CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“NOT BAD,” NOLAN SAID, inspecting the patio chair Ivy had just finished painting. “It gets my stamp of approval.”
Ivy glanced up at Nolan and had to force the thought to the back of her mind that she didn’t need a man’s approval. With Damien, it had felt like without his approval, nothing she did meant anything. “Do you think we’ll need to put on another coat of paint?”
“I think one coat will be fine.” He checked his watch. “It’s almost two now. You want to take a swim before grabbing something for lunch?”
Did she? While painting it had been hard to keep her eyes off him. He’d given her a paintbrush and he had used a sprayer. Just seeing his body constantly in motion had nearly been too much. And even outside in the fresh air, her nostrils still managed to get a whiff of his scent. How would she handle the two of them swimming together?
She glanced over at him and saw he was waiting for her reply. “Yes, I’d love to.”
“Okay, let’s meet back out here in fifteen minutes.”
It didn’t take long for Ivy to change clothes and put on the two-piece swimming suit she had brought with her—one she had purchased during a shopping trip last year with Tessa. Her outfit wasn’t like most two-pieces that she thought revealed too much. This one revealed just enough for her.
Nolan hadn’t asked her any getting-to-know-you questions yet. Instead they had talked about his cousin’s hotel that was being built in Paris. It was obvious he was excited that his company had been selected to install all the electronic and technology work for the Grand MD Paris; some of which would be the first of its kind anywhere. It had been nice listening to someone else talk techie stuff for a change.
When she returned to the patio, it was to find Nolan waiting on her. A pair of aviator sunglasses covered his eyes and he looked sexy wearing them. Where she had selected swimwear that wasn’t so revealing, he’d done just the opposite. He was obviously a man who didn’t mind showing what a great body he had and what great shape he was in. She should have reached that conclusion that first day when he’d walked around shirtless.
“Sorry if I’m late,” she said, trying not to stare at his masculine thighs and how the hair of his bare chest tapered down beyond the waistband of his swim shorts.
“You’re not.” He surprised her by reaching out and taking her hand. “Come on. Let’s head for the bay and you can tell me some more about yourself.”
She glanced up at him. “I thought you’d forgotten about that.”
He chuckled. “And let you off easy after all your grilling yesterday? Not on your life, Ivy Chapman.”
“I still have more questions,” she told him, while trying to ignore just how close they were walking side by side.
“But not before I get in mine.”
She looked over at him. “Your what?”
“My chance to ask you questions today. Are you daydreaming on me, Ivy?”
She had news for him. She was doing more than daydreaming. She was having full-blown fantasy thoughts. “Just so you know, I probably lived a boring life compared to yours,” she warned, loving how her small hand felt engulfed in his larger one.
“I understand you’re Dr. Ivory Chapman’s daughter.”
“Yes. You know my dad?”
“He was my pediatrician as a kid. He was nice enough until he had to give me shots. Then he became my worst enemy.”
She wanted to laugh. “That’s usually how it is.”
“Are the two of you close?”
She shrugged. “Close enough. Closer now than we were when I was younger. He and my mom got a divorce when I turned twelve.”
“Sorry.”
She glanced up at him. “I’m not. I wished it hadn’t taken that long. They were making each other miserable and I felt caught in the middle. Then when they finally decided to go their separate ways, they used me to get back at each other.”
He lifted a brow. “How?”
“In a custody battle. I would have been perfectly fine to spend the rest of my days not living with either of them, but with my grandparents. No such luck. They ended up with joint custody. So I had to spend six months out of the year with each.”
“What about you and your mom? Do the two of you get along?”
“Pretty much. Mom remarried a few years ago and lives in Florida. She’s happy and I’m happy for her. I try to visit at least once a year.”
When they reached the water’s edge, he released her hand and placed their towels on the branch of a low-hanging tree. She kicked off her sandals and removed her cover-up, sliding it off her shoulders and placing it on one of the branches as well.
When she turned back to face him, she was startled to find Nolan staring at her. She couldn’t quite decipher the look on his face, but it was suddenly intense. She needed some space ASAP. “Race you to the water,” she said and then took off running.
* * *
NOLAN’S GAZE HAD traveled all over Ivy’s body, appreciating every single inch, every delectable curve when she’d removed the cover-up. She looked more than just good in her swimming suit. She looked hot and his body’s most primal reaction had kicked in with mega force. It was a good thing she had taken off for the water when she had.
It still amazed him that she didn’t know how beautiful she was. From their conversation over breakfast, it was obvious some man, possibly more than one, had convinced her that wearing glasses diminished that beauty and that having such a brilliant mind made her less desirable. It was a pity she’d believed them.
Nolan took off racing after her. She’d made it to the water first only because he let her. His long strides would have overtaken her if he had tried hard enough. He was still remembering everything she’d told him during their walk from the cottage. It was obvious she hadn’t had a great childhood. Another pity. Was the demise of her parents’ marriage another reason she was so against marriage?
