Zambezi Seduction by Tamara Cape Read Free Book Online Page B

marbled nakedness.
    He thought of her attempts to lay down the law: wanting no unwelcome visitors to her room. Pretence! Some of his most memorable – and ultimately satisfying – liaisons had been with women who at first had concealed their interest. And did this one really think that over a three -week period he was not going to even try to bed her? No harm in playing hard to get – he liked that. But now he was in the mood, very much in the mood, it was time to test the water.
    He broke into the silence. “I enjoyed our chat. Hope I didn’t sound like a boring old fart who thinks he knows it all.”
    Kerry shook her head. “You have awareness – the ability to see through the surrounding hype and bull, get to the core of an issue.”
    T heir eyes were fixed on one another. Oh, my God, Kerry thought, we can’t go on like this. Just as she was about to make an excuse and disappear to her room, Chad drained the last of his whisky and, with a determined push of his arms, rose from his chair.
    He closed the space between them – slowly.
    “An excellent observation, Kerry.” His voice was husky, excited. “I’m aware of you – very aware.” He crouched down before her and laid his arms across her bare knees. Kerry could feel the heat of his body, smell his earthy male scent. His head came forward and his lips found hers. An arm snaked out, crushing her to him. His tongue forced her lips apart and invaded her mouth, flicking in and out, exploring, tasting. Testing her will. His hand left her head and caressed her neck, sending little shivers of pleasure through her body.
    Kerry was enveloped in a fog of whisky – his breath smelt of it, his tongue tasted of it.
    She drew back. With bated breath she waited for the words she knew were coming.
    Chad Lindsay looked up into her eyes. He took hold of her hand and squeezed it gently.
    “Kerry . . .” A lock of hair fell over one eye. The South African tossed it back angrily. “Sleep with me tonight. Please – I want you so much.”
    ***
    She wanted him. She longed to be held in those strong arms, talked to, told tales of Africa, loved in the safety of his bed – while below the ridge on the plain the wild herds slept fitfully, awaiting the explosive light of the new dawn.
    She wanted them, man and moment, as she had wanted few things before.
    But she couldn’t do it.
    Kerry knew how to refuse a man. Scarcely a week went by without someone trying his luck. It went with the job. Passengers paid a lot of money for their seats. Some, usually the worse for alcohol, felt they had the right to more. Scraps of paper with phone numbers scribbled on them were commonplace. Only last week she’d had her thigh stroked. All such approaches were best dealt with early by a polite but firm put down. The words came to her automatically. She screamed silently at them, trying to make them go away. She wanted Chad, despite her denial to Anna Grobler. She hated to refuse him. But she had to. Had to.
    “Chad, please . . . not now.” She sat back, trapped in her chair by his body. This was so much more difficult and delicate than dealing with an intoxicated stranger on an aircraft.
    He dropped her hand as if it were a hot coal. He struggled to his feet, towering over her. The look of shock on his face told Kerry this was not the result he had expected. The next moment his mouth twisted into a cruel smile.
    “My God, so Anna’s not alone. You’re a virgin too.”
    Kerry bristled. “That’s none of your business. Chad, you’ve had four large whiskies – it’s the drink talking. It’s only the third day. I don’t find you unattractive . . . and I think we’ve hit it off remarkably well. But, as you’ve stressed, it’s a working holiday – not a dirty weekend.”
    But already Chad was turning away. He shrugged and muttered, “I’m off to bed.”
    Then he was gone, leaving Kerry feeling guilty – although she had done nothing wrong. At their first meeting in the Johannesburg