Dear Cupid Read online

  “Still, you have it here alongside your father and grandfather.”

  “The kid’s got spunk.” He shrugged. “She knows how to piss you off and make you laugh all at the same time.”

  “Kind of like you?”

  “Like I said, family trait.”

  “Is she a movie star?” Kate turned back to gaze at the beautiful young woman.

  “She wants to be. Unfortunately, she’s hit the mid-twenties mark and hasn’t managed more than a steady career in commercials and a few supporting roles in some minor films. She hangs in there, though, waiting for her big break.”

  “You’re obviously proud of her.”

  “I’d rather she be proud of herself.”

  Kate turned and studied him, seeing layers to his personality she hadn’t fully noticed before: supportive, faithful, optimistic. “You’re a good brother, aren’t you?”

  “I’d like to think so.” He grabbed the skewers. “Now, let’s eat.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Mike smiled as Kate handed him her empty paper plate. There was something very satisfying about cooking for a woman.

  “That was wonderful,” she sighed, with a hand over her stomach.

  “Thanks to you.” He brushed a kiss to her cheek before he tossed their used plates and plastic forks into the makeshift trash bag. “I would have settled for hot dogs, but I’m glad you talked me into this.”

  He sat sideways on the bench with one leg bent behind her so she sat between his thighs. With their dinner plates out of the way, he gathered her close and leaned back. It pleased him when she turned as well, to rest her back against his chest and plant her feet on the bench. Overhead the stars winked in time to the slap of the water against the hull. The dark silhouettes of hills surrounded them on three sides, enfolding them in their own world.

  “I’m glad you talked me into this sail,” she said. “I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself so much.” She shifted to smile at him over her shoulder. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Reading the invitation in her eyes, he dipped his head and let their lips brush, retreat, brush again. His eyes drifted closed as the kiss deepened and he wondered if they would make love tonight. He’d promised earlier in the week not to push her. Yet with every day that passed she seemed more comfortable in his presence, more receptive to the idea of them as a couple. Tonight, her body made all the subtle moves that told him she was definitely open to the possibility.

  Arousal tightened his groin. He started to deepen the kiss even more, but made himself pull back. They had all night, and simply holding her in his arms was too enjoyable to rush things. He lightened the kiss, let it end with a few last nibbles before settling back to gaze at the stars. The mast rose like a tall cross against the lavender sky, its halyard pinging softly as the water rocked the boat.

  “You know, Kate, I’ve been thinking.”

  “Oh?” She sounded dreamy as she joined him in stargazing.

  “As popular as your column is, have you ever considered starting your own site?”

  “Actually, yes I have. But I decided against it.”

  “Why?”

  She stretched languidly against him, exposing all manner of interesting curves to his touch. He caressed her ribs, letting his thumbs brush the underside of her breasts. “I don’t have an aptitude for all that computer stuff, and I don’t have the money to pay someone else to do it.”

  “Well, if you’re interested ...” He ran his fingertips down her sides and back up. “I could do it for you.”

  “No. Not that I don’t think you’d be wonderful at it, but no.”

  “Really, it would be fun.” He circled her waist with his arms and cuddled her close. “I could expand the animated cupid so it appears on each page, only different each time. Oh, and I know—”

  “Mike, no.”

  “I could do some sort of shooting arrow whenever you click from one page to the next, and—”

  “Mike, I said no.” She twisted to face him. “It’s incredibly generous of you to offer, but I really don’t want you to design a site for me.”

  “Why not?” He pulled his head back in surprise.

  She let out a weary sigh. “There is a lot more to going into business than simply launching a Web site. For one thing, how would I get paid? You don’t earn money simply by getting a lot of hits.”

  “You’d sell ads on your site.”

  “Which takes a lot of time and experience I don’t have.”

  “Then hire someone to do it. I know a few people who do this sort of thing. I could help you get started.”

