No Strings... (Harlequin Blaze)

chapter 3



THE FOLLOWING MONDAY at seven in the morning, Chloe was seated next to Aiden on a plane heading to Nassau in the Bahamas. From there, they’d take a small puddle jumper to the island of St. Raphael where the private, secluded resort was located. They were scheduled to arrive at the hotel by early afternoon. Once the jet leveled out, the pilot announced that it was now okay to move about the cabin and turn on approved electronic devices, and promised that the refreshment cart would be making its way down the aisle shortly.

Chloe frequently took business trips for work and was used to sitting by the window in the cramped quarters of coach, usually next to a stranger who kept to themselves for the duration of the flight. But the moment Aiden plopped his big body into the chair beside hers and their knees and elbows bumped as they buckled their lap belts, she knew their intimate seating arrangements would wreak havoc with every one of her five senses for the next few hours.

So far, her prediction proved to be true. Sitting next to the window, her body was hyper aware of his broad shoulder brushing against her arm and the way his leg occasionally grazed her thigh when he shifted in his seat to find a comfortable position that would accommodate his long legs. At least he’d settled down for takeoff, and as she cast a sidelong glance at him, she found herself envious of his ability to completely relax when the surface of her skin buzzed with sensual awareness.

His head was resting against the back of his seat, and though his eyes were closed, she wasn’t sure if he was sleeping or not. But even like this, he was hotter than any man had a right to be with his early morning tousled hair, the sweep of his ridiculously long, dark lashes against his cheeks, and those full lips that were made to give a woman all kinds of forbidden pleasures. Even his casual attire made him look sexy and confidently male.

She’d never seen him in anything but a business suit, and she had to admit that he looked damn fine in a dark blue short-sleeved knit shirt that complimented his toned physique, and a pair of well-worn jeans that lovingly clung to his muscular thighs and other interesting body parts that piqued her interest. And why did he always have to smell so damned good? His expensive cologne was subtle, but the warm, sandalwood scent, mixed with his own male pheromones, never failed to tap into her desires and make her ache deep inside.

At the office, she was constantly near Aiden, but with work as her top priority she was able to keep her attraction to him in check. Or walk away when that heady pull between them became too overwhelming. But right here, right now, there was no putting distance between herself and Aiden, so she was just going to have to suck it up and deal.

Lord, it was going to be a long flight.

Desperately needing some kind of distraction, she reached down and pulled a folder from the computer bag she’d stowed beneath the chair in front of her. Releasing the fold-down tray, she set the file on top and immersed herself in work. Specifically, the research she’d already compiled on the St. Raphael resort and its current branding, mission statement and operating procedures.

Unlike a singles resort, where the main draw was drinking and partying in a girls/guys gone wild style, and hooking up with the opposite sex was a free-for-all, St. Raphael offered a unique and modern-day spin to matching compatible couples while offering fun, interactive activities in a romantic atmosphere. While the concept didn’t interest Chloe on a personal level, from an advertising angle it was an executive’s dream. There were so many interesting aspects to build a campaign on, like developing a catchy slogan to pull in consumers, beautiful pictures to capture their imagination, and the lure of finding love and a happily ever after.

She and Aiden had already filled out the required questionnaire that the resort used to match up couples, and the two of them were scheduled to attend events and various activities to mix and mingle and “make a connection.” It was the only way for them to evaluate the process in order to present the client with a cohesive advertising campaign for the resort. Perry had even hired a local professional photographer to be on hand to capture any shots she or Aiden needed to elevate their presentation.

There was no way Chloe could forget that this was a business trip with a huge incentive on the line. But she also knew in order to really absorb everything the resort had to offer, she had to open herself up to the fun, seductive aspect of the island retreat so she could better translate the experience into her campaign.

And that included relaxing around Aiden, too. They weren’t at the office, and there was absolutely no harm in a little flirtation between them, which they already indulged in, anyway. And if her seductive teasing threw him off his game a bit, well, it would be his own fault for letting their attraction get the best of him.

“We’re not even at the resort yet, and you’re already working?”

The low, chiding voice came from Aiden, who was no longer dozing. She glanced at him, meeting his dark, velvet blue gaze, still heavy-lidded from his brief nap. “I started a portfolio for notes and ideas for my campaign as soon as Perry announced we’d each be doing a presentation. Do you know what the name St. Raphael stands for?” she asked, testing his knowledge of the resort.

A slow, lazy smile curved those sinful lips of his. “St. Raphael is the patron saint of love and lovers, which is very appropriate for a matchmaking resort.”

The husky way he said the word lovers sent a warm shiver through her. Yeah, flirting with him was very natural and easy and always reciprocated with genuine interest. “I’m impressed. You’ve obviously done your homework, too.” She would have been more shocked if he hadn’t.

