HE’D BEEN KEEPING her off-kilter, and Lisa intended to turn the tables. Though considering her body’s reaction to an imaginary Ken, she had to wonder if her plan was such a brilliant idea. But she had no intention of turning back. None. He’d said he wanted her. And he was damn well going to get her…even if forcing the issue was a huge mistake.

“Lisa?” He was watching her, his expression hesitant.

With a quick nod of her head, she gestured toward the beach. “Come on.” She grabbed his hand and tugged, urging him toward the water’s edge.

“This is the Pacific, you know. The water’s damn cold.”

“Really?” Gathering her courage, she took a deep breath and stepped toward him, until she was close enough that the hem of her dress brushed against his clothes. “Then maybe we need to do something to keep each other warm.”

She didn’t see him stiffen, but somehow she knew that he had. Trying for sultry, she looped one arm around his neck, stepping nearer to close the tension-filled space between them. The position felt awkward, not right. And for the first time, she realized how much they’d lost when she’d left for New York.

In the past, they’d fit together perfectly. Their eyes only needed to meet and she’d known what he’d been thinking. His finger had only to touch her and she’d melted. Never in her life had she shared such intimacy with another person, and she’d thrown it all away to chase rainbows.

She’d screwed up, maybe permanently. And nothing she could say or do would ever make it better. But, oh, how she wanted to try.

Sagging, she leaned against him, pressing her face against his shoulder.

“Hey, hey. Shh.” His arms closed around her, safe and comforting, and she realized she was crying. She sniffled, but didn’t pull away. His arms were tight around her waist, her body pressed up against his chest so she could draw on his strength. It felt wonderful, and a silly little part of her wished she could stay that way forever.

Slowly, soothingly, his hand rubbed her back. “You okay?”

She nodded. “I’m fine,” she mumbled.

And the truth of it was, she was fine. Right then, being held by him, she didn’t think anything in the world would faze her. And what had felt awkward and odd only moments ago, now felt like the most right thing on earth. His strong arms encircled her, pulling their bodies together. They fit perfectly, as if they’d been designed for each other. Her arm, which only moments ago had felt heavy and strange around his neck, now urged him closer. Her fingers explored the back of his neck, teasing the short hairs at the base of his haircut. Each touch seemed right, as if she’d touched him this way five years ago…and every day since.

She needed his kisses, needed his heat, and she rose on tiptoes to close her mouth over his. He responded instantly, opening his mouth for her. His hands eased down to cup her rear, urging her against him with one quick pull.

Her body was nearing the melting point, and she was certain that if he let go of her, she’d simply collapse on the sand.

He pulled away, taking the heat that now flowed through her veins with him.

“No.” Barely a murmur, her voice pleaded, even though her saner side told her to pull herself together. Right then, she didn’t want sanity. Instead, she wanted to be lost in the maelstrom with no cognitive thought. She wanted simply the moment. Simply Ken.

His arms tightened around her waist, but that wasn’t enough. She wanted more. Wanted to feel him against every inch of her. Wanted him.

His lips grazed her ear, sending little tremors scurrying down her back. Moaning, she tilted her head, inviting him to continue the sweet torment. He accepted the invitation like a gentleman, his mouth moving down her neck.

“More,” she whispered. She twisted in his arms, wanting to explore his mouth. But she moved too fast, and they tumbled down into the sand and surf.

Suddenly she was on her back, Ken poised above her, his eyes dark with undisguised lust. And just as suddenly, Lisa wondered what exactly she’d gotten herself into.

SHE WAS RIGHT THERE, close enough to kiss. And Ken intended to do exactly that.

Cold water tickled his feet as the surf rolled in. The hems of his khakis were soaked, and he was sure that Lisa was just as wet.

But she wasn’t complaining. Instead, she was looking up at him, eyes wide and inviting.

“Your theme,” she whispered.

“Yes, it is.” He lowered himself to her. “Eternity,” he whispered, then kissed her.

She seemed to melt against him, fitting perfectly, as if she were meant for no one except him.

Her lips were soft and swollen, still ripe from his earlier kisses, and now he teased her mouth, tasting her lips with just the tip of his tongue.

She laughed, the noise mixed with soft protests as she tried to urge him to deepen the kiss. “Patience, sweetheart.”

“I’m not patient,” she whispered. “I thought you would have remembered.”

He did remember, and that was one reason why his particular choice of punishment was so apropos. He nipped her earlobe. “Maybe it’s time you learned.”

“Maybe it’s time I took charge.”

