Best Dating Rules (The Best Girls 2)

“Let me down,” she said, unable to control the quiver in her voice.

Spencer obeyed Emily’s command, albeit with a great deal of regret. They stood in four and a half feet of water, so most of her body was under the surface, but she could still stand easily. His sister, being shorter, was hanging onto Brad’s neck and he was holding her in his arms. He suddenly wished Emily weren’t quite so tall.

“Why don’t we move to the shallow end, so Grace can stand up?” said Spencer.

Brad raised an irritated eyebrow, and Spencer grinned at him. In the shallows, much more of Emily was exposed, although she still attempted to wrap her arms to conceal herself. He decided he could be bold enough to drape an arm around her. He didn’t think she’d object, since they were in such a public place kissing wouldn’t be a danger.

Spencer’s body was amazing. He had muscles everywhere, and no fat whatsoever. Every time he moved, his muscles flexed and rippled under his skin. His chest was well formed, with a bit of hair that seemed to make him that much more masculine. When he put his arm around her, she was conscious of his strength and power. She felt warm and protected, but that’s not all she felt. She also felt a different sort of heat. A sizzle that trickled from the place where his fingers toyed with the skin on her arm, spreading through her body, and settling to burn in her core. She found herself closing her eyes and losing awareness of the thread of conversation as she struggled to maintain her composure.

Brad said something while looking right at her. She tried to focus her eyes on him and listen to his voice, but she couldn’t quite understand him. Then he laughed and pulled Grace toward him and kissed her full on the lips. Emily was thinking she ought to be shocked at that public display, but she couldn’t quite remember what her objections were.

Spencer enjoyed the way Emily relaxed and molded her swimsuit-clad body against him. He felt the scalding contact of her bare skin against his. He let his fingers play lightly against the smooth skin on her arm, while they discussed what they wanted to do after swimming. Grace suggested renting a movie and watching it at Brad’s apartment. Then Brad asked Emily what she wanted to do. When she didn’t answer him, he chuckled. “I think I know what you’d like to do,” he said, “and it doesn’t involve watching a movie.”

Brad drew Grace into a hearty kiss on the lips. Spencer felt a surge of brotherly protest, but he tamped it down. He glanced down at Emily’s drunken expression and decided to follow suit instead. He bent his head down and lightly touched his lips against hers. When she immediately moaned softly and parted her lips, his mouth sought hers with unrestrained hunger, and she responded with equal fervor.

“Eh-hem,” said Grace. “You guys ready to go?”

Spencer released her lips slowly, reluctantly, and turned to his sister with a contented smile. “Yes, I believe we are.”

Emily’s lips protested his departure. She felt bereft of the warm caress of his mouth. She opened her eyes and forced them into focus, blinking rapidly. She reddened at Grace’s laughing perusal. But before she could decide what to do, Grace locked arms with her and urged her out of the pool, talking and chatting.

“I’m so glad you and Spencer are dating. This is great fun. What movie do you wanna watch?”

The full realization of her very passionate kiss with Spencer slammed into her head. She’d kissed him. She’d kissed him hard. Right in front of Grace and Brad. She stammered, “I... I can’t believe we... we...”

Grace gave her a firm elbow in the ribs. “Shut up, Emily. You think too much.” She whispered in her ear. “It was just a kiss. Okay? And Spencer’s a really great guy. He deserves a girl like you.”

The boys were following behind them as they gathered their things and went to change in the dressing rooms. When they were alone in the girls’ room, Emily said, “That’s why I don’t let him kiss me anymore.”

“You don’t let him kiss you? It sure looked like you let him kiss you,” she chuckled.

“Yes, but I didn’t mean to.”

“Why not? I really don’t get it. I’m not teasing you.”

“I’m losing my heart to him,” said Emily. “And he’s going to break it someday.” She looked at Grace through a

film of unshed tears.

Grace gave her a hug. “Why are you so sure he’ll break your heart? I told you he loves you. Hasn’t he told you yet?”

“N-no. He... He hasn’t.”

“Well, he will. But he’s afraid to say it unless he knows you love him back.”

Emily pondered her statement. It was possible. Maybe he really did.

“So, do you?” Grace asked.

“Huh?”

“Do you love him back? Or are you going to break his heart?”

Chapter Fifteen

Spencer dragged himself into work on Friday. He’d gotten valet parking shifts two nights in a row. The tips had been great, but his shift lasted until two a.m. He’d taken a cold shower and had drunk two cups of coffee, but still felt bleary-eyed. He was planning to work as many shifts as possible, but he hoped to spend some time with Emily over the weekend. She’d already agreed to give him the entire day on Saturday. He’d love to take her to see a musical, but he was saving his money for a ring. So their current plan was to picnic in the elevated park and rent a movie to watch with Grace and Brad.

“Hey, Spencer.” He jumped as Emily spoke from close behind him. “What’re you working on?”