Secret Designs

by Miranda P. Charles

  "Okay, I'll be there," he said resignedly.

  "Great! No need to bring anything," Sandy said with obvious glee.

  "Thanks. Who else is going, by the way?"

  "Oh, uh, Trey, of course. Plus I've invited a couple of my friends to even things up."

  Suspicion stirred his gut. He knew her game.

  "See you later, Dylan!" Sandy said hurriedly, and hung up.

  He sighed. No doubt Noeleen, one of Sandy's girlfriends, would be there, too. Noeleen was very pretty, but he wasn't interested in gold diggers. They spelt trouble.

  During his birthday party a few weeks ago, he had overheard Noeleen tell Sandy that she was desperate to be his girlfriend, so that she could watch Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks from his balcony where they would have the perfect view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

  He scowled as he remembered Sandy's response: "Yes, I'd love for you to have a rich boyfriend, too. They're quite handy when it's time to pay off the credit cards."

  "And it doesn't hurt when they're such hunks," Noeleen had replied, and the two women had giggled like teenagers.

  Last week, after much soul-searching, he'd finally said something to Adam. But Adam was too infatuated with Sandy to listen to his warning that Sandy's feelings for him might not be real. Adam had demanded that he and Sandy be left alone.

  It took three days before Adam talked to him again. He had to tread carefully, so as not to antagonise his friend further.

  He shook his head in displeasure. A guy in love could be so easily fooled by a woman, if he weren't careful. For his part, he was grateful he'd learned his lesson.

  *******

  "Dylan! It's great to see you again, handsome!"

  Dylan hid his bemusement as Noeleen reached up to kiss him square on the lips. He bet she'd be rubbing herself against him like a cat soon. She was in one of the too-tight, too-short dresses she loved to wear. She was great to look at, but she left him cold.

  Oh, what the hell, Dylan. Why don't you play your own game?

  The idea perked him up. He certainly wouldn't enjoy the night if he let himself get irritated. Why not turn the tables and annoy the shit out of Noeleen? With any luck, she'd finally give up on him.

  He gave Noeleen his brightest smile. "Hey, beautiful! It's wonderful to see your pretty face again."

  Noeleen's face lit up and her lips formed a sultry smile. "I haven't seen you in weeks, Dylan. I'm glad you're here." She clung to his arm as they made their way to the kitchen.

  He gave his two best friends, Adam and Trey, a man-hug and gave Sandy a peck on cheek. When he turned to Lenore, Trey's 'date' for the night, he placed his hands on her arms and gushed, "Lenore, you're looking good!" He then enveloped her in a tight hug, caressing her back for a couple of seconds before kissing her soundly on the cheek.

  Lenore blushed and simpered.

  "Dylan, here's your beer," Noeleen said sourly, casting a cold glare at Lenore and grabbing his arm.

  "Uh, thanks, but is there any wine?" He preferred the beer but he was warming to his game.

  "Oh, sure, sure. White?" Noeleen asked, eager to please.

  "No. Red, please."

  He glanced at his two buddies and caught them suppressing their grins. They knew what he was trying to do. Yes, it was caddish and juvenile to play two girls against each other. He hadn't acted like that since his early twenties. But knowing what Sandy's friends were truly like, he had no problems pushing the guilt aside.

  He was glad to see that Adam didn't seem to mind. There was hope for his friend yet.

  He turned his attention back to Lenore. "So, how've you been, gorgeous?"

  The flattered woman was now staring at him with hope in her eyes. "Oh, I've been good, thank you, Dylan," she purred. "And you? You certainly look well." She openly checked him out. Her eyes lingered on his crotch then returned to his face with an inviting smile.

  He stopped the snort before it escaped him. Here was a woman ready to 'steal' him right in front of her friend, Noeleen. Where was the value of friendship?

  "Thank you. I've been good," he said, and turned his attention back to Noeleen, who had a ferocious look on her face.

  "Thanks, Noeleen. You're a real sweetie." He winked at her as he took the glass of red wine from her hand, making sure he brushed his fingers with hers.

  Noeleen blinked and her face lost the frown. "Anytime, stud," she said, running a finger on his arm.

