Trouble in Disguise

by Sonia Stanizzo

  He waved to her. “The water’s perfect.”

  Okay, she couldn’t stand there all night. She did a quick scan of the area, and once satisfied no one was around, she took a deep breath and dropped the dress. Should she walk or run? Fully aware of Nate’s gaze on her, she settled for a quick walk. There was a high risk if she ran, she’d fall flat on her face.

  * * * *

  Nate watched as Jade shimmied out of her dress. Smooth, creamy breasts sat high in a lacy, pale blue bra. Her petite body was perfectly shaped in all the right places. Christ, how was he supposed to control himself?

  As the water reached her belly, she sucked in a startled breath, and her nipples bore through its lacy confinement. He had to stop himself from groaning out loud. Thank God the water was around his waist so she couldn’t see how she was affecting him.

  When she waded closer, he asked, “What do we do now?” God, he hoped it was what was on his mind.

  Sliding her hands onto his chest, she smiled. “We swim.” Then she pushed him away, laughing as he fell under the water.

  When he resurfaced, he wiped the water from his face. Jade was floating on her back, lightly kicking her legs and swaying her arms with the water swirling around her body.

  “I might never have skinny-dipped before, but I reckon it should be a lot more fun than just swimming. If I’m to live out a teenage experience, I’d want it to include doing something with the naked woman I’m with.”

  Jade stopped floating and splashed him playfully. “I’m not naked.”

  “That’s too bad.” He grinned.

  She feigned a shocked expression then said, “We can have a swimming race?”

  He shook his head. “Boring.”

  “See who can hold their breath under the water the longest?” she suggested with a playful smile.

  “I might be new to skinny-dipping, but I have a gut feeling water games aren’t usually involved.” He paddled closer. “I have an idea.”

  “You do?” Her eyes widened.

  Her smile dropped, and her tongue darted out to lick the water from her lips. God, if only she knew how much he wanted her right now.

  Pulling himself together, he said, “For starters, I’d want to put my hands on you.”

  “Sounds interesting,” she said with a throaty voice.

  He slid his palms onto her hips, pulling her closer, and water swirled around them. A tremble racked through her body. Her skin, slippery and cool under his touch, melded against him.

  “Then, I’d want to lick the salt from your skin,” he said.

  “Too much salt is bad for your health,” she said on a shuddery breath.

  “Freckles, I’ll take my chances.” He bent his head and nibbled at her shoulder then traced the sweet curve of her neck, licking off the salt with his tongue. “Is this how you used to skinny-dip?” he mumbled against her racing pulse.

  “It’s not the way I remember it.” She sighed and tilted her head to the side.

  “Next, I’d want a kiss.” He lifted his head and took in the sight of her. Red, curly hair dripped wet around her creamy shoulders. He’d never seen anything so beautiful.

  “A kiss?”

  “I recall you owe me one. And your first born too, but I’ll let you keep your baby.”

  “Well, I always pay my debts.” Her gaze dropped to his mouth.

  He needed to taste her and couldn’t hold back a moment longer. He lowered his head and kissed her. Soft and slow at first until she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, and moaned softly into his mouth. Then it turned into something fast and hungry. They stopped only for a quick breath and locked lips again.

  When Jade broke the kiss, her chest heaved against him as she panted for breath. “If skinny-dipping was this good when I was a teenager, I would have done it more often.”

  Lifting her off her feet, he wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled her against him, splashing water around them. His whole body tightened with the contact. Reflexively, he thrust his hips between her thighs, and she wiggled to get closer.

  It was taking all his strength not to take things further. It didn’t help matters when she rocked against him like she wanted him to do exactly what he was thinking. But he couldn’t go there, not now. As much as it pained him to restrain himself, he didn’t want their first time to be in the ocean like a couple of horny teenagers. Even though that’s exactly how they were behaving.

