3. Willa #2
“Why are you my best friend again?” I stand, glancing around at the deserted coastline.
Reluctantly, I slide off my zip-up jacket and remove my tank top.
Then I begin the herculean task of wrestling off my sports bra, grumbling, "Do you have any idea how hard it is to take off a sports bra gracefully when you have big boobs? "
"As a matter of fact, no," Maggie laughs, gesturing to her flat chest. "So, quit your complaining and lose your pants next."
"Fine." With an irritated huff, I give up on wrestling off my sports bra. My hands slip under the waistband of my leggings, and I push them down my legs. When I get them to my ankles, I lift one foot, hopping awkwardly, as I pull at the tight leggings when I hear a familiar voice yell out.
"Bruno, no!"
Before I can even lift my head toward the sound of that sexy voice, I'm knocked off my feet by a black ball of motion and I land with an oomph on my back in the sand. Dazed, I open my eyes and find the same German Shepherd from Cozy Corner Coffee standing over me with his tongue hanging out.
If dogs could smile, I swear he was grinning .
"Bollocks, Bruno! I said no," his exasperated owner yells as he runs up behind his unruly dog.
Maggie laughs, chiding the handsome stranger. "May need to send Bruno for a few more obedience classes."
"I swear, he's fully trained. He never acts this way. I'm not sure what's gotten into him. I'm so sorry. I hope he didn't hurt you." The man drags Bruno off me and offers me his hand. "Oh, it's you. From the coffee shop earlier."
With a nod, I confirm his statement.
He murmurs, "You have a bad habit of falling at my feet."
Placing my hand in his, he pulls me upright and I feel a delicious tingle zip through my body.
Once I'm on my feet, he doesn't immediately drop my hand or take a step back, and I’m awestruck at this unexpected, almost tangible feeling of intimacy that springs between our interconnected fingers.
There's a thrumming under my skin that's impossible to ignore as it grows stronger by the second.
He lets out a startled gasp, and I have the craziest inkling that he feels the same magnetic pull that I do.
Hesitantly, I raise my eyes. His face is frozen, but his molten gaze lustily peruses my body.
He swallows roughly, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat.
A smile breaks out upon his face, and it's the most dazzling sight I've ever seen.
He's breathtaking. Literally. I feel as if my breath is trapped in my chest.
His smile turns into a devilish smirk when Maggie whispers with glee, "May want to get dressed, babe."
Shit. Fuck. Dammit!
Somehow, I'd forgotten that I was in the process of stripping when Bruno knocked me down—and now, I'm standing on the beach clad in only a lacy thong and a sports bra.
I drop the stranger's hand like it's a hot coal and spring backward, gathering my clothes.
I hope to God that my movies aren't popular in whatever country he's from, so he won't recognize me.
"I apologize for the intrusion and for Bruno's behavior."
“The only thing you interrupted was a silly game of truth or dare,” I explain hastily, keeping my face down. I yank up my leggings and slip my jacket back on, zipping it up all the way to my neck.
Nodding, Maggie adds unhelpfully, "Yep, I dared her to go skinny-dipping."
"Stop talking!" I hiss, my eyes shooting lasers at my best friend.
"Now, I'm only sorry that I didn't stumble upon you a minute later," he muses. Dipping down, he grabs my forgotten tank top, handing it to me. As he does, he whispers in my ear, "That's a sight I would have loved seeing." His voice, low and rumbling, sends a swath of goosebumps down my arms.
His words should sound smarmy, but they don't. If anything, he sounds…appreciative.
His wicked smirk widens as he gestures to the tank top in my hands. "Need any help with that?"
Glancing down at my rumpled clothing, I stifle an awkward laugh. "I think I've got it from here, but thanks for the offer."
His eyes linger on mine, the air between us once again humming with sexual tension. I feel an inexplicable connection; an electric charge that makes me momentarily forget the ridiculousness of the situation.
"Well, I apologize again for Bruno. Goodnight, ladies."
As the man saunters off with Bruno in tow, Maggie watches his retreating back while I pray for the ground to swallow me whole. Shifting her eyes toward mine, Maggie remarks, "Well, that was a memorable end to the day."
I blow out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "You might be my best friend, but you're also an absolute menace," I gripe with a grin. "Daring me to go skinny-dipping!"
"I think you meant to say, 'Thank you, Maggie, for granting me another opportunity to make an impression on that hot guy from the coffee shop.'"
"An impression?" I squawk. "Is that what you call that mortifying experience?"
Maggie laughs, throwing her arm around my shoulder. "You do realize he must be staying at the resort too, so you're bound to see him again. And…I think your time in Saltside just got a whole lot more interesting."
FML.