They were alone.

Emelia tried to measure her breathing as Trevor whisked her away to the edge of the terrace where an intricate metal railing was all that separated them from the street thirty stories below. It was exhilarating to be up this high. But even more so to have Trevor all to herself.

Trevor leaned on the rail casually, his gaze so fluid and hot that she felt it wash over her entire body. Between the heat of the evening and the warmth of his nearness, she thought a dip in the infinity pool was the obvious next step. Something had to take the slow burn away.

She raised her mixed drink to her lips, and the ice in the glass made a clanking, tinkling sound.

“How’d you like LA last week?”

She glanced at the small crowd mingling around outside. Atlanta was beautiful at night, the breeze a perfect mix of soothing and hot.

“I’ve been there several times. My brother lives there. I visited him, actually. I love it.”

He tilted his head. “Your brother is a movie producer, right?”

His thick hair rustled a little in the breeze, calling her to run her fingers through it. Even the blue of his eyes was brighter out here.

“Yeah. How did you know?”

Trevor shrugged and quickly took a drink of his whiskey sour. “You know how word travels in this business.”

He avoided her gaze, almost like he was feeling guilty over something. The moment passed as he leaned closer to her and lazily ran a finger over the back of her hand. She shivered.

“You should meet him sometime,” she whispered. “Two creative minds like you two? I’m sure you’d think up something brilliant.”

“I’d like that. Let’s set it up.”

His finger whisked over her wrist to her forearm, up and down, making the little hairs there stand on end.

He had a hint of five o’clock shadow. How would that feel against her skin? Emelia found herself leaning into him, sliding her arm closer, encouraging his touch. When he traced over the ball of her shoulder to her collarbone, she could barely keep herself from jumping in his arms.

“Boy, it’s warm,” she said and fanned her face.

“There’s a pool.” A wicked grin crossed his face.

“I see that.”

Emelia was starting to get restless. She hadn’t felt this way in a long, long time. Her entire body was edgy, needy, on fire. Retreating a step back into the shadows, she had to conceal the emotions and want that plainly showed on her face. He couldn’t know. Yet, just being here with him was probably enough to tell him exactly how she felt.

The chemistry she felt with Trevor was undeniable, albeit erroneous and taboo. She had a boyfriend waiting for her back at their hotel, and the guilt sliced through her. On the other hand, Grant had been mistreating her lately, and she welcomed a break from him so that she could take a breather and regroup.

She and Trevor stood on top of the world, even if it was only seemingly for the moment.

She eyed the pool. The turquoise water bubbled and swirled, inviting and beckoning her to climb inside and take advantage of the warm water. She didn’t have a swimsuit with her, and she was almost one-hundred percent sure that Trevor didn’t have one with him either.

“What are you thinking?” Trevor broke through her deep contemplation.

She giggled and grabbed his arm. “I dare you to get in the pool.”

“Are you serious?” His voice was cautious.

“I’m serious.” She didn’t know whether he would call her bluff, but it was an enchanting game either way. Besides, she wasn’t really bluffing.

Trevor glanced between her and the pool. “I don’t have a bathing suit.”

Emelia shrugged playfully. “Not my problem.”

Trevor’s blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “I’ll get in if you get in.”

“Oh, so now you are turning the tables and daring me?” Emelia laughed and pointed to her chest.

“That’s right.” Trevor gave her a smug grin.

“I don’t have a bathing suit either...” she trailed off and anxiously glanced around. The party crowd had retreated back inside. They were alone on the terrace.

Trevor’s eyes hunted her. His lips were enticing. His perfectly sculpted muscles taunted her. She took a deep breath. She was in trouble, spiraling down a rabbit hole, chasing after a lust she desperately needed to kill.

“Not such a big talker now, are you woman?”

“What?” She meant to sound light, but her voice came out deep and husky. “Do you expect me to just strip down to my bra and panties and hop right in?”

“Hell yes.” Trevor’s lips curled into a roguish grin that made her heart skip.

She imagined being pressed against Trevor’s wet body in the pool, lost in their own world. She didn’t know any of these people here tonight. She didn’t care what any of them thought. Besides, she was tired of waiting for permission to do something. She wanted to just live in the moment.

And this moment called for her and him to get very, very wet. 

“It’s kind of tantalizing,” she admitted out loud.

“Yes, it is.” He stepped into her, clearing the space between them. His breath was warm and sweet on her cheek.

“So what do you think? Are you going to show me how a Rock God gets wet?”

“Fuck, woman. You’d better understand what you’re in for here.”

“Skinny dipping or bra and panties?”

His eyes darkened, and he didn’t respond.

“Fine, fully clothed.” She touched his jaw, the scratchy beard rough beneath her fingers — no harm in keeping him guessing.

