by LuAnn McLane
“Well, since I’m wrapped around you like kudzu, I . . . mmm . . . have to say, the answer is a resounding yes.”
“So . . . we can torture ourselves and fight this, or . . .” He dipped his head and kissed her again.
With a moan low in her throat, Belinda shoved her fingers through his hair, matching the thrust of his tongue with her own, tangling, teasing, exploring, driving him wild. When he finally pulled back she licked his bottom lip, back and forth, and then nibbled lightly. Oliver’s chest rose and fell while he waited for more.
And she gave it.
Belinda licked the outer shell of his ear, nipped his earlobe, and then ran that magical tip of her tongue over the stubble covering his chin. He became acutely aware of everything around him: the scent of her skin, the tickle of her thick braid brushing over his shoulder, the sound of the water swirling around them, and the warmth of the sun beating down on his head. Time seemed to stand still. The world faded into the background, a colorful maze in the distance. The only clarity was Belinda and what her mouth was doing to him.
Driving. Him. Crazy.
Finally, she pressed her forehead to his forehead, breathing hard. Inhaling a shaky breath, she then sighed. “Dear God . . .”
“Tell me what you want, Belinda.”
“You . . . ,” she replied in a sultry, sexy tone. “I want you. All of you.”
“And what do you want to do with all of me?”
She hesitated. “You really expect me to give voice to the naughty things I want to do to you that are going through my head?”
“How long have you had naughty things in your head?”
“From the moment I arrived here. If you greet a girl naked . . . you know, like if you give a mouse a cookie . . .”
He chuckled. “So, you’re hungry for more. Tell me.”
“I . . . can’t,” she responded in a breathless whisper.
“Why not?” He kissed the side of her neck, and then, unzipping the cover-up, he parted the sheer material, finding wet skin to kiss, to lick.
“Be . . . Be-cause.”
“Why?” He licked the sweet swell of her breast above her bikini top and was rewarded with a shudder and a moan.
“Because all coherent thought . . . has . . . ,” she began, but Oliver cupped her ass and pressed her closer, demonstrating how hard he was for her. “Left the day-um building,” she finished.
Oliver wondered if he should give in to the temptation of unhooking her bikini top, but he didn’t want to be too bold or too sure of himself, especially this soon. This could go terribly wrong at the end of the day. “Maybe this is what we both need.”
“Oh, there’s no maybe.”
“Belinda . . . Then let me know all the naughty things you want to do to me. Or me to you. Either way, I’m down.”
“Did you just say down? Such a magical word.”
He chuckled. “I did.”
“Mmm, okay,” she said. “Since you put it that way . . .” She lowered her gaze and paused. A deep rose blush stained her cheeks and she pressed her lips together.
Oliver found the shift from wild splash girl to sexy siren to sudden shyness to be damned cute. Part of her charm was her unpredictability. “I’ll let you in on a secret: whatever it is, I’ll let you do it.” He cupped one breast and rubbed his thumb over her taut nipple.
She gasped. “You’re not playing f-fair.”
“I’m not playing at all,” Oliver said in a more serious tone. He pulled back and looked at her, searching her face for answers.
“What? Oh no, do I have mascara running down my face? Raccoon eyes? A booger?”
Oliver tossed his head back and laughed. “No.”
“Really? You wouldn’t lie?”
“Not about that or anything else.” He rubbed a black smudge from the corner of her eye. “All clear.” He held her close but slowed his roll, telling his body to slow down. If only his dick would listen. “What do you want to do with me?” He waited while his cock strained against the laces of his board shorts. He had some suggestions if she came up empty.
“All right then . . . since you asked. I want to run my fingertips over that gorgeous chest,” Belinda said in a rush. Okay, not exactly what he was going for, but he’d take anything and everything she had to give.
Damn, so much for slowing his roll. He nearly groaned. Wait, he did groan.
“Oliver? May I?”
