“Share her?” Brandon stared at him, half-surprised to find him still standing on the other side of the golf cart instead of being whisked away by the men in the white coats from the insane asylum. “You’re kidding, right?”
John lifted a shoulder. “You’re on Silver Island, my friend. Ménage relationships and open minds are what this place was developed for.”
“I don’t share women, Cabelly.” Holy shit, the man was serious. “And if you break into some kind of song about it right now, I am going to deck you.”
“I can’t think of a tune to fit this circumstance.” John patted the cloth rooftop of the cart and then folded himself into the driver seat. “I don’t see the need for one either since you’re apparently going to end up decking me and I’m going to deck you until one of us comes out on top anyway.” He leaned over and peered up at Brandon through the passenger side of the cart. “Are you catching a ride back to town?”
Brandon shook his head and took a full step back. “I’m headed back to the docks. I left my bag in the boat. Do me a favor though, will you? When you meet with Marcus Winters in a minute, ask him which one of these houses he’s got reserved for me and give me a call.”
“Wait a minute,” John called after him, but Brandon had already turned and was walking off.
He continued to ignore his friend as he reached the street and turned to his right, already knowing his way back to the private docks where he’d left the boat. Let John stew on that for a few hours. No doubt, he thought Brandon had showed up on the island because he’d found out about Lara’s impending visit through the media. In truth, he’d had another source deliver the breaking news right along with a request for his presence and he was starting to get a damn good idea why.
* * * *
Lara had been to towns and cities all over the map. None had ever made her want to stay. She’d been on Silver Island approximately three hours and she already knew she never wanted to leave. She’d taken the time to settle in at the cabin, unpacked her bags, and changed into her swimsuit, covering it with a cutout lace off-the-shoulder beach shirt before heading out. She’d followed the street back to town for a ways before detouring down one of the paths to the beach John had told her about. What John had failed to mention was which direction she should take once she hit the beach.
She’d gone to her right, figuring she’d end up on the far end of the island she’d yet to see. She’d been correct. However, she’d seen far more than she’d expected. An immediate detour had sent her walking back to where she’d started and taking a different route. Still flustered by all the naked bodies soaking up the sun, she felt relieved at the first sight of an elderly man in bright orange Speedos. Sure, in her opinion, a longer pair of swim trunks would’ve been more presentable for a man his age, but she was on an island that boasted liberalness and freedom.
At least he’s wearing something.
A slow scan of the glistening sand and the covered intimate parts of the beachgoers told her she’d found the more modest end of the island. Although the threesome bobbing in the surf appeared not to care if anyone saw what they were doing. Were they actually fucking in plain site? No, they were definitely fondling, but the men, at least, remained clothed. She saw that when both decided to dive for deeper water, their asses fully clad in swim trunks breaking the surface before the waves swallowed them down.
A few feet away, a high-pitch squeal drew her attention to a young woman who’d apparently been caught off guard by one of her men when he’d sank beneath the water and come up with her on his shoulders. His grip on her upper thighs didn’t hold and she toppled forward, right into her other awaiting man’s arms.
Back on the shore, a volleyball game was in action. People played Frisbee, relaxed in the sun, or boogied to the music drifting down from the island bar near the street. It was just a normal day at the beach, if she didn’t count the ménage couples scattered about the crowd.
Don’t forget about the supremely gorgeous, nearly naked man wading his way out of the water.
Holy macros! Sweet suddenly took on a whole new definition as Lara’s gaze fixed on Brandon. Fully clothed, the man made her teeter on the edge of losing her sensibilities. Clad only in black swim trunks, the man made her brain forget how to function. Lucky for her he’d chosen this part of the beach to go for a swim. She could only imagine the devastation it would have caused to her system if she’d spotted him on the other end of the island on the beach where the men were letting it all hang out.
