Free Do Me Baby (The Beaumont Series) by Angie Daniels Page B

approached and her eyes lit up with recognition.
    “Are you Rance Beaumont?” she asked with a strong Hispanic accent.
    He nodded.
    “I’m a huge Sixers fan!” She started giggling uncontrollable. “Wow! I’ve never photographed a celebrity before.”
    Oh, brother . She was batting her thick eyelashes and grinning so hard it was a wonder her face didn’t crack. She found it amazing the way women lost their minds when Rance was around.
    Debra wasn’t sure if the photographer was ever going to stop gushing, so she finally sighed heavily, drawing their attention back to taking pictures.
    “Oops, my bad.” The photographer instructed them on where to stand while she got her tripod in position.
    “Now pull her close. Put your arms around her. And Miss, put your hand on his shoulder. Good, just like that.” She snapped several photos.
    “Now look into each other’s eyes and say, ‘Te amo.’”
    I love you? Was she kidding? Yeah, right.
    Debra turned and tilted her head and stared up into his devastatingly handsome face.
    “Te amo,” Rance whispered, then winked. Debra licked her lips as he drew in close, almost as if he was going to kiss her. As soon as she felt his warm breath against her nose her body quivered in his arms and her nipples tightened.
    “Wonderful. One more.”
    Debra held her breath as she stared up into his beautiful eyes. She almost felt like she was being hypnotized. Finally, Rance released her and she forced herself to breathe.
    “All done. Photos will be available in the portrait store later this evening.”
    Rance thanked her and the two headed toward the dining room. “You okay?” he asked after several seconds.
    She looked over at him. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
    Rance looked like he wanted to say more, but he shrugged instead and took her hand. “C’mon, let’s eat.”
     
    * * *
    Dinner was better than any five-star restaurant, he thought as he bit into his chocolate cake.
    The menu was a choice of beef tenderloins, tiger shrimp and Chicken Marsala, with asparagus and twice-cooked potatoes. There were six to a table. Over the next hour all of them talked and laughed. The other couples had cruised several times before.
    “You think you’re going to get to play this season?” Rance knew as soon as the diehard Laker fan had recognized him that it was only a matter of time before that question was asked. “I sure hope to see you.”
    He met the retired naval officer’s eyes with a look of uncertainty. “So do I.”
    While they talked basketball, Rance watched Debra out of the corners of his eyes. She was having a conversation with Brad, who was sitting to her left. Their voices were low, so he could only catch bits and pieces, but it was clear they were discussing recipes. He and his partner Chris were taking their sixth cruise.
    He studied Debra, taking in the length of her neck and the way her face crinkled every time she smiled. There was a hint of a dimple at her cheek that he hadn’t noticed before. He was drawn to her outgoing personality. The second the hostess escorted them to the table, Debra came right over and introduced herself to the rest of the guests. They were instantly taken by her.
    The same as he had been.
    All through the meal he couldn’t stop looking at her, and the second dinner had concluded Rance rose, taking Debra’s hand, and led her quickly out of the dining room and up the stairs.
    “Where are you taking me?” she asked between giggles while she hurried to keep up with him.
    “Outside. I need to kiss you.”
    “Kiss me? I—”
    Her breath caught in her throat as Rance silenced her with his lips. It was an amazing kiss that heated her blood until every part of her pulsed with delight. Her nipples tightened against him, and despite every intention to pull away she found herself arching her body and drawing Rance even closer.
    “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to make love to a woman as bad as I want to make love to you,” he