“I always do,” he murmured. “Speaking of homework, how crazy was that matchmaking questionnaire we had to fill out?” he asked with an incredulous shake of his head.

The required survey had been a long, tedious process that had covered every end of the spectrum of a person’s life, from personality, career aspirations, religion, finances, pet peeves, family values and even sexual compatibility. That last part had been her favorite section of the test. As she’d answered each question, her mind had strayed to Aiden, wondering if his responses had matched hers. Was he more gentle and romantic in the bedroom, or did he prefer the aggression of unleashed passion? Was he open to role-playing and fulfilling fantasies if his partner was willing? And how important was foreplay to him?

Oh, yeah, she’d definitely had fun with those questions. The other more personal ones, not so much, but she’d been honest with her replies in order to see how the whole matchmaking process worked.

“The quiz was pretty intensive,” she agreed, and since he was in a chatty mood she slipped her work folder back into her computer case. “I felt like I was back in college taking a final exam. Except the subject was my life. I know the questionnaire is necessary, but it all seems so...desperate and forced.”

He absently rubbed his palms along his jean-clad thighs, considering her reply for a moment. “How so?”

Since he looked genuinely curious to hear her opinion, she gave it to him. “I’m not a big fan of professional matchmaking,” she said honestly. “I’d rather let nature take it’s course instead of my interest in someone being dictated by the answers on a quiz.” After how badly her last relationship ended, for her, basic chemistry was the way to go, without any messy emotions to lead her astray. And it gave her more control over how long an affair lasted.

“Which also has its pros and cons,” he refuted smoothly, not the least bit bothered by the rattle of the plane as it hit an air pocket. “The problem with letting the relationship develop naturally and being lured in by the initial physical attraction is that you only see what’s on the surface and you don’t really know the person beyond the basic likes and dislikes.”

She tipped her head to the side, always enjoying a good debate with Aiden, knowing that the deeper they got into this conversation, the more her point would be revealed. When he believed strongly in something, his fierce passion, drive and intelligence was always a delightful sight to behold. “And you think a matchmaking quiz would change that?”

“I think the test might reveal some potential problems between couples that might not be there in the beginning, but could cause issues and conflict once the initial glow wears off. Or even after marriage.”

Something in his gaze hardened with that last sentence. Aiden was always so charming and easygoing, that the darker emotion she saw flicker in his eyes startled her.

“I think it’s important to know if you have a similar outlook on politics as someone you’re seriously dating,” Aiden went on, as if choosing his words carefully. “Or if your views on finances are the same. Or what kind of priority having kids and a family is in comparison to career aspirations.”

“I see your point, but I also think the results could be skewed, depending on the answers the other person provides,” she disputed lightly. She knew Aiden was divorced, and wondered if his argument was based on his own personal experience. “I highly doubt that someone is going to openly state on the application that they’re a controlling jerk, or that they have severe OCD tendencies or if they have an internet porn addiction.”

He grinned at that, his demeanor relaxing once again. “Okay, I’m not saying it’s a perfect system, but statistics do show that taking a compatibility test does work and can identify issues between couples before things get serious. And that’s not a bad thing.”

Chloe doubted that a quiz would have alerted her to Neil’s dominating behavior and his explosive temper when things didn’t go his way. No, it wasn’t until he’d put an engagement ring on her finger that she’d started to see the true personality he’d kept under wraps while they’d been dating. “Well, it’s a good thing that I’m not looking for anything serious, anytime soon,” she said, pulling herself back from those dark thoughts.

A slight frown marred his brows. “What about the guy you’ve been seeing?”

She hadn’t been seriously involved with anyone in years, and had no idea what had given him the impression she was seeing anyone, let alone seriously. “What are you talking about?”

“That guy I’ve seen you with at the Executive Bar,” he explained, and then she understood. “I just assumed the two of you were dating.”

“Ummm, no.” An occasional hookup didn’t equate to dating. Steve, the guy Aiden was referring to, had been nothing more than a friend with benefits. Neither of them had been interested in a complicated relationship, until Steve had met Jenna and he’d fallen hard for the other woman. That had put an end to their booty calls, and Chloe hadn’t been with anyone since.

“I’m not seeing anyone,” she said, deciding to keep her reply simple and straightforward. And now that the question was out there in the open, she was curious to know if he was dating anyone. “How about you?”

“Nope.” He shook his head. “I’ve been so focused on work that I haven’t had time for a relationship.”

A relationship, no. But what about sex, she wondered, just as the refreshment cart came to a stop by their seats. She couldn’t imagine a sexy, virile man like Aiden abstaining for long stretches of time. But as she hadn’t volunteered that information, she couldn’t ask him, either.

The pretty female flight attendant turned their way. “Would either of you like something to drink?” she asked, her gaze lingering appreciatively on Aiden.

