A Perfect Compromise. Anna Sugden

      “How about a walk along the beach?” J.B. took her hand, pressed his mouth to the pulse point at her wrist, then linked fingers with her.

      She smiled. “Sounds perfect.”

      They took off their shoes, headed down to the water’s edge and strolled through the water until they were away from the main part of the resort. While they walked, they talked—about her job and his, about his family and hers. They carefully avoided mentioning the future, not even what they’d be doing when they got home.

      At the end of the property there was a long stretch of empty beach with no buildings or lights, only a few palm trees. The moon turned the sand silver, making the place look magical. J.B. and Issy sat beneath one of the trees—he leaned against the trunk, while she sat between his legs, as she had during that crazy dance on the night they’d met—and watched the twinkling lights of the vessels out at sea.

      And kissed.

      Long, slow, deep kisses. Hot, hard, urgent kisses.

      Soon, it wasn’t enough. J.B. jumped up and helped her to her feet. Arms wrapped tightly around each other, they didn’t stop walking until they were outside her door.

      This time, Issy didn’t invite J.B. in for a nightcap. Now that the moment was actually here, she couldn’t say the words. Her throat was too tight. Her mouth too dry. So she grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. Then she took the Do Not Disturb notice and hung it on the handle before closing the door.

      J.B. stood in front of her, his expression solemn. “Are you sure?”

      She closed her eyes briefly. Last chance to back out.

      The knowledge that he’d accept her decision, even if it was no, gave her the courage she needed. “Definitely.”

      “Thank God,” he murmured before lowering his head and taking her mouth.

CHAPTER FOUR

      J.B. HAD PLANNED to take things slowly. Not that he’d taken anything for granted. He’d hoped, for sure. Tonight was their last chance, with Bella leaving tomorrow, but he’d known the odds of ending up in her bed were as evenly balanced as a shoot-out.

      Although this was only a one-time thing, he understood it was a big deal for her, so he needed to make tonight special.

      No pressure.

      It had taken every ounce of self-control to let her set the pace while they’d kissed. Especially when the tip of her tongue had slipped between his lips and tentatively touched his. The combination of sweet innocence and passionate intent was killer.

      Even once they were inside her room, he’d been determined not to rush.

      And he didn’t. Not when she eased his shirt out of his pants. Not when she undid his buttons, her knuckles brushing against his chest with each one.

      Things got a little dicey when she pressed soft, moist kisses to his bare skin.

      When she licked the ridges of his six-pack, his good intentions began to crumble. He closed his eyes and bit back a moan.

      J.B. held strong until she reached his belt buckle. Then his intentions were blown to hell.

      “My turn.” His hoarse words sounded sharp in the silent room.

      Bella’s hands stilled. Her uncertain gaze shot up to meet his.

      He stroked a finger along her cheekbone and down to her mouth. “We don’t want this over before you’ve got started.”

      She didn’t look reassured, so he traced her full bottom lip. “Trust me. Any more ready and I’ll embarrass myself.” He smiled.

      Bella frowned. “But...?”

      His finger across her lips silenced her. J.B. replaced his finger with his mouth, letting his hot, deep kiss take over the convincing.

      Her resistance melted. He felt the nervous tension ease from her body, to be replaced quickly by desire.

      When she tried to wrap her arms around his neck, J.B. caught her wrists and lowered them to her sides. “Uh-uh. Turnabout is fair play.”

      She bit her lip but didn’t argue. Curiosity and need replaced the uncertainty in her eyes.

      J.B. licked her lip, kissed both corners, before nibbling his way along her jaw. He dipped his tongue into the hollow behind her ear, then tugged her earlobe gently with his teeth. His smile broadened at the tremor that went through her.

      Unhurried, he alternately kissed and nipped his way down the side of her neck and along her collarbone to her shoulder, relishing the way she sighed with pleasure. He licked along the edge of her strapless dress, across the swell of one breast, through the valley between and over the other, before returning to the center and the pink, flower-shaped top button of her dress.

      He slipped the button out of its hole and pressed an open mouthed kiss to the fragrant skin he’d revealed. Bella’s breath hitched, straining the fabric around the second yellow button.

      Undo. Kiss. Hitch. Repeat.

      The next button was orange, the one after green. It was like eating a bag of hard candies. Different colors, different flavors; each more mouthwatering than the one before.

      Her dress fell partly open as he reached her waist, the fabric catching on the peaked nipples of her breasts. She wasn’t wearing a bra. His erection surged as he freed both sides, laying her bare.

      Beautiful. He wanted to taste and touch every delicious inch.

      J.B. swept Bella into his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down, then sat beside her. He continued unbuttoning until the dress was completely undone, while he explored her with his mouth. As he trailed his tongue along the underside of each creamy breast, then circled each taut, dark cherry nipple, his fingers caressed the tanned skin of her belly. The muscles of her stomach tightened at his touch, but she didn’t stop him.

      He went lower still...to the top of her white, silky panties. Then under the lacy trim to the dark curls beneath. He deliberately avoided touching the most sensitive part of her, even though she raised her hips, slightly offering him access. He also didn’t dip his fingers into her damp heat, despite her tiny mewl of frustration and his own need.

      Hooking a finger into the elastic, he pulled the panties slowly down her legs before tossing them aside.

      Her hands tugged his shirt open and stroked feverishly over the heated skin of his chest. When she tried to push his shirt over his shoulders, he pulled it off, throwing it behind him before returning to her side. “Where was I?”

      Bella shook her head. “Not so fast. Pants, too. You’re overdressed.”

      J.B. did as she instructed. He kept his boxer shorts on; the last barrier protecting his sanity. He also took several condoms out of his wallet and placed them on the bedside table.

      “Thank you,” she said softly. “I’m already protected, but I appreciate you being responsible, too.”

      “Better safe than sorry.” He stretched out beside her, his head propped on one hand. “Okay?”

      “Definitely.” An appreciative smile played over her lips as her gaze skimmed the length of his body. But the uncertainty returned to her eyes when she spotted the unmistakable bulge in his shorts.

      “I know you’re desperate to get your hands on my magnificence, but you’ll have to wait. It’s still your turn.”

      She giggled. “Your ‘magnificence’?”

      He feigned offense. “I assure you it lives up to its billing.”

      “I’m sure,” she soothed. “Can I call it Mag for short?”

      And there was another intriguing contradiction. She was nervous, but she was making