Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
She wasn’t sure what felt better, the cool cream or his big, strong hands kneading her skin, but one thing she knew, she liked him touching her.
A lot.
* * *
By the time Asher finished massaging sunscreen into Nikki’s soft flesh, his cock was just the opposite. Rock hard and erect. Unaware, she slid her legs off the other side of the lounge and rose to her feet. Her bikini bottoms had slipped up, revealing her ass cheeks, and he swallowed a loud groan.
“Want to join me?” She glanced at him over her shoulder.
He shook his head. “Maybe in a few minutes.” When he could stand without his erection being visible.
She shrugged. “Suit yourself,” she said and strode off toward the water.
With no one around, he adjusted himself and deliberately did not watch her little strut because that would only be more torture. He was already doing things that went against the promises he’d made to keep a safe distance from the temptress. And the joke was, he still didn’t believe she was deliberately being provocative. She was just… Nikki.
He didn’t know her well, but she was more than his preconceived notions based on another woman from another time in his life. Even his stubborn, arrogant ass could admit that.
“Come on, join me!” Nikki called, waving an arm to get his attention as she drifted toward deeper waters.
More at ease now that his attention had drifted off her soft skin and ripe curves, but uncomfortable with how far out she was floating, he rose. Pulling off his shirt and tossing it on the chair, he strode down to the ocean, wading in to get close to Nikki.
“It’s warm!” Her head bobbed above the water, but he was relieved to realize her feet were still on the floor, letting him relax.
He drifted closer and she splashed him, the flying droplets hitting him in the face. He sputtered and rubbed his eyes to relieve the sting of the salt.
“Oops!” Her green eyes twinkled as she laughed.
He shook his head and surprised himself by splashing her back. A water fight ensued and even his head ended up soaking wet. He ducked under and came up laughing, shocking the shit out of him. When was the last time he’d played, let alone had fun? Even his recent trip to Vegas with the guys had been more about watching than actually indulging in anything more than a drink or two.
He glanced at the cause of his un-Asher-like behavior. Nikki stood in the water, catching her breath, a big smile on her face. Her hair was slicked back, making her green eyes even more prominent against her olive skin.
God, she was gorgeous. Against his better judgment, and contrary to his plans and the promises he’d made, his cock once again reminded him he desired this free-spirited girl. And that was the thought that stopped him. Not just his promise to her brother, though that was a huge consideration, but she was too damned young. Talk about a scandal waiting to happen.
But dammit, she made him feel young and alive. Not that thirty-three was old, for Christ’s sake, but he still had twelve years on her.
“That was fun.” She took a few steps back and bobbed in the water.
He ran his hand through his hair and nodded. “Yeah, it was,” he said, unwilling to burst her happy bubble. She had too much worry on her shoulders and deserved to forget her troubles. But it was time for him to rebuild some walls.
“I’m going to go back–” He was cut off by the sound of Nikki’s scream and he rushed up to her. “What’s wrong?”
She looked at him with wide eyes, frantically waving her hands. “I think I was stung on my leg. I want to feel for it but I’m scared what I’ll find.”
“Don’t touch,” he instructed. “It’s probably from a jellyfish.” And if so, there was every chance she still had tentacles in her leg. Not that he’d tell her that yet.
Her eyes opened wide. “Please don’t say you have to pee on me,” she muttered.
He felt his lips lift. “No. That’s an old wives’ tale. Come on.” He bent down, picked her up, and carried her out of the water. “I’m going to bring you inside. We’ll take a look at it then.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his chest. Trusting him. He wondered how she’d feel knowing he found her soft sighs and curvy body, cold from the water and trembling against his chest, too damned arousing.
He began the walk back to the house when Corey came rushing toward them. “What’s wrong?” the other man asked.
“Nikki was stung by a jellyfish.”
At Asher’s words, her grip around his neck tightened.
“I’ll go grab the first-aid kit from the shed,” Corey said.
“No. I’ll take her inside.” Although first aid was part of Corey’s job, Asher didn’t want the other man’s hands anywhere near Nikki’s skin.