Chapter 13 #2
She took off, swimming for the buoy with strong, steady strokes.
She heard Riley laugh behind her, and then he was splashing through the water nearby.
Soon, her lungs were burning, and her arms ached, but Brooke kept driving forward, eyes on the prize.
Maybe if she pushed herself hard enough, she could out-swim the desire coursing, hot in her system.
But when she returned to the boat, exhausted and gasping for air, and she looked back at Riley cutting through the water like some kind of tanned god—muscles rippling, drenched by the waves—Brooke had to admit defeat.
Exhausted or not, she still wanted him. Wanted those hands on her body, wanted that mouth wreaking its gorgeous havoc on hers. She’d been fighting it since the moment they met, but nothing was going to put out the heat between them.
So why should she even try?
“Damn, you’re fast.” Riley smiled, reaching the boat just a few seconds behind her. She climbed up the ladder onto the deck, and he followed, water running in rivulets over his toned chest and chiseled abs. “You were really killing it back there.”
“Uh huh,” Brooke answered vaguely. Her heart was beating faster now—and she knew it had nothing to do with the swim. She could feel the anticipation crackle in her veins, even before she’d made up her mind.
Her body knew. Her body always knew, half a heartbeat before her mind caught up.
“Guess this means I have to pay a forfeit.” Riley grinned. “What’s your price?”
She took a deep breath. “A kiss.”
If Brooke had any lingering doubts, they disappeared the moment she saw Riley’s gaze darken with lust. Her stomach turned a slow flip, every nerve in her body sparking to life.
Still, Riley paused, assessing her with that molten look. “You sure about that?”
Brooke nodded slowly, her eyes never leaving his. She was sure now, sure that whatever was about to happen was exactly what she needed. “You’re the one who said, I should have some fun,” she said, trying to stay light.
“I did, didn’t I?” Riley took a couple of steps closer. “So you’ve decided to follow my advice?”
She nodded again.
His gaze slipped over her body, and Brooke realized too late that she was practically naked in her wet bikini. She shivered under his gaze, but instead of shrinking away, she found herself standing taller, loving the desire written so clearly on his face.
He wanted her.
And God, she wanted him too.
“So what makes you think I’m the man for the job?” Riley gave a smirk even as he moved closer still.
“You seem qualified,” Brooke said, her heart racing. “And I’m sure your references would be excellent if I checked.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Riley gave an irresistible smile, coming to a stop in front of her.
He reached out and slowly trailed a fingertip over her shoulder, and up to her jaw. The feeling was electric, and Brooke marveled how her body could respond to such a small touch.
Riley’s eyes searched hers, dark and hot. “Last chance,” he murmured, his voice low. “Because once you say the word . . .”
He didn’t finish, but he didn’t have to. Brooke felt like she was humming with desire, and she knew once they crossed this line again, there would be no going back.
But she didn’t want to.
She only wanted him.
Brooke reached up and pressed her palm against his wet, naked chest. She smiled. “I’ll have my prize now,” she said softly, and that was all it took. Riley’s eyes flashed with lust, and then he pulled her to him, and kissed her so hard, Brooke forgot her own name.
Oh my God . . .
Riley’s lips roved over hers, demanding, easing her open and stroking his tongue deep into her mouth.
Brooke shuddered at the intimacy, pressing closer, needing more.
Riley answered with a low growl, reaching to tangle his hands in her hair, then slide them over her body.
Caressing, exploring, molding her curves to his taut, chiseled muscles . . .
Brooke clung on for dear life. She was dizzy with lust, and she could feel him, hard against her, nothing but the damp fabric of their swimsuits masking the heat.
Riley stroked lower, over the swell of her breast, and Brooke moaned into his mouth.
He tore his mouth from hers, panting. “God, you’ve been driving me crazy.” Riley dropped a line of searing kisses down the curve of her neck. “You don’t even know what you do to me. But I’m going to show you, baby. Just you wait.”
Brooke shuddered at his words. Her blood was already burning, and she didn’t think she’d been so turned on in her life before.
