Rebel(39)

Nodding, I get up to offer a hand. Together, we get Mabel on her feet, then Joyce leads her towards the elevators. Mabel mentions something about a lunch buffet, which makes Joyce smile. “Yes, Mabel. Soon. But first we’re getting ready.”

Shaking my head with a grin, I watch them until they’re out of sight. She’s something else. I return to my chair and read for a while before I feel my eyelids get heavy. Putting my book down, I roll over and shift my chair to be flat. I cross my arms so I can rest my head on them and it’s not long before I doze off in the shade.





Chapter 19: Angie


I wake up to strong hands rubbing my back. Hard, powerful hands, firmly massaging lotion into my skin. I close my eyes, enjoying the sensation, his touch hot even under the sun bearing down on us. God, that feels good.

My eyes shoot open. Wait a minute. Who the hell is it? I roll off the deck chair with a yelp, landing in an awkward crouch and looking up. Gavin. I should’ve guessed.

He’s got his hands out in a “Who? Me?” gesture, mouth turned up in that infuriating smirk that drives me nuts. “What? You were starting to burn. Just a little sunblock.”

The sun’s moved while I was sleeping. I probably would have turned into a tomato, but still... “You could’ve asked first.”

“How do you know I didn’t? You were asleep.”

“You can’t just start rubbing people in their sleep!”

“Pretty sure I just did.”

“You know what I mean!” So much for peace and quiet.

He shrugs. “Fine. As you wish.” He bends and picks something up from the deck chair. Something white, which he balls up and carries with him. “You have fantastic tits, by the way.”

My mouth drops open as I realize he’s holding my top. Oh shit. He must’ve untied it while he was putting on the lotion. I was so mad I didn’t notice, and now he’s taking off with it. “Come back with that!” Clutching an arm across my chest, I chase after him.

He laughs out loud and takes off, running just fast enough to keep ahead of me. “I’m sorry, are you missing something?” he calls out over his shoulder.

“Stop being an ass, Gavin.” I stop, scowling at his back. He turns around and waves my top in the air. There’s no point in chasing him. I refuse to stoop to his level and play that game. “You’ve had your fun. Come on, give it here before someone sees me.”

He shakes it teasingly. “Giving up already?”

“Oh, cut it out. Hand it over.” I glance around to see if anyone’s watching, but this part of the deck is deserted except for us. At least there’s that.

As I stalk forwards with one arm covering my breasts, he stays put, lifting his arm to keep my top just barely out of reach. “I want to see you jump for it.” He grins broadly, his cheeks dimpling. How did I never notice those dimples before?

I glare at him, up at the annoying slip of white cloth and then back at him. There’s no way I’m giving him the satisfaction of watching me bounce around topless. I need a different plan. Work smarter, not harder.

Stepping right up close, I put my free hand softly onto his tight abs, tracing each ridge with my fingertips as I slide upwards to his chest. My breath catches, and I have to remember why I’m doing this. I’m trying to distract him, but that’s not going to help if I can’t focus. “You know, maybe you’re right.”

He looks down at me, not lowering the top an inch. “I know I’m right. What about?” His eyes sparkle with mischief. The game’s still on his terms.

I walk my fingers across his right pec, stopping to swirl my index finger lazily around his nipple. It hardens up immediately, and I get the urge to lick it. To swirl my tongue around it instead of my finger. Angie, stay on target. “Maybe the two of us... you know...”

He laughs, his chest shaking under my touch. “No. I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me, babe?” His voice is teasing, confident. Out of the corner of my eye, I see his arm has come down just a touch.

Sliding my hand up onto his shoulder, I marvel at the powerful muscles underneath. I trace their contours before I continue down his upper arm, following a dark spiral of ink. “I mean, I know you’re going to be my stepbrother and all, but...” I trail off, dragging it out.

“But what, babe?” He’s leaning in just a little, his head coming closer and the arm holding my top lowering.

I go for broke. Pressing my naked torso against his and my cheek against his broad chest, it’s hard to pretend that I’m only doing this to distract him anymore. His nipples aren’t the only ones that are hard, and mine are tight and sensitive as they drag along his stomach. Still, I’ve got my head angled so I can keep an eye on the prize. I just hope he lowers it enough that I can snag it before I throw all my principles overboard and jump him.