Crazy for Love

by Victoria Dahl

  “Elliott thinks I’m flirting with Jenn,” he muttered.

  “Even after you were over here feeling me up?”

  “He thinks I’m a player.”

  “Are you?”

  Surprised, Max met her serious gaze. “No!”

  She raised an eyebrow. “So why would he think that?”

  “I’m not… Okay, I admit I can be flirtatious, but I am not a player.”

  “You don’t have to lie to me, Max.” She turned back to look at the line bobbing in the water. “It’s no big deal, all right?”

  “I’m not lying!” When the bird chatter died out for a few seconds, Max realized he’d shouted. He glanced over to a puzzled Elliott and a suspicious Jenn and offered a friendly wave. “Sorry.” Chloe, on the other hand, was smirking at the water. He leaned in close and whispered. “You’re the first woman I’ve touched in nine months.”

  The smirk faded from her lips, but Max’s heart was dropping. Had he just said that? Aloud? Way to play the desperation card, Max Sullivan. “It’s nothing weird, though. I just decided that celibacy was… I mean, not celibacy celibacy. Just…”

  “Celibacy?” she squeaked.

  “No!” To offset another shout, he offered Jenn the flash of a sick smile over his shoulder. “Forget I said anything.”

  She shifted and tried to cross her arms, but the fishing rod and life vest interfered, so she just edged away from him. “So…you’re sending mixed signals here. Flirting with me and then telling me you’re celibate.”

  “But I’m going to have sex with you,” he insisted, just before the roar in his ears warned him that this was getting very bad, very fast. His pulse pounded, pushing a headache to life behind his eyes.

  “Really?” Chloe drawled.

  “Oh, Jesus.”

  “Am I going to like it?”

  “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  He ran a hand through his hair, aware of the drop of sweat snaking down his neck. “I meant that I really wanted to, even though I told myself it was a bad idea, and I couldn’t stop thinking about you and that red bikini. And your eyes!” he added belatedly. “And you’re such a normal girl. You’re not glamorous or… Um.”

  “I’m starting to believe you really aren’t a player, because this is the worst seduction ever.”

  “Oh,” he said, unwilling to let another full word pass his lips. He’d just blurted out the most insulting things he’d ever said to a woman. And, of course, he’d said them to the nicest girl he’d met in years. How had this become such a disaster? “I’m so sorry.”

  She shrugged one shoulder. “Lucky for you, I’m one of the few women in the world who actually revels in being called normal. I’ll even take average at this point.”

  “Chloe,” he managed. That one pained word was all he could get out before he slowly lowered himself to the bench seat behind him. Suddenly, he didn’t care about the dangers of being on a boat in open water. He didn’t care that Elliott was leaning out way too far to slip the squirming fish back into the water.

  Today Max Sullivan had discovered that he only had two speeds: fake and charming or freakishly awkward. Jesus. He’d spent so many years pretending to like women he didn’t care for that he couldn’t manage the most basic interaction with a girl he really did.

  Chloe dropped into the space beside him and pressed her knee against his. “Max?”

  He shook his head.

  “You know what?” When she took his hand, her fingers felt beautifully delicate sliding between his. “In all honesty, I’m totally going to have sex with you, too. So it’s a good thing you’re onboard.”

  Max narrowed his eyes at her. “Is that a joke?”

  “Well, the ‘onboard’ part was a joke, but maybe not a good one, if you have to ask. But I wasn’t joking about having sex with you.”

  “You must have been.”

  “No. I haven’t been celibate, but I’ve been monogamous, so I understand that it feels…awkward.”

  “By awkward, I assume you mean the ridiculously stupid shit that keeps spilling from my mouth?”

  She inclined her head graciously, but he caught the smile that hovered on her lips.

  “You have a boyfriend?”

  Her head popped up, alarm flashing through her eyes. “No! Of course not. Not anymore. What kind of girl do you think I am?”

  “The kind of girl who’d consider having sex with a complete jackass like me.”

  “Ha!” She smiled. And then she smiled wider, and Max felt the world flash around him. In that moment, he knew he wore the same expression that Elliott had worn minutes before. Damn.