Before he realized what she was doing, she’d managed to roll over, taking him with her, until she was on top, and he was lying back on the sand. She straddled his hips, and though he didn’t think it was possible, his body hardened even more, simply from the knowledge that she was right there, her sweet, slick core pressed right against him. He needed to take it further, wanted her to know how aroused he was. Grabbing her hips, he rocked her against him, the motion sending a frenzied burst of electricity coursing through him.

“Oh, Ken.” Her voice was low and soft with pleasure.

“Do you like that?”

“Y-yes.”

“Shall I stop?” He slowed the movement, torturing himself even as he teased her.

“No!” Her eyes flew open, and there was no mistaking the need he saw deep within. “Don’t you dare,” she murmured.

Her honest desire thrilled him, and he smiled, taking her hips and rocking her against him until her breath was just as uneven as his.

“Better?” he murmured.

“Yes.” The corner of her mouth lifted in a shy smile as she moved her hands to balance on his chest. His body sang from her caresses. The warmth from her palms spread through him, despite the barrier of his shirt.

He grazed his hands up her back, no longer controlling the rocking motion of her hips. Though he wasn’t urging her, she kept it up, writhing against him in an ancient rhythm as she sought her own release—her body silently promising to bring his, as well.

Control nearly abandoned him, and he fought the urge to let go and lose himself in the sweet delight of her arms. That wasn’t what he’d planned, not yet, and he tried to take his mind off the way his blood burned by watching her.

Her eyes were closed, her features calm. But the composed picture was belied by her mouth. Her lips were parted, and he could hear her unsteady breathing. Her tongue darted out, then her perfect white teeth grazed her lower lip. Her face was damp and rosy, and he thought he’d never seen a more beautiful sight. She was near to losing herself, and the knowledge brought him that much closer to the edge.

This was what he’d wanted—to have her on the brink of passion, brought there by him and for him. Now that she was there, though, he didn’t want to torture and torment. Instead, he wanted her release, wanted to see pure joy in her eyes and know that he’d put it there.

And, Lord help him, the one thing he’d planned so carefully, the one thing he knew he needed most—to get her out of his system forever—was the one thing he absolutely didn’t want.

THE UNIVERSE was about to explode around her, and Lisa welcomed the frenzy, urging it on with every motion of her body. Ken’s hands stroked her back as she writhed against him. She was wet and hot, and she wanted him inside her, filling her up and taking her places they’d never gone before. She wanted him, and she realized she always had and probably always would.

Right now, though, she wanted the release. She was so close, right there, and she sucked in air, concentrating on the feel of Ken against her. So close… So very close…

And then she wasn’t. Instead, she was on her back in the cool sand, and Ken was straddling her, his body not touching hers. Passion burned on his face, undeniable yet controlled.

“What?” she whispered, both disappointed and confused. “I was—”

“Shh-hhh.” He pressed a finger to her lips. “We were getting ahead of ourselves. I have a plan, remember? A theme.” His smile was warm but firm. “I intend to stick to it.”

“I don’t mind a little improvisation.” She tried to keep her voice light, to not let him know just how much she’d wanted to lose herself in his arms. He had an agenda, and she’d already revealed too much.

“Come on.” He stood, holding out a hand for her to grab. “Let’s get cleaned up and then go visit the pool.”

“Cleaned up?”

He cocked his head toward the stairs, and she saw the concrete foundation and free-standing shower.

She quirked a brow. “A little good, clean fun?”

“Something like that.” He ran his hand down the side of her bathing suit. “We’re both gritty, and your dress has seen better days.”

“Can’t have that.”

She followed him to the shower, then pulled off the sundress and, wearing only her bathing suit, stepped into the spray. “It’s warm.” Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back, letting the droplets caress her face and trickle down her body.

“Want a little help?” His voice was playful, almost sensual, and she opened her eyes as a gentle burst of warm water from another source sprayed over her chest.

Ken was standing in front of her, holding a water hose, a stream of water gushing onto her breasts. “I thought I could help you clean up some of those hard-to-reach places.”

“Uh, oh.” She swallowed, then tried again. “I—”

He aimed the water lower, hitting her right between the legs, and she snapped her mouth shut, not at all certain what she could possibly have had to say.

“Shh,” Ken whispered. “Close your eyes. Let me get you clean.”

Closing her eyes, for the first time in her life she wished she were covered in grime. The water from the hose splashed on her toes, and she giggled, stepping lightly to escape the droplets.

“Too cold?”

