Breaking Even (Sterling Shore 5)

“Where’s my illusive date?” I ask mildly when Ash walks up and takes a virgin daiquiri from the bartender.

“He’s here somewhere. He was just out here.” Her eyes scan the party, but she smiles over my shoulder just as two familiar arms wrap around my waist. “Ah. There he is.”

My heart does a few flips as I turn around in the large, toned arms to see Rye smiling down at me. He looks over my bikini, and I try to ignore the sexy tattoos all over his bare skin. His low trunks hang on his hips, exposing that ripple of muscles that form that sexy V.

“You’re my date?” I ask hopefully, looking back up to meet his golden brown eyes.

His smile melts all the barriers around my heart as he winks at me. “You didn’t really think I’d let you come to be with someone else, did you?”

Relief pumps through my veins, and I slide my hand up his chest as he grips my bare sides and fully appraises my attire.

“Fucking perfect,” he says with a grin that only grows. “I knew you’d show up dressed properly, and I’ve been looking forward to the big reveal.”

I grin bashfully while leaning into him, and he bends to kiss my forehead. “So you schemed to get a date?” I ask softly, trying not to melt.

His hair gets ruffled by the fingertips of the wind, and he bends low to press a sweet kiss to my lips.

“I did. And I have something to show you when we leave here. But for now, let’s just enjoy a date.”

I really don’t want to read too much into his words, but for tonight, there’s nothing I’d rather do than be his date. To hell with the consequences. I’m ready to take what I can get when I can get it at this point, because I miss him too damn much.

His arm drops to be around my shoulders, and I can’t wipe away my grin. He worked hard for this date, and it makes it feel as though maybe there really is hope for us. I almost feel like I can breathe again, and for the first time since we ended things, I don’t feel like crying. Which is such a relief.

“Let’s swim,” he says, even though no one else is in the water.

“I’ll look like an even bigger idiot than I already do. No other girl is swimming.”

He smiles as he brings me closer to the pool, and his arm goes around my waist. “You’re the only girl who doesn’t look like an idiot. You came dressed for a pool party.”

I really love him.

“I still don’t know if—”

Before I can finish that sentence, I’m being hurled into the pool by his strong hands, and a squeal falls through my lips before I suck in chlorine-tainted water.

***

RYE

I’m laughing when she surfaces, and her beautiful, mean little scowl turns into that smile that’s only meant for me—the smile that changed everything.

I dive in, and swim under the water to her barely covered body. She came to torture me, and I know it. Even though she thought she was meeting someone else, I know this bikini was intended for me. And every intention I originally had for this evening seems to want to be delayed.

I don’t want to waste tonight with the heavy shit. I want to enjoy this—her smile, her eyes that are glued to mine, and her legs that are wrapp

ing around me.

“So is this a first date?” she asks.

She wants to know what’s going on, but she’s still not pushing me. Underneath her smile is uncertainty. She deserves to push me all she wants.

“I think this is more like our eighteenth date or something,” I say teasingly, and she looks down with her shy grin that I rarely see. I like that smile, too.

Her arms stay around my neck as she keeps her body flush against mine. It feels perfect and right—so damn right.

My lips brush hers just barely, but she refuses to let that be all she gets. And I can’t help but smile when she takes control and kisses me hard, pushing her sweet tongue into my mouth and giving me exactly what I’ve dreamt about for so long.

I kiss her back, but when her sexy little sounds kick in, I have to stop. I’m going to damn burst in the pool if I don’t.