Chapter 5
Unwinding by the pool had been a great idea, so had coming to her best friend for support. Already Kelly’s stress over her last relationship was diminishing. Dennis had always been there for her and teasing him was simply entertaining.
“All right, Dennis. I saw that.”
“I’m asleep.”
“You’re not fooling anyone with those sunglasses.”
“Kelly, if I take off my shades, these beauties will know exactly who I’m ogling.”
“As if they don’t already know.”
“I haven’t made my mind up yet. Can’t decide which one.” A wolfish grin formed on his too handsome face. “I like them all. Besides, with sunglasses, they don’t know their face is not the part of their body I’m looking at.”
From where she and Dennis sat, she could see the entire length of the pool. “I don’t think they care.” Swimsuit model wannabes paraded around the water in their skimpy tops, barely covering their boobs, and thongs that left their butt-cheeks completely exposed. “Their intention is blatantly obvious, attracting a man.”
“I’m happy to oblige.”
She groaned. “Tenacious as ever.”
“You have no reason to be jealous. Not many have a body comparable to yours.” Dennis’s voice dripped honey.
“I’m not the one trying to catch your eye.” She wouldn’t mention the hours she’d put in at the gym back home to achieve her figure. Although, his compliment gave her a good deal of satisfaction.
“You don’t have to.” He sat up and pulled his shades down his nose so he could glare over the top of them. “My mind keeps playing back a luscious image of orange. That fellow at two o’clock dropped his jaw when you took off your wrap. What did you wear one for anyway?”
“I was not about to walk down here in just my bikini,” she said with a little huff.
“Why not?”
Kelly pushed her sunglasses down on the bridge of her nose to match his gesture and gave him a glare hot enough to singe, knowing it was useless to even attempt an explanation. Even though she’d worked hard to tone her body, she felt uncomfortable exposing too much skin. She would not brazenly stroll through the halls and grounds flaunting her half nude body.
“It’s not appropriate.”
“Appropriate? Are you kidding? Half the female population displays as much skin walking down Main Street.”
“That’s not me. I don’t flaunt—”
“Since we’re at the pool, if you’d like to have a go at it now . . .” The crazy fool wiggled his brows.
“A go?” She pulled off her glasses and let them dangle between her fingers.
“Get up and strut your stuff. Show these babes how it’s done.”
“I think it’s time you had a cool dip in the pool.”
Dennis laughed and shoved his glasses back in place. “Coward.” He raised his arms behind his head and leaned back on the chaise.
Just then, one of the subjects of their conversation strolled toward them, stopped directly in front of Dennis’s lounge, and dropped a towel. She raised a hand and flung her long dark hair over one shoulder. Kelly could almost picture it in slow motion. Then, the brunette arched her arms high above her head in a graceful stretch, thrusting her boobs out and tightening every muscle in her perfect body.
By his shallow breathing and the tautness of his abdomen, Kelly knew Dennis watched the exemplary execution with fervent interest. The woman slowly bent at the waist, her booty in the air, and plucked the towel from the cement.
If this female hadn’t spent hours as a gymnast, Kelly would drink her suntan oil. Perfect thighs, perfect hair. The woman was gorgeous and she knew it. She also knew how to use it. Without a backward glance, she wrapped the towel around her lower body, sarong style, and sashayed toward the outside bar.
“An invitation if I ever saw one,” Kelly muttered.
“I hope so,” Dennis said, a bit out of breath.
“If I had a glass of ice, I’d dump it in your lap.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she remembered the ice in her shower. Before he could say anything, she grumbled, “Why don’t you go jump in the pool.” She shoved her glasses back on and flopped onto her front. “Just go back to . . . sleep.”
“Sleep? Dennis, I’m surprised you’d miss this fantastic scenery.”
The bottom fell out of her stomach. Craig. A tingle of excitement quivered in her belly. She took a deep steadying breath. How could his voice have her ready to jump out of her own skin?