Knowing this was insane, Oliver pulled her into the shallow water. Putting a little space between them he said, “Have at it, babe.” Gritting his teeth, he braced himself for her touch.
Belinda smiled, but then hesitated as if knowing this could lead to more. She rubbed her lips together. Her chest rose and fell in slow, deep breaths. She slowly moved closer. For a moment, Oliver wondered if she might break the spell and splash him. Part of him wished she would, because they were moving at the speed of a runaway train.
And this was supposed to be fake. Merely a business partnership. But it already . . . wasn’t. He liked her. He wanted her. He could see himself falling for her. Their lives were on a collision course and he didn’t want either one of them to get hurt, especially her. She pretended to be a tough cookie, a badass, but he already knew differently. “Belinda,” he began, ready to put a stop to the sexy insanity.
But then she reached out and touched him.
Just barely.
Her fingertips felt cool against his warm skin. He sucked in a breath at his body’s intense reaction to such a light, feathery exploration that began with his shoulders. Slowly, she moved over his pecs, and when her fingernails grazed his nipples, Oliver gritted his teeth. The intensity of how much he wanted to be buried deep inside her blew his fucking mind.
Adding just a bit more pressure, Belinda slid lower over his rib cage, making his ab muscles quiver. His dick strained against his fly, and when she reached the top of his board shorts, Oliver’s blood throbbed in his veins. She ran her fingertip over the stiff material and then dipped just slightly beneath. His dick reacted, growing thicker, harder, heavier. He wanted her to yank his shorts down and fondle him, stroke him, suck him.
“God, Belinda,” he said, and she looked at him but remained silent. Holding his gaze, she moved closer until only a couple of inches separated their bodies. Just when he thought she was going to touch his cock, she reached up to his shoulders and ran her palms over his biceps, down his arms.
He could feel the heat of her body, smell coconut lotion. He wanted to lift her up to the edge of the pool, spread her thighs, and bury his face there. “You’re driving me fucking crazy.”
“Mmmm . . . sorry, not sorry.” Belinda smiled and licked her lips. The violet shade of her eyes, along with the long braid over her shoulder, made her look exotic. He wanted to pull her in for a long, hot kiss, but she had him mesmerized by her touch. If she could drive him to the edge with her hands, what could she do with that mouth?
He sure as hell wanted to find out.
“Come with me to the cabana,” he said in a husky voice.
Belinda blinked at him for a few seconds but then nodded. He took her hand, guiding her up the steps and over to the secluded spot next to the outdoor kitchen with the cabana. He sat down on a wide round cushioned chaise longue and gestured for her to join him. The canvas flaps on three sides were rolled down, giving them privacy, not that he was expecting anyone to arrive. Still, after having so many pictures snapped of him when he thought he was alone over the years, Oliver remained careful. They needed pictures of them for publicity, but this private, real moment should be theirs alone.
Oliver leaned back against the plump cushion, but Belinda remained sitting up.
“What other naughty things would you like to do to me?” he asked, and she blushed. “Please tell me whatever just came to your mind.”
“No . . . I . . .” Belin
da’s eyes widened a fraction and she shook her head hard. “No . . .”
“Then is it my turn?”
“I wasn’t aware we were taking turns. Are there rules to our little game?”
Oliver answered with a slow smile. “The only rule is that there are no rules. So again, do I get a turn?”
CHAPTER EIGHT
LOVE YOU INSIDE OUT
“Maybe.” Belinda felt as if she were melting from the inside out. How could just touching Oliver get her so hot and bothered that she wanted to launch herself at him? About ten different very naughty things she wanted to do to him scurried through her brain. Or should she let him take over? No, she liked being in charge. “But then again . . .” She nibbled on the inside of her cheek.
“I’ll give you a minute to mull it over.”
