Feel the Heat: A Contemporary Romance Anthology (79 page)

“Your plan was to make sure I got wet, then?” I asked lightly as I rounded the corner.

“Yes.”

That sexy tone sent shivers through me. His assurance. It didn’t sound like he’d meant what I had meant. Namely, my clothing.

His plan worked on both levels.

He stopped me before joining the group, letting us remain just a little removed as everyone waited on an empty beach. No catamaran in sight.

He dug his hands into his pockets while angling away so that he was facing the ocean.

“Doing cool-guy code?” I asked with a smirk. A rock jabbed my foot as I shifted to look out at the water, angling like he was. I kicked it away.

“What’s cool-guy code?” He glanced over.

“This.” I drew a circle in the air with my pointer finger, taking in his body. “This pointing your shoulder at me and directing your chest away…thing. You know, the ‘I’m here with you, but I’m not here
with
you’ routine. I had a boyfriend who was very advanced in cool-guy code. A master, really.”

“And you tolerated it, I suppose.”

I frowned at his tone, slightly tinged with disappointment. “What was I supposed to do, reposition his body in the way I wanted it? A bit heavy-handed, that.”

“I’m facing this way to remain professional. If I were your boyfriend, I would be touching you. Making sure everyone knew you were mine.”

A shiver bomb exploded inside me. My foot wiggled a little before I could stop the jig in progress.

The man knew all the right words. Which he probably said to all the ladies. Why wouldn’t he? If I had that much game, I’d play it all over town.

Which was why one-night stands were wonderful in this situation, made even better while in paradise. Get the goods, then get outta town!

“Well,” I said as a large vessel with two points of flotation touching the water glided toward the beach. A mast with a large sail was being pulled in. There was a sort of webbing connecting the two sides, surrounded by barriers to keep people from walking off the edges and falling into the water. “The ex didn’t know what he was messing with. I have a slight social-insanity problem, it seems. When we fought, he often gave me the silent treatment. Then I’d freak out and do something drastic to get him to speak.”

“Like what?” he asked, shifting a little so he could look down on my face.

I shrugged, getting uncomfortable. “I sat on him once.”

“You
sat
on him?” A smile curved Brad’s lips.

I shifted, but his smile was infectious, and I found myself returning it. “Yeah. I was pissed about him flirting with my friend, and when I tried to talk to him about it, he shut down. He wouldn’t speak to me past saying I was being…irrational?” I thought back. “Was it irrational or paranoid…” I shook my head. “One or the other.”

Brad’s tone darkened. “He flirted with your friend?”

I shrugged, the feeling of inadequacy I’d felt so often with said ex-boyfriend hovering over me like a cloud. “Yeah. He was…a real treat. Anyway, c’mon. Teddy is loading up. I want to distract him so he falls in the water.”

“So, besides sitting on him to get him to talk, what else did you do?” Brad asked, following.

“Meh. Crazy stuff. Like…just nuts stuff.”

“Examples.”

“It’s embarrassing.” I brushed my hair away from my face.

“Sounds like he deserved it. A fiery girl like you shouldn’t be provoked. He should’ve known that.”

“That’s a nice way to put it,” I said.

“Spill.”

I huffed out a laugh. “That’s what my friend always says.” I paused when Teddy wobbled up the ramp to get onto the catamaran. Sadly, he regained balance.

“I don’t know,” I said, back to uncomfortable. “I threw candy at him at a family function when he said it would go right to my hips, I wiped all the crap off his desk when he refused to tell me where he’d been the night before—just crazy stuff. They weren’t my finest moments.” I withheld the final bout of violence with the window. And the final embarrassment—after running out of rocks, I’d started snatching lemons off the tree in the front yard and hurling those in, too. That was so overboard people were still talking about it.

“Did you ever throw a drink in his face?” Brad asked as we neared the ramp.

“Why are you interested in this?”

“I find it hilarious.”

“You wouldn’t find it hilarious if it happened to you.”

“I would assume I deserved it if you did any of that to me. And then I’d apologize.”

“You would, huh?”

“Some women are overly dramatic purely to get attention. You seem to have a rage problem that I find endearing.”

I turned back to him while on the ramp, letting my disbelief slide over my face.

“Careful there,” he said, grabbing my arms and turning me back. “This would be worse than falling off that stool.”

“My rage problem is endearing, is it?” I laughed as I took the crew member’s hand. He directed me forward and then I had two options—the bench on the right or the left. Teddy was on the right.

Obviously I went left.

Unlike Brad, Teddy wouldn’t be endeared by tales of my rage problem.

“Guys like your ex,” Brad said softly, following me, clearly trying to keep the conversation going between us, “dick women around as a normal course of affairs. My guess is he was cheating on you. Am I correct?”

“I have no proof.”

