Ahem. She isn’t ruining my mood. She just isn’t. “Sure. I’ll move the stuff. We’re going to head to the other pool anyway.”
“Oh yeah?” She raises a brow. “Getting some privacy?”
“Maybe.” Forest laughs. “If I feel merciful.”
My sex clenches.
Mackenzie… laughs. It’s this knowing laugh. Like she remembers some time they fucked in the pool.
Not that it matters.
I know they had sex. A lot of sex. But that was a long time ago. And even if it wasn’t, I’m not a cavewoman. I’m not obsessed with sex.
Only my stomach is churning.
This is…
UGH.
“We’re hitting the beach first.” I move to our stuff. Gather everything I can. “So we’ll see you at the party.”
“Sure.” She smiles. Waves goodbye.
Forest helps me collect our stuff. He follows me to the secluded pool.
It’s all kinds of sexy, the way it’s hidden between shrubbery and the hotel wall, but it also means the whole thing is cast in shadow.
A shadow that isn’t going anywhere.
Okay, sticking with the plan. Beach. Now. I pick up my tripod. Motion to the reflector. “Let’s make these fast.”
His smile is wicked. “Why’s that?”
“Hmm, I wonder?” I try to tease, but there’s a heaviness in my shoulders. She’s so there. No wonder he’s all moody and jealous. Or he was. I don’t know. It’s confusing.
I try to push it aside as I lead Forest along the stone path. All the way to the sand.
It’s windy as hell—way too cold for a bikini—but it looks gorgeous.
I set up the tripod. Direct him to the proper spot.
Then I go. Pose as quickly as I can. A dozen super posed shots. A dozen natural ones.
Yes, I’m just running toward the ocean. That’s normal!
I’m hanging on the sand. Like everyone does.
I’m waving at a friend.
He drops the reflector. Moves to me.
Then I’m hugging my, uh, something. Kissing him. Sliding my hands into the back pocket of his jeans.
And he’s untying my bikini top, tugging the cup until my breast is exposed.
Click.
“You gonna record all this, princess?” He slips his hand between my legs. Rubs me over my swimsuit.
The damn thing is too thick. I can only get so much of his touch. “I… uh…”
“Should order you to take that top off right here.”
My body buzzes. “You should.”
“Order you onto your knees, so I can come on those pretty tits.”
Holy fuck. “You should.”
He shakes his head. “We have one to go.”
Right. One to… Uh… pictures. We. Take. Pictures.
Fuck. He’s way too good at this.
I press the heel of my hand into his chest. “Back. Behind the camera.”
“Oh?”
I nod yes. “You can’t be trusted in front of it.”
He smiles, but he does move back.
Thank God. I’m ready to rip his clothes off. Which is such a bad idea.
The beach is empty, sure, but it’s the view. Anyone anywhere in the hotel can see us on the sand.
Maybe if we go in the ocean…
No, it’s too cold. And how am I going to—
Ahem.
I recall my parents disgusting flirting again—it’s very effective—shift back into fun beach day mode.
Then a little sexy goth princess mode.
Forest keeps staring like he wants to consume me. But when I nod we’re done here, he picks up the camera, makes a point of holding it in front of his face.
“You follow orders?” I ask.
“I’d rather give them, but if that’s what you’re into…”
“No, I… I’d rather that too.”
He smiles that same wicked smile. Leads me back up the path, past the hotel crew setting up the party, around the corner to the secluded pool.
We’re completely out of view of the party.
Though we’re… right there. Around the corner.
It’s illicit. And hot as hell. Not that we’re… uh… still picture time.
I set up the camera. Stall by re-checking the shoot requirements on my phone. It’s surprisingly broad. Whatever I think will sell swimsuits.
It can be sexy, fun, sweet, silly, scary.
But the shop’s website is decidedly family friendly. It’s not going for a buy me and you’ll want to bone all night vibe.
They’re cute swimsuits. Not sexy ones.
Though that’s really a false distinction.
Forest is adorable when he gets all contemplative. And he’s sexy as hell.
It’s possible to hit both.
It’s possible to work and not fuck Forest immediately.
I mean, in theory it must be possible.
Somehow.
Chapter Forty
Skye
“Can you get us some waters?” It’s a weak excuse, but it’s all I’ve got.
He nods sure. “Anything else?”
A moment to cool down. “That’s it.”
He nods sure thing, kisses me goodbye, moves around the corner.
I do away with my third swimsuit. Pull on the sexy red bikini.
It fits like a glove. What I expect from bra-sized swimwear. But still rare enough I appreciate it.
With Forest gone, and the shade following over the pool, I cool down enough to concentrate.
I need to knock out the cute photos before he returns. Because once he’s here—
He’s impossible to resist. He really is.
I arrange the camera just right, grab the remote, step into the pool.