“Craig,” Dennis called in greeting. “You’re just in time to save me from a cold dip. Pull up a lounge. Kelly is actually suggesting I move from my relaxing position and perfect view to get waterlogged.
Actually, she’d expected him to follow the brunette. She rolled to her side, slowly readjusting her position, being fully conscious of Craig’s gaze on her.
Thick dark brows rose above the designer sunglasses hiding his eyes, but Kelly felt their piercing blue, she had them imprinted in her mind. Light mesmerizing blue. Hypnotizing, filled with shock, admiration, desire. It would be a long time before she forgot the bathroom shower scene. Did she really want to forget the way his gaze had penetrated, heating her skin as he absorbed every inch of her exposed flesh?
Even now, excitement spread through her limbs, an unfamiliar longing that she couldn’t control. As hot as the afternoon’s temperature, a shiver raced down her spine.
From her reclined position, pretending indifference, she studied him. Craig’s black hair glistened with hints of blue under the sun’s rays. So shiny, with one single wave dangling over his brow. She had the urge to smooth it back, to rub it between her fingers. His dark glasses added a hint of mystery, and at the same time made him look so damn sexy. Did he study her the way she did him? What was he thinking?
“You suggested he sleep in the pool?” Craig asked her, grounding her scattering thoughts.
“Dennis pretended to sleep and I told him he needed a dip.” She wondered if Craig had seen the brunette’s little show. She imagined his eyes devouring her body. Suddenly, the air became sweltering.
“Kelly thinks I should take off my glasses so the babes in bikinis know—”
“Shut up, Dennis.” Kelly was the one who needed to cool off. She took off her tinted glasses, stood, took three steps, and dived into the pool.
~ ~ ~
Craig damn near swallowed his tongue. Kelly in her little orange bikini knocked the air from his chest. She had one rocking bod. When she rose from the chaise, he stared, following her movements, every tantalizing step. Her luscious curves were already burned in his brain, but her skimpy swimsuit left little to the imagination. His mouth went dry and a certain part of his anatomy began to swell. Jesus.
“These babes appreciate my noticing their boobs and derrieres. Kel seems to think they strut their stuff for me.”
Craig cleared his throat, wishing he had a cold drink. “I take it she doesn’t like that too well.” Makes perfect sense that Kelly would be jealous and want her man to herself. Didn’t Dennis realize that? With a girl like her, why the hell did Dennis want to look at other women?
“Are you kidding? She wants me to choose one.”
“What?” Craig could not have heard correctly. Kelly wanted Dennis to choose a female other than her? He needed to go back and start this conversation again. Surely he’d missed something. Choose one? In Craig’s book, Kelly was spectacular. There was no comparison.
“How about something to drink?” Dennis asked as he climbed from his chaise. “I’ll slip up to the bar and get us something.” He tugged his glasses down enough to peek over the top. “Enjoy the view.”
“I plan on it.” Craig removed his shirt and hung it on the back of a chair. Stretching out, he crossed his ankles and took in his surroundings while the sun warmed his skin. He hadn’t done anything like this in a long time. His business was demanding, he rarely took the time to just relax.
Lying back, he appeared to be resting peacefully, undisturbed. He was anything but.
His dark glasses shielded his eyes from the sun and disguised the direction of his gaze. His attention locked on Kelly as if she were the only woman in existence. All sound and other activity ceased around him. Polarized lenses helped to cut the glare from the water, enabling him to see her body beneath its surface. One look and the breath constricted in his chest. Long legs swayed back and forth, sending ripples circling over the water, as well as currents undulating through his groin.
He allowed desire to roll over him, a craving more fierce than any he’d known, as he observed each graceful movement made with confidence and fortitude. She glided across the pool. With a little flip, she turned to make her way back. He sucked in air as her breasts rolled with the twist of her body. Christ. He yanked a towel from the chair Dennis had vacated and dropped it across his lap.
