actually headed to see CJ Fusion in the city next month,” he said.
“No way. Reece and I are going to the same concert.”
“See, now you have to dance with me. I’ve proven my cool points.” He reached out his hand, and Elina stared down at it for moment. If she took it, she knew she wouldn’t want to stop. Being in his arms was too tempting.
Could she throw caution to the wind? She was stuck on a boat, though. So nowhere to go. She might as well have some fun. Sliding her hand into his, she relished the warm buzz it sent through her body. “Okay, lead the way. I warn you, though, I don’t normally dance in stilettos, so join me at your own risk.”
* * *
Gabe liked her. It was just that simple. As she danced and twirled in his arms and gyrated her booty to the latest Top 40 songs, he felt happy, and he was glad to see her smiling instead of that frowning concern. She made him feel lighter.
Eventually, he took her hand and led her off the dance floor, dragging her to the other end of the yacht and down the stairs.
“Hey, isn’t this corded off?”
“You hardly seem like a girl who is bothered by the rules.”
Elina laughed. “Okay, not usually, but this is someone’s yacht. I like you and all, but I’m not willing to do time for you. Orange is not my color.”
“Relax, would you? I can usually talk my way out of anything. And I sort of know the owner.” Never mind that he was the owner. Part owner, anyway. “I want to show you something.”
“Oh, I can take a guess at what you want to show me.”
If she had been any other girl, he wouldn’t be so careful with her. Not to mention, Adam had warned him off. Normally, he’d be leading her back into the bedroom. But instead of heading straight to the sleeping quarters, he veered left and took her into his favorite room.
When he turned on the light, Elina gasped. “Oh my God, this is beautiful.”
This room was used specifically for parties. It had a small karaoke stage and comfortable lounge seating. But the most astonishing feature of the room was the see-through glass floor. When the lights in the room were activated, it triggered the lights at the bottom of the yacht, illuminating everything that was beneath them in the ocean.
Already, several curious fish had swum up to take a peek. “You like it?”
“It’s awesome.” She inclined her head toward the microphone. “What’s that for?”
“What do you think it’s for? You and Reece were talking yesterday about your mad karaoke skills. I want to see for myself.”
She shook her head. “I have not had enough alcohol for that. How did you know this was here, anyway?”
“I have friends.” He laughed.
“I guess you do. Okay, then. Since you’re so eager for the mic to get some use, how about you sing me something”
He wasn’t sure why he flushed. He was so damn aware of her in the confined space. “Okay, I can sing you a song, but you have to take a seat and be a good audience. Tips are always accepted, in some cases exuberant applause will do just fine, but I prefer panties.”
She folded her arms. “You’ll have to work harder for my panties. Go on. Get on with it. Let’s see these skills of yours.”
He booted up the laptop, then pulled up the right track. “Okay, okay. Try not to be a groupie now.”
Elina rolled her eyes. “Just sing for your supper, will you?”
“Fine.” Then the music started and he closed his eyes. He’d always loved this song. He sang the first line of the song, giving it his all.
Elina squealed with laughter and clapped excitedly. “Oh damn, you’re taking on Shai?”
“Would you let a man finish a song?” He continued, dropping the last note to another octave.
Elina rose from her seat laughing and walked toward him. He finished the song and before he knew it, she was up there with him singing. He lost track of how long they sang duets and giant hits from popular bands. Apparently, she was a Journey fan.
Without thinking, he brushed a strand of hair off her face and tucked it behind her ear. He told himself he didn’t plan it this way. But it didn’t matter if he’d planned it or not. The moment she parted her lips, he knew he was a goner.
Gabe brushed his lips over hers lightly, testing the waters. Elina sighed into his embrace, and he moaned. His nerve endings were going sizzle and pop. Sliding his fingers into her soft curls, he deepened the kiss. She tasted so sweet. Her lip gloss maybe? Fruity and light. Whatever it was, he liked it.
Gabe slid his tongue between her sinfully soft lips, and she met it with hers. One hand smoothing over her waist, he deepened their kiss. Taking long drugging pulls at her lips and eliciting a moan out of her.
So damn perfect. He felt like someone had hooked his body up to a defibrillator, the kiss was so charged. Their only points of contact were her hands on his waist, his hand in her hair and on her hip, and their lips. But it was enough to send his heart into a gallop and for the blood to rush in his ears.
The kiss shook him. He’d kissed a lot of women. Certainly more than his fair share. But with Elina, his body hummed and his synapses shorted. Tugging her closer, he licked into her mouth. Elina moaned and slid her arms up to wind around his neck.
This was more than want. This was more than lust. With one kiss, he knew he wanted her as his. How was she doing this to him? Her hands slipped into his hair and gave an impatient tug. She might not be in a guy phase right now, but maybe he could change her mind. Because right now, Elina Sinclair was rocking his soul.
Gabe glided his fingers over the small of her back in the barest hint of a caress and he was shaking. Damn it. He pulled back and met her dark gaze. “What are you doing to me, Elina?”
In her eyes he saw desire, uncertainty, trepidation. But he also saw her decision clearly when her beautiful smile spread over her lips. “Are you going to help me with this dress? I had a hell of a time getting the zipper up earlier.”
He blinked. What had she said? He was having a hard time concentrating on anything other than how she tasted and how he wanted more. Somehow he could think more clearly when he was kissing her, or maybe that was instinct. She’d said something about her zipper. Right. He could do that.
She pressed her body into his as he tugged the zip down. In the silence of the party room, the zik, zik, zik sound echoed off the walls with her groans. The dress fell away and over her hips, the fabric fluttering to the ground. Gabe released her and stepped back, and his breath caught. She wore a demi-cup bra and thong in red lace that matched the color of the dress. The material barely covered her nipples, but it did a stand-up job at trying.
He muttered a low curse and tried to swallow around the sawdust in his mouth. “You’re
