Sunset Heat: Bandicoot Cove 2

by Lexxie Couper

  Kylie’s question scraped at Kennedy’s fraying nerves. She swung her gaze around the table, prickling shame rolling over her when she realized McKenzie and Bianca were nowhere about. Hell, they weren’t even in the poolside café anymore.

  “They’ve gone,” Kylie pointed out, her voice serious. It was the first time Kennedy had heard the Bandicoot Cove manager sounding anything other than pleasant. Up until that point, Kylie Sullivan had treated Kennedy more like a friend during their many telephone and Skype interactions than a boss. When Kylie had met Kennedy at the island’s dock, she’d hugged her with such open ease it had spun Kennedy’s mind. Now, however, the highly successful resort manager was evident. Even if it was just below the surface.

  Kennedy bit back a sigh. “I’m sorry. Am I allowed to blame jetlag?”

  Kylie’s left eyebrow lifted. “Only if it’s the truth.”

  Kennedy fought another sigh. “It’s not.”

  Kylie settled back in her seat, crossing legs long and tanned. “Tell me what’s going on. Are you having second thoughts about leaving New York? The States? I know it’s a massive culture shock. Well, it would be for me. Is there anything I can do to help? Anything else you’d like in your suite? Your staff bungalow will be ready to move into as soon as housekeeping finishes getting it ready. I am sorry it wasn’t al—”

  “I just met someone.”

  Kylie’s eyebrows shot up her forehead. A grin pulled at her lips. “Wow. You work fast. How long have you been on Bilby Island? Less than twenty-four hours?”

  Kennedy shook her head, her pulse pounding in her throat. “It’s not… I mean… It’s someone I…someone I already know.” She stopped, her mouth dry. Holy crap, was she actually saying this? To her boss? No matter how friendly and warm Kylie was, she was still that: her boss. “He’s a guest at the wedding and we…bumped into each other.”

  Yes, apparently she was.

  Kylie’s grin curled a little wider. “A wedding guest? Who? I know everyone coming to the wedding.”

  Goddamn it, Kennedy, why don’t you just dig a grave and curl up in it now?

  She swiped her tongue over her bottom lip, nervous for reasons she couldn’t understand. Maybe because it’s your employer you’re talking to? Not a friend? “The best man. Luke Beasley.”

  Kylie burst out laughing. Just like that. Whatever Kennedy had expected her new boss to do or say, it wasn’t laugh. “Beaso? Oh man, really? Beaso? That is awesome. It’s about time someone nailed that guy down.”

  “I didn’t—”

  But Kylie only laughed harder, shaking her head as she straightened to her feet. “Kennedy, as long as it doesn’t mess up your work on my best friend’s wedding, go for it. The guy is long overdue for a good shag.”

  It was Kennedy’s turn to raise her eyebrows. Whoa, this was definitely not what she was expecting. She knew things were different in Australia, but this—her boss giving her the go-ahead to have sexual relations with a resort guest?

  Sexual relations.

  At the thought of “sexual relations” with Luke Beasley, Kennedy’s pussy contracted. She watched her boss weave her way through the mostly filled tables of the poolside bistro, smiling and talking to guests as she went. What would Kylie have said if Kennedy mentioned Addison as well? Did Kylie know if the Brit was overdue for a “good shag” as well?

  My God, woman. Are you seriously that kinky all you can think about is sex with two men? Perhaps Max was right to dump you.

  The thought was sobering. And unsettling.

  But man, think about the pleasure of being made love to by both of them at once. Both of them tearing off your clothes, both of them sucking on your breasts, both of them kissing you and filling you and—

  Kennedy slammed her portfolio shut and snapped upright from her chair. She had work to do. Serious work. Whether her boss said she could have sex or not with Luke Beasley, Kennedy knew she couldn’t. Not when she was also thinking about his cousin. It wasn’t fair to either of them. Carnal sexual attraction was all very well and good, but in real life, sexual fantasies only ended in heartbreak. She’d do better to remember that.

  And hold the damn thought until Luke and Addison left this damn island.

  Damn it, nothing like this would have happened back in New York.

  “So what? You’re not going to tell me what’s going on?”

