CHAPTER EIGHT
LOVE YOU INSIDE OUT
“Maybe.” Belinda felt as if she were melting from the inside out. How could just touching Oliver get her so hot and bothered that she wanted to launch herself at him? About ten different very naughty things she wanted to do to him scurried through her brain. Or should she let him take over? No, she liked being in charge. “But then again . . .” She nibbled on the inside of her cheek.
“I’ll give you a minute to mull it over.”
“Thanks,” she said, and closed her eyes. Oh, she’d like for her mouth to replace her hands, exploring him inch by delicious inch. But what she’d really like to do more than anything was to swing her legs over his hips and ride him wild and hard, coming up to her knees and then taking all of him, over and over. Or maybe she’d run her tongue up and down his shaft before taking him deep into her throat, sucking him while her nipples grazed his skin, pebble hard and sensitive.
Desire throbbed between her thighs. Just the thought of doing those decadent things to him caused an ache that cried for release.
Mercy. What was a girl to do?
“Belinda?” he asked.
She opened her eyes wide, glad he couldn’t read her mind. “Yes?” she asked softly. Heat traveled up her neck to her cheeks, but she decided to give herself a damned break. With everything that had been going on in her life lately, having sizzling sex with Oliver would be a fun diversion, leaving her with enough endorphins to last a good week. And because he was perfect, she just bet dollars to doughnuts that he would simply blow her mind in bed.
“Does my request require that much thinking? I thought indecision was my job.” He ran a fingertip down her cheek.
“Oh, no indecision,” she muttered, but that wasn’t quite true. “Maybe I just want to stay in charge.”
“Fine by me,” he said lightly, but Belinda wondered if he wasn’t just a bit hesitant to continue down this road as well. “So, what’s on the agenda?” he asked, but she remained silent. “Your wish is my command.”
“Oliver, you’re like this decadent dessert I know I shouldn’t eat but can’t resist.”
“Why? Because you’ll be sorry afterward?”
“Oh hell no.” Belinda shook her head, suddenly knowing the truth. “Because I know I’ll want more. And you’re like a smorgasbord of never-ending sexy treats.” She wiggled her fingers at his body and he laughed. “What? I’m dead serious. Just look at all that . . . deliciousness. You’re like a big ole hot fudge sundae waiting to be devoured.”
“You can do more than look. But, you know, you’ve seen me naked, so I think it’s only fair that . . . you know.” He shrugged.
“I’ll need some liquid courage for that,” she said, suddenly wanting to slow things way the hell down. Uncertainty tiptoed into her brain. All it would take would be just one lick at this point and she’d explode.
Oliver sat up straighter and shoved his fingers through his damp hair. “Hey, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to entice you into something you don’t want to do.”
“Oliver, sweet pea, that’s not the problem at all and we both know it. The problem is like I told you. Once I get a nibble, then I’ll want a taste, then a bite, and after that all bets will be off. And you’ll be like that cake in the fridge late at night calling my name.”
Oliver laughed. “So what am I supposed to do with that information?”
“Keep your sweet self at the ready.”
“Oh, I’m at the ready. Touch me and find out.”
Yeah, she wanted to, so damn badly. “Let’s just have some refreshments and not get ahead of ourselves,” she said, not even remotely sure she knew what she meant by that. But damn, she was befuddled. If he as much as put his mouth anywhere on her body, she’d be a goner.
“Remember, you’re the boss.” He paused, looking at her as if hoping she’d have a change of heart and keep this train going.
Belinda nodded slowly and he got it.
“Hey, there’s something I want you to know. What happens or doesn’t happen in private between us stays between us.”
Belinda nodded ever so slightly. “I don’t kiss and tell either.”
“But you do kiss, and very well, by the way.”
She tilted her head, making her braid slip over her shoulder. “So I’m a good kisser?”
“Amazing, but surely you know how sexy you are?”
She frowned and gave him a little shrug. “After becoming famous, it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake, ya know?”
“Yeah,” Oliver said with an edge of sympathy. “And it sounds like the people you trusted didn’t give a damn.”
She laughed without humor. “Nailed it.”
“We were lucky that Heartbeat was surround by good people. Yeah, Devin can be a pain in the ass, and sure, he wanted success, but he never sold us out or did anything that didn’t have our best interests in mind.” He took her hand in his and squeezed. “I’m sorry, Belinda.”
