rubbed up and down her arms, leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Let’s get you inside.”
She nodded.
Taking her hand, he led her back inside. “May I see you to your room?”
“I’d like that.”
Her swollen, moist lips and passion-filled eyes tempted him beyond reason. “Lead the way.” They walked to the elevator hand in hand. Luckily, no one else boarded, because he really needed to kiss her again, and he couldn’t wait one more second. As soon as the doors closed, he backed her against the wall and slanted his mouth over hers. All too soon the distinctive chime sounded, signaling the elevator had reached her floor. Reluctantly, Damian ended the kiss.
He followed her down the hall until she stopped at a door, unlocked it and pushed it open.
She stepped inside and stared up at him. “Would you like to come in for a few minutes?”
Hell yeah, I want to come in. Leaning against the door frame, he said, “I’d better not. What are your plans for tomorrow? Are you going into Jamaica?”
She nodded. “I’m taking one of the tours to Dunn’s River Falls, and it includes lunch afterward at a popular restaurant.”
“Mind if we spend the day together? I really enjoy being with you.”
“I don’t mind at all. I booked the tour at eleven. Tomorrow night I’m going to Monte’s show. He had seats reserved for us, but I can ask Janae to see if he can get another one, if you want to go.”
“If you won’t be tired of my company by then, I’d love to. How about we meet for breakfast in the morning?”
“Sure. I’ll wait for you by the buffet entrance at eight-thirty.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Damian wanted to kiss her again but didn’t trust himself to stay in control. He was having a hard enough time standing close to her without touching her. She took the decision out of his hands when she pulled him down for a kiss that stole his breath.
“Thanks for a wonderful evening, Damian. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He kissed her softly. “Good night, Karen. Sweet dreams.”
She backed into the room and closed the door softly. He stood with his hand on the door.
Damian wanted to make love to her.
The realization shook him to his core. Not so much that he had the urge, but how strongly he felt it. He had been celibate for five years by choice because he hadn’t found a woman who excited him. Karen more than excited him. She intrigued him like no other woman before. Including his late wife.
He hadn’t accepted her invitation tonight, but if she offered tomorrow, he wouldn’t turn her down. And he would be prepared.
Damian went back to the deck, gripped the railing and gulped in a lungful of crisp ocean air. The startling depth of his desire for Karen had thrown him for a loop. How could he want a woman so much? And in such a short time. He could still smell her intoxicating perfume, feel her silky skin beneath his fingers and taste the sweetness of her kiss in his mouth. As much as he wanted to take Karen up on her offer, he needed to step back and gain some perspective. His mind said things were moving too fast, but his body argued they weren’t moving fast enough. Even now his heart hadn’t returned to a normal pace, and his erection throbbed with desire. Damian was tempted to go back and knock on her door. He hadn’t accepted her invitation tonight, one, because he felt it was too soon, and two, he didn’t have any protection. Troy and Kyle mentioned they had left him some condoms, and he made a mental note to check his bag when he returned to his room.
He remembered he needed to sign up for the tour in Jamaica and glanced down at his watch. Leaving the deck, he retraced his steps and searched out the tour desk, hoping it hadn’t closed. Luckily it hadn’t, and there were three spaces available for the eleven o’clock tour. He was too wound up to sleep and made his way to the piano bar, where an up-and-coming artist was playing. Damian claimed a stool at the circular bar, signaled the bartender and ordered a Coke.
“Thanks,” he said, accepting the glass. Although his body had calmed considerably, his mind continued to race with thoughts of Karen.
“Excuse me. Is this seat taken?”
His head came up. A woman stood next to him wearing a white low-cut skintight bodysuit and offering a come-hither smile.
“Be my guest.” He gestured to the stool, then went back to his drink.
She slid onto the stool, purposely leaning close enough to brush her breasts against his arm.
Damian pretended not to notice. He didn’t want to give the woman any indication he might be interested. She tried making small talk, and he remained courteous, but after a few minutes began to think he should have gone to his room.
“So, does that empty left hand mean you’re not married?”
He stared down at his hand. He’d finally stopped wearing his ring a year ago, and the tan line had faded completely, as if nothing had ever been there. “No, I’m not.”
She scooted closer. “Are you looking to be?”
“No.”
“Are you sure? A handsome guy like you looks like he should be married.” Her hand skimmed his thigh, sliding upward. He clamped his hand down on hers and jumped from the stool. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”
Her gaze raked over him. “Want some company?”
“No, thanks. Enjoy the cruise.” He turned on his heel and strode out of the lounge. Damian scrubbed a hand down his face. While he didn’t mind an assertive woman, overaggressiveness turned him off. He hadn’t gone far when a hand touched his shoulder.
He groaned inwardly, thinking the woman had followed him. Glancing over his shoulder, he was relieved to see his friends.
“Well, well. For somebody who didn’t want to come on this cruise, you sure have been busy,” Kyle said.
“What’s up?”
Troy folded his arms across his chest. “That’s what we want to know about you. We haven’t seen you all day.”
Kyle laughed. “My man D has jumped back into the game at full speed. I saw the woman in the catsuit. Hot! Curves for days. She basically handed herself to you on a platter.”
“I wasn’t interested.”
“Is that because you’re more interested in the woman you were dancing with earlier?” Troy asked.
“Damn, were you guys following me around or something?”
Troy shook his head. “No. We went looking for some fun and just happened to see you while we were dancing. She’s the same woman you were staring at the first day?”
He