  Addison stared hard at Luke’s profile, waiting for an answer. His cousin’s eyes were hidden by dark sunglasses and the shadow of a New York Jets baseball cap. Sunglasses and hat didn’t hide the tension in Luke body, however, nor the bunching muscles in his jaw. Nor the way his nostrils flared. If they weren’t standing on the Bandicoot Cove seaplane dock waiting for Aidan Rogers to touch down, Addison would have grabbed the obstinate sod in a headlock. Luke had told him exactly two things about Kennedy. One, her last name was Collins. And two, they’d shared a one-night stand four months ago when Luke was in New York. That was it.

  Well, three things, if one counted the way his nostrils flared, his jaw bunched and his hands balled as fists by his side. Whatever was going on in Luke’s head, he was fighting it.

  Which made what Addison wanted to say to him all the more…tricky.

  How the hell did one tell his cousin he was interested in the very woman so obviously fucking said cousin up?

  More than interested. Like, couldn’t-get-her-out-of-his-head interested. In the fifteen minutes it had taken Addison to find Luke, back in their suite in a shower Addison suspected was ice cold, all he could think about was the American. The way she looked, the way she tried to fight her terror, the way she smiled with fragile confusion. Everything about her had awoken something in Addison he’d never suspected existed. A decent side. Bloody heck, he actually wanted to get to know her. What kind of rake was he?

  A confused one. And a loyal one. Because unless the convict here says he’s not interested, you won’t make a move.

  Lord, since when did he have morals?

  He glared at Luke’s stubborn profile. If only he could get his cousin to say something. Anything apart from “Leave it alone, Ado.”

  The droning buzz on the air told Addison the seaplane carrying the groom was approaching. With one last look at the silent Luke, he turned his attention to the sleek craft skimming over the calm waters of the small inlet called Bilby Bay, watching it maneuver toward the dock on which they stood. He’d never met Aidan Rogers. He was interested to see just what kind of man his cousin had risked his life for.

  When the door of the seaplane swung open, Addison wasn’t expecting a grizzly bear to emerge. He blinked, more than a tad taken aback at the massive man ducking through the exit. “Bloody hell, convict, I thought you were big. This bloke would make Stone Cold Steve Austin jealous.”

  Luke let out a chuckled snort. “Yeah, he’s a big bastard, that’s for sure. I’ve seen him lift a steel roof girder singlehandedly off a child in a house fire.”

  Addison couldn’t help but be impressed, more so by the reverence in Luke’s voice. Thinking about the petite pocket rocket that was the bride, he imagined Aidan Rogers lifting her easily off the floor. Interestingly, the image became a naked Luke and Kennedy in a heartbeat, Addison joining them in his mind just as quickly.

  Oh my giddy aunt, Lancaster, you’re in—

  Another man stepped from the plane and Addison’s mouth fell open. “Sodding hell, convict. Is that Nick Blackthorne?”

  The world’s most famous rock star paused at the open hatch, looking back into the plane. A few seconds later, a lush brunette ducked through the doorway, smiling up at Nick as she took his hand.

  Addison watched the trio head down the dock, the rock star casual and unadorned with bodyguard or an entourage. It was for Addison—who had travelled the world and attended more than one glitzy, celebrity-drenched award show—a surreal sight.

  Two seconds later, Aidan stood in front of Luke, his grin as wide as his chest. Which, in Addison’s opinion, was pretty bloody wide. “Beas
o.”

  Luke grinned back. “Took your bloody time, didn’t you, Rogers? I could’ve stayed in the pool.”

  The man who inconceivably made Addison’s cousin seem wimpy rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Sorry to ruin your fun with my wedding and all.”

  Luke chuckled. “’Bout bloody time you apologized for that.” He turned to Addison, giving him a smile. “This is my cousin, Addison Lancaster, all-round cad and, unfortunately, my ‘plus one’.”

  Aidan’s large hand was engulfing Addison’s before he knew it, the man’s shake as firm as his biceps. “Addison.” He removed his sunglasses, his blue eyes warm and friendly. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you. Glad to meet you at last.”

  Addison laughed. “Dare I say don’t believe any of it?”

  Aidan laughed in reply, the sound deep and infectious. “Luke, Addison, this is Nick Blackthorne and his fiancée, Lauren.”

  Lauren’s smile was shy, but Addison couldn’t miss how stunning she was. “Hello,” she said, her voice soft and husky.

