Sweet Little Lies (Dirty Little Lies Duet 2)

His eyes light a fire inside me, one that threatens to burn my entire world to ash if I allow it. “Aren’t you too young to be sneaking away in the night? Someone might steal you and keep you for themselves.”

My chest rises and falls in short pants. “You sound like my dad. He can’t keep me caged in here forever. I’m a big girl now.”

“And what if that’s what’s best. A little bird like yourself can get lost in the big world. Taken advantage of.” My heart races. As if he senses my nervousness, he takes a step toward me, leaning forward and clasping my chin. “Maybe it’s best you stay caged.”

I shake off the memory as his hand reaches out, pressing his chilled glass to my chest. “You should really have someone take care of that sunburn. Skin like yours, it’s meant to stay porcelain.” He pulls his drink back and takes a long sip.

“If it’s not too much trouble, maybe you can come out and help me. Keep me company for a bit. It looks like my dad’s going to be on the phone a while.”

I can’t stop staring at his lips. I bet they taste like scotch. Smooth to the touch, oaky spice to the taste. God, when did my simple girl crush turn into a deep-rooted obsession? I’m being foolish. Asking a grown man to follow me out of my dad’s office and entertain the idea of touching me. But his wicked smile feeds the temptress inside me. I can’t stop. I’m leaving for college soon and won’t get to see him as often as I want.

Gabriel glances over at my dad, still deep in conversation, then brings his gaze back to me. “You sure you can handle a man like me? I may not be the company you’re expecting.”

My heart does a double flip. He’s flirting with me, I think… Whatever it is, I’ll take it. I know this is wrong, but there’s no hint of resistance inside me that will make me abort this mission. I return his tempting smile and reply in a flirtatious tone. “I guess I’ll have to endure your presence and find out.” I don’t stick around for his next move, but his deep chuckle at my back is intoxicating—and I love every bit of it. Excitement buzzes through my veins as I step outside and strut back to the pool. A few seconds pass before I hear the sliding glass door open and close.

Bingo.

Holy shit.

This is really happening. I think… Oh my god, if I mess this up, I may die of humiliation. If I’m reading the signs wrong…

I peek over my shoulder and watch him disappear into the pool house where Dad keeps extra trunks. Too worked up, I dive into the pool, needing the rush of the cold water to soothe my overheated skin. When I pop back up, the sight before me threatens to further torch me to a pile of ashes. I bite the inside of my lip to keep calm.

Gabriel in a luxurious suit is breathtaking, but Gabriel in nothing but swim trunks? Heart-stopping. I wish I had my sunglasses to hide how I devour his built body, the smooth, tanned skin and bulge giving away just how well-endowed he is. His gaze holds me captive as he walks to the edge of the pool and dives into the water. Body frozen in place, my arms barely sway back and forth to keep me afloat as I wait for him to break through the surface.

Water splashes as he comes up mere inches from me. Built arms raise to run his hands through thick wet hair. Water droplets collect on his lips, and I crave to kiss away the wetness. Gabriel catches me staring, his eyes flashing to my own mouth. My heart starts to hammer in my chest, every image and fantasy I’ve ever conjured flashing through my mind. I turn to swim away before my erratic heartbeat creates ripples.

Dad would kill me.

Dad would kill me.

I swim toward the shallow end, and away from the biggest mistake I shouldn’t even be considering. I know it’s crazy, but not all entirely impossible because I can sense the forbidden desire in him too. He’s as tempted as I am to test out the waters of this fatal attraction. And fatal is the perfect way to describe what it would be if we pursued it. Because Dad would kill him. Then me. Maybe not me since he loves me. But then he would remember what I did and realize killing me could be what’s best.

When I make it to the stairs, I flip onto my back and stretch out, allowing my legs to float. “So, you going to miss me when I go off to college? I leave in three weeks, ya know.”