“Thanks,” she said, and closed her eyes. Oh, she’d like for her mouth to replace her hands, exploring him inch by delicious inch. But what she’d really like to do more than anything was to swing her legs over his hips and ride him wild and hard, coming up to her knees and then taking all of him, over and over. Or maybe she’d run her tongue up and down his shaft before taking him deep into her throat, sucking him while her nipples grazed his skin, pebble hard and sensitive.
Desire throbbed between her thighs. Just the thought of doing those decadent things to him caused an ache that cried for release.
Mercy. What was a girl to do?
“Belinda?” he asked.
She opened her eyes wide, glad he couldn’t read her mind. “Yes?” she asked softly. Heat traveled up her neck to her cheeks, but she decided to give herself a damned break. With everything that had been going on in her life lately, having sizzling sex with Oliver would be a fun diversion, leaving her with enough endorphins to last a good week. And because he was perfect, she just bet dollars to doughnuts that he would simply blow her mind in bed.
“Does my request require that much thinking? I thought indecision was my job.” He ran a fingertip down her cheek.
“Oh, no indecision,” she muttered, but that wasn’t quite true. “Maybe I just want to stay in charge.”
“Fine by me,” he said lightly, but Belinda wondered if he wasn’t just a bit hesitant to continue down this road as well. “So, what’s on the agenda?” he asked, but she remained silent. “Your wish is my command.”
“Oliver, you’re like this decadent dessert I know I shouldn’t eat but can’t resist.”
“Why? Because you’ll be sorry afterward?”
“Oh hell no.” Belinda shook her head, suddenly knowing the truth. “Because I know I’ll want more. And you’re like a smorgasbord of never-ending sexy treats.” She wiggled her fingers at his body and he laughed. “What? I’m dead serious. Just look at all that . . . deliciousness. You’re like a big ole hot fudge sundae waiting to be devoured.”
“You can do more than look. But, you know, you’ve seen me naked, so I think it’s only fair that . . . you know.” He shrugged.
“I’ll need some liquid courage for that,” she said, suddenly wanting to slow things way the hell down. Uncertainty tiptoed into her brain. All it would take would be just one lick at this point and she’d explode.
Oliver sat up straighter and shoved his fingers through his damp hair. “Hey, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to entice you into something you don’t want to do.”
“Oliver, sweet pea, that’s not the problem at all and we both know it. The problem is like I told you. Once I get a nibble, then I’ll want a taste, then a bite, and after that all bets will be off. And you’ll be like that cake in the fridge late at night calling my name.”
Oliver laughed. “So what am I supposed to do with that information?”
“Keep your sweet self at the ready.”
“Oh, I’m at the ready. Touch me and find out.”
Yeah, she wanted to, so damn badly. “Let’s just have some refreshments and not get ahead of ourselves,” she said, not even remotely sure she knew what she meant by that. But damn, she was befuddled. If he as much as put his mouth anywhere on her body, she’d be a goner.
“Remember, you’re the boss.” He paused, looking at her as if hoping she’d have a change of heart and keep this train going.
Belinda nodded slowly and he got it.
“Hey, there’s something I want you to know. What happens or doesn’t happen in private between us stays between us.”
Belinda nodded ever so slightly. “I don’t kiss and tell either.”
“But you do kiss, and very well, by the way.”
She tilted her head, making her braid slip over her shoulder. “So I’m a good kisser?”
“Amazing, but surely you know how sexy you are?”
She frowned and gave him a little shrug. “After becoming famous, it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake, ya know?”
“Yeah,” Oliver said with an edge of sympathy. “And it sounds like the people you trusted didn’t give a damn.”
She laughed without humor. “Nailed it.”
“We were lucky that Heartbeat was surround by good people. Yeah, Devin can be a pain in the ass, and sure, he wanted success, but he never sold us out or did anything that didn’t have our best interests in mind.” He took her hand in his and squeezed. “I’m sorry, Belinda.”