“Well, for a whole lot of years my life has been filled with too much stress and not enough joy. Sometimes I wish I never left my little town in Tennessee and just lived a normal life.”
“Then go back to it.”
Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “It’s way more complicated than that.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
Belinda looked at him for a long moment. “I think in due time, I will. But not today. We’re supposed to be relaxing, right?” she asked casually, while her entire body still hummed with need.
“Right.” Oliver picked up her wet silky braid and let it slip through his fingers. “You get to be queen for the day. We’ll hang by the pool and then I’m going to fix you a delicious dinner.”
“Nice Oliver has returned?”
“Yes.” He patted his chest. “No more splashing.”
Belinda laughed. “Right, you just know you can’t beat me in a splashing war.”
“Uh . . . yeah. Lesson learned. So, what can I get you to drink? How about something sweet and slushy?”
“I think I’m more in the mood for something tall and strong.”
“I’m on it,” he said, but when he started to swing his leg over the chaise longue, she put a delicate hand on his chest.
“Not so fast, sweet pea.”
Oliver settled back into the seat. His heart pounded while he waited. She leaned in, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a soft, lingering kiss. “What was that for?” he asked in a husky voice.
“For being the sweetest, cutest fake boyfriend ever.” She arched an eyebrow. “Oh, and the sexiest.”
Oliver laughed, but something in his eyes revealed that the soft kiss had shaken him up a bit. This already felt like something more than pretend. “Thank you.” He cupped her chin and gave a quick, firm kiss. “I’ll be right back with your drink. Oh, and a plate of snacks. Something tells me you didn’t get around to eating yet.”
“You’d be right.”
Belinda could hear him puttering around in the outdoor kitchen and she took the time to try to corral her good sense. Having a wild fling with Oliver would be fine if she didn’t already feel something more than desire. How could she develop feelings for him at such a whiplash speed?
Belinda leaned back and closed her eyes. No, it wouldn’t be fine. That’s not what she was all about. And to believe that she had already fallen for Oliver meant she wasn’t thinking straight. Damn, she came from practical, hardworking farmers. Falling in love in one day was ridiculous. Oliver Heart was simply irresistible. Love had nothing to do with how she felt right now. It just couldn’t. She didn’t even fully know him yet.
Belinda looked up at the canvas ceiling. Surely Oliver Heart had to have a flaw. Inhaling a deep breath, she nodded. She’d just have to make it her mission to find his flaws and focus on his failings. There, problem solved. Sitting up, she dusted her hands. Oh . . . and the fling? Right. Also a perfect solution. Wild sex would mean keeping this fake romance thing nothing more than physical. Yep, a shallow relationship filled with mindless sex was just what the doctor ordered. And after a slushy drink, she would share her sudden lightbulb moment with Oliver. Surely he’d be on the same page. What guy wouldn’t?
Belinda was pondering the best way to lay out her perfect plan when Oliver returned with two hurricane glasses filled with something red and gorgeous. Meaning the drinks were red and he was gorgeous. “Oh, looks good.” And so did the drinks. She accepted the cold glass from him and took a sip from the bendy straw. “Mmmm, wow.” She smiled up at Oliver. “You have more superpowers than I can count.”
“Like it?”
“Oh yeah. I have a feeling this fruity taste of innocence packs quite a punch.”
“And you’d be right.” He shrugged his shoulders but then grinned. “Hey, I kinda feel like we’re on vacation for the next few days. Our assignment is to relax and get to know each other. I have the fridge full of food. The bar is stocked. The weather is supposed to be perfect. We’re all set.”
“Sweet.”
“And it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed what I have right here in my backyard. So . . . let’s just roll with it, okay?”
Belinda took a long sip. Licking her lips, she nodded in agreement. “Agreed. And I have something to run by you, but I need this adult beverage to chill me out before disclosing my idea.”
Oliver raised his eyebrows. “Are you serious? You tease me with that and expect me to wait until you finish your drink?”
Belinda used her straw to stir the deep red goodness. “Yep.”
He looked up at the top of the cabana and then back at her. “What do you think I’m made of?”
Belinda stopped stirring, took a leisurely sip, and then answered, “Finding that out is part of the plan.”
Oliver looked at her and then placed his own glass on a small round table. “I’ll be back with the snack tray. In the meantime, bottoms up.”
