One Night of Misbehavior

CHAPTER Nine



Charlotte fought to restrain her laughter and almost managed, keeping her merriment to an abrupt gurgle. The arrested expression on his face. The instant heat in his eyes. It warmed her from the top of her head to the tips of her bare toes. She thrust her feet into a pair of sandals and grabbed her bag, checking her sunglasses were inside. “Do we need to take towels with us?”

He cocked his head as if he were trying to decipher her, to search the inner workings of her mind. “No, they have plenty down by the pool.” With a subtle caress at her hip, he ushered her from their room.

“When are you going to tell me about the new campaigns you have for me to work on?”

“We can talk about them on the flight home,” he said, his hooded eyes hinting at other ways of filling in their spare hours. “Relax and enjoy yourself. They’ll have activities at the house for guests, and hopefully the business discussions won’t take long. Your bikini is going to drive me crazy.”

“Why? It’s very staid as far as bikinis go.”

“I haven’t seen you in good light before either,” he said. “Very remiss of me. I don’t usually jump women in dark hotel rooms or make love to them in street alleys.”

“I’m sorry for their loss. I found it most memorable, although I am looking forward to a bed. Can’t wait to grope you,” she added impishly. “Ever since our late-night phone call I’ve fantasized about what I could do with my mouth.”

“Have mercy, woman.” His plea was a warm burst of air across her earlobe. “I don’t want to embarrass myself in public.”

Her gaze slid across his chest, down the contours of his hard abs to the growing bulge behind his black swim shorts. “Smile and exert your charm. If they’re a woman, they might not notice your wee problem.”

Ash snorted. “Not so much of the small. You’re a hard woman, Charlotte Dixon.”

“I think you’ll find you’re the hard one, Ash Marlborough.”

“I foresee a gigantic splash in your future.”

“You wouldn’t toss me in the pool.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him. “Would you?”

“Minx, I should paddle your backside.” His gaze narrowed on her. “In fact I might just do that. Three, I think. Yes, I see three swats in your future.”

The threat should have scared her or at least dampened her ardor, but instead, liquid heat dampened her folds. Giggles tickled her throat, and she swallowed them down. Each of her senses sharpened, the sun, the heady scent of greenery and the balmy air making her feel the range of possibilities in the day. Ash’s presence drove away every scrap of loneliness.

Outside their private villa, they followed a hedge-lined path leading to the right. Gravel crunched beneath their feet and the musical tinkle of running water filled the air. The hedge came to an end, although the path continued. Mature trees, interspersed with tubs of purple and white flowers, provided cover from the sun.

“I can hear water, but I can’t see where the sound is coming from.”

“It’s a water feature,” he said, his hand at her back maintaining contact between them. “There’s another path on the other side of the hedge.”

The trees thinned out, giving way to a large open area, studded with loungers plus tables and chairs and a kidney-shaped pool sunk into the ground. A grin broke out as she paused to study the view of the valley beyond.

“Would you like to swim before relaxing in the spa pool?” he asked, indicating a spa pool and a small hut to their left. A pile of white-and-blue-striped towels were visible on shelves inside the hut.

“Swim, I think.”

“Good plan,” he said, glancing around for glimpses of other guests. “I need to deflate my erection before someone notices.”

“Oh, I noticed,” she said, letting her hand trail lower to rest on his hip. “I’m aquiver with anticipation. Should I grab some towels?”

“Please.” He dropped his phone and wallet on a sun bed, and she placed her bag on the lounger beside the one he’d chosen.

Before she was halfway to the tiny hut, he dived into the pool with the merest hint of a splash. She watched him cut through the water, his strokes strong and smooth. It was fun teasing him, and she was pleased he wasn’t reacting in a negative manner. She’d yet to hear him raise his voice or be anything less than charming to the people they met, and the tabloid press gave him enough provocation. After living with Elizabeth, his sunny mood was a pleasant change.

Back at the sun beds, she kicked off her shoes and strolled to the edge of the pool. Cool water lapped around her toes and she hurriedly withdrew her foot. “It’s cold.”

He swam over to her, his teeth a flash of white as he grinned up at her. “The water is the perfect temperature to cool libidos.”