By the time he reached the shore she was already in the water and swimming like a fish. And she looked good doing so. Her hands and shoulders were expertly slicing through the waters.
“You’re slow, Nolan.”
He grinned before diving into the waters and swimming over to her. “And you’re good,” he said, swiping excess water from his face. “I watched you from the shore. Were you on a swim team?”
“No. My parents had a pool and I like swimming,” she said, swiping water from her own face.
“So do I.”
“And you’re not such a bad swimmer yourself,” she said, smiling at him.
“Let’s race,” he suggested.
She rolled her eyes. “We did that already and you lost, remember?”
Nolan figured it would be a waste of his time if he confessed that he’d let her win. “We’ll race just to that marker over there.”
Ivy lifted her hand to shelter her eyes from the brightness of the sun. “Where?”
“Over there,” he said, pointing to the marker near the dock.
That was his downfall because she pushed against him, making him lose his balance, producing a huge splash. That’s when she took off, swimming toward the marker.
“Cheater,” he shouted and began swimming after her.
She refused to look back and he figured she was well aware he was gaining speed and not far behind her. Just when she thought she’d made it home free, he grabbed her legs and pulled her under the water. He went under with her and they both came up moments later, laughing and spurting out water. “That’s not fair, Nolan,” she yelled, swiping water from both her hair and eyes.
“Oh, now you want to call foul play, huh?” he said wrapping his arms around her.
“Whatever.”
Despite the sun that had been shining brightly all day, the beach water was somewhat cool. He pulled her closer and wondered if she could feel his hard erection through his swim shorts. Evidence of what she did to him. He twisted her around to face him and their gazes met. At that moment he had to remind himself they were practicing, pretending to be lovers because they were having so much fun. Regardless, nothing between them was real...other than a friendship based on the mutual respect they were developing. And that was all they could and would ever share. A friendship.
Then why did he want to kiss her again? To plunder her mouth and hold her in his arms, regardless of if her clothing was wet or dry?
“Ready to head back?”
Her question interrupted his thoughts. In truth, he wasn’t ready. But he knew it was time to leave before he got himself in more trouble than he was ready to deal with. “Yes, but I have more questions to ask you,” he said, taking her hand to lead her out of the water. “One in particular.”
“Oh, and what question is that?”
“I want to know about the guy who hurt you.”
* * *
“WHY DO YOU want to know anything about Damien?” she asked, using the towel to dry off before sliding the cover-up over her shoulders. She had told him all he’d needed to know that day when Damien had phoned and she’d refused to take his call.
“My great-grandmother will ask me about him.”
She tilted her head. “Why would she do that?”
“Because she will expect me to know the whole story.”
She shrugged. “Maybe she won’t. Just tell her I didn’t want to discuss my old boyfriend with you.”
“She won’t believe me.”
“And why not?” Ivy asked him.
He wrapped the towel around his shoulders and neck and then looked over at her. “Because she knows I’m a stickler for details and I would want to know all there was about my girlfriend.”
She considered what he’d said for a moment and knew he was right. They should cover all their bases in case the subject did come up. If he wanted to know about Damien, she could sum him up in one word. “Damien Fargo was an ass.”
“I figured that much, Ivy. Tell me something I don’t know.”
They began walking toward the cottage, and after a moment, she said, “He wanted me to believe that he fell in love with me regardless of what he referred to as my imperfections—the glasses, being a techie and the way I dressed. I never was one who placed a lot of emphasis on fashion and style. I guess you can say he wanted to make me his creation.”
“Did he?”
“Yes. I thought I loved him and that he loved me and the change would be for the both of us and not just for me. So I ditched the glasses for contacts, got a closet full of new clothes and had a makeover that suited him.”
“Did you try to stop being a techie?”
“No. That was my career, but to satisfy him I stopped talking about my work and forced myself to get interested in other stuff like sports and photography.”
“Photography?”
“Yes, that was his hobby, so I figured I would get into it as well. I hated it.”
She paused for a minute and then said, “It wasn’t enough, though, since he cheated on me anyway. I walked in on him and another woman.”
“Not in your bed, I hope.”
She heard the anger in Nolan’s voice. “No. I had a key to his apartment. I was to be out of town and came back a day early. Imagine their surprise when I walked in and caught them.”
Ivy couldn’t help but remember that day and the humiliation she’d felt. “I ended things between us then and there.”
Nolan nodded. “Good for you. I’m sure he tried like hell to get you back, claimed it was a lapse of good judgment. That it was all the other woman’s fault, that he was sorry and it wouldn’t happen again and all that BS, right?”
“No. I didn’t hear from him again until he called me last week. I guess it took him two years to decide he was sorry. Like I told you, it was too late in coming. Besides, I had learned my lesson.”
“Is he still living in Houston?”