  But it wouldn’t stop him from having some fun, and while Jade clung to him, Nate reached around her back and unclipped her bra. Sliding the straps down her arms, he let the bra fall into the water, and his hands immediately took its place. Her nipples peaked into hard beads, and he flicked and rubbed them, ripping a long moan from her. Then he replaced his hands with his mouth, sucking and licking as she gasped out his name.

  Jade’s hands did some exploring of their own and skimmed along his chest, down to his waist, and slid behind the elastic of his boxer briefs. His legs buckled as she clasped on to his arse, and he sucked in a sharp breath.

  God, no matter how good Jade felt in his arms and how much he wanted her right now, or how fantastic it felt with her hands on his body, they needed to stop. Before they did something he told himself he wouldn’t do. They were on a public beach. Even though it was late, anyone could walk past.

  It almost killed him to pull away and set Jade back on her feet. She wobbled in the water and threw her arms around his neck to steady herself, plastering her wet skin against him. He was so tempted to slide his hands back onto her sweet breasts.

  He wanted to continue, but someone needed to take control of the situation. And judging by the way she was nibbling at his neck, it wouldn’t be Jade.

  Before he could pull her away, a bright light coming from the shore shone in their direction. Jade squealed, darted a quick glance over her shoulder, and awkwardly waded through the water to hide behind him.

  “You two out there. This is a public beach, and you’re performing an indecent act. Get out of the water now.”

  “Connor, is that you?” Jade called.

  “Jade?” the man shouted back. “What the hell are you doing? God, I already know… Christ, Jade. What were you thinking?”

  “Someone you know?” Nate asked sarcastically.

  Jade blew out a frustrated breath. “Yes, unfortunately. It’s my older brother.”

  * * * *

  If there was ever a time Jade wanted the world to open up and swallow her, it was now. Too bad she wasn’t a strong swimmer, because she would have kicked off and swam for New Zealand. Maybe she should try anyway and see how far she could get. Anything would be better than facing her police officer brother.

  Thankfully, Nate’s body was shielding her so Connor couldn’t see her naked. That’s definitely something she didn’t need her big brother witnessing. God, how much did he see? She’d never be able to look him in the eye again.

  “Jade Kathleen Brennan, get your arse out of the water now!” Connor shouted.

  Jade groaned and thumped her head on Nate’s back. “Kill me now please. All you need to do is hold my head under the water. One minute, two tops should do it.” Then she grabbed Nate by the wrist, turned him around, and dropped his hand on top of her head. “Now push.”

  Nate chuckled and moved his hand under her chin and raised it. Water dripped off his hair and down his face. He took her breath away, and she almost forgot her brother was on the beach ready to taser them—almost.

  “If I have to tell you again, I’m going to…going to…” Conner yelled.

  “What, come in and get me?” She peeked around Nate’s shoulder just in time to see Connor push his fingers through his hair and shake his head. “If you want me to come out, you need to leave.”

  “So you can continue what you were doing? Shit…the image is back in my brain.”

  She didn’t have to wonder what he’d seen, probably a fair bit. Damn this full moon shining on them like a spotlight.

&nb
sp; During the shouting between her and Connor, Nate hadn’t said a word. Didn’t even drown her like she’d asked. She looked at him and frowned. “Well…do something.”

  His eyes grew round. “What am I supposed to do? I’m worried if I say something, your brother might shoot me.”

  “Wuss. He’s never shot anyone.” She slapped him on the chest and let her hand linger for a beat. She’d really been enjoying feeling his firm body until she was rudely interrupted.

  “I don’t want him to start with me. He’s busted his little sister naked in the arms of a stranger.”

  As if Connor could hear their quiet exchange, he yelled, “Who the hell are you with anyway? I’ll lock him up for luring you here.”

  Nate’s eyebrows lifted. “If only he knew I’m the innocent party, and his sister convinced me this was a good idea.” He smiled with a gorgeous, crooked grin.

  “I’m his sweet, little sister. He wouldn’t believe it.”

  Nate looked unconvinced.

  Then she called out, “Leave my friend out of this. We’re coming out, but you’ll need to turn around.”