She snorted and started to step away. “I’ll take your word for it.”

His hand curled around her ankle and he tugged. Her shriek and the mighty splash she made as she toppled into the pool combined with his uninhibited laughter. She came up spluttering.

“That was mean.”

“I intend to kiss it better.”

Before she could protest, he corralled her against the edge of the pool, his arms either side of her body. The determination and sheer need in his blue eyes held her still, then his mouth covered hers. It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t pretty. His kiss dominated her, made her aware of her femininity and his superior strength. It tossed her into a maelstrom of sensations—desire and desperate hunger. Charlotte melted against him, acknowledging the time for play was over. The steely length of Ash’s erection rubbed her lower stomach, propelling a tremor the length of her body.

“I want you inside me,” she whispered when their lips parted.

“Not yet,” he said. “You’ve teased me for the last hour. You will wait until we’ve warmed up in the spa.”

She pouted, running her fingers over his chest. Then she scraped her teeth along the tender skin of his neck. His soft gasp didn’t go unnoticed, and she took the next steps in their silent war to discover which of them would break first. She nibbled his earlobe and explored the shell of his ear with her tongue.

“Minx.”

He was on to her, delighting her with his quickness and the way he almost read her mind. She swiveled her hips, grinding against his erection, and he cursed softly.

“That’s it,” he said, dragging her toward the shallow end of the pool. “If we stay here much longer, I’m going to f*ck you in public again. For a change, I want privacy and a massive, soft bed. Lots of naked skin.”

“Good idea,” she said, her tone serene, yet inside desire bubbled like a thermal mud pool—erratic and explosive. “Do you think it’s possible to die from sexual frustration?”

“Hell, yeah.”

She laughed at his heartfelt reply, exiting the pool with a swagger of hips. His touch on her arm burned, the inferno spreading to her breasts. Her nipples tingled, and a piercing ache sprang to life between her legs. Ash wrapped a towel around his waist, grabbed his possessions and hustled her back to their room.

Inside their villa, he locked the door, the clunk of the lock a statement of intent. She expected him to jump her then, manhandle her to the bed and take her in a frenzy of urgency.

Instead he unwrapped the towel from his waist and wiped her dry. He unclipped her bikini top, letting it drop to the floor while he dabbed the water from her breasts. Gently he toweled her hair, blotting the worst of the dampness from the long locks. She stood silently, quivering beneath his touch, swallowing as he tugged her bikini briefs down her legs. He dried her legs, her back, her bottom.

Once he was satisfied she was dry, he turned his attention to himself, roughly dragging a fresh towel across his skin. He dropped the towel on the floor with their swimsuits. Only then did he concentrate on her—a long look that sent her insides swirling. He kissed her gently, yet it was the caress of a lover—thorough and deep but way too brief.

His fingers curled around hers and he led her to the bed. One second she was standing and the next she was draped over his knee, staring at the thick creamy-beige carpet. She sucked in a breath, too startled to do anything except squeak. His large hand cupped her bottom, running his callused palm over the smooth skin. He rubbed her buttocks, his fingers smoothing back and forth.

Whack!

The crack of Ash’s hand across her ass took her by surprise. She jolted, but he held her fast with firm hands. Before she could catalogue the pain, the sensations that roared across her ass, two more smacks followed swiftly on the heels of the first. Heat bloomed on her skin, quickly merging with the burst of discomfort, the stroke of his fingers stirring unexpected pleasure. He leaned over and she felt a moist sensation.

She frowned over her shoulder. “Did you just lick me?”

“I did. Should I do it again?”

“Well, it wasn’t horrible. The licking, I mean. The spanking—”

“I told you I’d spank you.” He turned her on his lap until he cradled her in his arms. “It’s important to carry through on threats. Some women enjoy being spanked.” His eyes danced with amusement, making her realize that compared to him she lacked experience.

An inelegant snort erupted from her. “The jury is out on spanking.” Yet despite the crack of pain, he hadn’t hurt her and now an insistent ache filled her sex. She raised her head, silently requesting a kiss, and he obliged. Her heart soared as their tongues tangled and his hand smoothed over her naked back.

Still kissing her, he lifted her and set her on the bed, following her down.