  Chloe’s hand squeezed his. “I guess I’m a bad girl then, Max. A very bad girl.”

  Oh, Jesus. A stupid smile took over his lips and wouldn’t give up. He wondered if there were little hearts spinning around his head. She was very obviously not a bad girl, but what could be sexier than a good girl looking to get dirty?

  He apparently had no gift for smoothness unless he was lying, so Max kept his mouth shut and said nothing. Instead, he held Chloe’s hand and enjoyed the comforting feeling of the rough orange fabric of their life jackets rubbing together in the wake of each wave.

  THE ANCIENT BIKE SHE’D borrowed from the resort made Jenn happy. The springs under the giant seat squeaked every time she turned a pedal, the tattered reed basket rustled in the wind and she had no idea where the clanking sound was coming from. But she felt free and daring as she flew down the narrow road, her hair tugging itself out of its braid with every gust of ocean breeze.

  She felt like a kid again, strong and carefree. She’d been allowed to run wild at certain times of her childhood. After her father would leave on one of his three-week-long trips, her mother would usually take to her bed for a few days. Jenn had been responsible for bringing her mom tea and toast in the mornings, but the rest of the day had belonged to Jenn. She’d loved it. She’d been grubby and tan and as brave as any adventurer as she’d explored her neighborhood and the woods beyond.

  Then she’d grown old enough to realize what her mom and dad always fought about the night before each of his trips. His other women. His other life.

  Jenn shook off the memories and pedaled harder, passing the harbor and continuing on toward the older homes beyond. Utilities were expensive here, and most of the yards were adorned with clotheslines of snapping towels and clothing. She rode along the main road for a long time, thinking of nothing. She didn’t turn around until the houses disappeared and drifting sand turned the road into an obstacle course.

  Her thighs ached, but for once, her heart didn’t. As she headed back toward town, she passed a cottage with a hand-lettered sign in the window: “Monthly Rentals! Inquire Within.”

  Her pedaling slowed for a moment as she considered the idea of quitting her job and spending the summer at the beach. She could work at the resort again, or at a restaurant. It wouldn’t quite be running away, not what Thomas had done. Jenn wasn’t engaged; she didn’t even have a boyfriend.

  If she wanted to leave her life behind and escape, no one would be hurt. Frankly, she’d be better off on her own. So far she’d managed to make a mess of every important relationship she’d ever had.

  As if he were a harbinger of another disastrous turn, Elliott appeared on the path ahead, stepping out of a shop, head bent as he looked over a newspaper in his hand.

  He was a good forty feet in front of her, and obviously absorbed in his reading. Jenn slowed, frantically looking around for the escape of a side street. But the ancient brakes of the bike squealed and startled Elliott, who glanced over the rim of his glasses and took a step back.

  She’d been made.

  “Jenn,” he said, as if he weren’t the least bit surprised to see her. With the paper in hand and the creases in his brow as he watched her over his glasses, Elliott looked every inch the scientist. Jenn’s heart shuddered with nervous excitement.

  Having rolled to a stop i
n the middle of the lane, she put her foot down and just stood there, afraid to go closer. But Elliott wasn’t as affected by her presence as she was by his. He folded the newspaper under his arm and strolled forward.

  “I was hoping to run into you,” he said. “Max invited you and Chloe over for dinner tonight, but I thought they could use some privacy. Maybe we could go out. I hear there’s a good restaurant a few lanes over. We could take a walk.”

  The first thing that hit her was alarmed joy. Elliott Sullivan was asking her out. The second thing that hit her was alarmed arousal. They’d be alone.

  Then she realized that the motivation wasn’t a desire to spend time with her, but a desire to give his brother some privacy. As quickly as her heart had leaped into her throat, it sank too low in her stomach.

  Elliott cleared his throat and glanced up the road. “You’re probably tired after the fishing trip.”

  She was tired. It was the perfect excuse to say no, but then Elliott would have to spend the evening alone and she’d be stuck in her cabin feeling guilty. “I think a walk and dinner would be lovely. Thank you.”