  “Please don’t tell me you’re completely naked.” Connor groaned.

  “I’ve got undies on but…my bra floated away somewhere.”

  He swore like an overprotective brother, not an authoritative police officer.

  “That was an expensive bra you lost,” she said sternly to Nate.

  “I can’t say I’m sorry.” His gaze was dark and hooded.

  A tremor traveled through her body. But she mentally shook herself. Her brother was only a few meters away.

  “Okay, I’m turning around,” Connor said.

  As much as she wanted to stay in the water and not face her brother, she knew she couldn’t put it off any longer.

  Peeking around Nate, Jade checked to make sure her brother had his back to them. “Okay, it’s safe to leave.”

  “Safe?” Nate rubbed his chin.

  “Well…he’s not looking. What he’ll do to us when we get out is anyone’s guess.”

  “Let’s get this over with.” But Nate didn’t sound eager to get out either.

  They made their way to shore, and Connor kept his back to them as they put on their clothes. Because she was wet, Jade’s dress clung to every curve and bump on her body. The smoldering gaze Nate shot her way told her she had a lot on display.

  Connor didn’t say a word to them as they did the walk of shame back to Jade’s car. Probably so disappointed in her he couldn’t find the words. Just like Mum used to do when they did something bad as kids. She’d scream over silly things, but when they’d done something worth yelling about, she’d go quiet, and that’s when they knew they were in big trouble.

  But Jade was a grown woman. Connor had no right to be mad. Although naked PDA wasn’t exactly legal, and he was a police officer, so she could see why he was pissed.

  At the car Jade turned to speak to Nate and found Connor standing shoulder to shoulder with him, pinning her with a disappointed look. She tilted her chin. No way was he going to make her feel like a kid in trouble. “Do you mind? I want to speak to Nate in private.”

  Connor turned toward Nate, giving him a once-over. By the expression on his face, it appeared he didn’t like what he saw. Not much difference in height, Connor’s head with his mop of coppery brown hair was just a little shorter than Nate’s. But because of physical training to stay in shape for his job, her brother’s build was bigger. Even though Nate had a good set of muscles on him too, she had a feeling Connor could take him on and win. And she hoped it didn’t come to that.

  “I’m staying here.” Connor crossed thick arms over his chest.

  Jade blew out a long, frustrated breath. “I swear to God, Connor, if you don’t leave, I’ll punch you.”

  “I’m staying, or I’ll arrest you for public indecency, and if you punch me…assaulting a police officer.”

  She didn’t believe him, but she was too tired to argue. “Fine! You are such a dick,” she threw in to get the last word then turned her attention to Nate. His lips twitched. Yeah, this was so funny. “I’m sorry for my dip-shit brother.” Connor made a huffing sound. “We didn’t get to discuss the music program. I wanted to have it ready by the start of next week.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll work something out. It will be fine. You get the kids there, and I’ll get the music side done.” He smiled and damn if it didn’t make her knees knock together.

  Even with her brother standing inches away, glaring at her, she knew she was definitely truly, madly, crazily in trouble.

  Chapter 9

  The next day, Jade drove to her mother’s house and parked in the driveway next to Connor’s jeep. She groaned. He was the last person she wanted to see. Last night had been the most embarrassing moment of her life. Well, it had started off great until the party pooper had to come and ruin everything. All she needed now was for Connor to blab to their mother about what happened.

  “He better have kept his big mouth shut,” she grumbled as she got out of the car.

  As she entered the house, she could hear her mother and brother in the kitchen. She paused for a second and took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and made her way down the hall. She wouldn’t let Connor make her feel like a naughty child.

  “Hi, Ma,” Jade called out, walking into the kitchen.

  When her mother turned around, her red curls bounced around her disapproving face. Connor had spilled the beans. What a jerk.

  “Jade Kathleen Brennan. Please tell me it’s not true.” Her mother frowned and put a hand on her curvy hip. She was shorter than Jade, but the way her disappointed crystal blue eyes bore into her, Jade felt two feet tall.