  Nick Blackthorne kissed her forehead and whispered something against her temple that made her blush. It was a beautiful sight to see, and once again, Addison was overcome with images of himself and Luke doing the same thing to Kennedy.

  Lord love a duck, Lancaster. Stay focused.

  He extended his hand, pushing aside the intoxicating thought of kissing Kennedy Collins as he shook the singer’s hand and smiled at his fiancée. “Nick. Lauren.”

  Nick returned the shake, smoothing his arm around Lauren’s waist as he smiled at them both. “G’day, guys. Nice to meet you. Luke, I have to say, I owe you big-time. If you hadn’t have pulled Aidan out of that fire last year, my last album never would exist.”

  Luke chuckled. “You’re more than welcome. Although I only did it to save myself the paperwork.”

  Aidan rolled his eyes. “See your humor hasn’t improved with all the swimming, Beaso.”

  Luke shrugged. “Blame Ado. He brings out the worst in me.”

  Addison’s pulse thumped a little harder. The worst? Like potentially sharing a woman?

  Is that what you’re thinking now?

  Nick Blackthorne gave Addison a narrow-eyed gaze. “Addison Lancaster, the wildlife cinematographer?”

  Addison dipped at the waist in a slight bow, shutting down the thought of a threesome with Kennedy and Luke. Almost. “That would be me, sir. Addison Ellis Lancaster.”

  The rock star smiled. “I’ve seen some of your stuff. That documentary you filmed on African rhinos was amazing. Most deserving on the Oscar.”

  “Thank you.” Addison turned to Luke. “See? Told you I was famous.”

  Luke shook his head. “Yeah, about as famous as your ego.”

  Nick laughed, patting Aidan on the back. “Well, big guy, we’re heading to our suite. Gonna unpack and take a shower before lunch. Catch up with you and Mack at dinner?”

  Aidan nodded, leaning forward to give Lauren a kiss on the cheek. “No worries. See you later.”

  With a casual smile and nod to Luke and Addison, the singer and his fiancée left, strolling up the dock, their soft laughter wafting on the air behind them.

  Addison watched them, a sharp pang of something tight shooting through his chest. Envy?

  He bit back a sigh. There was something wrong with him. Had to be. Perhaps coming to this wedding with Luke had been a bad idea.

  He didn’t get a chance to ponder the thought though, not when Luke slammed a fist into Aidan’s rather sizeable shoulder and burst out laughing. “Okay, Rogers, spill. How the hell do you know Nick Blackthorne?”

  Aidan chuckled, giving his shoulder a rub. “Mack and I met him here last year. In fact, if it weren’t for Nick, I never would have—”

  Whatever he was going to say next was cut short as a flame-haired woman barely half his size launched herself into his arms, smacking her lips to his.

  Addison smiled, watching McKenzie cover the laughing Aidan’s face in far-from-chaste kisses. They looked so happy, so…so…content. What would it be like? To experience something like that?

  When the couple finally came up for air, the groom-to-be grinned, hitching McKenzie higher up his body. “I thought you were meeting me in the foyer?”

  “I couldn’t wait. You know it’s been three days since I saw you, right?”

  Before Aidan could answer, she kissed him again, the kind of kiss, in Addison’s experience, usually reserved for behind closed doors. Beside him, Luke groaned.

  “Get a room, you two.”

  McKenzie tore her lips from Aidan’s, her smirk wide. “Good idea.” She squirmed out of Aidan’s hold, linking her fingers through his as her feet hit the dock. “C’mon.”

  “Oi!” Luke chuckled. “Best man here, remember? There are things I need to discuss with Rogers. Buck’s night things, wedding things.”

  McKenzie tugged on Aidan’s hand. “Too bad. You can have him later.” She slid the grinning—and blushing, Addison couldn’t help but notice—Aidan a suggestive sideward glance. “We have some…things…to discuss ourselves.”

  And with that she pulled Aidan past Addison and Luke, a tiny wisp of a woman dragging a grinning bear behind her. “Sorry, mates,” Aidan threw over his shoulder. “The boss has spoken.”

  McKenzie laughed. “Of course she has.”