Every cell in her being focused like a laser on his body. Cream slickened her pussy lips as water slid over his sleek muscles, beading on his ripped chest and washboard abs as his well-shaped feet sank into the sand at the water’s edge. His hands glided over his hair, swiping it from his face, and her flesh whimpered for a mirroring touch. He turned back toward the surf and she got a good view of his side profile. He might be short for a man, but that body told the tale of a man who wasn’t short on strength, competence, or confidence. The way he gazed out over the water showed a deep appreciation and an almost boyish love. He’d no doubt found his element during his swim, the kind that put him in a world of his own where he seemed oblivious to everyone around him.
“You look like you could use a towel.”
“Hmm?” Lara absently took the beach towel handed to her. Back at the water’s edge, Brandon’s strong legs ate up the sand as he broke into a run and dove beneath the surf. With the sweet sight gone, her brain started to function again. She glanced down at the tropical-printed beach towel in her hand, frowned, and looked to the person who’d given it to her.
The woman, Lara guessed her to be in her mid-twenties, beamed a bright smile at Lara as her slim shoulders bounced with barely suppressed laughter.
Lara blinked. “Oh, uh, thanks, but I’m not planning on going for a swim.”
The woman’s smile stretched to her cat-shaped light green eyes. “Sweetie, your chin is already swimming.” Her gaze slid to the water where Brandon had once again broke the surface and was now floating on the waves. “Not that I blame you. He really doesn’t seem to realize he has nearly every woman on this beach panting, does he?”
“I’m not.” Lara tried to play it cool, but watching Brandon swim had ratcheted her internal temperature high enough to burst a thermometer. Her denial got her a sideways glance from the woman that made her crack up. “Okay, I am. I was hoping I was doing it discreetly.”
“You epically failed.” The woman extended a hand. “I’m Cerridwen, but most people call me Cerrie.”
Cerridwen surprised Lara with a firm, businesslike handshake. “Lara. I love your name. Cerridwen was a Welsh goddess, right?”
Cerridwen nodded. “She’s believed to be the keep of the cauldron of the underworld where knowledge and inspiration are brewed.” She lifted a slender shoulder. “My mother is Pagan and a bookworm. She owns the bookstore, Pleasured Minds, on the main drag. I own Ménage a Drink.” She shot a pointed glance over her shoulder at the island bar looking out over the beach.
“Catchy name,” Lara grinned. “And fitting for the premise of the island.”
“I thought so. All the drinks are three for the price of one.”
Lara barked a laugh. “Wow! I bet that works great for the ménage couples, but for a single girl like me, I’d be drunk on a dime.”
“Nah, that one drink is a bit more costly than a single drink in most bars. All my life, my mother has always said three glasses of wine and a good book is the perfect cure for whatever is ailing you. When we moved to the island, I started Ménage a Drink and she opened Pleasured Minds. My sister, Arianrhod, works there with her. She runs the little Karma Cafe inside the bookstore.”
“Arianrhod?”
“Our mother is of Welsh ancestry. She has a normal, everyday name. Elen. Though it’s spelled with one L rather than two. She named Ari and me after Welsh goddesses.” Cerridwen lifted a shoulder. “It’s an honor, but having such uncommon names made school a pain in t
he ass.”
Lara winced. “I bet. Is your mother in a ménage relationship?”
Cerridwen shook her head. “No. Neither of us are. That’s not why we moved here. The whole buzz of the island is centered around ménages and all that, but the true beauty is the liberalness. My mom is, well, eccentric. We came from a small town in south Mississippi in the middle of what a lot of people call the Bible Belt. Most of the residents there thought she was off her rocker, but she’s just different. Here, no one talks about her. If anything, everyone loves her.”
“She’s found her place,” Lara commented as the sensation that she’d also found hers tingled through her veins.
Cerridwen nodded. “She has. We all have. The islanders and those who visit don’t judge. That why most people come here, because they’re tired of being judged.”
Lara wasn’t sure that was why she felt so at home on the island. Naturally, living the life of a US senator’s daughter had put her in the spotlight to be judged all the time. Still, she lived her life the way she saw fit, stood up for her beliefs, and never really let the opinions of others bother her.