“No.” The water was warm, and in truth it felt wonderful. She was just wound up.

“Relax,” he said. “Close your eyes and keep them closed.”

She nodded and tried to comply.

“You’ve got sand in your hair,” he said, and with his words came the warm, light flow of water, dribbling over her head, cutting warm, wet paths down her arms, down her chest, over her breasts. Her body quaked, nearly undone by the exquisite sensations.

“Do you like that?”

“Yes. It’s…”

“I know.” The water flowed over her lips—he must have been holding the hose sideways so that liquid flowed gently against the sensitive skin of her mouth. Then his lips brushed hers through the flow as he kissed her, deep and wet.

The hose moved away, and then she felt the water snaking down her back, the delicious warmth spreading through her. His kiss deepened, his tongue demanding entrance that she readily allowed.

A moan escaped her as she explored his mouth, tasting him, taking in the maleness, wishing she could surround herself with him and lose herself in his heat. She was wet, a wetness that had nothing to do with the hose.

She tried to pull away, needing the distance before he pulled her over the edge merely from his kisses. But he held her close, his teeth nibbling on her lip, his tongue mating with hers.

Her body was spinning. She wanted to open her eyes, wanted to see the world spinning out of control, wanted to meet his gaze. But she’d promised and so she kept her eyes shut, seeing only the colors exploding in her own mind.

So close, so much need, and she urged her hips forward, wanting him to touch her, wanting him to take her that tiny bit further where his kisses couldn’t go. But he stepped back, refusing her silent plea for him to stroke her in secret places, to touch her, to finish what he’d started.

“What do you want?”

“I—I want you. Please, Ken. Please.”

He kissed her again, rougher, deeper. She gasped, not from the force of his kisses, but from the shock of the hose between her legs. The stream of water touching her exactly how she’d wanted him to touch her. A wave of embarrassment washed over her, but faded quickly as she lost herself to the sensations. So vivid, so astounding.

“Spread your legs,” he said, and she did, letting him touch her without touching her.

And then, before she was ready, before she saw it coming, the world exploded, and she arched back against his arm, trusting him to keep her upright. Her chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath.

“That looked like it felt nice.” His soft voice tickled her ear.

She opened her eyes and found him smiling at her, the look of pure male satisfaction unmistakable. “That was…amazing.”

“Glad you liked it.”

She licked her lips, sated, but still wanting more. “So, back to Maria’s now?”

“That’s my plan.” He rubbed the towel vigorously over his hair, then draped it across her shoulders.

“To whose room?” She asked the question boldly, but her stomach was turning somersaults. She wanted him in her bed—hell, she wanted him in her—but she wasn’t quite willing to beg for it.

She could read the answer from the look on his face—casual, devious, yet a little sad. “It’s still my game, sweetheart.”

His voice was firm, almost too firm, as if he were trying to convince himself as well as her. Her eyes welled, and she blinked back tears. Until now, she hadn’t fully fathomed the depths to which she’d wounded him. But she knew Ken, knew he wanted her, knew he was enjoying this time with her. But something—pride, anger, revenge—wouldn’t let him admit it.

“Ken?” She looked up at him, not certain what she wanted to say. “Whose room?” Her voice was too casual, and she was certain he could hear the tiny bit of hope in her tone.

For a moment she thought he would cave. She could see it in his eyes. Real desire. As much as she did, he wanted to ditch his plan, take her to his room, and make love to her until they were too tired to do anything but phone room service. The thought made her tremble, and she fisted her hands, hoping he’d give in to desire.

But then she saw his resolve fall back into place, and she knew it would be another lonely night. She wanted him, he wanted her. But he’d fight it forever.

Damn.

“Ken?” she asked, sure she already knew the answer.

He nodded. “Our separate rooms.”

Her lips pressed together, and she considered the wisdom of arguing. Throwing caution to the wind, she stared him in the eye. “You can’t hold out much longer. You want me. And I’m going to be just one narrow hallway away.”

“I’ve resisted temptation before.”

“You remember I sleep in the nude.”

He swallowed, and she chalked up one point for her on her mental scoreboard. “Well, that should give me something to think about until tomorrow night.”

She quirked a brow. “Tomorrow?”

“Our next date.”

She nodded. Of course. Another night of exquisite torment.

He moved closer and she could smell the lingering scent of the ocean on his body. “And, sweetheart, about tomorrow?”

She nodded, her mouth dry, her body tingling. “Yes?”

“Wear that damn red dress.”