Brand Of Possession

‘Why, you——!’

‘Fair's fair, Stacy. Last night you did agree to come with me.’

‘Yes, but—— Oh, never mind,’ she said impatiently. ‘I bet you always win an argument.’

‘I try to. I was a very spoilt little boy.’

‘I can imagine,’ she retorted dryly.

‘And I can imagine you as a very charming little girl.’

‘I wasn't,’ she laughed. ‘I was hateful. I was plump, had crooked teeth, and so many freckles it was hard to see where one ended and another began.’

His gaze ran over her appreciatively in her lemon slacks and black vest-top. ‘Looking at you now I would never believe it.’

She blushed in confusion, realising she had invited that compliment. ‘Oh, I should believe it, Jake, the hateful little girl underneath hasn't changed very much.’

‘Is that a warning?’

‘If you like.’

He laughed softly. ‘I like a challenge too. No man has ever liked to win a woman too easily, just as he doesn't like to be the pursued instead of the pursuer.’

‘You think you're going to win with me?’

‘I'm hoping so.’

She gave a pitying smile. ‘I wish you luck.’

‘I don't like the sound of that.’

‘You weren't meant to.’

They were nearing the harbour now, the gleaming boats bobbing at their moorings. Jake parked the car, apparently knowing which boat belonged to Martin Payne. He carried the picnic basket over to a white gleaming boat, its sleek lines beautifully reflected in the still water.

‘I didn't expect anything like this.’ She looked about the luxurious interior, coming back up on deck to sit on one of the plush leather seats.

Jake stowed the picnic basket down in the galley, unpacking a bottle of wine to put it in the small refrigerator provided. He came back up into the sunshine. ‘Just what did you expect?’

She shrugged. ‘I'm not really sure.’

He grinned. ‘But certainly not this. I do know how to work it, you know.’

Stacy looked at him, squinting in the bright sunshine. ‘I never for a moment doubted it.’

He laughed softly. ‘Are you ready to leave?’

‘Mm,’ she took a deep breath of the sea air. ‘I'm going to like this.’

‘I hope so.’ He quickly untied their moorings, guiding the boat out of the quiet harbour before increasing the speed.

Stacy threw back her head, laughing as the wind blew through her hair. ‘Mm,’ she sighed, laying back on the seat that stretched across the back of the boat, ‘this is relaxing.’

Jake turned briefly to look at her, his sunglasses shielding his eyes. ‘Did you bring any suntan oil with you? We're very lucky to be having such warm weather for this time of year, and although it may seem quite breezy out here the reflection of the sun on the water will burn your skin.’

She sat up, delving into the recesses of her shoulder-bag. She held up the tube of oil with a smile. ‘I thought I had some.’

‘Would you like me to rub it on for you?’ he asked softly.

Stacy blushed, imagining those long tapered fingers moving slowly over her body. ‘No, thank you,’ she said primly.

He grinned at her. ‘I somehow thought you would say that. Did you bring a costume with you?’

‘I have it on under my clothes.’ Thank goodness she had thought to take this precaution! She wouldn't have relished the idea of getting into her bikini with this man so near.

‘Why don't you strip off and try to get a tan?’

‘Er—no. I think I'll wait until we reach the cove.’

He shrugged. ‘Please yourself. Take the helm for a while so I can get out of these hot clothes.’

She stood up, looking at the controls uncertainly. ‘I'm not sure …’

‘Relax, honey. I'll be standing right behind you.’

She sat down on the chair he had vacated for her, shivering slightly as his arms came either side of her from behind to place her hands on the controls. His warm breath gently moved her hair against her cheek and she kept her head held rigid, conscious of just how close he was. She had only to turn her head slightly to the right and his mouth would be against her cheek.

But she wasn't going to turn her head! She had to be careful with this dangerous man, simply because he was dangerous. He ate up and spat out little girls like her almost every day of his life.

‘Perhaps that's what I'm afraid of,’ she said huskily.

‘You needn't be,’ Jake murmured close against her ear. ‘I won't ever do anything to you that you don't want me to.’

‘Then I wish you'd move away from me.’ She gulped. ‘I don't like it,’ she lied.

The arms about her were instantly removed and he moved to stand beside her. He started unbuttoning the rest of his shirt, pulling it out of the waistband of his trousers. ‘Is that really true?’ he asked softly.

She was aware of his bare torso as his hands lowered to the fastening of his trousers. She turned hurriedly away. ‘Yes,’ she snapped.

He threw his clothes down into the cabin and Stacy was tempted to turn and look at him. He was dressed only in navy-blue swimming trunks that moulded to his lean hips. His body was tanned a deep brown all over, at least as far as she could see, a dark mat of hair covering his chest and finishing at his navel. His body was firm and muscular, and he was in much better condition physically than a lot of men half his age. He was just a damned attractive man—and each moment Stacy found herself becoming more and more attracted to him.

He took over the steering of the boat. ‘Are you sure you don't want to take off those things?’

‘Very sure.’ She studiously ignored him, as she rubbed oil into her bare arms.

‘I'll see you when we get to the beach,’ he taunted. ‘I take it you are going to swim today?’

‘I am.’