaction to a woman in a long time and had been rock hard since she sat down on the stool next to him. Too tired to read his book, he went straight to the bedroom and opened the terrace doors so he could get a good look at the moonlight. The entire island had a magical feel, or maybe he was just looking for a reason to explain his behavior. He’d wanted to kiss her when she’d gotten closer to him. Hell, he wasn’t one to move fast, but if she’d given him the slightest hint she would have come back to his bungalow, he would have made love to her all night.
Spending the evening with her had taken his mind off work and Taylor. He hadn’t glanced at his phone once, scared Autumn might leave or someone else would come and grab her attention. Bo’s stories about her love them-and-leave-them attitude loomed in the back of his mind, but now he knew why men went crazy over her. She was walking sex appeal and she was oblivious to it. The guys trying to buy her drinks annoyed her more than flattered, and he was impressed she could easily see through the machismo that was going around in the room.
There had been plenty of good-looking ladies there but none like her. He’d gotten a few winks and made some small talk, but it all felt cheap. Talking to Autumn was like going for a drive with Tyler in one of his race cars. It was a high-octane, out-of-control feeling that was exhilarating, and it pained him to tell her he was glad they hadn’t met. It was a complete and utter lie, but he had to do something before he asked her out the next day. He lay back on the pillows, closed his eyes, and caressed himself. Autumn’s perfume, the soft feel of her skin, it all overloaded his senses. He wasn’t getting any sleep tonight.
* * *
Autumn was both relieved and delighted not to see Jared over the next couple of days. It was probably for the best anyway. She barely got any sleep after their conversation at the mixer. Why did he have to be so handsome and intense? He wasn’t someone she could have a good time with on the island and then go their separate ways. Their lives were connected immensely back home. And speaking of home, she resisted the urge to call Summer and Bo and give them a good tongue-thrashing over the blatant setup. She loved them, but her love life, or lack thereof, was her own business. But more importantly, she wanted the happy couple to know they didn’t have to worry about her being alone. She was dealing with her impending separation from her twin in her own way and planning the wedding ironically was helping with that. She would give
He moved closer to her. “In that case, I can honestly say you are the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met in my life. You’re charming, smart, funny, independent, self-assured, and graceful. Qualities I love in a woman. And now that I’ve met you, I’m glad we didn’t meet before. You are the kind distraction I avoid but longed for at the same time. I would have done something stupid that screwed up my priorities. And right now work is all that I can afford to have on my plate.”
“I sincerely hope you believe that.” Autumn smiled, kissed him on the cheek, and walked away.
* * *
Jared watched as Autumn sauntered away in that form-fitting white dress that outlined her curves and he wanted to kick himself. There had to be a law against a woman looking that good. It was no wonder the lounge lizards swarmed on her as soon as she’d entered the room. Not only was she exquisite, but she was intelligent and business-savvy. He’d read that NuWave was taking the technology world by storm. She was everything he was looking for in a woman…if he were looking.
He walked back to his bungalow, half tempted to take a lap in the night waves rushing to shore to cool down. He hadn’t had that kind of immediate reaction to a woman in a long time and had been rock hard since she sat down on the stool next to him. Too tired to read his book, he went straight to the bedroom and opened the terrace doors so he could get a good look at the moonlight. The entire island had a magical feel, or maybe he was just looking for a reason to explain his behavior. He’d wanted to kiss her when she’d gotten closer to him. Hell, he wasn’t one to move fast, but if she’d given him the slightest hint she would have come back to his bungalow, he would have made love to her all night.
Spending the evening with her had taken his mind off work and Taylor. He hadn’t glanced at his phone once, scared Autumn might leave or someone else would come and grab her attention. Bo’s stories about her love them-and-leave-them attitude loomed in the back of his mind, but now he knew why men went crazy over her. She was walking sex appeal and she was oblivious to it. The guys trying to buy her drinks annoyed her more than flattered, and he was impressed she could easily see through the machismo that was going around in the room.
There had been plenty of good-looking ladies there but none like her. He’d gotten a few winks and made some small talk, but it all felt cheap. Talking to Autumn was like going for a drive with Tyler in one of his race cars. It was a high-octane, out-of-control feeling that was exhilarating, and it pained him to tell her he was glad they hadn’t met. It was a complete and utter lie, but he had to do something before he asked her out the next day. He lay back on the pillows, closed his eyes, and caressed himself. Autumn’s perfume, the soft feel of her skin, it all overloaded his senses. He wasn’t getting any sleep tonight.
* * *
Autumn was both relieved and delighted not to see Jared over the next couple of days. It was probably for the best anyway. She barely got any sleep after their conversation at the mixer. Why did he have to be so handsome and intense? He wasn’t someone she could have a good time with on the island and then go their separate ways. Their lives were connected immensely back home. And speaking of home, she resisted the urge to call Summer and Bo and give them a good tongue-thrashing over the blatant setup. She loved them, but her love life, or lack thereof, was her own business. But more importantly, she wanted the happy couple to know they didn’t have to worry about her being alone. She was dealing with her impending separation from her twin in her own way and planning the wedding ironically was helping with that. She would give
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