Recipe for Temptation - Gina Gordon Page 0,48

she’d recognize that silhouette anywhere.

Cole was making his way on stage.

To her right, Dave sidled up to Beth. When Cole’s warm hand snaked up her back and gripped her shoulder, she melted into him.

Her heart swelled. Once again he’d come to save the day.

“I think we’ve just upped the ante, ladies and gentlemen.” The DJ walked to the front of the stage. “We now have a couples contest.”

“Cole?” she whispered, turning slightly so she could see his face. He stood behind her, most of his body covered by hers. “What are you doing?”

Their eyes met, and he gave her a look that screamed, “No fucking clue.”

They were both floundering on this island, trying to shed some of the chains they’d brought with them from home. But he was here for her. He had come to this island for her.

“Sexy is your specialty,” he whispered in her ear. “Let’s show them what you got.”

Over the last few days she’d seen him blossom and come out of his shell. And his unconditional support and concern for her well-being was overwhelming. He had been right. She needed to show her family exactly the woman she’d become. Because she was awesome. Successful. Happy. Proud of the woman she saw in the mirror every day. And even more, she loved the woman she saw in Cole’s eyes.

“Are you ready?” The DJ stood at the front of the stage with his back to the roaring crowd. “The sexiest couple wins.”

Of all people, it had been Cole Murphy that had forced her to realize she could be herself, that she should be herself, because she was enough.

She switched her position with Cole, taking her place at his back. She wove her hands through his arms and staked her claim, one hand gripping his hard pec, the other braced against the smooth ripple of his abs.

“Just go with the flow,” she whispered.

He turned his head. “If I go with the flow, I’m liable to get arrested for indecent exposure.”

She giggled. “Then I’ll just make sure to cover your front with my back.”

He shook his head, letting it fall forward. “That might be worse.”

Her laughter was drowned out when the music changed from ukuleles to a slow, sensual bass that was perfect for what she had in mind. She loved dancing. Loved moving her body in the most torturous way. And she was going to torture Cole.

She teased him. Made him moan. She wasn’t thinking about the crowd full of people behind her. She didn’t even care that her brother and sister-in-law were right beside them. Right now, it was just the two of them.

Making sure one part of her body remained connected with his at all times, she stepped in front, threading her arms around his neck. Her hips pressed into him, and she undulated rhythmically, moving her body from side to side. His hands found her hips, his fingers digging into her through the fabric of her dress.

With a grin, she turned, pressing her backside into him. His low grunt kicked up her movements. Letting her head fall forward, she bent at the waist, then wiggled her ass. She was happy for her decision to wear heels tonight. She needed the height. Needed it to remain in position when she bent over and placed one hand on the stage.

She felt the fabric of his pants against her ass cheeks. Her dress must have risen with her movements. When she turned her head, she watched as he held up his hands, fingers twitching to touch her bare skin. But he didn’t.

“I think it’s getting hot in here.” The DJ whistled into the microphone.

She was having fun. Something she never had to try to have when she was away from her family.

She straightened and threw her head back, her hair hitting Cole in the face. She craned her neck and looked up at him. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to devour him right on this stage. But she’d keep it PG-13. Although with the amount of thrusting and grinding, maybe she was running into R rated territory.

He groaned into her ear. “You’re making it really hard for me not to throw you over my shoulder and find the nearest dark space.”

“Oh…” She wiggled out of his arms and danced slowly around his body, letting her fingers drag across his chest. She settled flush against his back. “I think it’s already hard.”

She took slow, deliberate steps as she made her way back to stand in front of him.