Part 19 (2/2)

During her narrative, Johnny and Nicky sat side by side on chaises and tried very hard not to look at each other.

And only partially succeeded.

But Nicky was cognizant of Johnny's relations.h.i.+p with his daughter and perhaps slightly intimidated by Vernie as well. She tried really hard to behave with discretion and tact.

Meanwhile, Johnny was hard pressed to keep from spiriting Nicky away. Only sheer will and the constant reminder that at ten o'clock-give or take-he would be rewarded for his well-mannered restraint, kept him in check.

It was a taut and strained interval before dinner for two of the five people in the cabana. Fortunately, the other three seemed not to notice, engrossed as they were in the tales of Vernie's world travels. Or perhaps, Johnny and Nicky's acting abilities were demonstrably better than they thought.

Needless to say, dinner was equally difficult to pull off in terms of projecting the appropriate demeanor. Especially when the third bot tl e of wine was broached at dessert.

Nicky refused more wine at that point, even though it was a golden muscat she loved. If she had another drink, she couldn't guarantee her behavior. Johnny looked way too luscious, lounging in his chair at the head of the table-all tanned and virile in his cream silk, open-necked s.h.i.+rt, dark as sin and handsome as a G.o.d. And it didn't help that he casually handled the role of host as if to the manor born. He was gracious, charming, and affectionate to his daughter, erudite and discerning when it came to practically any topic. Although, the fact that he was a world-cla.s.s stud seriously trumped even the most masterful of hosts in her current hot and bothered mood.

All Nicky could think of was s.e.x, s.e.x, and more s.e.x. Overcome with an almost overwhelming need to touch Johnny, she flexed her fingers against the silky skirt of her green dress, which looked as good in Nice as it had in Paris. It would have been easy to reach out; he was so close. But she had to wait, she warned herself-for numerous reasons... most having to do with not embarra.s.sing herself in public.

Maybe she should have a few quick cups of coffee. They might help mitigate her all-consuming, ravenous urges-further enhanced by alcohol, no doubt. Perhaps caf feine would a.s.suage the need-an- o.r.g.a.s.m-right-now mantra running through her brain and make her less inclined to throw herself at Johnny and plead for s.e.x.

Even with three gla.s.ses of wine under her belt, she understood that doing that was strictly verboten.

Suppressing a s.h.i.+ver of desire, she stealthily glanced at her watch. ”s.h.i.+t.” Oh, jeez, she'd said it aloud. ”Sorry,” she muttered to the table at large, everyone's gaze having swiveled in her direction. ”My watch battery's worn out again.”

”Doesn't that always happen when you're miles from a store,” Vernie said, sympathetically.

”We'll get one in the morning,” Johnny offered. ”Let me take a look.”

As she held her wrist out to him, he leaned over, whispered, ”Hang in there, babe,” as though he was a mind-reader. Unbuckling the band, he slipped her watch into his pocket, and said, ”Let's take our coffee and dessert out on the veranda.”

It wasn't a casual suggestion. With his erection becoming more and more difficult to restrain, he needed to get away from the bright lights in the dining room. The ca ndle-lit veranda would better s uit his need for concealment.

He wasn't usually so impatient. He must have had too much wine. Or maybe s.e.x-on-demand was more of a constant in his life than he'd thought. Perhaps, Nicky simply engaged his interest more profoundly than other women.

Not a thought he particularly cared to pursue. But the lights had to go-that he knew. And quickly.

He waved the houseboy over. ”We'll take our coffee on the veranda,” he said, without waiting for a response from his companions.

”Bring the dessert, too,” Jordi said. ”Please,” she murmured after a look from her father. ”And thank you,” she added for good measure.

He waited for the rest of the party to precede him, then followed them out to the veranda, grateful for the dusky shadows.

The summer night was ideal-balmy and warm, the stars twinkling in the velvety darkness of the sky, the full moon a brilliant orange above a calm sea.

Over dessert, Jordi and Marie kept up a steady chatter, while Vernie did her share of talking as well. Until, finally taking note of Johnny's desultory replies, Vernie said, ”You must be tired.”

”I am. I'll go to bed early tonight.” He suppressed a smile at the tantalizing thought.

”Why don't I take the girls into town in the morning and let you sleep in?” Vernie suggested. ”It's not as though they mind shopping.”

”Sounds like a good idea,” Johnny replied, when it actually sounded like sheer, unadulterated bliss. He had plans for the night, and Jordi was an early riser.

”Want to go shopping, girls?” Vernie asked, grinning at the raucous response to her question. She glanced at Johnny. ”I gather that's a yes.” And before long, although it seemed like eons to two adults with s.e.x on their minds, Vernie began gathering up her charges. ”We've had a busy day. Say good night, girls.”

”Do we have to?” Jordi wailed, looking at her father.

”You two can watch a movie,” Ve rn ie offered. ”You don't have to sleep. Just get in your jammies.”

”Better do what Vernie says,” Johnny agreed. ”If you wake up early, you can go shopping early. How about that?”

”Can we watch Jaws'! Please, please. Vernie'll never let me watch it. I'm nine now. It can't be that scary.” Kids had that sixth sense when they could maybe get by with something.

Vernie looked at Johnny. ”It's up to you.”

”Why not,” Johnny said, glad Jordi hadn't asked if she could watch a slasher film, because with his mind focused on getting Nicky into bed as quickly as possible, he just might have said tempted to say yes.

After good-night kisses were exchanged and several more dispensations had been wheedled out of Johnny, the girls and Ve rn ie left.

Leaving a pregnant silence.

Johnny set down his coffee cup, the sound of the cup striking the saucer ringing like a thunderclap.

Nicky jerked in her chair.

Johnny blew out a breath. ”Sorry.”

”I'm a little on edge.”

”Tell me about it. It seems like months since the beach.”

”More like years.”

He smiled. ”We'll give everyone five minutes, then take the back way up. With this hard-on, I don't want to run into anyone.”

”Except me.”

”That's m y plan,” he said very, very softl y.

”Just a word of warning,” Nicky breathed, his plan and hers identical. ”I might come the second you touch me.”

”I'm about there myself. I almost lost it a hundred times during dinner. You must be some kind of witch,” he murmured. ”Definitely a good witch, though. Don't get me wrong.”

She suspected he'd been the object of adulation so often and with such regularity, she didn't know if she should add her homage to the cast of thousands before her. Although, what the h.e.l.l. It wasn't as though she was planning for any lengthy relations.h.i.+p. ”All I know,” she said, honest to a fault, ”is that you turn me on like no one has ever turned me on. I don't know if it's magic or your talents in bed, but whatever-I'm more h.o.r.n.y than I've ever been in my life. So-has enough time pa.s.sed, or what?”

”Oh, yeah.” After that blunt statement, no man in his right mind would hesitate. Leaning over, he took her hand and rising to his feet, pulled her up.

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