  “You’re not listening to me.” She pulled out of his arms. “Dylan is my top priority right now. Starting a business would consume all my energy, and leave nothing for him, which would completely negate one of the main reasons I enjoy writing the column in the first place.”

  He stared at her, dumbfounded. “So, you’re just going to roll over and play dead? Give up something that matters to you, because it might take time away from Dylan?”

  “Dylan won’t be little forever. He needs me right now. And as long as he does, I refuse to put my work before him.”

  “I’m not suggesting that you do.” Was he? He suddenly remembered the sacrifices his parents had made for him: his father giving up the job of his dreams, his mother giving up the stage. Surely sacrifices of that magnitude weren’t always required. “You can love your work, and still put family first,” he said as much to himself as to her.

  She snorted. “That’s easy for you to say.”

  “What, you think because I don’t have a wife and kids, I’ve never had to sacrifice anything to be with my family?”

  “Not on a regular basis. And your sacrifices couldn’t have been as frequent as those you’d have to make if you had children.”

  He stared at her, incredulous. “Having a family doesn’t mean you have to give up everything else, take some boring nine-to-five job, and be at home every night for supper. My dad worked a lot more than forty hours a week running the shipping company, but I never doubted that he cared about every one of us kids.”

  “Maybe you’re right.” A frown dimpled her brow. “Maybe it isn’t the amount of time we spend with our kids, but simply being aware of their needs, and being sure we’re there when they do need us. Unfortunately, when you’re a single parent, the task of being there becomes more difficult. And even if you’re married, that task nearly always falls more heavily on the mother.”

  “What, so mothers aren’t allowed to go after their dreams? They have to put everything on hold till their kids are grown?”

  “Look,” she sighed, “could we talk about something else?”

  “All right. Fine.” He set his jaw, deciding he definitely wanted to talk about something else. The thought of her having to give up anything to be a good mother made him want to rail against the injustice of life. He wanted her to be happy. And he wanted her to have her column.

  After while, she settled back against him. His mind, however, continued to race. “I have another idea.”

  “Mike ...” She started to pull away.

  “No wait, just listen.” He coaxed her back into his arms. “Have you ever thought about syndicating your column to print publications?”

  “You mean like newspapers?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  She laughed. “Because who would buy it?”

  “With your talent and built-in audience, a lot of papers, I imagine. And it wouldn’t take any more time than what you’ve spent on your column in the past.”

  “I don’t know. It seems like an awfully big long shot. And I don’t have a clue as to how to go about it.”

  “I have a friend who could probably help you there. She makes a living freelancing for newspapers and magazines while she’s waiting for her big break in screenplays. If you like”—he trailed a finger up her bare arm—“I could give you her number.”

  As if tempted by the thought, Kate remained qui
et for a while before she gave a defeated sigh. “Yeah, but why get my hopes up? I’d probably be better served to lower my sights and concentrate on getting a real job—And I can’t believe I just said that.” She covered her face with both hands. “God, I’m turning into my mother.”

  He laughed at that. “Then you’ll give my friend a call?”

  “Maybe.” She settled back again. “Right now I’d rather not think about the future. I’d rather just enjoy the night ... and you.”

  “Oh?” His ears perked up. “Now that sounds interesting.”

  Her low rumble of laughter surprised him. “Not nearly as interesting as the fantasies I’ve been having all afternoon.”

  “Now that definitely sounds interesting.”

  “Hmm.” She arched her back in a stretch that drew his gaze to her breasts covered in nothing more than the thin fabric of her swimsuit.

  He swallowed as his body leapt in response. “I don’t suppose you’d care to elaborate?”

  “I’ve just been thinking about the fact that we’re on a boat, and you have a certain pirate appeal about you when you’re handling the wheel.”

  “Pirate?” His hands drifted up to capture her breasts, and her nipples hardened against his palms. Her soft gasp shot straight to his groin.