She shook her head. “No. I heard he took some job in New York last year and lives there now.”
“How long were the two of you together?”
“For almost a year.”
They had reached the cottage and Nolan turned to her, staring at her through the lenses of his aviator sunglasses. “You’re welcome to share my lunch with me. I’m having leftovers from the restaurant last night. There’s plenty.”
“No, thanks, but I appreciate the offer. I’m still full from breakfast.” What she wouldn’t tell him was talking about Damien had reminded her why she’d chosen not to ever get serious about a man again.
“What are your plans for the rest of the day?” Nolan asked, cutting into her thoughts.
“I think I’ll start a new book today. I brought plenty with me to read.”
“I hope you’re not planning to hide out again in your bedroom reading for the rest of the day and most of tomorrow.”
She had thought about doing just that. “And if I am?”
“That’s not going to work. Need I remind you why we decided to stay here together?”
No, he didn’t have to remind her. “Haven’t you asked me enough stuff for today?”
“It’s not about asking you anything else for now, Ivy.”
She frowned. “Then what is it?”
He took a closer step toward her. “Remember our discussion of those vibes yesterday.”
Yes, she had remembered that discussion. “What about it?”
“Time to work on increasing the level of sexual chemistry between us.”
“I hope you don’t think I’ve changed my mind about sleeping with you, Nolan.”
He sighed. “No, I don’t think that, Ivy.” He took his hand, reached up and gently caressed the side of her face before tracing her lips with the tip of his finger. “Still feel it?”
Yeah, she felt it. How could she not feel it? Way too much. “Yes, I still feel it,” she said honestly.
“Good. In order for others to pick up on our vibes, we must first pick up on them ourselves. It’s all about physical attraction.”
He held her gaze longer that she thought necessary but for the life of her, she couldn’t break eye contact with him. And why couldn’t she stop thinking about his mouth? She took a step back. “It’s time for me to go.”
He dropped his hand from her face and she thought that was the end of it. Instead he took hold of her hand and gently tightened his grip on it.
“Not before you promise me that you’ll stop holding back.”
Holding back? She had no idea what he was talking about. Honestly. “And just what am I holding back on?”
“Passion. At least the degree we need. I could detect it in your kisses yesterday.”
Great! Simply great! Was that his way of letting her know she was a lousy kisser on top of everything else? “Well, maybe, Nolan Madaris, that’s the best I can do.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t kiss, Ivy. In fact, like I told you earlier, I enjoyed kissing you immensely. What I’m saying is that I could tell you were holding back. You didn’t allow yourself to feel the kiss enough.”
Lordy, had she felt it any more she wouldn’t have survived it. “I did feel it.”
“Not like you should have. And until you do, the people closest to us will be able to tell something’s not quite right between us. Close your eyes for a second.”
“Why?”
“Just do it.”
Releasing a sigh, she closed her eyes. “Now think of something pleasant that’s not a place, animal or human. Think of something that’s fun to you.”
Not a place, animal or human? For crying out loud, what else was there? She drew in a deep breath, closed her eyes and then thought about her next security job with Wonderbelly. The new security software she would be introducing was on an entirely different level than any on the market now.
Suddenly, she felt the heat of a whisper close to her before that same breath lowered close to her lips. She was about to tense up but then she allowed her body to relax. And when she felt the tip of his tongue slide across her bottom lip, she let out a breathy gasp.
She was tempted to open her eyes to see what Nolan was doing but knew if she did, the moment would be gone. And she wanted to experience this, no matter what it was.
“Open your mouth for me, Ivy.”
She heard Nolan’s husky whisper and complied, easing her mouth open only to have it fill with his oh-so-invigorating tongue. And that same tongue began stroking her mouth in a way that had her panting with whimpers of pleasure. She was feeling this. Definitely feeling this. And it felt good. He began sucking on her tongue and she felt the motion, the pull, the suction, seemingly in the pit of her stomach. It was causing a rush of sensations to spread between her legs.
Her tongue began mating with his and deep in her throat she moaned something, she wasn’t sure what. All she knew was that his tongue was busy inside hers in a way that made her want to scream. However, doing so meant disengaging their mouths and she wasn’t ready to do that.
Ivy wasn’t sure how long they had been standing there feasting greedily off each other’s mouths when the sound of his cell phone invaded. Nolan slowly pulled his mouth from hers but continued to lick around the sides of her lips.
Of its own accord, her body began shuddering, and then she all but slumped against him when he wrapped his arms around her. She tilted her head and met his gaze. Saw the wetness around his lips. He had kissed her that hard, that deep and that thorough. “Could you tell the difference?”
She nodded slowly. Yes, she could.
His cell phone started ringing again and she heard him swear. “Go ahead and answer that, Nolan. I’ll see you later,” she somehow managed to say.
She turned and rushed inside the cottage. When she heard him call after her, she refused to stop and look back.