“Oh God,” she whispered to herself, knowing what he was about to do.

Jay caressed her with gentle fingers, stroking over her bare mound. “So smooth.” He raised his eyes to look up at her. “Beautiful.” Then he brought his lips to her sex and pressed a kiss on it.

She felt liquid pool between her folds, felt heat build there. She shivered. Then his warm, moist tongue licked over her folds, and a shudder raced through her. She pressed her hands flat against the tile wall behind her, willing her legs not to buckle.

Jay used his hands to make her spread her legs wider, and she let it happen, drunk on the sensations he unleashed in her. He licked her slowly and gently, exploring her with patience and reverence.

With every skillful stroke of his tongue and gentle caress of his fingers, her arousal spiraled higher. Oh God, she would come. So soon, so violently. Because this stranger showed her such selfless attention. Treated her with such adoration.

“Oh Tara, to have a wonderful woman like you…” Jay murmured.

His words rattled her. Oh God, he had it all wrong! She wasn’t wonderful! She was rotten. Because her motive for being with him wasn’t pure. She’d chosen him solely to get back at her parents. The fact that she found him attractive was immaterial. Because if he wasn’t a penniless waiter, she wouldn’t be having sex with him now.

Oh crap! She was so screwed up.

With her last ounce of willpower, she placed her hands on Jay’s shoulders and pushed him back.

“I’m sorry, I can’t do this.”

With a surprised look on his face, he gazed up at her. “Did I do something wrong?”

She shook her head. “It’s not you. It’s me.”

Jay rose slowly. “I suppose you’re not that into me after all. No worries.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You don’t really know me. And it’s all happening too fast. I shouldn’t have come on so strong.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just it wouldn’t be fair to you.”

His eyebrows snapped together in confusion. “Fair? What are you talking about?”

She looked away. “I’m only here with you to get back at my parents.”

“What?”

Tara cringed. “I’m so sorry. I should leave.”

He cupped her shoulders. “Please don’t.”

She looked up at him. “But it wouldn’t be right if I slept with you just because I’m mad at my parents.”

“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on with you and your parents?” he asked gently. He stroked his knuckles over her cheek. “And I’m not asking you that just to get into your pants.”

“I’m not wearing any pants,” she deflected.

“Yeah, and I’m trying very hard to ignore that fact right now. So, please,” Jay added softly. “Tell me, what did your parents do that has you so spooked?”

She sniffled. “Do you mind if I get dressed first?”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, a gesture she found utterly sweet. “I’ll get you a bathrobe.”

5

Dressed in jogging pants and a white T-shirt, Jay sat on the large sectional in the main cabin, when Tara entered. She wore his white bathrobe and almost disappeared in it.

“Come, sit with me.”

Considering that she’d just prevented him from having sex, he looked surprisingly calm and kind. Any other man might not be as friendly and sweet after being led on by a woman who then backed out at the last minute.

Jay rose and ushered her to the L-shaped sofa. She took a seat on one side, while he sat down in the opposite corner.

“Tara, I didn’t mean to come on so strong, but when a woman is as enticing as you, it’s kind of hard for a guy not to react.”

Tara lifted her eyes to him and forced a smile. “It’s my fault.” She shrugged and looked away again. “And it’s not that I didn’t want to sleep with you.” She still did. “It’s just I didn’t want to do it for the wrong reasons.”

“And what reasons would that be?” he asked softly.

“My parents,” she started. “They want to control my life.”

A gentle smile played around his lips. “And you’ve decided to show them that they can’t, haven’t you?”

How was it that this stranger knew what was going on inside her? “How—?”

“You wouldn’t be the first person to rebel against her parents. So what do they want you to do?”

“Find a suitable rich man, get married, and make babies,” she spat.