My Friend's Dirty Uncle

I nodded ruefully.

“Yeah, good idea champ. Let me just get my stuff settled, and I’ll come back down and join you guys.”

And with that, I turned around, looking once more for the brown-eyed beauty. Who was she? Where had she gone? But first things first. I needed to put my suitcase away into the guest room and then spend more time looking for the brunette again because I was going to find her … even if it took me all night.

Chapter Three

Dani

I took a big gulp of cool air as we exited the house into the spacious backyard. When I put my hand to my forehead, my fingers came away damp. I had no idea if I was overheating because of the crowded party or because of the gorgeous man I’d just seen. He was the most exquisite human being I’d observed in real life.

It was crazy – I didn’t know anything about this guy, and I couldn’t stop thinking about him. What was wrong with me? There was just something in the way that he’d stood with his hands on his hips, looking so smug and cocky. Not to mention the deep black hair and crystal blue eyes that seized my soul with one glance.

My heart thudded in my chest and I shivered.

Justine pressed her hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure you aren’t cold? You have goosebumps everywhere.”

“No, I’m fine. In fact, can we stay outside for a while? I just want to cool down for a bit. It was way too hot in there.”

Justine smiled, taking the seat in one of the wicker chairs next to the screen door. “Of course.” We were on the back porch. It was overlooking a large backyard, with a massive pool. I had never seen such a big yard to be honest. It seemed that in every direction I looked, there wer more and more acres of lawn and trees, rolling into the horizon.

I wobbled in my heels as I walked across the deck and stared at the sky. I could hear the humming of the music inside from where I stood and there were a few kids outside making out and some were smoking to the side. But the calm of being outdoors slowed my heart, helping the galloping to stop.

“This place, it’s so amazing,” I said under my breath and I turned around and looked back at Justine. “I’m so glad that I was able to come.”

Justine got up from the chair. She tossed her hair before taking the cup from my hand. She peered into it and then back at me. “It looks like you need a refill,” she said importantly. “I’m going to go inside and get you more. I’m glad to be spending the summer with you too,” Justine added before turning on her heel and walking inside.

I turned back to the scene before me. I was lost in thought when I heard the door open and close. “That was quick,” I called out without turning around, thinking it was Justine that had walked back onto the back porch.

“Did you wait long for me?” asked a smooth velvet voice.

I couldn’t help gasping as I turned around. It was the man I’d seen earlier, staring straight at me. Despite the warm temperature, he was still wearing his crisp suit jacket. Those dark blue eyes seized mine, making my temperature skyrocket.

“You’re beautiful,” the man growled, making me shiver involuntarily. “Really gorgeous, sweetheart.”

I blushed hotly. My heart was thudding so quickly that I had no idea how to react – how was I just supposed to talk to this god like he was a normal guy? And how many guys really just compliment you out of hand?

Besides, I’m not used to being flattered. I’m a curvy brunette with major junk in the trunk with no place to go. As a result, my ass is out here and my breasts out to there. Usually, men look right past me, instead of showering me with compliments.

We stared at each other for a few moments. My heart beat wildly in my chest as I tried to form a string of words.

“Thank you,” I squeaked after what felt like an eternity.

He chuckled as he stepped closer. On instinct, I stepped back until I hit the gate behind me. I looked at his face, trying to figure out how old he was. There was wisdom in his blue eyes that I’d never seen before. Maybe it was because he was older

“Are you afraid of me?” the man asked, mischief playing on his lips.

“No,” I said, more forcefully than I would have liked.

He chuckled again, stepping into my orbit, so his face was inches away from mine. “Then why are you running away from me, Princess?”

I tried to steady my breathing, but it was hard with him standing so close. Part of me almost wanted to push him away, but I couldn’t even think about moving. From where I stood, I could smell his clean, masculine scent. It was making me lightheaded and oddly turned on as well, the female within going loose and hot in response to the male’s call.