“No problem.” Belinda nodded her agreement, sucked hard on the straw, letting the cold, fruity concoction work its magic. She felt the sugar and rum start to kick in, but when Oliver returned she still couldn’t find the courage to reveal her plan. “Well, would you look at that bounty.” Picking up a long toothpick, she plucked a chunk of cheese from the tray.
“Dig in,” Oliver said, joining her on the lounge chair.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Belinda scooted up and sat cross-legged, glad to have him at arm’s length. She gazed over at his wide shoulders and ripped chest and shook her head. No, she wasn’t glad to have him at arm’s length. Relieved, maybe . . .
“Something wrong?” He picked up a grape and popped it into his mouth. Damn, the man made chewing sexy.
Belinda flipped her braid over her shoulder. “Depends upon how you look at it.”
“I know you’re still working on your drink, but have a heart and enlighten me.” He picked up a strawberry and bit into it.
Oh, she’d love to have a heart. Okay, it was now or never. She cleared her throat. “You’re right. We have this crazy chemistry goin’ on.”
He nodded, waited.
“I think it started back when we were kids and has been simmering over the years.”
“Interesting, wow, yeah, makes sense.”
“So . . .” Belinda paused and took a long sip that nearly gave her brain freeze.
“You are the captain of creating anticipation.”
Belinda gave him a slight shoulder shimmy. “I do fondly recall that I am queen for the day, so deal with it.”
Oliver laughed, but she was sort of serious.
“’Kay.” She nibbled on her bottom lip, inhaled a deep breath, and then began in a rush, “I think that if we have a torrid, flat-out, mind-bending fling, then we can keep this chemistry between us purely physical, thus refraining from getting serious.” She raised her palms upward. “You know? Or getting hurt.” Belinda looked at him for a sign that he was on board, but he just took a sip of his fruity drink and stared at her.
“Thoughts?” she asked. He sucked on his straw as if the drink contained the answers to life.
“I’m pausing while I sort through the pieces of my blown mind,” he said finally. “Torrid? Mind-bending?”
“It’s part of me selling the idea. Is it working?”
“I think . . . so. Yes, yes it is.”
“’Kay.” She shifted in her seat. “Let me go on. So then, we avoid someone getting hurt when this is all said and done and we go on our merry way.” She rested her hands on her knees in a yogalike position, hoping to appear calm when her heart was racing. With wide eyes, she waited for his reaction. It did make sense, right? When he frowned and remained silent, she added, “You get where I’m coming from, don’t ya?” She forced a light tone.
Finally, Oliver put his drink to the side. “Honestly, I really do.”
“And so?” She tilted her head, heart pounding, pulse racing, her body on high alert. “Are you in? Or is this the worst suggestion in the history of suggestions?”
“Are you kidding me? This is the best suggestion in the history of suggestions.”
Belinda felt a cool rush of relief slide over her heated skin. “Wow, that’s good, because this would have been super awkward.”
Oliver laughed. “I have a feeling this is going to be one helluva wild ride.”
“That’s the plan. Well, now that we’ve got that out of the way, what’s next?”
“That, my queen, is totally up to you.” He spread his arms wide. “I am at your disposal.”
While Belinda wanted to get the torrid fling ball rolling, she felt a sudden shyness override her desire.
Oliver narrowed his eyes. “Oh no you don’t. Second thoughts are not allowed.”
“I thought I was the queen.”
“Right.” Oliver leaned in closer. “You are, so start commanding.” He was close enough to touch, to pull in for a kiss. He sat up straight and challenged her with a sexy smile. “I’m ready.”
To delay her first command, Belinda concentrated on powering through the snack tray. Plus, the things going through her head were going to take a great deal of stamina. By the time she’d finished her drink, she’d nearly worked up the courage to utter her first command. She could ask for a tour of his house, giving herself time to rethink this whole thing. Perhaps they could swim in the ocean. Her ankle could probably handle a walk to the beach.
Or she could cut to the chase and tell him what she really wanted to do.
“So, have you decided?” He laced his fingers together and put them behind his head, the picture of calm.
“Um . . .” Belinda looked at his sculpted chest, his sexy six-pack, and swallowed hard. She recalled the smooth, warm skin beneath her palms. The intensity of his kisses. “Yes,” she said, deciding she might as well go for the gold. “I want you to take me inside and make wild and sexy passionate love to me.”