  “Hmm, kind of makes a woman wonder what it’s like to be ravished by some dangerously attractive sea captain.”

  The images that statement conjured made his erection press against her back. “And here I’ve been hoping all day that you’d ravish me.”

  “Oh, no.” She moved her raised knees from side to side as if to ease some tingling itch between her thighs. “I’ve already ravished you once. Now it’s your turn.”

  Captivated by the sight and feel of her, he moved one hand to her knee, urging her legs to part. To his delight, she relaxed and opened herself to his touch. He ran one teasing fingertip up and down the inside of her thigh from her knee to the edge of her swimsuit while his other hand peeled the suit down her arm.

  “So, you want to be ravished, do you?” he asked, in the gravelly voice.

  “Oh, no,” she said in false alarm as he finished peeling the suit to her waist.

  Kate shivered in anticipation, unable to believe how comfortable she felt playing out a fantasy with him. Closing her eyes, she savored the feel of the night air on her breasts, the building tension deep in her belly. When her arms were free, she lifted them back and linked them around his neck. “Please don’t take me.”

  “Your struggles are useless.” He lightly pinched her nipple, making her gasp. “Aboard my ship, you are at my mercy.”

  The hand on her thigh swept downward to cup her aching center and she whimpered in response.

  “I know you want me,” he whispered hoarsely. “Let me hear you say it.”

  “No, never,” she moaned, knowing she’d die if he stopped.

  His thumb moved against the dampness that seeped through her suit. “Admit you want me, or I shall give you to my men.”

  She shook her head in denial even as her hips lifted, pressing against his hand. One fingertip drew maddening circles over her sensitive nub until she thought she would splinter with pleasure.

  “Tell me you want me,” he said against her ear as his hand squeezed her breast. “I want to hear you say it.”

  “Yes,” she cried mindlessly, opening her legs, begging with her body as well as her voice. His fingers darted beneath the swimsuit and thrust inside her. Her hips jerked upward as he withdrew and thrust again. She panted out words of wanting, telling him to take her. As the climax slammed through her, the stars above burst in flashes of light.

  His touch gentled, giving the world a chance to settle back into place. When she finally drifted to earth, she let out a small laugh, a little embarrassed, but too sated to truly care.

  “Is that what you had in mind?” He kissed her temple sweetly, as if she hadn’t just tossed her inhibitions overboard.

  “Something like that.” Grinning, she turned in his arms and thanked him with a languid kiss.

  “Good.” He cupped the back of her head and deepened the dance of lips and tongue. “Because I’m not nearly through with you.”

  In one swift move, he sat forward and pressed her down until she lay beneath him on the cushion. Alarm shot through her as she saw the dangerous glint in his eyes. Gone was any trace of playfulness.

  “Not nearly through,” he repeated as he captured her wrists in one hand and pinned them to the bench over her head. With his other hand, he grabbed one of the lines, wrapped it lightly about her wrists.

  She stared at him, startled and uncertain. He gave her a devious but reassuring smile as he urged her fingers to tighten around the line to hold it in place. All she had to do to release herself was let go. Something relaxed and unfolded inside her, a liberating feeling that she was free to do anything with him. Pulling lightly on the line, she arched her breasts toward him. His eyes darkened as he peeled the swimsuit from her body.

  With her stretched out naked before him, he stood and stripped with provocative slowness. Her gaze drank in the sight of his fully aroused body bathed in moonlight. He moved back onto the bench, kneeling between her thighs. Bending forward, he rested one hand beside her head, captured her face with his other. His gaze bored into her eyes as he spoke in a whisper. “I want everything you have, Kate.” His hand trailed down her throat to cup her breast. “Everything.”

  Fear blended with excitement, fear that he wanted more than she was ready to give, that he would take, not just her body, but her heart. She tried to shake her head, to tell him no, but he covered her mouth with his and stole her breath, her thoughts, even her fear. All that remained was a wild wanting, a ravenous need, as he fulfilled every fantasy she’d entertained throughout the day.