“Damn,” he muttered. “Let me get some condoms before we get comfortable.”

She glanced down at her naked body. “I’d say we’re pretty comfortable already.”

He rolled to his feet and crouched by his bag, returning in seconds. “All set. Now where were we?”

“We’ve done the spanking part already,” she said hurriedly. “You need to start at the kissing stage. You’re good at that.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled, and his chuckle emerged laced with sin. With one quick move, he loomed over her, his arms holding his weight. Unafraid, she scanned his face, his chest, committing his body to memory.

“You should go without clothes more often.” Charlotte lifted her hand and ran it across one pectoral muscle.

“You make me laugh. I liked that about you from the moment we met.” Then before she could reply, he kissed her with rough abandon. His hands shaped her breasts, rolling one of her nipples between finger and thumb.

She tore her mouth away from his, gasping, arching her body against his in a demand for more. “Please,” she whispered, reinforcing her actions with words. The ache between her legs was growing more insistent, and she wriggled beneath him, attempting to guide his cock right where she wanted it.

Instead, he moved down the bed, the wet pull of his mouth at her breast distracting her.

“That feels good, Ash.” An understatement. Each touch pushed a wave of warmth into the hollow of emptiness inside her. He made her feel special, important. He made her feel wanted. Needed even. And his touch. She hadn’t realized how much her spirit had craved physical contact with another person.

He lifted his head with a faint pop as he released her nipple. His eyes were dark, his jaw shaded with stubble. Unable to help herself, she reached out in return, her trembling fingers smoothing across his cheek.

“You’re going to spoil me for other men,” she murmured.

His gaze narrowed, his body going taut. “I thought you liked me.”

“I do.” She patted his cheek again, testing the stubble beneath the pads of her fingertips. “But you’ll get tired of me. Don’t worry. I’m not going to get clingy. We’re just having fun. I know that.”

“You talk too much,” he snapped, and stymied any hope of further discussion with his mouth. His lovemaking took on a harder edge, but she gloried in his expertise. His hands forced hers to the mattress and stopped her from touching or responding to his strokes.

They were both breathing hard when Ash reached for a condom. He made quick work of rolling the latex along his shaft and pushing strongly into her. Charlotte gripped his shoulders and cried out as he set up a rapid rhythm of thrust and withdraw. Each surge pushed at her, tossed her into a sea of pleasure, his grip holding her safe until a final hard stroke brushed her * at the perfect angle. She cried out, shattering under his touch, her climax pulsing for ages until she drifted back down.

Above her, Ash tempered his thrusts until she recovered. With pleasure lapping her senses, all she could think was how lucky she was to have met him at a time when she needed to find herself again.

Ash started to move faster, buffeting her body with his controlled strength. His mouth closed over hers, and he drank in her cry when another series of spasms struck her out of the blue. A long, masculine groan filled the room, and he stilled, eyes closed, his face contorted in a mask of pleasure.

Long seconds later, his eyes popped open, and they stared at each other. He smiled, smoothing the hair off her face. “That was worth waiting for.”

She grinned up and him, and he kissed her tenderly before pulling out of her and disposing of the condom. He pressed his lips to her cheek, the corners of his eyes crinkling in silent humor when she yawned. “Why don’t you have a snooze?”

Without waiting for her agreement, he swept back the bed covers and lifted her. He whipped the duvet over her, kissed her cheek again and said, “I need to make a couple of phone calls. Sleep because I intend to keep you awake late into the night.”




* * * * *

On Saturday, they left the villa and drove to the property owned by Ash’s client on the outskirts of Clare. As they rounded the corner and the house came into view, a gasp escaped her. “It’s beautiful.” She stared wide-eyed at the mansion nestled at the foot of a hill amongst trees. It wouldn’t have looked out of place in a documentary about English manors.

“It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?” Ash glanced at her with a faint smile. “The Matheson family has lived here for several generations. The original Matheson came to New Zealand from England. The story goes he was a black sheep, and his family shipped him down here to avoid a scandal.”

“He obviously came good,” Charlotte said in a small voice. Had she brought the right clothes? She’d gone with smart casual, but her wardrobe choices weren’t exactly limitless.

