chapter five
Max
SHE’S AT THE POOL.
That long, sleek body is stretched out like an offering to the sun. Mirrored aviators cover her eyes, which should look ridiculous on her but somehow she makes them sexy.
Lily Fowler has a way of making everything sexy.
She’s completely on display, surrounded by people and not hiding in her private cabana like yesterday, allowing me to watch her blatantly. Her hand is wrapped from her mishap in the ocean, and I’m glad to see she doesn’t look too banged up. Considering what she went through, I figured there would be a few bruises and scrapes, but I don’t see a mark on her beyond the wrapped hand.
In other words, she’s fucking flawless.
There’s so much skin on display, I don’t know where to look first. The bikini she’s wearing is a joke, a strapless scrap of brightly covered fabric that barely contains her full breasts. Her dark blond hair is piled on top of her head in a messy topknot, loose, silky strands teasing her elegant neck, the smooth slope of her shoulders on display, her skin turning golden from the sun. She shifts her legs, drawing my attention, making me wish I were sitting right next to her, touching her …
Memories from yesterday hit me like rapid fire. Diving into the ocean after her without thought, without concern that she’ll figure out who I am. A risky move, it reminds me now of how I used to be when I was in the military. How that abrupt, spontaneous behavior got me into trouble more times than I can count. Most of the time those moments worked out, but when they didn’t …
I failed spectacularly.
But seeing her tumble in the waves like a rag doll, her arms and legs flailing, the look of pure panic on her face, I knew I was doing the right thing by going in after her. Somehow I fought against the waves and grabbed her, pulling her above the surface in seconds. I’d been fucking grateful to hear that first big gasp of air, just before she started to cough.
Scary, but at the same time the entire experience had been exhilarating. I might have saved her life. It wasn’t the first life I’ve saved but it felt damn good to come to her rescue, and I hadn’t rescued anyone in a long time. What if I hadn’t seen her? What if I hadn’t got to her in time?
She could have drowned.
Once the terror and adrenaline had lessened its hold on me, I realized just how soft she felt in my arms. I pressed my hand and splayed my fingers on her trembling stomach and couldn’t help but notice the way her curves nestled perfectly against me. And then she turned her head and saw my face. Looked right into my eyes and recognized me just before she fainted.
Big mistake on my part, letting her see me. Huge. She passed out within minutes of saying something, though, so she probably doesn’t remember.
At least, I hope she doesn’t remember. It’s pointless to relive those moments from yesterday and worry about her reaction, because what’s done is done. I can only hope it all works out in the end.
I try my best not to look at her but it’s impossible. I’m drawn to her, and not just because she’s my assignment. Feeling like this … letting my attraction to her distract me is risky. Stupid.
But I can’t seem to help it.
Returning my gaze to her, I watch as she lifts her arms to grip the back of the lounger, the position thrusting out her chest. I can see her nipples pressing against the thin fabric that covers them and I swear my mouth is watering. The way she’s sitting, she’s going for the bored look but she seems restless. Uneasy. I wonder what’s bothering her.
I’d love to go to her but there’s no way that I can. Not yet. Hell, it’s like I can’t even move. All I can do is stare.
She’s so fucking beautiful it almost hurts to look at her. Her nonchalant pose isn’t working. Her entire body is tense. She’s on high alert. Why? What has her so on edge? She’s on the run, so maybe it’s getting to her. The relaxing setting of this Hawaiian resort isn’t doing its job. Maybe she feels the need to run some more.
Frowning, I rub the back of my neck, peering at her over my sunglasses, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling bleeding through me. My instincts are usually spot on and over the years, I’ve honed them. Learned to trust them. This girl … she’s giving me a vibe and it’s not a good one. She looks ready to make a run for it.
And I can’t lose sight of her. Not now. It was a lucky break that my client knew Lily bought the plane ticket to Maui. How she did that, I’m still not sure, but I’m not one to ask questions when it’s none of my business.
The late afternoon sun is intense and I grab the iced tea I ordered earlier, chugging most of it before I set the glass onto the small table beside me. A shadow falls across my legs and I glance up, my entire body going still when I see who’s standing in front of my lounge chair.
Lily Fowler.
“You’re my rescuer.” The words come out a statement, not a question, and dread consumes me, makes me wish she would have never looked back, never seen me yesterday.
Did that incompetent kid tell her I was the one who rescued her? Probably not, considering Lily looked right at me before she passed out.
Shit.
When I don’t say anything, she continues.
“I wanted to thank you,” she says, her voice light and sweet, her eyes sparkling and friendly. She tilts her head to the side, a little smile curling her lips. I’m thankful her sunglasses are sitting on top of her head so I can really study her. Her eyes are clear, her cheeks are rosy from the sun, and she looks fucking gorgeous. Getting a testosterone spike is so not what I need right now. “For saving me,” she adds.
Jesus. I need to say something. Not stare at her like some sort of tongue-tied asshole. I clear my throat. “Just doing what any other man would’ve done.”
“Please. I’m not so sure about that.” She rests her hands on her hips, smiling, then wincing when her wounded palm makes contact with her skin and the tie of her bikini bottoms. My gaze drops to that tie and the matching one on her other hip. Two tugs and I could have her mostly naked.
Not the right direction for my mind to stray.