“You know, when Kenneth told me about the island and how he wanted to run things here, I was skeptical. I didn’t think he could pull it off.” Lara looked around, her gaze scanning the beach. She’d lost sight of Brandon, but the fun in the sun she’d been witnessing before she’d spotted him continued all around her. “I was wrong.”
“That’s what you get for doubting an old friend.”
Lara turned at the male voice behind her, a smile immediately coming to her lips as her gaze fell on Kenneth Winters. It had been more years than she could count since she’d seen the man face-to-face, but she recognized him in an instant. Standing nearly six-foot tall, she had to tip her head back to meet his gaze. His once dark brown hair was now salted with gray and his handsome face showed obvious signs of age, but his kind, gentle brown eyes were exactly how she remembered them.
“Kenneth.” Lara wrapped her arms around his neck for a tight hug. “It’s about time you found me.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there to meet you at the docks this morning,” he said as he pulled back, his gaze traveling over her the way one did when he set his sights on someone he hadn’t seen for a very long time. “I trust that John took care of you all right?”
If Lara didn’t know better, she would’ve sworn a mischievous twinkle came into Kenneth’s eyes at that. “He showed me around for a while and took me to the cottage you reserved for me. It’s a fantastic little house, by the way. I love it.”
“I’d hoped you would.” He released her and hooked an arm around Cerridwen’s shoulders, pulling her close for a quick hug. “How are you today, Cerrie?”
“Great as always. I spotted Lara from the bar.” Cerridwen’s gaze slid to Lara and she grimaced. “I recognized you from the media. Kenneth told me you were a friend of the family and I wanted to say hello.”
“I’m glad you did. I haven’t spoken with many of the islanders yet. Really, I’m just getting started.”
“Well, maybe the three of us can get together for a cold one at Ménage a Drink sometime,” Kenneth suggested.
Cerridwen patted his shoulder as she eased out of his embrace. “You know I don’t drink, but I’d love to sit with the two of you while you do.”
Lara angled her head at Cerridwen, perplexed. “You own a bar, but you don’t drink?”
Cerridwen shook her head and then pursed her lips. “Well, I do, but only on special occasions.”
“Cerrie thinks if she stays sober she won’t have to worry about some man or men sweeping her off her feet again,” Kenneth said.
Lara lifted a brow. “Again?”
Cerridwen rolled her eyes and heaved a sigh. “I let it happen once. Horrible experience. Needless to say, I haven’t had a drink since except for a few sips on the holidays and my mother or sister’s birthday.” She started to back step in the direction of Ménage a Drink. “But far be it for my decisions to impede anyone else’s. I’ve got to get back to business. It was lovely to meet you, Lara. I hope you will stop by the bar soon.”
“I’m sure I will.” Lara waved at her as she walked away before she turned her attention back to Kenneth. “She’s nice.”
Kenneth nodded. “She’s a good girl. And, I’ve got news for her, whether she drinks or not, some man is going to sweep her off her feet and put stars in those light green eyes of hers someday.”
Lara giggled. “I’m sure you’re right.”
“How are you enjoying the island so far? I see you made it to the beach.”
“I did.” Lara swept her gaze over the beach again, this time spotting Brandon still swimming close to the shore. “And apparently the right end this time,” she added, tearing her attention away from the flexing muscles in his shoulders as he stroked the water.
Kenneth winced. “John didn’t warn you about our little nudist colony?”
Lara laughed. “No, I found out about that all by myself. I think I even disappointed a few of them because I wouldn’t strip to my birthday suit and join them, but they were gracious enough to point me in the right direction.”
“They’re good people.”
“I haven’t seen anyone yet who doesn’t appear to be. This island is amazing, Kenneth! Thank you so much for asking me to come out.”
Kenneth’s expression turned serious. “I got the impression when we talked that you could use a little island getaway.”