In a different life, maybe they could be together. The odds were stacked against them though, and the pressers of society reared its ugly head in their direction. She had a boyfriend, plain and simple.

But they weren’t engaged.

They weren’t even married.

She didn’t have any legal obligations bound to her relationship with Grant. At the same time, she didn’t want to cheat on him. She was a better person than that. She owed it to Grant to at least be respectful. She wasn’t ready to rip off the band-aid and leave him just yet. She was still spinning in a web of confusion. She was hesitant to break it off with Grant, but she wanted Trevor!

In the end, she knew that she would have to choose.

Trevor wasn’t hiding his interest in her. She could tell by his body language. He wasn’t boldly making any moves to sweep her off her feet or try to steal her right out from under Grant. He was a decent guy, letting her lead this thing between them, which made her struggle even more. If she followed her heart, it would illuminate her path. She had to trust in herself and right now, her instincts were telling her to get in the pool with Trevor.

“You go first,” she instructed, hoping that Trevor would appease her.

“Why me?” He laughed.

“I don’t know?” She giggled.

“Ladies first?” He quipped.

“Not in this situation,” she joked.

“Oh, so, only when it’s convenient?” She loved how they could laugh and joke around with each other.

“Okay fine,” she said and walked over to the pool. With a backward glance at him, she lowered herself onto the side and dipped her feet in.

“Wait,” Trevor called.

“What?”

“Let’s do it together.”

Emelia smiled. “That fair. And more fun!”

He came to stand beside her. Her heart was rapidly pounding in her chest. Her palms were sweaty. She was buzzing with electricity. She had never felt so alive in her life.

“One...two...” Trevor paused for effect. “Three!”

She squeezed her eyes shut and slammed slipped into the warm water, shrieking with delight. She bobbed up and wiped water from her eyes, grabbing for his shoulders. His very wet shoulders.

“You actually jumped in with me!” 

Trevor’s hair was damp and falling down his temples. He looked incredibly sexy. “I always keep my promises,” he grinned.

“That’s good to know,” Emelia said and backed herself up against one of the sides. A little jet shot water out and massaged against her back. “Ahh...” she glanced up at the crescent moon. “That’s good stuff.”

“It feels so good, right?” Trevor agreed.

She held her breath as he pushed himself next to her. His knee touched against hers and sent a thrill of pleasure up her spine. She wanted him to take off his shirt. It stuck to his chest, teasing her with a small preview of what was underneath. She wanted the full view of his ripped muscles.

She had a flash of hot, half-naked Trevor sitting on the side of the pool serenading her with his guitar and his voice. Closing her eyes, she clung to the mental image. Maybe if her eyes remained closed she could erase the sizzling desire she harbored for Trevor.

“Emelia?”

She opened one eye and peered over at Trevor. His eyes were blazing with longing.

“Yeah?” She questioned, even though she already knew what he was going to ask.

He leaned in closer to her. His lips were dangerously close to hers. She inhaled his masculine scent. His cologne smelled spicy and wonderful.

“Hey!” She heard another male voice shout from behind them.

Trevor growled low and pushed away from her. Emelia felt flustered, her body vibrating with need.

“What the hell are you guys doing?” Roman looked confused but humored.

“It was a dare.” Trevor spread his hands wide. “A real man never backs down from a dare.”

Emelia grinned at him. She had to give him credit for coming up with that one so quickly in the fluster and interruption from Roman that they hadn’t been expecting.

“Do I even want to know who dared who?” Roman approached them, beer in hand.

“None of your damn business.” Trevor pushed against the wall by Emelia, his presence a comfort she craved.

Roman shook his head. “You know what? I don’t even want to know. Should I get you some towels?”

She had hoped they wouldn’t get out quite yet. She hadn’t had much time to enjoy Trevor’s wet body next to hers, and she’d been enjoying their heated banter. But the look he gave her said their fun was over. She made her way to the stairs and walked up. Her dress clung to her body, the bodice hanging down to show the tops of her bra. They could probably see her hard nipples right through the fabric. Crossing her arms over her chest, she looked at Roman.

“I’ll take a towel, please.”

Trevor was staring at her arms, had no doubt seen the view before she had covered her breasts. Would they have kissed if Roman hadn’t barged in on them? Either way, it was probably for the best that they suffered that little interruption. Emelia didn’t want to get herself into any further trouble with Trevor. She knew she it was probably in both their best interests to fight this attraction.

It would be a feeble attempt. In her heart, she knew that she was in too deep now. Trevor stepped up behind her, his hands going to her shoulders and then to her hair, wringing water out the thick mass. She leaned back into his ministrations, wanting to feel his touch on every part of her body. Roman came back, tossed them each a towel. Trevor unfolded his and wrapped it around her shoulders, then spun her and smiled down at her.

Oh, she was in way too deep.

And it was her own damn fault.