  Did he want to spend time with her? Or was she just the third-wheel friend who had to be paired up with someone? Still, even that third-wheel friend got lucky sometimes. And she did need some stress relief.

  Jenn pedaled off, trying to decide if she should be anxious or excited. She finally settled on both.

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHLOE RAN THE BRUSH NERVOUSLY through her hair one last time. She was going to do this. She was going over to Max’s cabin for the sole purpose of having sex. Her previous sexual experiences had always been in the context of a relationship. A new relationship, maybe, but it had always been sex with the expectation that it would lead to something else. This was leading nowhere. Max worked on the other side of the world, and she was about to enter into the maelstrom of a scandalous trial.

  Yet it didn’t feel meaningless. She liked Max. He made her feel warm and tingly, and not just below the waist.

  Jenn stepped up to the mirror to put on her lipstick.

  “Are you sure you’re not mad?” Chloe asked.

  “No. I’m happy for you. Just be careful and use a condom.”

  “Thanks, Mom. You too, by the way.”

  Jenn’s face blazed to immediate scarlet. “We’re just going to dinner.”

  “Why?”

  “Chloe,” Jenn said sharply, obviously trying to put an end to the conversation. She bit her lip, her eyes darting nervously to the mirror as she patted her hair.

  Chloe relented and smiled. “Have fun at dinner.”

  “We’re walking to a place on the other side of town, so…we’ll take our time.”

  “Okay. This is weird, right? Maybe Max and I will just have dinner, too.”

  “Sure! That’s why you dug out your one matching set of bra and panties.”

  “Shut up. It’s a vacation. I was going for comfortable.”

  “Oh, you achieved that.”

  “Be nice, Jenn, or I’ll bring up the fact that you put on your nice underwear, too. Are you thinking of expanding your sex portfolio? It could use a new addition.”

  “Shut up. He only asked me out because Max wanted to make you ‘dinner.’”

  “Elliott likes you.”

  Jenn shook her head. “Don’t say that. I’ll just get more nervous.”

  “Then he doesn’t like you at all, and I hope you two are able to tolerate each other long enough to get through the evening.”

  “Thank you.”

  One hug later and Jenn was on her way, which meant it was time for Chloe to go, too. Max had promised steaks and wine on the porch, but they both knew what was really going on. Hell, they’d stated it out loud, and Chloe was suddenly very sorry about that conversation. Funny enough on a boat in mixed company. But now? Crap.

  Hands shaking, she tugged the hem of her skirt down a little, thankful that she had packed a nice set of underwear. But if this turned into more than one night of fun, Max was going to be exposed to her “Super Hottie!” panties. Or the Tinkerbell ones.

  “Definitely Super Hottie,” she muttered to her reflection. Her lips were glossed and her legs shaved. There was nothing to be done about her curvy thighs or slightly chubby cheeks. It was time for sex.

  “Okay.” Her face radiated pale uncertainty, so Chloe said it a little louder. “Okay.”

  Just as a tiny glimmer of confidence took hold, a knock echoed through the cabin and she jumped and grabbed for the sink before she tipped over.

  She’d told Max she’d been a good girl in high school. The truth was that she’d always been good. Always. And look where that had gotten her. Screwed over, knocked around and left on the side of life like roadkill. She was a laughingstock and an infamous bitch, and she didn’t even know what she’d done to deserve it.

  Whatever she and Max did tonight, she’d worked hard to earn it. She was going to grab this bull by the horns and enjoy the ride.

  Smiling at her naughty pep talk, Chloe snapped off the light and walked toward the screen door.

  “Hey, there,” Max said, the words slow and deeply friendly.

  “Hey, yourself.”

  Max pulled open the door, and before she had a chance to feel awkward, he leaned in for a not-quite-innocent kiss…and Chloe remembered why she’d decided to have sex with him.

  His tongue was a hot, rough slide against hers. He tasted minty and sweet, and the way his hands curved over her bare shoulders… Chloe swayed into him, letting her weight settle against his chest.