After another turn through the water, she climbed from the pool, her lithe figure moving with ease. She smoothed a few strands of hair from her face and gathered it in a twist, wringing out the excess water. He watched, captivated. When she raised her arms, her breasts protruded forward as if offering their fullness to him. He swallowed. Where the hell was Dennis with those drinks? Why was he allowing his body this forbidden pleasure? Kelly was not his. She would never be his.
She glanced his way. He tensed, then remembered she couldn’t see how his eyes devoured her. Hungered for her. He prayed she didn’t make anything of the towel lying in his lap. If he remained still, maybe she would think he’d fallen asleep.
His wayward thoughts turned to intent interest as he watched her go down on one knee, dip her towel into the water and then tiptoe in his direction. Her actions alerted him to her plans. He sensed the moment she prepared to strike. Her arm drew back and in a split second she flung the dripping towel. His hand launched out and caught one edge, but the weight of the towel smacked him in the center of his chest.
With one finger, he slowly pulled his sunglasses down just enough for her to see his glare, while hiding his admiration for her boldness. The smile on her beautiful face matched the sparkle in her eyes. He rose deliberately and unhurriedly, giving the lenses a toss, never taking his gaze off Kelly. The towel fell to the cement. He stepped toward her the way a predator would stalk his delicious prey.
“Oh, no.” Kelly held up her hands and took a step backwards.
“You shouldn’t start something you don’t intend to finish.” He advanced another step forward, she took another back.
He leaped.
She squealed.
He swept her off her feet and held her in an iron grip, her breasts pressed against him while she wiggled to get free. His chest rose and fell as he held her over the edge of the pool. Her struggles were futile, although he supposed she didn’t struggle very hard. He grinned like a fool, loving the sound of her voice as she demanded to be put down, and the euphoric feeling of having an angel in his arms.
“Craig,” she cried, her throat husky from laughing.
“Let me see if my aim is as good as yours.” He stood with his side to the water, and swung her out and then back.
Kelly tangled her arms around his neck. “I don’t plan on letting go.”
Neither did he. Not in this century or the next. “You don’t, huh?” Light as a feather, he held her with ease, angling her a little farther over the water.
She tightened her hold, burrowing into his shoulder. Then her eyes sparkled and her sexy voice crooned. “You’re such a strong man. You won’t drop me.”
“I won’t?” He was enjoying the hell out of this.
“No. If you throw me in I’ll take you with me.” The Devil lurked in her teasing expression.
The lady had no idea how she tempted him. He gave her a huge grin.
Without warning, he took one giant step and they both plunged into the pool. Her eyes grew round with surprise just as they hit the water.
~ ~ ~
Kelly came up sputtering. She’d been unprepared, and her mouth had filled with water. She grabbed for something to anchor herself. It just happened to be Craig’s neck. Once her fingers felt substance, she seized his hard form and yanked, bringing her breasts against his bare chest. His chiseled, black pelted, sizzling chest. Tiny shockwaves tweaked her nipples and ran from their tingling tips down to her feminine core. She took a quick glance to make sure her boobs were still covered.
“You’re supposed to close your mouth.” His deep voice vibrated from his chest to hers.
Desire blazed through every cell in her body. She looked at him in stupefaction.
A huge grin, very much like a leer, formed on his mouth just before he grabbed her under her shoulders, lifted her high above him and tossed her backwards, sending her under the water again. At least she had the instinct to close her mouth this time. When she surfaced, devilment danced in his gorgeous baby blues.
Okay, buster.
Taking a deep breath, under she went, searching for his well-muscled legs. She grabbed his ankles and jerked. The bull was too strong. She tried tugging just one, but he stood firm and thwarted her efforts. She considered tickling his thighs but she needed air.