Her stalker. She’d been enjoying herself so much she’d managed to forget about him. It had been months since that had happened. “I needed this,” she admitted. “I hope the time away from the mainland works.” She ruthlessly pushed her stalker fears aside and smiled. “And I hope my being here and the statements I’ll take away with me will do some good for the island with the media.”
“Don’t you worry about the island’s publicity. I want you to relax, enjoy your stay, cut loose, and have some fun.”
“Yes, Daddy,” she teased.
Kenneth chuckled. “I’ve got to head back to town. Charlotte is planning a huge meal at the house tonight. She, Marcus, and I would love it if you’d join us.”
Lara drew her bottom lip thoughtfully between her teeth. She wanted to accept his invitation, but how did she tell him John had already staked claim to her dinner hour?
“Have you already made plans?”
“Umm, well, not exactly. Your sheriff took the liberty of making plans for me.” There was no way she imagined the mischievous twinkle in his eyes this time. “He’s expecting me to have dinner with him tonight.”
Kenneth didn’t miss a beat. “Then you’ll both come to the house.” His tone told her the situation was settled. Lara saw his gaze flick over her shoulder and he added, “Bring your SEAL friend with you, too.”
Her jaw dropped. Kenneth chuckled as he leaned down and planted a quick kiss on her cheek before she could gather her wits to respond.
“We’ll see the three of you at the house around seven. John will bring you and your friend. He knows how to get to the main house.”
“But…wait…I,” Lara stammered, but Kenneth simply grinned at her and then spun on his heel and walked away.
What just happened?
Astonished, she slowly turned only to have her brain lose all function ability again when her gaze landed on Brandon making leisurely tracks in the sand toward her. He’d caught her off guard with his appearance outside the sheriff department earlier. She’d known he was here this time. Still, it didn’t help steeling her resistance to him.
His gaze locked with hers and she swore the world shifted. Jesus, she’d managed to stop thinking about sex once she’d gathered herself enough to venture out of the cottage after Brandon and John left. One look into Brandon’s potent hazel eyes brought all those naughty thoughts and desires right back to her mind and bloodstream. She found herself wondering how many hours it would take to try the Kama Sutra positions she’d often fantasized about
with him in that ginormous bed back in the cottage.
And, mother of hormones, if that wasn’t bad enough, she found herself wondering what it would be like if John joined them, too.
Chapter Three
Lara looked like a sexy beach siren, especially when a wicked heat started to fill her beautiful green eyes. The closer Brandon got to her, the more he swore he felt that heat. Sweat that had little to do with the hot summer day and everything to do with the look in her eyes trickled down his spine. He’d give just about anything to know what was going through her mind right now. He didn’t believe it was merely seeing him that had given her eyes that vixen, naughty twinkle, but damn if he didn’t find himself hoping it was.
She’d changed from the cute little tank top and shorts she’d been wearing earlier. As if that outfit hadn’t been enough to torture his cock. She wore a see-through lace cover-up that hit her shapely legs mid-thigh over a stark white bikini. The color offered an amazing contrast to her bronze flesh and had his cock and balls whimpering. The woman was a true work of art and he couldn’t wait to get his hands and mouth on her again.
He’d collected his bag from the boat, waited for the call from John to tell him which cottage Marcus Winters had reserved for him, and then stashed his things inside before hitting the beach. He’d masterfully avoided John’s attempt to grill him about the reason he already had a cottage in reserve. He’d fill in his friend on the true details of his visit later. He hadn’t been able to masterfully avoid pondering over the conversation he’d had with John outside Lara’s cottage, though.
Barely three feet from her now, he let his gaze fall from Lara’s face to take another cock-torturing drink of her body. He wasn’t too much of a man to fight John for her and he damn sure didn’t have any intentions of walking away, but could he share her? Christ, the mere thought of being in a bed with her and John, watching John touch her, and watching the other man fuck her, made him jealous as hell. Seeing the other man kiss her had been bad enough. Could he really stand by while John had his way with her amazing body and wait his turn?
Safe and SEALed with Ecstasy [The Heroes of Silver Island 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 5