  “I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” he said.

  An embarrassingly breathy sigh escaped her mouth.

  Max grinned and wrapped his hand around hers to lead her down the steps to the sand. He wore shorts and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposing the tanned skin of his arms. But his feet were bare. Chloe found herself staring at them, at the long bones and wide strength and tan toes.

  Lust warmed her belly before spreading out through her limbs, like a flower blooming beneath her skin. Lust inspired by a man’s feet.

  “Chloe?” Max ducked down to draw her gaze from the ground. “Are you okay?”

  “I am, actually.”

  They’d reached his porch, and Max grabbed two glasses of wine from their perch on the railing and gestured toward the steps.

  Chloe took a seat and glanced toward the grill. It looked suspiciously inert. Neither smoke nor heat waves shimmered from the air holes. “Is the grill still heating?”

  “Oh, I…thought I’d cook on the stove tonight.”

  “Why?”

  “Why?” Max looked over his shoulder toward the door, then back to the grill. “Um…”

  Sipping her wine, she watched as thoughts turned behind his eyes and wondered what he was trying to hide.

  He thought for a long moment, his shoulders tightening to rock before he finally answered. “I don’t like the grill.”

  “You don’t like this grill?”

  “No, I don’t like grills at all. You can turn a stove on and off. A grill stays hot for hours. There are…sparks,” he finished weakly.

  “Really?” She tried her best to keep the laughter from her voice. Tried and failed.

  “An hour from now a kid could be flying a kite on this beach and stumble right into the grill. How am I supposed to keep from worrying about that?”

  “So it’s not just water. Or open fires. Or sharks.”

  “No.”

  In the middle of an amazed laugh, Chloe caught her breath and sat up with a sudden jerk. “Wait a minute.”

  Max leaned slightly away from her. “What?” he asked warily.

  “How many phobias do you have?”

  “I don’t have any phobias at all. I’m cautious and protective. That’s all.”

  “The little boys you helped dig in the sand? Tell me that wasn’t some weird sand castle phobia!”

  Max scoffed. “Of course not. I’m not a freak, Chl
oe.”

  “So you just like playing with kids?”

  “No, I was trying to keep those boys from killing themselves. Do you know how many kids have been suffocated by collapsing sand tunnels in the past twenty years? A kid is way more likely to be killed by a sand collapse than by a shark attack, but no one pays attention to that.”

  “My God,” she whispered. “How do you know that?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. I saw it on TV somewhere. I just wanted to let them know that if you were going to dig a sand pit, the walls had to slope out from the bottom or else they’d fall down.”

  “Oh, Max. Do you worry about everything?”

  He shrugged again, and that was answer enough. He must be worn down. He had to be, but it was hard to see the exhaustion past the healthy glow of his tan. Maybe he was even more tired than she was.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  She reached over to touch his jaw, then rubbed her thumb against the little hollow beneath his bottom lip. His eyes closed. Funny that he thought she was calm and peaceful. Everyone thought the same thing about him. And together…together it might even be true for both of them. “No, I’m not hungry,” she murmured.

  His sleepy brown eyes opened, alive with interest. “No?”

  She was still shaking her head when he leaned in to kiss her. And kiss her again. A moment later, Chloe heard the muffled clink of her wineglass hitting the sand at the foot of the stairs. His shirt was crumpled in her fists as she tried to pull him closer, closer.

  Her life might never be peaceful again. Once she left this beach, her world might continue to swirl around the drain until she lost herself completely. But here, with Max, for a moment, all was well. She was well.

  Though both her hands were wound into his shirt and Max’s fingers braced her head for his kisses, they weren’t nearly close enough. She didn’t want to know where he ended and she began. She wanted to forget there could be space between them.

  Chloe stood and eased a leg over his knees, her skirt rising easily with the movement.

  “Mmm,” Max murmured as his hands slid down to cup her ass. Before she could settle on his knees, he pulled her closer. Not that she objected. She wouldn’t have been bold enough to simply settle onto his lap, but if he was issuing an invitation… Chloe pressed herself against his arousal with a sigh.