Mature oak trees lined the drive up to the house and gave way to a huge gravel area. As Ash pulled up in front of the house, a woman appeared at the top of a flight of steps. While the house might have been traditional, the woman wouldn’t have looked out of place at an Auckland society party. Her white-blonde hair was cut in a structured bob. She wore a tight black skirt that struck her at mid-thigh and had teamed it with a matching black-and-white silky top. A pair of spiky black boots completed the look.

“Who is that?”

“Nicola Matheson.” Ash’s toneless voice dragged her attention to him.

Charlotte’s brows rose. “Oh?”

“The woman is a barracuda. Make sure you protect me.”

“What? Auckland’s premier bad boy is frightened of a woman?”

“Barracuda,” he repeated tersely. “She has a twin brother called David. I haven’t met him, but he’s meant to be here this weekend.”

Charlotte climbed from the car and waited for Ash to introduce her. He slipped an arm around Charlotte’s waist and pasted a smile on his face—a charming one, but she noticed it didn’t reach his eyes. She was coming to know his expressions.

“Hello, Nicola. This is my girlfriend Charlotte Dixon. Charlotte, Nicola Matheson.”

“Ah, the mystery redhead,” Cassandra drawled. “You have the gossip sheets humming with rumors and speculation.”

Ash didn’t comment, merely turning to the older couple who appeared at the top of the steps.

“Come in,” the man boomed in a hearty voice. “Leave your bags. Nicola will organize someone to deliver them to your rooms.”

Rooms? Charlotte had thought they were sharing.

Nicola must have caught her look. “Daddy is a bit old-fashioned. Don’t worry. We have oodles of guests this weekend. I’m sure the passage will be full of sneaking men and women in the small hours of the morning.”

Ash took care of the introductions. “Keith, Margaret, this is Charlotte Dixon. Charlotte this is Keith and Margaret Matheson.”

“You have a beautiful house,” Charlotte said to Margaret as they were ushered inside.

“It’s a money pit,” Keith boomed. “But it’s home.”

Charlotte spent the afternoon exploring the gardens and having afternoon tea with Margaret and some of the other female guests while Ash and Keith secluded themselves in the study and took care of their business. The women were mostly older than her, but they were pleasant and went out of their way to include her in the conversation.

“Do you have your outfit organized for tonight, dear?” one of the women asked.

“I do. Ash and I went shopping when we arrived.”

“A man who doesn’t mind shopping? Snap him up, my dear,” the woman said. “When are you getting married?”

Charlotte smiled and shook her head. “We’re just friends.”

“Oh, I thought—” She cast a quick glance at Margaret. “Ash has gone out of his way to keep you from the press. We thought it meant he was serious. He certainly has the signs of a besotted man.”

He did? “We haven’t known each other long.”

“Where did you meet?”

Charlotte hesitated, not enjoying being under the conversational spotlight. Tell them you had a one-night stand with Zorro, Ms. Feisty suggested. Charlotte choked back a laugh then aware they were staring at her expectantly, she said, “We met at a recent charity ball. Our grandmothers are…were old friends, although Ash and I didn’t realize that then.” A sharp pang pierced her as she thought of Gran and her matchmaking. Who knew Gran’s pile of correspondence held such scheming. Charlotte had posted and collected the regular letters, never suspecting a thing.

Thankfully, new arrivals interrupted the interrogation, and Charlotte escaped to her room and solitude.

Ash tapped on her door half an hour later. “Come and see my room,” he said. “You’ll need to know where to find me later tonight.”

“Are we going to share a bed?”

Ash turned to her, expression serious. “Try and stop me.”

“My dress is in your bag anyway. I might as well dress for dinner in your room.”

“I have a large en suite,” he said. “We’ll save water and shower together.”

Charlotte grabbed her makeup bag, fresh underwear and shoes before walking hand in hand with Ash to his bedroom. “Wow, you lucked out in the bedroom stakes,” she said.

“As long as we’re discreet, there’s no reason we can’t share.” He unfastened the top button of her blouse.

A surge of anticipation zapped south, frisking every pleasure point on the way. Her breath caught, and she stared at him wide-eyed. “Are we having that shower now?”

He checked his watch. “It’d pay to multi-task.”