“So show me,” she murmured playfully. She didn’t know what was happening to her, why she was suddenly so reckless and bold, but it felt too good to question why.
He felt too good.
She pulled his head up and kissed him again, feeling drunk on the taste of him, the salty tang from his lips. “Show me,” she whispered again, and Riley’s lips curved in a tempting smile.
“Yes, ma’am.”
He lifted her suddenly, wrapping her legs around his waist and carrying her to the bow of the boat. He laid her down, right there on the deck where they’d been sunbathing just a few moments before.
“Don’t hold back,” he murmured, his smile turning downright wicked as he leaned over her. “Nobody’s around to hear.”
“Hear what—?” Brooke’s question was lost in a moan as he bent his head and nipped lightly at her breast, toying with her nipple through the damp fabric of her bikini top.
She flushed, shocked by his boldness, but then his hands joined his mouth, pushing her swimsuit aside, and it was all she could do to just lie back and revel in the incredible sensations flooding through her body.
He caressed her, teased her, made her writhe and moan; his hands skimming lower as his mouth brought her to stiff peaks of pleasure.
What was this man doing to her? And please, could it never end?
Brooke felt his fingertips graze over her bikini bottoms. She tensed with anticipation. Oh God. This was really happening, out here in the sunlight, with the waves rolling gently, and the boat shifting on the tide.
She squeezed her eyes shut, already flushing with the thought of it, but Riley paused. “Oh no, sweetheart, you’re not hiding from this.” She felt him move back up her body, his body skimming hers, blazing with heat. “Look at me,” he ordered softly, and she shivered, feeling exposed.
He stroked her gently through her bikini and a moan slipped from her mouth again.
She heard him chuckle, whiskey sweet. “I don’t want you to miss a minute of this, baby. Open your eyes.”
Brooke slowly obeyed, and looked up to find he was braced above her, that gorgeous, teasing smile on his lips. “See,” he whispered, and stroked her again. “It’s much more fun this way.”
He pushed the fabric aside and skimmed a fingertip over her, and Brooke gasped at the touch. Riley was poised above her, those dark eyes just inches away, and there was nowhere to hide as he delved deeper, touching her just right.
She shuddered around him, her blood thick and hot. God, he was too sexy, and he knew just how to touch her, winding her tighter, watching as she tried in vain to keep from losing control.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, dipping to lick her lips as his fingers curled higher inside. Brooke whimpered, pressing into his hand, needing more somehow. “Don’t hold back now, baby.” He kissed her softly, teasing. “I’ve got you now.”
He did. Brooke couldn’t deny the pleasure sweeping through her, or how wild and reckless it felt to come undone in his arms. She kissed him eagerly, their tongues dancing together as his fingers worked their magic, unraveling her inch by inch until she was moaning, pressing wantonly against him, her voice lost on the breeze.
Higher, higher he drove her, until she was dazzled with the heat, out on the edge of something so strong, it was like she’d taken leave of her senses.
“Let go,” he ordered her, his voice gruff. “Let go for me, sweetheart.”
Brooke wanted to, she was so close, but still, something held her back. This chemistry between them was dangerous—burning too bright.
If she fell off the edge, could she trust him to break her fall?
Riley kissed his way down her body, his touch roving deeper, faster now, and then it was too much to keep at bay.
He was everywhere, undeniable, and Brooke couldn’t fight the pleasure anymore.
She broke apart, crying out against him as the waves of bliss shuddered through her, leaving her gasping in his arms.
Wow.
Riley was right: he was exactly the man for the job.
Brooke couldn’t help but smile. She felt so light, she might just float away. “Want a rematch?” she asked, her eyes closed. “Double or nothing?”
Riley laughed, rolling to one side. When Brooke opened her eyes, he was propped on one elbow, watching her with a satisfied smile.
“That good, huh?” he said, smirking.
“It’s a start.” Brooke grinned back.
Suddenly, she didn’t know what she’d been so afraid of. This was Riley: king of the no-drama good time. She didn’t need him to catch her, she told herself, pleasure still sweet in her bloodstream.
This was just a little fun.