  Jade threw Connor a dirty glare. His response was a smug smile as he leaned on the kitchen counter, crossed his legs at the ankles, and sipped from a mug.

  “Depends on what you’re talking about. If you want to know if I’m becoming a prima ballerina, well then no, it’s not true.”

  Waving a finger at Jade, her mother’s cheeks turned pink. “Don’t try to be funny. What you did last night… I don’t even want to think about it.”

  “Then don’t. And Connor should mind his own business. He had no right blabbing it to you.” She turned her attention back to her brother. “Are you five? Telling on me to Mummy.”

  “Oooh, are we talking about Jade skinny-dipping last night with some mystery guy?”

  Jade whipped around to find her sister Kaitlin standing in the doorway.

  Jade covered her face with her hands and shook her head. “Did you rat me out to everyone in the family? Should I be calling Granny in Dublin to see if she knows too?”

  “There’s a group email circulating as we speak,” Connor said. When she dropped her hands and looked at him with what she hoped was pure evil, he only laughed. “Kaitlin knows because I gave her a lift home after leaving you at your car. And Mum knows because she asked me if anything exciting happened on my shift last night.”

  “Oh, so you just had to tell her that I was skinny-dipping with Nate.”

  He shrugged, not looking sorry at all for the misery he’d caused her.

  “I want to know everything about Nate. Give me all the details,” Kaitlin said with a gleam in her eyes. “Or should I ask Connor to give them to me? I believe he said he had images he’ll never forget burned into his brain.” Her sister laughed when Connor scrubbed the palms of his hands over his eyes.

  The weight of their questions on her shoulders made Jade drop on a chair at the dining table. “I’m not giving you details, and Connor couldn’t have seen much because it was dark.”

  “Not that dark,” he grumbled.

  “Why would you do such a thing?” This from Jade’s mother who sat at the opposite side of the table, frowning.

  “I was helping Nate tick off things he never got to do as a teenager.” And she got more than she bargained for.

  “You did this as a teenager too?” Jade’s mother’s eyebrows
disappeared into her hairline.

  “Now you’ve put your foot in it.” Connor chuckled.

  “Only because I was with Kaitlin and she told me to.”

  Kaitlin gasped. “I only wanted to do it because I followed Connor one day and saw him with Penny from his year at school doing it and thought it looked like fun.”

  “What the hell!” Connor exploded and pushed from the counter. “Why were you following me?”

  “You always told us to get lost. I wanted to see what you got up to when you snuck away.”

  “I told you to get lost because I didn’t want you to see what I got up to.”

  Kaitlin tapped the side of her head and smiled sweetly. “Yeah. Well, I know a lot, so don’t piss me off.”

  They were grown adults still squabbling like little kids. Jade watched her mother make the sign of the cross and look up at the ceiling, probably hoping for help from God for her children.

  Connor shook his head. “I’m getting out of here. And you…” He pointed a finger at Jade. “Keep out of trouble. And if I find you doing something stupid like that again, I will arrest you.” With that, he stormed out of the room.

  “You’d think I robbed a bank or something. Skinny-dipping isn’t that bad.”

  “Where did I go wrong?” Her mother sighed.

  “So…who’s this Nate guy you had sexy-time with?” Kaitlin’s eyebrows wiggled as she asked.

  “I don’t think Ma wants to hear about it,” Jade said as she looked at her mother.

  “I’ve heard more than I’d like to, so I might as well know who my daughter’s been fooling around with.”

  “We were just swimming,” Jade lied.

  Her mother arched an eyebrow. Jade mentally grimaced. It was mortifying to know her mother knew about last night.

  Blowing out a long breath, she said, “As you know, his name is Nate. He’ll be teaching the kids music in our after-school program.”

  After a beat Kaitlin questioned, “That’s it?”

  “There’s not much to tell.”

  “Oh, no way. You have got to give me more. How did you meet?”