  Aidan chuckled, and as Addison watched, their arms and hands found each other, exploring backs and hips and arses as Aidan’s lips pressed to McKenzie’s temple, his smile evident to Addison even from a distance.

  It was the last straw. The last vestiges of his controlled decorum deserted him, shredded at the sight of two people so obviously in love. His gut clenched, his balls grew tight and, unable to deny what had begun the moment he saw Kennedy standing before him, naked and vulnerable and fighting her greatest terror, he turned back to Luke and stared his cousin straight in the eye. “Convict, we have a problem.”

  Luke met his stare, the knot in his jaw telling Addison his earlier tension had returned. “And what’s that?”

  Addison drew a slow, deep breath. “I do believe I am interested in Kennedy Collins.”

  Luke’s nostrils flared. At the exact second a female voice said beside them, “That’s interesting, because I do believe I’m interested in you too.”

  Addison swung to the voice, his heart slamming into his throat at the sight of Kennedy standing but a few feet away, her hands planted on wickedly curved hips, her direct blue eyes sliding back and forth between him and Luke.

  A small, almost shy smile played with her lush lips, and she lifted one dark-honey eyebrow. “Both of you.”

  Chapter Four

  Luke wanted to punch Addison in the face. His fists balled at his sides in preparation. The trouble was, his body—his dick—wasn’t as angry at his cousin’s confession as his brain. His body was reacting completely to Kennedy’s unexpected appearance and his dick was reacting to her well and truly unexpected confession.

  He ground his teeth, staring hard at her. “Both of us?”

  His gut churned. When the hell had he stepped into a bloody soap opera?

  Soap opera? How about porn film? One you’re more than interested—

  “Both of us?”

  Addison’s refined voice made his stomach roll some more. He tore his stare from Kennedy’s face and gave his cousin a quick look. Addison seemed stunned. And more than a tad interested.

  And aren’t you? In what Kennedy is offering, aren’t you also…interested?

  “Both of you.” Kennedy’s American accent was stronger than before, and the words left her lips with a slight tremble. “I tried to fight it. I really did, but…”

  Luke clenched his fists tighter, returning his attention to her. Every fiber in his base male DNA screamed at him to voice the unspoken suggestion hanging between them all.

  Remember her confession back in the New York? Remember her fantasy? Maybe it wasn’t a drunken joke as you first thought?

  “I’m very intere
sted in both of you.” Kennedy’s gaze moved from Luke to Addison and back to Luke. It was as direct as her words, holding Luke to the spot. His cock twitched in his cargos. His blood roared in his ears. “I’m sexually attracted to you both and think…”

  Her voice faded away, pink heat painting her cheeks. Beside Luke, Addison let out a slow breath. “Think what?”

  Luke swallowed at his cousin’s question. On one hand, he wanted it out there. The thing hanging between them. Threesome. Ménage a trois. He wanted someone to say it so he could stop wondering if it was just him aching for it. He wanted someone to say it so he could walk up to Kennedy, the woman who—four months ago—shared with him the best sex of his entire life, the woman who—an hour ago—told him he was Rebound Guy, yank her to his body and take possession of her mouth. Kiss her until she begged him to fuck her. Fuck her until she begged him for more. He wanted someone to say the word “threesome” so he could bury himself in her heat again, even if it meant sharing her with Addison.

  On the other hand, she was the woman he’d spent the last four months thinking about. The woman he’d tried to forget but couldn’t. The woman he’d seriously considered travelling back to the U.S. to find. If for no other reason than to ask her out on a date to see if the future he couldn’t help but ponder, a future with her, his one-night stand, was remotely possible. She was that woman as well, and did he want to share that woman with his cousin? As carnal and arousing as the thought of making love to her was, did he want to do it at the same time as Addison? The consummate British rake?

  “Think what, Kennedy?” Addison asked again. Like Kennedy, his accent was more pronounced. It was as if both their core beings had somehow been amplified by the tension of the moment. Luke wondered if he opened his mouth now would he sound like the stereotypical Aussie? Or would he sound like what he was: a man more turned on and conflicted than he’d ever been before?

  And would Kennedy hear that conflict and choose to go with the poised confidence of his British cousin?

  No. You can’t lose her. Not until you’ve lost yourself in her heat, her passion again. Not until you know if she is…if she feels the same connection you do.