  "Well, we can start to eat. Everyone, carry something to the living room," Adam said.

  They each dutifully carried a platter of food to where the big TV was. This was Adam's version of dinner with friends. Finger foods—lots of them—while they all watched something, usually sports.

  Dylan sat on the sofa, fully aware that one of the girls would want to sit beside him. There was some jostling between Noeleen and Lenore, but Noeleen won and sidled up to him.

  Trey was trying hard to stifle his laugh. He was enjoying the whole thing. Why wasn't Lenore cozying up to Trey, anyway? Wasn't Trey supposed to be her 'date' tonight?

  Lenore had nowhere else to sit but next to Trey, but she looked at pains to keep her distance. He squinted at Trey. What happened?

  Lenore picked up a spring roll and commented on how tasty it was. Ah, this was his opening.

  "That's Trey's favourite too, Lenore," he said teasingly.

  Lenore just ignored the comment and kept on eating.

  He arched an eyebrow at Trey's smug face.

  "I wonder what Ari's favourite food is?" Trey mused.

  Dylan felt the air being swiftly squeezed out of his lungs at the mention of Ari's name. "What did you say?"

  "You know that girl we bumped into at Ivy last week? Your brother's fiancée's friend? She's incredibly attractive. I was just telling these guys that before you arrived," Trey responded.

  Dylan frowned. It had only just occurred to him that the boys weren't aware that he'd slept with Ari. Trey had left Ivy early that night to meet up with some workmates, and Adam was so angry at Dylan because of his comment about Sandy that he'd disappeared when Trey left.

  "I was meaning to ask you to set me up with her, Dylan," Trey continued.

  Dylan's heart pounded hard. Was that a joke? A part of Trey's game to put off Lenore? Or was his interest in Ari for real?

  No, no. Trey shouldn't be interested in Ari.

  "What do you say, Dyl?" Trey prodded.

  "She's taken," he answered nonchalantly.

  "Oh, really? But she wasn't with a man that night, was she?"

  "So? Adam was there without Sandy," he contended.

  "So this Ari already has a boyfriend?" Lenore asked, looking animated again.

  "Yes."

  "What a shame," Trey said with a sigh. "Do you know who the guy is?"

  "Yes," Dylan answered. "Me." He took a sharp intake of breath. Shit. What possessed me to say that?

  His discomfort turned to bemusement when Adam and Trey laughed their asses off.

  "What the hell is so funny?" he demanded.

  "Oh, Dylan. You'll never pull that shit on us," Adam said.

  "Come on, man," Trey said in a pleading tone. "I'm serious. Set me up with Ari."

  Dylan's jaw dropped in shock. He relaxed a little when Trey winked at him. This better be part of the game.

  "I'm being serious, too," he said with conviction. "You can't have her. I saw her first."

  Trey stood up and gestured for a handshake. "I'll fight you for her, then. May the best man win."

  "You're on. I'll win her anyway I can," he declared, getting up and shaking Trey's proffered hand.

  Noeleen got up from the couch and stomped toward the kitchen. "I'm getting another drink," she muttered, clearly displeased.

  "Me, too," Lenore said, following Noeleen to the kitchen.

  Sandy wordlessly went after her friends.

  Dylan exchanged hi-fives with Trey and Adam before the three of them settled back on the couch, silently chuckling. />
  But for the rest of the night, he kept getting distracted by a niggling worry.

  Trey had better be joking.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Ari padded down the stairs quietly but hastily, her face hot from embarrassment and...yes, arousal. Damn it! Why was her timing so bad? She already heard them yesterday morning. Did she have to hear them again today?

  She hadn't mean to pause outside Kane and Jasmine's bedroom door but Kane's soft moans and panting groans stopped her in her tracks. Her cheeks reddened anew at the images those pleasure sounds brought to her consciousness. Of course it wasn't Kane that filled her mind. It was Dylan. Kane's orgasmic noises were so similar to Dylan's that she was bombarded by erotic memories from their one and only one-night stand.

  She shook her head vigorously to clear her mind of lustful thoughts and followed a soft humming coming from the kitchen.