They undressed each other, hands and partially removed clothes getting in the way. Her nipples pebbled in the air-conditioned room, heat stabbing her core as her excitement rose.

Ash dragged her into the en suite and turned on the shower. He squashed her against the tiled wall and she yelped at the blast of frigid water.

“Cold,” she squeaked, squirming to escape his grasp.

“I’ll warm you up.” He sank to his knees, wedging her legs apart with his hand. His stubble grazed the tender skin of her inner thighs before he parted her folds and licked firmly across her *.

“Oh. Wow,” she said in patent understatement. Her hands moved restlessly across his shoulders before threading through his short, dark hair. Jolts of pleasurable excitement struck her with each rake of his tongue. One long finger pushed inside her, curling to stroke across a sweet spot. Hard and fast, desire whipped her, pushing and pulling her in every direction at once. The pleasure drove her high then dropped her abruptly as she shattered.

Ash surged to his feet and grabbed the condom he’d set on the soap dish. Seconds later he was sheathed, and he lifted her, pushing inside her sensitized body, his lips seeking hers. She tasted her tartness on his tongue, felt the contrasting hardness of teeth. All she could do was hold on while Ash took, demanded more from her. Her heart leaped, pounded as he pushed deep. Her nerve endings vibrated as she clamped her thighs around his waist. He came with a long, low groan, holding her tightly for a moment before he released her and let her slide down his body. Gasping, they pressed their foreheads together.

“That was hot,” she said.

“I want to do that every day. It’s energizing.” His blue eyes were bright as he lowered his head and kissed her, a slow, tender kiss that made her heart twist with alarm.

Temporary. This weekend with Ash was about fun and celebration. Gran would approve and Ms. Feisty sure as hell did, judging by her inner whooping, but there were no promises made between them, and she couldn’t expect them.

“I guess we’d better get ready for dinner,” Charlotte said.

“Yeah. Maybe we can sneak off early.”

“How did the business go?”

“Good. Everything is sorted. I’m glad I brought you with me,” he added. “I get the feeling Keith wouldn’t mind even closer ties between our families.”

“Uh-oh.”

“Yeah,” he said, grabbing the soap. “Turn around, and I’ll scrub your back for you.”

The dinner and entertainment following were fun. Everyone dressed for the occasion and standing inside the ballroom was like stepping back into the roaring twenties with flapper costumes, feathers, white suits and slicked-back hair.

“Have I told you how sexy you are in that dress?” Ash whispered against her ear. The warmth of his breath sent a pleasurable shudder through her and all she could think of was touching him again.

“Can we dance?”

“Can you do the Charleston?”

“Nope,” she said. “But I bet you can, and I’m okay with making a fool of myself. I like to learn new things.”

“You’re on,” Ash said, leading her onto the dance floor. He kept his polite grin intact while inside he was screaming in frustration. The odd remark from her made it clear she considered their relationship temporary. Damn it, he didn’t intend to let Charlotte walk away. Somehow, he had to prove they were good together—a matching pair. “What did you think of David?”

“Is he gay?”

“I don’t know, but he gives off that vibe.”

“Maybe not,” Charlotte murmured, pointing with the tilt of her chin. “He’s smooching with the girl who sat next to him for dinner.”

Ash showed her the steps and she picked it up quickly, laughing in delight whenever she messed up. After their dance, they both moved on to other partners. Charlotte danced with everyone, from bumbling teenagers to portly grandfathers, just as she had at the charity ball where he’d first met her.

“She’s a lovely girl,” Margaret said when she caught him watching Charlotte. “Does she know you love her?”

“Am I that obvious?”

“Only to me. I was hoping you’d hit it off with my daughter, but she informs me she made a pass at you during your last visit and you politely brushed her off.” Margaret’s tone was wry, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. “I could have told her subtle would work best with you.”

Ash barked out a laugh. “I do prefer to do my own hunting.”

“Your parents must be very proud of you.”

“There’s just my father, but he is pleased with the way I turned out. And I’d have to say he deserves the credit.”

Margaret smiled warmly again. “I hope you’ll bring Charlotte to visit again, once you’re married.”

