"Morning, Sam," she greeted her friend with a grin. "What are you making?"
"Morning, Ari," Sam responded brightly. "Just making a couple of quiches and some salad for brunch. It's the last meal I get to prepare in this dream kitchen before Kris and I head back to Melbourne tonight." She inspected the ingredients she had laid out. "Do you think this would be enough for seven people? Maybe I should make something else as well."
"Seven?" Ari asked.
"Yes. Remember that Dylan's friend is coming over, so he could discuss his renovation project with Kane?"
Ari counted the number of people in her head. "That's just six of us then, isn't it?"
"Plus Dylan."
"Dylan will be here again?"
"I think so," Sam responded, looking at her closely. "You okay?"
"Oh, sure, yeah." She put on a serene face, but the butterflies in her stomach were excited as hell. "Can I help you with anything?" she offered Sam.
"Thanks. Maybe you can make us some coffee?" Sam suggested.
She nodded, relieved to be doing something. She was having a wonderful weekend with her friends, and she was thoroughly enjoying herself. But seeing Dylan last Friday night, then accidentally hearing Kane and Jasmine make love two mornings in a row, had stirred a ridiculously strong craving in her that she was having a difficult time smothering. The way she was feeling, she wouldn't be surprised if she threw herself at Dylan if he so much as winked at her.
*******
They enjoyed their lunch on the expansive outdoor deck by the magnificent swimming pool. It was a cool day, but out in the sun it was lovely.
Ari made sure she wasn't sitting next to, or opposite, Dylan. She didn't trust herself to keep from staring at him if she did. Gosh, he looked particularly gorgeous today.
Luckily, Adam sat between the two of them.
"That water looks so tempting I wouldn't mind jumping in it even with my clothes on. It's heated, right?" Adam said, gazing at the sparkling pool water.
"Yes. So, do you want to put a swimming pool in your place as well?" Kane asked.
"I would love to, but I'm not sure if I have enough space for a decent-sized one," Adam replied.
"Leave it with Kane. He'll figure it out," Dylan said. "I wouldn't mind having a dip, too. What say you, everyone?"
"Well, it would be good to have one last dip before we go," Sam said.
"Then let's all get changed after we finish our lunch," Kane said.
*
Ari donned her sexiest bikini. If she was to entice Dylan for another night of passion, this should help.
"You are one crazy woman, Arielle Mitchell," she said at her reflection in her bedroom mirror.
But the idea quickly took hold of her. Why would it be a problem, anyway? If Dylan was going to have sex with some other woman, why not with her? After all, he seemed to have enjoyed their one-night stand just as much as she had.
Besides, wasn't this the perfect time for her to have some fun? She knew full well she was nowhere near ready for a new relationship. The feelings of betrayal caused by her ex-boyfriend and ex-close friend still left a very bitter taste in her mouth. But why should she be celibate just because she was single?
The opportunity was here to loosen up and give herself a break. Dylan was a safe bet. They both knew where they stood with each other, so there would be none of that "I thought we were a couple" crap. As long as she kept her heart out of it, she was sure it would be fine.
Could you keep your heart out of it, Ari?
She bit her lip, forcefully pushing that question to the side.
*
Ari shyly walked back out on to the deck, conscious of the men's eyes on her—well, Dylan's and Adam's. Kane only gave her a cursory glance and continued to cavort in the pool with Jasmine.
She hid an envious sigh. If she were to blame others for keeping her libido in almost constant wakefulness, that couple had a lot to answer for. You could practically see steam surround them when they were around each other.
But if she were to blame someone for putting her libido into overdrive in the first place, it was the man staring at her with frank admiration.
"Are you sure that bikini is legal?" Dylan asked. "I'm lucky I'm the only guy here allowed to openly gawk at you."
Despite her intentions to the contrary, she blushed.
"I can also gawk at her," Adam said. "You look hot, Ari."
"Thank you," she murmured.
Dylan scowled at Adam. "Hey, you have a girlfriend named Sandy, remember?"
"Well, she's not here, is she?" Adam countered. "And here's two more lovely girls," he added, smiling at Sam and Kris, who were coming out of the house.
Sam was also in a sexy two-piece while Kris was in a gorgeous one-piece suit.