  She found Sam there, preparing food by herself. She wasn't surprised that Kris wasn't up yet, even though it was already after ten. The four girls had been out dancing until two that morning, and Kris had practically boogied non-stop. If Kris hadn't been exhausted by all that, she would have been shocked.

  "Morning, Sam," she greeted her friend with a grin. "What are you making?"

  "Morning, Ari," Sam responded brightly. "Just making a couple of quiches and some salad for brunch. It's the last meal I get to prepare in this dream kitchen before Kris and I head back to Melbourne tonight." She inspected the ingredients she had laid out. "Do you think this would be enough for seven people? Maybe I should make something else as well."

  "Seven?" Ari asked.

  "Yes. Remember that Dylan's friend is coming over, so he could discuss his renovation project with Kane?"

  Ari counted the number of people in her head. "That's just six of us then, isn't it?"

  "Plus Dylan."

  "Dylan will be here again?"

  "I think so," Sam responded, looking at her closely. "You okay?"

  "Oh, sure, yeah." She put on a serene face, but the butterflies in her stomach were excited as hell. "Can I help you with anything?" she offered Sam.

  "Thanks. Maybe you can make us some coffee?" Sam suggested.

  She nodded, relieved to be doing something. She was having a wonderful weekend with her friends, and she was thoroughly enjoying herself. But seeing Dylan last Friday night, then accidentally hearing Kane and Jasmine make love two mornings in a row, had stirred a ridiculously strong craving in her that she was having a difficult time smothering. The way she was feeling, she wouldn't be surprised if she threw herself at Dylan if he so much as winked at her.

  *******

  They enjoyed their lunch on the expansive outdoor deck by the magnificent swimming pool. It was a cool day, but out in the sun it was lovely.

  Ari made sure she wasn't sitting next to, or opposite, Dylan. She didn't trust herself to keep from staring at him if she did. Gosh, he looked particularly gorgeous today.

  Luckily, Adam sat between the two of them.

  "That water looks so tempting I wouldn't mind jumping in it even with my clothes on. It's heated, right?" Adam said, gazing at the sparkling pool water.

  "Yes. So, do you want to put a swimming pool in your place as well?" Kane asked.

  "I would love to, but I'm not sure if I have enough space for a decent-sized one," Adam replied.

  "Leave it with Kane. He'll figure it out," Dylan said. "I wouldn't mind having a dip, too. What say you, everyone?"

  "Well, it would be good to have one last dip before we go," Sam said.

  "Then let's all get changed after we finish our lunch," Kane said.

  *

  Ari donned her sexiest bikini. If she was to entice Dylan for another night of passion, this should help.

  "You are one crazy woman, Arielle Mitchell," she said at her reflection in her bedroom mirror.

  But the idea quickly took hold of her. Why would it be a problem, anyway? If Dylan was going to have sex with some other woman, why not with her? After all, he seemed to have enjoyed their one-night stand just as much as she had.

  Besides, wasn't this the perfect time for her to have some fun? She knew full well she was nowhere near ready for a new relationship. The feelings of betrayal caused by her ex-boyfriend and ex-close friend still left a very bitter taste in her mouth. But why should she be celibate just because she was single?

  The opportunity was here to loosen up and give herself a break. Dylan was a safe bet. They both knew where they stood with each other, so there would be none of that "I thought we were a couple" crap. As long as she kept her heart out of it, she was sure it would be fine.

  Could you keep your heart out of it, Ari?

  She bit her lip, forcefully pushing that question to the side.

  *

  Ari shyly walked back out on to the deck, conscious of the men's eyes on her—well, Dylan's and Adam's. Kane only gave her a cursory glance and continued to cavort in the pool with Jasmine.

  She hid an envious sigh. If she were to blame others for keeping her libido in almost constant wakefulness, that couple had a lot to answer for. You could practically see steam surround them when they were around each other.

  But if she were to blame someone for putting her libido into overdrive in the first place, it was the man staring at her with frank admiration.

  "Are you sure that bikini is legal?" Dylan asked. "I'm lucky I'm the only guy here allowed to openly gawk at you."

  Despite her intentions to the contrary, she blushed.