  Moving down her body, he suckled her breasts until the tips constricted to wet peaks against the evening air. She writhed in anticipation as he kissed a trail down her stomach. And when his mouth settled over the center of her desire, he took her places she’d only imagined, gave her pleasures beyond her dreams. Just when she thought herself beyond reason, he sheathed himself for protection, then stretched out on top of her, pinning her soft body beneath his hard planes. “I want all of you, Kate. All of you.”

  The fear had only a moment to flicker back to life before he drove deep. With a gasp, she arched against him, opening her body and her heart. Later she would take time to think, to pull safely away. For now, there was only Mike, and the unbearable ecstasy of having him inside her.

  Chapter 18

  A soft whining sound stirred Kate from sleep. She rolled over and snuggled against Mike, not ready to abandon the lazy comfort of bed. The sound came again. Raising her head, she squinted against the early dawn light that filtered through the portholes. The sound seemed to be coming from the main part of the cabin.

  “Mike?” She nudged him gently, reluctant to wake him but worried that some kind of alarm was going off. “Mike, what’s that noise?”

  “Hmm?” His eyes cracked open a fraction. When he focused on her face, a smile tugged at his lips. “Good morning.”

  He moved a hand behind her neck and pulled her down for a kiss. She started to object, but the whirring noise stopped. His lips moved against hers, gentle and sweet, as opposed to the hot demanding kisses they’d shared last night. She relaxed in his arms, giving herself up to the simple pleasure of a good-morning kiss.

  He turned her onto her back, deepened the kiss for a moment, then raised his head to gaze down at her. His eyes held admiration as he brushed the hair from her face.

  “Kate.” He whispered the name with reverence, as if savoring the sound. Elation and fear sparked at the depth of emotion she saw in his eyes—elation that he cared so deeply for her, fear that he would say the words out loud. She wasn’t ready to examine her own feelings, much less deal with any monumental declarations. “Kate, I—”

  The sound came again, a soft but insistent whirring. “W
hat is that?” She lifted her head, grateful for the distraction.

  He glanced over his bare shoulder, then dismissed the noise. “My mobile phone. Ignore it. Kate, I—”

  “Your mobile phone?” With her heart pounding, she pounced on the excuse, anything to stop Mike from saying something too intimate, something that would ruin the casual relationship they had. “Aren’t you going to answer it?”

  “My voice mail will pick it up.”

  “But it could be important.” She tugged at the sheets to cover her breasts. “I left your number with Linda, in case Dylan needed to get a hold of me.”

  He studied her a moment. Then, with a resigned sigh, he climbed over her, and padded naked down the passageway that led to the galley. The minute he disappeared from sight, she breathed a sigh of relief. Surely he hadn’t been about to say what she thought he’d been about to say. She didn’t even want to think about words of love and commitment, of tomorrow and forever. Everything was perfect between them just the way it was. She didn’t want anything more. Not now. Not yet.

  He reappeared, beautifully nude in the morning light, and a small voice way in the back of her mind asked, Would it really be so bad to have this man fall in love with you? Or for you to take that tumble with him?

  “Kate, did you hear me?” He gave her an odd frown, and she realized he was holding the phone out to her. “I said you were right. It was Linda. She’s left three messages on voice mail.”

  “What?” She stared at him numbly, as the implication came over her in waves. Her hand shook as she grabbed the phone and dialed Linda’s number. In her mind, Dylan died a thousand deaths as she waited for her friend to answer, every one violent, painful, and completely her fault. “Linda, thank God,” she breathed when her friend answered. “What’s happened?”

  “Kate! I’ve been trying to get you for the past half hour. I finally gave up on your mobile and started calling Mike’s.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Dylan’s grandmother called. He’s having trouble breathing and his inhaler isn’t doing anything to turn it around. She says she doesn’t have his nebulizer to give him anything stronger.”