Chapter 7
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B AILEY EMERGED FROM the bathroom off her bedroom at the condo later that afternoon, towel-drying her damp hair.
A carefree day of relaxing out on the water, sunbathing, and fishing was exactly what she needed.
While the rest of her coworkers were back at the bar on what was no doubt a busy Saturday, she and her friends were about to grill fish, enjoy a few cocktails, and relax in their oceanfront condo.
She crossed over to her suitcase, pulling out one of her sundresses. Deciding to forgo a bra, she pulled on her thong and then slipped the dress over her head. It crisscrossed in the front, wrapping around her breasts with a halter tie in the back.
Skipping her sandals, she ran a comb through her hair, applied a touch of make-up, and walked out into the living room.
Noah was unloading some bags of groceries in the kitchen. He grinned when he spotted her, his eyes flickering with interest. “I think I got everything you wanted for drinks—mint, limes, club soda, and rum.”
“Did they have any simple syrup?”
“I couldn’t find any. I grabbed some sugar instead. I figure you’d know what to do to make it.”
“Awesome. I make a killer mojito.”
“I’m more of a beer guy myself, but I’ll try anything once.”
“You’ve never had a mojito?” she asked in surprise, crossing the room toward him.
Noah had showered and changed earlier as well.
Even in a casual shirt and shorts, he looked tempting as hell.
He’d shaved, so she could see his chiseled jaw.
His aviators were perched atop his head, and with his dark, cropped hair and muscular build, he was exactly her type.
And totally wrong for her.
He moved easily around the small kitchen, unpacking the bags and stashing things in the fridge or on the counters.
Bailey opened a cupboard, glancing up. “Can you grab those tall glasses from the top? They’d be perfect for mojitos.”
“Sure thing, sunshine,” he said, walking over behind her.
He reached right over her, easily grabbing four tall glasses from the top shelf.
He smelled clean, with just a hint of spice, and she resisted the urge to shiver at his closeness.
To press back against him and feel his solid body against hers.
He moved away all too quickly and lined the glasses up on the counter, glancing over in her direction. “Your hair smells like coconuts.”
“It’s still damp,” she said, running her fingers through it.
“And that’s my favorite shampoo.” She crossed the kitchen to grab the bag of limes, putting some distance between them.
So far, she’d done a pretty good job of mostly keeping him at arm’s length—they’d flirted and touched a little, but there’d been nothing more.
Nothing that would lead them into falling into bed together, that is.
And that’s how she intended to keep things between them. “Where are Taylor and Mason?” she asked.
“They haven’t come out of their room yet,” he said with a chuckle. “There’s no necktie hanging from the door or anything, but I’m not about to disturb them.”
“Oh God, me either,” Bailey said, rolling her eyes.
“Maybe they’re just napping,” Noah said, raising his eyebrows as she glanced over at him.
“Right. The first chance they got to ditch us, they took.”
Noah chuckled. “Easy, sunshine. Can you blame them? That’s why we’re both here, remember? To keep each other company.”
“So basically, you owe me one for coming along on the trip,” she said, watching as his green eyes lit up in amusement. “How else would you occupy your time without me around?”
“Yeah right. Hanging out on a boat all day in the Florida sunshine is such a hardship.”
“Did you miss the part where I’m stuck with you?” she teased.
He smirked, crossing the kitchen toward her, and she took a step back, realizing she had nowhere to go. Amusement flickered across his face. She pressed back against the counter, and then he was hauling her up and over his shoulder, laughing as she shrieked in surprise.
“Noah, put me down!” she yelled, laughing as he crossed the kitchen.
His muscular arm snared around her waist, and then he was crossing to the living room, playfully tossing her down onto the sofa.
She bounced on the plush cushions, laughing as Noah leaned down over her, his arms caging her in.
Her chest rose and fell, and her heart pounded at his nearness. She wasn’t exactly opposed to making out with him, but she’d promised herself she wouldn’t get involved with one of Mason’s friends. That she wouldn’t let anything happen between her and Noah.
His green eyes pinned her in place, and her lips parted in surprise.
He smelled clean and masculine. And his body was so warm and so near.
His gaze dropped to her mouth, pausing just for a moment, and then he was standing back up. Holding out a hand to help her stand up. “I’m just teasing you, sunshine,” he said, his voice gruff. “But hell, if you say the word, I’m yours.”
She stared at him in surprise and then he was walking back toward the kitchen, acting as if nothing had happened.
“They should be out soon,” he said, his voice deep. “Let’s get everything prepped.”
“Mason’s the one that planned this whole thing,” she said, finally following him back to the kitchen.
Her skin heated at Noah’s nearness, but she tried to ignore the memory of his hard body hovering over hers.
“What are we supposed to do with the fish? I buy fillets at the store and cook them, but I have no clue what to do with a fresh catch.”
“Clean and gut them, I suppose,” Noah said, opening some of the kitchen drawers.
Bailey shuddered. “No thanks. I’ll stick to mixing drinks tonight.”
“Don’t worry, I got it,” he said easily, pulling a large knife from the drawer. “I just need a cutting board or something to use.”
He was acting casual, as if they hadn’t just been moments away from kissing, but Bailey’s gaze dropped, and she could see the slight bulge in his shorts. Pretend all he wanted, he was affected by her, too.
And what had he meant by ‘say the word, and he was hers’?
For...the night? The weekend?
They’d have a fun time, she was sure, and no doubt Noah would be amazing in bed. But she wasn’t going to sleep with him for a couple of nights when she knew she’d see him around Virginia Beach. A quick fling was one thing, but they worked best when you knew you wouldn’t run into the guy again.
When you didn’t have mutual friends.
“So is there a grill down by the pool?” she asked. “We can’t grill fish out on the balcony; I’m sure that’s against a million different fire codes.”
“Yep. There’re several grills down by the pool and picnic area. I grabbed some charcoal and lighter fluid when I was at the store. I’ll probably go light one soon just in case others are planning to use them.”
“How’d you get suckered into running all the errands anyway?” Bailey asked, slicing the limes in half.
“I offered. And I don’t mind—I was quick to shower and change, and I thought they’d want some alone time.” He shrugged. “Plus, I got to cruise around in the convertible.”
“So there was an ulterior motive,” she said with a laugh.
“Hey guys,” Mason said a moment later, walking into the kitchen. His cropped blond hair was damp from the shower, and he had on a tee shirt and shorts. “I thought I heard voices out here.”
“Where’s Taylor?” Bailey asked.
“Drying her hair or something. I told her to take her time.”
“I’m going to run down and light the grill,” Noah said. “See you guys in a few.”
Bailey finished mixing the mojitos, offering one to Mason. He took a sip and grinned. “Damn, that’s strong. And amazing,” he added with a chuckle.
“Noah picked up some good rum,” she said with a shrug. She put lime wedges on the remaining glasses and then picked up her own drink. “To vacation,” she said, raising her glass high.
“To vacation,” he agreed, clinking his glass against hers.
She took a sip of the mint and lime concoction, grinning. “Drinks taste better at the beach.”
“You work at the beach.”
“Well that doesn’t count,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Work is work. I’m getting paid by the bar. Vacationing on the beach is another thing altogether.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Mason said.