  "I can also gawk at her," Adam said. "You look hot, Ari."

  "Thank you," she murmured.

  Dylan scowled at Adam. "Hey, you have a girlfriend named Sandy, remember?"

  "Well, she's not here, is she?" Adam countered. "And here's two more lovely girls," he added, smiling at Sam and Kris, who were coming out of the house.

  Sam was also in a sexy two-piece while Kris was in a gorgeous one-piece suit.

  "Good, feast your eyes on those two lovely ladies. I'll take this one," Dylan said, suddenly running to Ari and pushing her into the pool.

  Ari let out a scream before her head went underwater. Next thing she knew, an arm was around her waist, hoisting her up above the waterline. When she had wiped her eyes and opened them, Dylan's grinning face was inches from hers.

  She flushed, heart pounding hard, both from surprise and from his disturbing proximity. He was holding her tight against his muscular body and she instantly responded. She got more wet, and it wasn't because she was in the pool.

  Conscious of their audience, she playfully pushed him with a hand on his face and wiggled away. Dylan splashed her, but let her go. Thank God for that! She needed a minute away from him to slow her racing heartbeat. That man could really make her system go haywire in a matter of seconds!

  She swam to the corner where Sam and Kris sat on a raised step, sipping soft drinks.

  "What exactly is going on between you and Dylan?" Kris whispered in her ear.

  "Lust," she whispered back, uncharacteristically emboldened.

  They giggled as Kris raised the glass she held in her hand.

  Ari watched as Dylan joined Kane and Adam, who seemed to be inspecting the pool structure. She tried to appear indifferent, but her eyes glued themselves to the object of her desire.

  Jasmine approached with a knowing look directed at her. "Interesting," her friend commented.

  "What is?" Ari asked.

  Jasmine arched an eyebrow at her. "Don't play coy, Miss Mitchell."

  "We were just being playful, that's all," she responded with a mysterious smile.

  Jasmine sighed, concern replacing her teasing expression.

  "What's that sigh for, Miss Allen?"

  Jasmine shook her head and smiled. "Nothing."

  This time, Ari arched an eyebrow at Jasmine.

  Jasmine chuckled and relented. "Dylan is a great guy, Ari, but I believe he's not keen on relationships, if you know what I mean."

  "And he's honest about
it, too," Ari replied. She motioned for the girls to move closer to her. "I know first-hand how incredibly hot he is. God help me but I wouldn't mind sleeping with him again. Purely for physical reasons, mind you."

  Jasmine and Sam gasped while Kris cheered.

  "Really?" Jasmine asked.

  "Yes," Ari said as she ignored the warning bells furiously ringing in her head.

  "Wow," Jasmine said with wonder. "In that case...go for it, girl!"

  Laughter rang from their side of the pool.

  *******

  A couple of hours later, they went back inside the house to freshen up for some afternoon tea.

  Those restless butterflies stirred in Ari's tummy when she found Dylan staring at her again as she entered the big, open-plan room that housed the entertainer's kitchen and informal living areas. She glanced around and realised they were the only two people there.

  "Where are the others?" she asked to cover her discomfort.

  "Still getting ready, I suppose," Dylan answered, still looking at her with delicious intensity, his eyes filled with undisguised desire that caused her heart to gallop in her chest.

  "Dylan..." she said breathlessly.

  "Yes, Ari?"

  "Stop looking at me like that," she whispered, her eyes wide and unable to break from his burning gaze.

  He gave her a sinfully sexy grin. "I can't help it. You look so damned desirable."

  She tried to suppress the full-blown smile that threatened to take over her face. "What do you plan to do about it?" she asked him in a sultry tone, shocked by her own words, but pleased that she was able to deliver them with panache.

  His eyebrow shot up, his grin widening. "If you're not careful I might think you're thinking what I'm thinking."

  She narrowed her eyes at him, tilting her head to one side. "What do you think I'm thinking?" she dared ask.

  He closed the distance between them and stood inches from her, making it an effort to breathe. Her lips parted so she could take in more oxygen but it only served to make her breathing shallower as she took in Dylan's reaction. His gaze went to her lips and his eyes grew much darker—more dangerous.