“Maybe,” Ash said, knowing he’d have to persuade Charlotte first. Hell, he wasn’t sure why she thought he was only interested in a fling. Maybe it was his track record. He’d made a point of telling his girlfriends he wasn’t looking for a wife, but a couple of them had thought otherwise, hearing what they wanted to hear. With Charlotte—he didn’t know. All he could do was silently pursue her and let her realize that together they were a great team.

Just after midnight, Ash sought Charlotte out, folding her in his arms and moving slowly to a waltz. “Are you almost ready to call it a night?”

“Margaret said they intended to have supper soon. Perhaps we could sneak off then and no one would notice.”

Almost as soon as she’d spoken the words, the song ended and the lead musician announced a supper break.

“A mind reader,” Ash marveled, loving the way the grin spread from her lips and echoed in her eyes. Even better, it was all for him. She genuinely enjoyed his company, she was always happy to indulge him sexually, so why the hell was she running scared when he hinted at permanent? “Let’s pretend we’re going to wander around the gardens.”

“You want to snatch a kiss or two in the dark.”

“Of course, but we’ll wait for the good stuff until we reach my bedroom.”

Keith Matheson intercepted them before they reached the door, and Ash swore under his breath. “Fate conspires against us.”

“Why don’t I meet you in your room?”

“Good idea.”

She slipped into the garden, her apricot dress a slash of pale color against the dark background.

Ash played nice, chatted with the gentlemen Keith wanted to introduce him to and offered a charming smile to the two women in the group when all he wanted to do was run after Charlotte. The women twittered like birds, their hands waving in illustration of their gushing. Their gazes flitted to his scars and away, eyes lowering until they ended up flirting with his chest. After half an hour of frustrating social chitchat, he managed to extract himself and made his way upstairs. As he turned the corner into the passage, he saw someone entering his room.

Charlotte must have gone to her room first. His steps lengthened, eager to get to her and do some more subtle wooing. It was no hardship caressing her body and capturing her moans with his mouth. He opened the door, surprised to find the room in darkness.

A feminine squeak of shock suddenly echoed through the air, followed swiftly by a male shout. Ash switched on the light, flooding the room with illumination.

Charlotte sat up in the king-size bed, clutching the pale blue sheet to her naked chest. David Matheson, Keith’s son—also naked—stood by the bed, a pillow held in front of him to maintain his modesty.

“Is this an exclusive party or can anyone join?” Ash asked.

“I thought…I came… What is she doing in your room?” David asked, his voice gaining in strength with each word he spoke.

Ash leaned against the doorjamb. “I invited her. What are you doing here?”

“You’re gay. Nicola told me,” David said, searching Ash’s face and edging farther away from Charlotte. Ash lifted his brows and David’s face crumpled. “She lied to me.”

“I’m sorry,” Ash said. “Your sister has been pulling your leg.”

“You’re really not gay?” Obviously David wanted to believe he still had a chance.

“No, I’m sorry.” Ash speared a glance at Charlotte before turning back to David. “Do you need a robe?”

Scarlet flooded his cheeks. “I have one on the floor somewhere.”

Ash saw a silky pile of tartan fabric and plucked it off the carpet, handing it to the young man. David awkwardly juggled the pillow while trying to cover himself.

“Charlotte, shut your eyes,” Ash said. “David, I’m closing my eyes too. Put on your robe. Are you done?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t listen to your sister again,” Ash said, ushering the young man out of the room. He closed the door behind him and turned to survey Charlotte. “Are you okay?”

“Speechless, more than anything,” Charlotte said. “He’d just arrived. I thought it was you. When I reached out to touch him, he didn’t feel the same.”

“Good to know,” Ash said, studying her sheet-draped form. “Do you have anything on under that sheet?”

“Not a thing.” Her saucy tone raised a smile in him.

“Did he touch you?” Ash held still, uncharacteristic jealousy surging through him. The unusual emotion made him realize how hard he’d fallen, how much he cared for Charlotte.

“Nope, I was the impatient one.” She fluttered her lashes at him. “After all, it is a dirty weekend and that should involve touching.”

Ash laughed. He dragged the armchair that sat in front of the window and placed it hard up against the bedroom door. “That should stop any further nocturnal visitors,” he said and started to strip off. “We can be as dirty as you want.”