“I bet he was, and I doubt he’ll ever stop. So he plays games and manipulates to keep control. You don’t seem like you enjoy others having control over you. You like to war and fight. You want someone to go into battle beside you, not someone to lead you. Am I right?”

Cold dripped down my middle, replacing the fire and heat from earlier. “You’ve known me for, like, a day…”

“I’ll take that as a yes. But you like a strong adversary. You want someone to
try
and take control, so you can then wrestle it away. You want a challenge. I bet that’s what attracted him to you. The challenge. But he was playing a different game than you. A dishonest game.”

“What are you, the woman whisperer? The dating guru?”

He smiled. “Old enough to know better, too young to care.”

“Ahead of me, then.”

He laughed. “You’re too honest for a man like him, I’m betting. Too trusting. I bet you’ve learned your lesson, though.”

“Oh, have I ever learned my lesson. I am steering clear of relationships, that’s for sure.”

His look turned uneasy. He opened his mouth to say something, but the employee of the catamaran started talking, discussing the various safety elements and the route they’d take. He gave the drink options, specifying that they had mai tais on tap.

“Okay, look,” I said as soon as the man was done. I turned to Brad with my face contorted into a super-serious look. “I haven’t eaten much all day. Like, hardly anything. I’d planned to take it easy on the drinking while eating, then have a couple
after
I had a base. I thought this was a dinner and drinks situation, not just a drinks situation. You might be wondering what this means?” I paused for his brow to scrunch. It didn’t erase the budding smile, though. “It means that I’ll end up like last night if I’m not careful. And since I get carried away at the best of times, you should steer clear when I start getting ridiculous. Just get up and wander away. I won’t take offense.”

“I’m not wandering anywhere.”

“Scooch, then. Scooch down the way. Seriously, tomorrow I’ll thank you for it.”

“I’m safer with you.”

“Safer? Do you not remember the story about me sitting on someone for not talking to me?”

He laughed as we were asked for our drink selections. “Two mai tais,” Brad said, not looking away from me. His smile was taunting. “This time we’re starting on equal footing. And after this, I expect those drinks you owe me.”

“You’re twice my body mass. I hardly think it’s equal footing.”

“No, you’re right, not equal. You have the upper hand. I’ve never sat on someone to get a response.”

“I think you are a little touched in the head.” I couldn’t help a shy smile. I didn’t know what that look meant, but I wanted to melt into it. Melt into
him
.

And then the mai tai was delivered. A preliminary taste told me the thing was delicious. And would go down like water. Faster than water, maybe.

This would end badly.

“
H
ow’s it going
?” Lucas asked as he stood against the railing, looking at Brad. His facial hair was trying to hide a smile.

“I was a little shocked to see you today,” I said, holding my drink at my waist. I would stay sitting for fear of tipping over the side somehow.

“I was impressed by how thoroughly you answered the many questions,” he responded.

I noticed that he didn’t mention he was surprised to see me. There could only be one reason for that.

I narrowed my eyes at Brad. Who grinned.

“Thanks,” I said to Lucas, taking a sip and then grimacing.

“What’s the matter, don’t like mai tais?” Lucas asked.

“No, just…”

“She’s trying to stay sober,” Brad said, gulping his own. He was already halfway done. He wasn’t kidding about equal footing.

“Why?” Lucas asked.

Brad ignored him, thank God. Which meant I could, too.

“How’s Clive faring?” Brad glanced behind him.

Clive was in business casual attire, but he somehow made khaki shorts look like suit pants. He stared at Teddy with a stern expression while my coworker rambled on about his connections, probably trying to add Clive to them.

“Taking one for the team right now.” Lucas’s face dropped. Then hardened as he looked, broad-faced, at me.

I shriveled back. That look could make armies march. It was terrifying and arousing at the same time. Brad had hot friends, I had to admit. But then, birds of a feather…

“Relax, bro,” Brad said. To me, he said, “Lucas wears a dick face right after he sticks his foot in his mouth.”

I raised my hands in defense. “It’s fine. I’m not a fan. If you want me to help Clive throw him overboard, I’d be in. Just give me the word.”

Confusion marred Lucas’s face before it melted into humor. “Fiery, huh?”

“Very,” Brad said.

“You guys are starting to be annoying.” I scowled at them and took a sip. Then sighed as I soaked in the beauty around me.

The soft spring air flung my hair about as we drifted through the water. Diamond Head rose up beside us, overlooking the ocean. Behind us, the sun sank toward the horizon.

“This is the life,” I said, letting my eyes lose focus and just taking it all in. “It really is beautiful here.”

“First time?” Brad asked, surprise etching his voice.

“Mine?” I glanced at him.

“Who else am I talking to?”

“
Well?
” I took another sip. “It wouldn’t be the first time I answered someone who wasn’t speaking to me.”