“Well, for a whole lot of years my life has been filled with too much stress and not enough joy. Sometimes I wish I never left my little town in Tennessee and just lived a normal life.”
“Then go back to it.”
Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “It’s way more complicated than that.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
Belinda looked at him for a long moment. “I think in due time, I will. But not today. We’re supposed to be relaxing, right?” she asked casually, while her entire body still hummed with need.
“Right.” Oliver picked up her wet silky braid and let it slip through his fingers. “You get to be queen for the day. We’ll hang by the pool and then I’m going to fix you a delicious dinner.”
“Nice Oliver has returned?”
“Yes.” He patted his chest. “No more splashing.”
Belinda laughed. “Right, you just know you can’t beat me in a splashing war.”
“Uh . . . yeah. Lesson learned. So, what can I get you to drink? How about something sweet and slushy?”
“I think I’m more in the mood for something tall and strong.”
“I’m on it,” he said, but when he started to swing his leg over the chaise longue, she put a delicate hand on his chest.
“Not so fast, sweet pea.”
Oliver settled back into the seat. His heart pounded while he waited. She leaned in, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a soft, lingering kiss. “What was that for?” he asked in a husky voice.
“For being the sweetest, cutest fake boyfriend ever.” She arched an eyebrow. “Oh, and the sexiest.”
Oliver laughed, but something in his eyes revealed that the soft kiss had shaken him up a bit. This already felt like something more than pretend. “Thank you.” He cupped her chin and gave a quick, firm kiss. “I’ll be right back with your drink. Oh, and a plate of snacks. Something tells me you didn’t get around to eating yet.”
“You’d be right.”
Belinda could hear him puttering around in the outdoor kitchen and she took the time to try to corral her good sense. Having a wild fling with Oliver would be fine if she didn’t already feel something more than desire. How could she develop feelings for him at such a whiplash speed?
Belinda leaned back and closed her eyes. No, it wouldn’t be fine. That’s not what she was all about. And to believe that she had already fallen for Oliver meant she wasn’t thinking straight. Damn, she came from practical, hardworking farmers. Falling in love in one day was ridiculous. Oliver Heart was simply irresisti
ble. Love had nothing to do with how she felt right now. It just couldn’t. She didn’t even fully know him yet.
Belinda looked up at the canvas ceiling. Surely Oliver Heart had to have a flaw. Inhaling a deep breath, she nodded. She’d just have to make it her mission to find his flaws and focus on his failings. There, problem solved. Sitting up, she dusted her hands. Oh . . . and the fling? Right. Also a perfect solution. Wild sex would mean keeping this fake romance thing nothing more than physical. Yep, a shallow relationship filled with mindless sex was just what the doctor ordered. And after a slushy drink, she would share her sudden lightbulb moment with Oliver. Surely he’d be on the same page. What guy wouldn’t?
Belinda was pondering the best way to lay out her perfect plan when Oliver returned with two hurricane glasses filled with something red and gorgeous. Meaning the drinks were red and he was gorgeous. “Oh, looks good.” And so did the drinks. She accepted the cold glass from him and took a sip from the bendy straw. “Mmmm, wow.” She smiled up at Oliver. “You have more superpowers than I can count.”
“Like it?”
“Oh yeah. I have a feeling this fruity taste of innocence packs quite a punch.”
“And you’d be right.” He shrugged his shoulders but then grinned. “Hey, I kinda feel like we’re on vacation for the next few days. Our assignment is to relax and get to know each other. I have the fridge full of food. The bar is stocked. The weather is supposed to be perfect. We’re all set.”
“Sweet.”
“And it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed what I have right here in my backyard. So . . . let’s just roll with it, okay?”
Belinda took a long sip. Licking her lips, she nodded in agreement. “Agreed. And I have something to run by you, but I need this adult beverage to chill me out before disclosing my idea.”
Oliver raised his eyebrows. “Are you serious? You tease me with that and expect me to wait until you finish your drink?”