I sit up straight, swinging my legs wide so I’m straddling the lounger. Her head drops, her lips parting slightly, and I wonder if she can feel it. The attraction that vibrates between us, like a living, breathing thing. My fingers literally itch to touch her again and I clench them into tight fists.
Jesus, get your shit together!
“Well, you’re welcome. You’re lucky I saw you,” I say, hating how rough my voice sounds, how my temperature spikes at having her so close. This—attraction between us is strong.
“Of course you saw me. You’re not only my rescuer, you’re my watcher, too.” A delicate eyebrow lifts as she settles her sunglasses over her eyes, shielding herself from me. I can’t help but be impressed with the way she calls me out.
The girl isn’t timid, and I don’t know if this is a good trait or not. It’s probably half the reason she gets herself in so much trouble.
Who’d have known it would be such a damn turn-on?
“Not sure what you’re talking about.” Curling my lips, I lean back against the lounger once more, straightening out my legs and crossing my feet at the ankles like I plan on staying here a good long time. Playing dumb and enjoying her company far more than I should.
“Really. You don’t know what I’m talking about?” She sounds skeptical.
I shrug. “Don’t quite understand what you’re getting at, either.”
“Yesterday. On the beach. You were staring at me while I was in the cabana. Or maybe you don’t remember?” The question is more like a challenge.
As if I could forget. “Can’t a man admire a pretty girl when he sees one?” I smile sheepishly, going for the oops, busted look, and I see her expression soften the slightest bit.
Almost got her.
“Well.” She clears her throat and stands up a little straighter, thrusting her chest out. Damn, the woman is going to kill me with that smokin’-hot body, I swear. “Now that we got the awkward part of the conversation out of the way, I want to thank you again for rescuing me. I got pulled under the water and started to panic and … I’m not sure what would’ve happened if you hadn’t come along.” The worry in her voice is blatant and tugs at something deep inside me. But I need to play it off, resisting the urge to wrap her up in my arms and clutch her tight.
“It’s a good thing I did then, huh?” I offer a smile, a big one this time, not my usual style. I’ve spent far too much time walking around with a permanent scowl on my face and I swear the muscles in my cheeks are already trembling with exertion. “Glad I could help you.”
“Can I ask you a question?” When I nod, she continues. “Why didn’t you stick around? After I blacked out?” She crosses her arms in front of her, plumping up her breasts the slightest bit, offering me a glorious view of her cleavage. I try not to look, but it’s damn difficult. “Didn’t you want to make sure I was all right?”
“I knew you were in good hands.” An exaggeration if there ever was one, since that kid who worked for the hotel was an utter failure.
“Really.” Her gaze drops to my hands, which are currently resting on my stomach, fingers linked, pose casual. “Because I thought your hands were pretty good.”
Her words stun me silent. Now I’m the one who feels tense, restless. Having her this close, listening to her lyrical voice, seeing the light sheen of sweat that coats her skin, inhaling the scent of her, heady and sweet …
Fuck. It’s taking everything inside of me to keep from grabbing her and hauling her into my arms.
She’s staring, looking like she’s waiting for me to say something else, so I fill the silence. “Plus I had to leave.”
Her arms drop to her sides and I swear she looks the slightest bit defeated. “Oh. Of course. Back to your wife?”
I glance at the empty lounger right next to mine. “No,” I say slowly, wondering what she’s getting at.
“Your girlfriend, then,” she suggests, her tone flat. First she flirts, now she fishes.
“Don’t have one of those either.” I shake my head. She’s not coy. Her bluntness is surprising, but then again, not. That she wants to see if I’m here with someone is … interesting.
And allows me an opportunity.
“So you’re here alone.”
“Yeah.” I let my gaze trail over her, from the top of her head on down, lingering on the good bits, which there are plenty of, though she can’t tell what with my sunglasses on. “How about you?”
She smiles. “I shouldn’t admit shit to you.”
I laugh, surprised again at her brutal honesty. “Smart move.”
“Hey, I learned about stranger danger in elementary school.” Her smile is blinding. Pretty, straight teeth flash at me for the briefest moment and I’m a little dazzled from the sight.
Keep your head on straight, asshole.
“Well, my name is Max.” I sit up once more and hold out my hand to her.
She takes a tentative step forward and slips her hand into mine, the bandaged one. Despite the barrier, her touch is like an electrified jolt to my system, and I clasp her hand gently, not wanting to hurt her. “Lily,” she offers softly.
I grin. Don’t let go of her hand. “I guess this makes us not strangers anymore, huh, Lily?”
Her answering grin sends a surge of lust straight to my cock. She carefully extracts her hand from my hold. “I guess you’re right.”
“Care to join me?” I indicate the empty lounge chair next to me with a slight inclination of my head.
Her gaze shifts to the chair briefly before returning to mine. “I’m afraid I have to decline.”
Say what?
“But it was great meeting you.” She offers me a little wave before she starts to turn away. “Bye, Max.”
I watch her retreat, my gaze dropping to her ass, watching the material of her bikini bottom rise and offer me a glimpse of her perfectly round, perfectly smooth cheeks. My hands itch to touch her there.
Touch her anywhere.
“See you around,” I call after her, but she doesn’t look back. As if she knows I’m watching her, lusting after her, wishing I could have her, yet she can walk away so easily. Like I’m no big deal. Like I don’t affect her whatsoever.
I think I might, though. And now that we’ve met, know each other’s names, I’m not going to waste time. I need to make my next move.
Tonight.