Mexican Nights by Jeanne Stephens Read Free Book Online Page B

She wanted to pull her hand away, but to do so would confirm the nervousness his nearness was causing in her, a condition she knew he already suspected. While her small hand felt as if it burned with his touch, she found it impossible to pull her gaze away from his lean face, the eyes that were looking intently into hers as if he were imagining her in an even more vulnerable position than she actually was. In bed, perhaps?
    "It seems," he said, "I shall have to tell you what type you are—to salvage my reputation."
    Yes, she could see why he was so attractive to women. Derek Storm had that indefinable male aura that drew females like moths to a flame. She might as well call it what it was—sex appeal. Not that he appealed to
her
in that way. She preferred a gentleman—like Jack Ledbetter.
    "To start with the obvious," Derek said softly, "you are young and"—the dark eyes flicked expertly over her slim figure—"beautiful." Now his thumb was caressing the soft skin on the inside of her wrist. Terri managed to look away and fought to keep her thoughts in safe channels—the variety of tourists who were milling about the refreshment stands, the sun-baked landscape. But it was a battle she was destined to lose, since his thumb was causing her soft skin to tingle with a pleasurable sensation. How on earth did he manage to make such a simple gesture so sensual?
    "Also," he went on, a hint of amusement in his tone, "you are bright and strong-willed, but still unformed in some ways—refreshingly innocent."
    Terri felt a tinge of panic that made her want to spring to her feet and run, to put distance between them. But he probably didn't know what strong reactions he was causing in her. He'd done this sort of thing so often, he probably found it passé. His practiced words, his whole manner said, "Another girl— another woefully ignorant pupil needing my experienced tutelage—how very monotonous it all is."
    Finally, she found her voice. "A condition which you feel it your duty to change, I imagine." It was only a hoarse whisper, but she did manage not to blush.
    His wandering thumb now caressed the sensitive skin of her inner arm, causing in her a melting sort of sensation that was almost like a moan.
    "Derek," she said, her voice stronger, but only slightly. "I am not impressed by your technique. I have no intention of falling for the famous Storm line."
    His eyes dancing, he lifted her palm and pressed his lips against the soft skin. The sensation caused by the warm contact of his mouth sent fire through her body, a molten awareness that traveled to every nerve. "Stop trying to seduce me," she quavered. "People are watching."
    He lifted his head, a devilish smile playing at the sensuous contours of his mouth. "Then I have your permission to continue when people are no longer watching?"
    "No!"
    "How very prim and proper you are. Always so coolly composed—on the outside. Ah, Terri, when are you going to come out from behind all those inhibitions? Somewhere beneath that puritanical facade there is a deep well of passion just waiting to be plumbed."
    Realizing that his grip had loosened, she snatched her hand free, her eyes flashing with indignation. "What makes you think it hasn't already been plumbed?" she shot at him. "By someone who is more my type!"
    He looked deeply into her flashing gray-blue eyes, then clasped his arms about his knees again, a smug expression on his face. "That sort of thing always shows—to an experienced eye," he said with maddening assurance. "No, your education has been sadly lacking, Terri."
    "Well, if you think you are the one to rectify matters, forget it! I wouldn't let you educate me in—in—"
    "The fine art of love?" he provided. "I am sorry to hear you say that, Terri. You don't know what you are missing. I am a good teacher, and something tells me you would be an apt pupil. A natural, as they say."
    "You're disgusting!" she snapped. She got a perverse pleasure from seeing his mouth