“Example,” Brad said, his eyes rooted to my face.

I smiled. “I have no business repeating this, but this one time I was in a cafe, and a woman asked, ‘When was your last poop?’”

“I’m sorry…did you say
poop
?”
Lucas leaned down to survey me.

“Yeah. I thought it was weird too. So I was like, ‘It’s really none of your business, but this morning. Why?’”

“You actually
answered
?”
Lucas turned and barked a laugh at the ocean.

“I have this problem that when people ask me a direct question, I just answer. I can’t help it. I can’t even lie. I just open my mouth, and the truth comes out.”

“I don’t believe that. If you wanted to, you could lie.”

“Yes, but you’d be able to tell. Trust me. I’m a terrible liar when someone asks me a question point-blank.”

“Do you want to keep your job?” Brad asked quietly, his eyes losing their glimmer.

Fear punched me in the face. “Why? What have you heard?” I looked at Lucas—the presumable source of said information.

Lucas put his hands up. “This has nothing to do with me. I’m still assessing the competition.”

“Do you want to keep your job?” Brad asked again, more directly this time.

I tried to formulate the word “yes,” or just smile and abstain from answering altogether, but it was like I was hypnotized. I just stared at him and said, “I’m terrified of losing a job in general, but I don’t much like this one. It would probably be a relief to get unemployment while I look for another.”

Thankfully, I’d at least whispered.

“Yikes,” Lucas said. “You are definitely going to regret revealing your kryptonite to us.”

“Hindsight,” I said, glaring at Brad for all I was worth. “Usually I can at least abstain so my coworkers,
who are ten feet away
, won’t hear. That was a dick thing to do.”

Brad’s eyes lit on fire as Lucas looked down at him. “Necessary,” Brad said. “This way you can be…friends with…Lucas after he makes whatever decision he has to.”

I heard the pauses loud and clear. And then slumped. I’d known losing my job was a possibility, almost a certainty, but I’d possessed a small glimmer of hope that I’d pull it off. Hope dashed.

“Hey, sorry,” Brad said. Sensing I needed a moment, Lucas moved away. “Sorry. You have a social-insanity problem, and I have a socially awkward problem. Sometimes I don’t think before I blurt out whatever’s on my mind. I also have this horrible impulse to plan out every step of the future, and I just pushed that on you. Trying to come up with a plan for you. It’s a weird thing I do. Sorry.”

Brad’s big fingers touched my chin softly, nudging my face toward him. I met his sea-foam eyes, full of regret and concern. “I’m an ass. I apologize.”

I pulled my face out of his grasp. “No, it’s fine. I mean, I knew that was an eventuality, I just didn’t…you know.”

“It’s highly likely they’ll keep you regardless,” he said, shifting closer, trying to catch my eye. His knee bumped mine. “You are a valuable asset. Lucas was impressed with you. And he’s not impressed with many people. You’re smart and you know your stuff. Any company would want to push you up the ladder, not chuck you out. You’ll be fine.”

I waved away his concern. “Can we talk about something else?”

Brad regarded me for a moment, which I ascertained based on peripheral vision alone. I felt stupid. And awkward. I didn’t need a mostly stranger to dive this deep into my problems.

“How could he do it?” Brad asked softly.

“Who, Chris?” I asked in confusion. “He’s just doing what’s best for the—”

“No. I mean your ex. How could he hurt you and not fall all over himself to make it up to you? I feel like I’ve kicked a puppy.”

Emotion squelched out before that little rage problem rushed in to cover up my vulnerability. “Look, can you just back off?” I turned to him. My face was a few inches from his, and he’d get a head-butt if he didn’t increase the gap. Which I probably relayed through my crazy eyes, because he did back up. “I’m good. I’ll be good. You don’t need to get involved. Just move on, okay?”

His lips twitched, as if he wanted to smile but was preventing himself. “Yes, ma’am,” he said dutifully.

“Okay, then.” I huffed, my bad mood evaporating. “So get me a mai tai, why don’t you. I’m almost out.”

“Absolutely. Right away.”

I laughed as he turned for the makeshift bartender.

* * *

A
couple hours later
, as the sun was tucking itself behind the horizon—the light dimming after a blaze of color—the catamaran pushed up onto the beach. As requested, Brad had kept the rest of our conversations light and full of humor. And despite the fact that it was nominally a networking event, he had never once spoken to any of the other convention goers or my coworkers. He hung out by my side, and while we occasionally spoke with his friends, we were just as often on our own. No one approached him to network or talk shop. I wasn’t sure if it was because of me, or because he wasn’t relevant, but I was grateful.

Back on almost-dry land, I waited to the side as he disembarked, wondering what was in store for us. He seemed to be enjoying my company as much as I was enjoying his, but with men, you just never knew.