Aiden didn’t seem to notice the attention as he glanced at Chloe with an impish smile. “I believe I still owe you a drink to celebrate the Organic Kitty contract,” he said, sounding truly apologetic for not showing up at the Executive Bar like he’d promised. “Can I make it up to you now?”

“It’s kinda early for alcohol,” she said, her tone wry.

“Coffee then?”

She nodded. “Sure.” She could use a shot of caffeine since she’d been out of the house early to catch their flight.

Aiden asked for two coffees, hers with cream and sugar, and just sugar for his. The attendant filled the order, placed the paper cups on their trays along with a warm cinnamon roll for a morning snack, then moved on to the next row.

“I think you’re getting off way too easy for standing me up,” she said, motioning to the free coffee she was sipping. “I waited for two hours that evening and you never showed. The least you could have done was text me to let me know you weren’t coming.”

His grimace reflected a genuine amount of contrition. “I really am sorry about that. I was just so thrown by Perry’s decision to pit us against each other, I needed time to process it all.”

“I get it,” she said as she pulled off a piece of her cinnamon roll and popped it into her mouth. “Honestly, I felt the same way.”

“But I’m fine now,” he reassured her with a grin while biting into his own breakfast pastry. “In fact, I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

“That’s good, because you’re going down, Landry,” she said with a playful, flirtatious growl that sounded very suggestive, even to her own ears. Her innocent comment had twisted into a sexual innuendo that hung in the air between them like a challenge of its own.

“Mmm, we’ll see about that,” he murmured.

His eyes had turned dark and hot, and something deep inside Chloe quivered with awareness. After what seemed like an endless amount of time, he finally glanced away, took a drink of his coffee and devoured the rest of his cinnamon roll before she’d even finished half of hers.

Not quite ready to let the slow burn between them fade away, she decided to embrace her new go-with-it attitude and have a little fun with Aiden. “So, back to that questionnaire we filled out. How important is sexual compatibility to you in a relationship?”

Aiden’s bemused expression told her that he had no qualms discussing the intimate details of his sexual preferences with her, and it was that playful, comfortable attitude she enjoyed so much about him. They could pretty much talk about anything and it never felt awkward.

“On a scale of one to ten, I’d rate it a nine. I have a healthy sexual appetite and I’d like my partner to match that. You?”

She’d always pegged him for a man who went the distance, in everything he did. Including sex, it seemed, and that enticing thought had her nipples tightening against the confines of her lace bra. “Oh, definitely a nine for me, too,” she murmured, even knowing they were playing with fire with this particular conversation.

“And what about foreplay?” he asked before she could formulate another question, so effortlessly turning the tables so that she was now sitting in the hot seat. And clearly, he liked having the upper hand.

There was no mistaking the wicked grin curving his lips, or the shameless look in his eyes that dared her to be just as bold and brazen. She’d never shied away from a little risk and adventure, and this discussion was much too entertaining to pass up.

“Well, that all depends on the situation,” she said as she took another small bite of her cinnamon pastry and oh-so-slowly sucked the sweet icing off her index finger, which he watched with avid heat and interest. “I love being caressed and stroked and having a man’s hands and mouth all over my body, and vice versa. I could indulge in foreplay for hours before the main act, if there’s time and we both want to take it slow and tease one another.”

Just the thought of Aiden’s fingers and lips skimming intimate places made her pulse race a bit faster. “However, there’s something to be said for a hard, fast quickie, when you’re already so hot for each other that touching isn’t even necessary to climax.”

“Agreed,” he said, the gruff, husky pitch of his voice brimming with a low, heady thrum of arousal.

She swallowed hard. He’d subtly shifted closer, his upper body now turned toward her seat. Their gazes were locked, his intense stare so hot and dark and hypnotic it seemed to singe right through her.

The sizzling arc of energy between them was palpable, and in the depth of Aiden’s gaze she glimpsed all the forbidden places he could take her, the carnal pleasure he could give her, and knew an affair with a man like him would be like riding a runaway roller coaster that ended in a wild free fall.

Her stomach fluttered, the sensation spiraling south, and Chloe knew she ought to put an end to their provocative banter—they were sitting in an airplane, for God’s sake—but she was much too intrigued by his responses, and very curious to know more.

“Biggest fantasy?” she asked, the question rushing past her lips in a breathy whisper before she thought better of it.

“Watching a woman pleasuring herself.” His tone was soft and bone-meltingly seductive, the kind of voice she imagined he’d use when coaxing a woman to do his biding. “You?”

Chloe crossed one leg over the other, because there was a sudden throbbing, insistent ache between her thighs that was getting increasingly more difficult to ignore. “Being taken by a man. Aggressively. Passionately.” A part of her was shocked that she’d truly revealed her biggest turn-on, instead of opting for a more watered down reply. But the lust reflecting in Aiden’s gaze made her honesty all the more worth it.

