Recipe for Satisfacton(42)

She crossed her arms and her legs, trying to hide as much of her bare body as she could.

“Sterling, I’ve seen you naked. Why are you covering yourself?”

She groaned. “I don’t think I can do this.”

“You look hot.”

She snorted. “You’re just being nice.”

“Sweetheart.” He took a step inside the change room, his body hovering mere inches away from hers. She heated up immediately. “Just wait until you walk out on that beach.” His breath was a whisper against her shoulder. “You’ll see I’m not the only man thankful for skimpy bathing suits.”

“I don’t know…”

He reached forward, his hand sliding up her body. It barely touched her skin, but it was enough to cause her to shiver. The bathing suit tugged and a second later she heard a snap. He held up the tag. “You rip it, you bought it.”

“Jack!”

“Here, put this over yourself.” He handed her a black sarong, then took off.

She approached the register with her clothes in hand and her underwear and bra shoved into her purse. Novelty items, candy, chocolate, lighters, magazines all lay haphazardly by the register. Sterling cringed. This place was in desperate need of some organization.

Jack had piled sunscreen, towels, a blanket, bottled water, and a few bags of snacks on the counter.

“At least let me pay for something.” It was enough to fly her to another country. The least she could do was pay for their necessities. Sighing, she reached into her bag and grabbed her wallet. Just another thing to put on her credit card. Which she would essentially pay off with money she earned working for him.

“Absolutely not.” Jack stopped her. “It was my idea to come here.”

Today was definitely not a part of their business deal. However, the more time they spent together, the more the lines between business and social blurred. But the lines were still visible, and she would travel them as best she could.

After packing their newly purchased tote full of goodies, they walked hand in hand toward the beach. The sun shone brightly, not a cloud littered the sky. Men and women whizzed by on bikes and inline skates. Sterling couldn’t imagine riding a bike in such a skimpy bathing suit, but the women did, their bottoms exposed for all to see.

With her free hand, she held the sarong closely against her breasts but still clenched her butt cheeks. She was hoping some last-minute clenches would make it look good.

When they walked up to the beach area she read the sign:

Attention: Nude Bathers Beyond This Point

She stared at Jack in shock. “A nude beach? You’re taking me to a nude beach?” She looked down at herself. “How much more nude can I get?”

He guided her off to the side and set down their bags. Drawing her close, he clasped his hands together at her lower back. “Do you trust me?”

Heck if she knew why, but she trusted this virtual stranger. “Yes.”

In the sunlight, his olive skin glistened. Everything about Jack Vaughn was flawless, from the straight line of his nose to the curve of his cheekbones, to the strong set of his jaw. The man was walking perfection. And what would he ever want with a girl like you? “I would never make you do something you didn’t want to do, but we’re trying new things, right?”

She nodded.

“You don’t have to take anything off unless you feel one hundred percent comfortable.” He kissed her nose, then one cheek and the other, finally laying a soft kiss on her lips. How was it that a simple kiss with no sexual agenda made her feel so adored and safe? And although she would be walking into a so-called nude lion’s den, that one kiss melted away her hesitation.

A group of men walked by and two of them stared, craning their heads as they passed. They were so checking her out.

“On second thought, I don’t know if nude is such a good idea.” Jack covered her with his body.

At that moment, she realized that he would also have the opportunity to bathe in the buff. “What about you? Seeing you might cause a frenzy with all the women.”

“Who said anything about me being nude? Nude beaches aren’t my thing.”

Sterling laughed and hit him square in the chest.

He grinned sheepishly then picked up their bags. “Come on, sweetheart.”

They found a spot at the back of the beach just in front of the boardwalk. Jack laid out their blanket and set down the towels, then kicked off his sandals and slipped his shirt over his head.

She didn’t think she’d ever get used to the sight of his impeccable body. Her eyes roved over his chiseled chest, abs, and hard pecs. And every time she looked at him she got a glimpse of a new shape or line of his tattoos.