“Now what?” he asked as he stopped by my side.

That answered that.

“I don’t care. Nightcap?” I replied.

He checked his watch as his friends de-boarded. “It’s early. Let’s get some dinner.”

Food was probably wise. I was definitely buzzed.

He waved off his friends and then steered me up the beach. “Want to take a cab back?”

“Yes! Walking through water, barefoot, at night, does not sound appealing.”

“Only you could pull off sneakers and a skirt,” he said, helping me up the stairs even though he didn’t really need to. Judging from his swaying gait, he was just as buzzed as I was.

“It’s actually kind of a common look. That’s why I thought I could get away with it.”

“And you would’ve, if not for the water.”

“Yes,” I said in a dry voice.

With his arm around my waist, we strolled down a walkway that led into a fabulous lobby.

“Wow,” I said, taking it all in. “This is freaking awesome. I should’ve stayed here. You know, if I had the choice. And didn’t have to pay.”

“I’m actually staying here. The resort the convention is booked in isn’t great.”

“You’re staying
here
?”
I gaped at him. “Then why were you in my resort last night?”

“Your resort?”

“You know what I mean.”

He smiled. “Looking for you. I wanted to see you again.”

Without warning, he pulled me to the side and turned toward me. His hands slid down my back to the hollow above my butt. Pulling me in, he stared down at me with intense eyes. “Were you glad I left last night? Today, I mean. When you woke up this morning, did you think you’d dodged a bullet?”

I swallowed and tried to play it cool, but before I could stop them, the words tumbled out of my mouth. “I thought I made a boob of myself, but I wanted you last night. I wouldn’t have regretted my decision even though I would’ve been embarrassed by my behavior.”

“And if I don’t leave tonight?” he asked, so quietly I barely heard him. “What will tomorrow bring?”

“Morning sex?”

His face dipped, and his lips claimed mine. He didn’t nibble or play—he consumed, sucking in my focus. His fingers touched the side of my face as his tongue delved into my mouth. Heat raged through my body, blistering hot. My back hit the wall as he backed me up, his kiss deepening until the world dropped away. All I knew was his touch.

“What about room service?” he asked in a needy voice, his lips still touching mine.

“Yes,” I said, clutching his shirt.

“I want you so bad, Delilah. Ever since I first saw you. Will you come up to my room?”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “I’m on board to come
in
your room. Get it?”

The joke didn’t displace his serious expression. “I don’t want you to think this is a random hookup. It’s not.”

“You had me at ‘let’s fuck.’”

With a growl deep in his throat, he kissed me again, harder, full of longing. “I like when you talk dirty.” He bent and swooped me up into his arms. I barely kept from squealing and breaking everyone’s eardrums. I wasn’t used to the random carrying.

I ran my lips against his neck as he walked, not caring if anyone saw, tasting his wind-swept skin, salt and natural spice. He moaned softly, his hold not faltering even though he had quite a jaunt before he reached the right building. When he stopped for the elevator, I ran my hands up through his hair and then clutched and pulled, dragging his lips to mine.

Ding.

“You can put me down,” I whispered into his ear before I licked his earlobe.

“If I do, I won’t be able to keep my hands off you.”

“Like I said, you can put me down.”

My legs swung down quickly as he let go. I would’ve fallen on my butt, but he caught me and backed me against the elevator wall. “I love how adventurous you are. How far can I go?”

I closed my eyes as his scorching lips trailed across my jaw. “All the way.”

“In the elevator, I mean. How far?”

There was no one in there to clutch their pearls or shield their kids’ eyes. “As far as you want until we get caught.”

I felt his lips curl up into a smile. “Will you marry me?”

“I think I’d have to be pregnant for a shotgun wedding.”

“I’m game if you are.”

He was taking me out of the mood.

He must’ve felt it, because he immediately said, “I’m just kidding, Delilah.” He’d better be, or I’d have to throw ice down his pants.

All my thoughts and reservations fled as warm hands drifted up my outer thighs. I moaned softly and let my head fall back. They continued upward, under my skirt. Not fast enough. Without thinking, just needing, I clutched the back of his neck with one hand and his wrist with the other. I spread my legs and then moved his hand up until his fingers were brushing my apex.

“Oh yeah,” he said in a husky voice. “But seriously. Marry me.”

“I don’t want to marry you. I want to fuck you. How much further?”

He swore under his breath and I smiled. He did love naughty talk.

His fingertips brushed against the lace of my panties before dipping in. I moaned into his mouth as his fingertips slid across my wetness.

Ding.

Brad yanked his hands away and slapped them against walls of the elevator. Eyes half crazed, he leaned his forehead against mine as someone entered the confined space. “You’re going to be the death of me, Delilah.”