The truth was, after her last serious relationship she had a difficult time relinquishing any kind of control, even when it came to sex. She knew her previous partners had found her intimidating in the bedroom, and she had to admit that her direct approach to sex helped to keep their affair from getting emotionally complicated. But secretly, the thought of a man being confident and aggressive enough to take charge of her pleasure was a fantasy that made her weak in the knees.

His gaze dropped to her mouth, adding to the chaotic hunger taking up residence within her. “You have icing on your bottom lip,” he murmured.

The muscles in her stomach tightened, and she swiped her tongue across the plump surface, tasting the remnants of cinnamon and vanilla. He tracked the movement with his gaze and gave his head a slight shake.

“No, right here.” Lifting his hand, he skimmed his thumb just below the corner of her mouth, the same time she licked the exact spot.

Her tongue accidentally touched the pad of his finger, and he sucked in a harsh breath but didn’t move his hand away from her face. Instead, his fingers slowly slid around to the nape of her neck and his thumb pressed gently against her jawline, holding her steady in his grasp. She watched and waited, utterly spellbound by the fascination and desire etching his gorgeous features and illuminating the brilliant blue of his eyes.

Their attraction was certainly nothing new, but this blatant hunger, well, this was exciting and potent and irresistible on so many levels. Her gaze dropped to his mouth, and her lips parted of their own accord, while her heart began a heavy, wild beat in her chest.

Had she ever wanted a kiss so badly? Not that she could ever remember. But it was Aiden’s kiss she craved, to the extent that nothing else mattered but feeling the heat and pressure of his mouth on hers.

He must have felt the same way, because he uttered a coarse, resigned, “screw it,” and gave in to the same temptation she was battling.

His lips claimed hers, as confident and persuasive as the man himself. Without preamble, his tongue slipped inside her mouth with a direct challenge, one she accepted just as eagerly. Long fingers tangled in her hair as he angled her head to the side and took her to a deeper, darker place, where two years of verbal foreplay and daring flirtations culminated into an explosive kiss that was nothing short of incendiary.

Chloe certainly felt as though she was about to go up in flames, and she moaned in the back of her throat as her body melted from all the heat they’d generated. A needful ache spiraled straight between her thighs. For all the times she’d fantasized about kissing Aiden, she had to admit that reality was far more erotic and twice as exhilarating.

With her head held in place by his big, strong hand, he controlled everything about the kiss—the rhythm, the depth, the thrust and parry of tongues—providing her with a glimpse of what a dominant lover he could be, how he’d wield that same power over her body, given the chance. The arousing thought made her purr like a cat being stroked in all the right places...until the plane hit a patch of turbulence, jarring them both back to the present.

He quickly pulled his mouth from hers and swore beneath his breath, as if belatedly realizing what he’d done and how it might affect their working relationship. She stared into his enigmatic blue eyes, just as stunned by her own reckless behavior, but she couldn’t deny that his kiss had rocked her world in a major way.

She licked her bottom lip, tasting the remnants of Aiden in her mouth—a dark, delicious flavor she knew could become highly addictive, if she let it. “Why did you do that?” she asked, because he’d clearly been the one to instigate the kiss.

He withdrew his fingers from her hair and settled back into his own seat, though his gaze never left hers. “Because I have impulse control issues?” he offered as an excuse, a playful half smile curving his lips.

“Liar,” she accused softly. The man was controlled at all times, and she shivered as she recalled how he’d oh-so-skillfully, and much too easily, commanded her during that intimate lip-lock.

He released a long breath and shook his head. “Honestly, it just happened. And I’d really be lying if I said I was sorry.”

Surprisingly, she had no regrets, either. “I get it. We’ve been flirting with one another for the past two years, and since we’re being so candid, I have to admit I’ve always wondered what it would be like to kiss you.” Okay, she’d imagined more than just that, but she wasn’t about to confess all the down and dirty things she’d thought about doing with him. “It’s nice to know that the attraction is mutual.”

“No kidding.” He scrubbed a hand along his jaw and groaned. “Shit. This is bad.”

“You started it,” she said, and laughed, trying to make light of the situation.

He gave her an impish grin. “Yeah, and we both know it would be career suicide to see where that spontaneous kiss might take us.”

It was a statement they both were very familiar with. A company edict that had served as a reminder of why there were certain personal lines they’d never crossed...until now.

“Don’t worry, Aiden,” she reassured him with a pat on his knee. “I don’t kiss and tell, so no one at the office will ever find out.”

However, having just shattered the one sacred, fundamental rule that had once stood between them, Chloe wondered how they were going to revert back to professional colleagues. Especially when their brief encounter had left her wanting much, much more.