She surfaced, inhaled, and immediately dove down again, swimming around him, not thinking that he could see her clearly. He turned and she kept going. They danced back and forth a bit before she finally got behind him. She jumped, more like crawled, onto his back and wrapped her legs around his waist. An instant awareness hit her, bringing his warm flesh right against her center. She had no time to think further when he clasped her arms with one hand and wrapped the other around her thigh, as if anchoring her more securely.
“Gotcha,” she said playfully, trying to keep thoughts of desire at bay.
“You think so?” He laughed.
She threw all of her weight backward. She must have caught him off balance, they both tumbled under. Slippery as an eel, he broke free, grasped her waist, and drew her flush against him, her front deliciously to his. He held her tight, watching her, but not letting her go. Something passed between them. Eyes locked on each other, they silently communicated a coveting moment. She rested her hands on his shoulders and longed for his kiss. Seconds, or maybe hours passed, and he hauled her to the water’s surface.
His touch lingered while she took great gulps of air. She’d been willing to stay under, not caring if they breathed or not. Again, their gazes locked. Unable to read his thoughts, she hesitated, wondering if she should give in to her desire and kiss him, or if she saw desire where there was none. Even if it were only her own, she was not ready to let him go. She threw her weight back and wrenched him under again, then rotated her body and kicked her feet, hoping he’d chase her and continue their play. He emerged beside her and matched her stroke for stroke to the edge of the pool. Breathing heavily, she still wasn’t ready to stop.
“I’ll race you to the other end.” She took off before he could answer. A strong swimmer, she darted ahead knowing he was better, and surely faster. When she got to the end, he was right there beside her. She inhaled, and with her chest heaving, she gasped, “You let me win.”
“Perhaps.” One corner of his lips lifted a little, sending her already whirling head into a spin. But his eyes, good lord, she was in deep water and would truly drown if she allowed herself to sink into them.
“Oh no. I want to win fair and square. Let’s do it again.”
“You’re on.”
Kelly thrust forward and her muscles screamed. After two strokes, an arm slid around her waist and yanked her back to a solid wall of iron. Her insides turned to Jell-O and heat pooled between her legs. His hand spread open across her stomach, her breath caught in her chest. She allowed him to hold her while heat surged down her back and shocks of pleasure tingled along her spine.
“I think I win.” His deep voice, just above her ear, sent tremors down her back. She wanted to turn in his arms, wrap her legs around his waist, and give in to the temptation he sparked with his overwhelming touch. With her eyes closed, she felt every tingle, every thrill prickling her blood.
“Frolicking without me?” Her eyes flew open, reminding her where they were. Dennis stood at the edge of the pool with an iced drink in his hand.
Craig’s body tensed and his smile suddenly seemed forced. He jerked away as if he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. His back muscles bunched as he climbed from the pool without another word to her.
“Thanks, man. I could use a cold drink right now.” He grabbed a towel, slung it around his neck, and plopped on the chaise he’d used earlier.
“Got one for you too, Kelly.” Dennis pointed to the table beside the lounge, then fell into the chaise beside Craig’s.
“What took you so long?” Craig’s voice seemed harsh, making Kelly question if he was the same man that had been with her in the pool.
Troubled, she swam to the end and slowly stepped out. Why had their fun come to a screeching halt?
Had she imagined the heat in his gaze? The longing in his eyes? The possessiveness of his touch? He’d been attracted to her, she’d not imagined that. Their water play had bordered on erotic. Damn Dennis for showing up when he did.
She wrung the water from her hair and wrapped a towel around her body. The cloth was a poor substitute for Craig’s arms. Only moments ago he’d held her against his heat. Against his hard body. Her skin still tingled where their skin had slid together. She listened to his voice as he spoke with Dennis, yet heard not a word. Maybe Craig had just been flirting. Heaven knew she had plenty of experience dealing with shallow men. But he had stimulated a longing in her, a yearning for more.
As she reclined on her chaise, his voice vibrated in her ears. Why had this handsome, sexy, exciting, hot man gone all cold on her?