Secret Designs(11)

"Good, feast your eyes on those two lovely ladies. I'll take this one," Dylan said, suddenly running to Ari and pushing her into the pool.

Ari let out a scream before her head went underwater. Next thing she knew, an arm was around her waist, hoisting her up above the waterline. When she had wiped her eyes and opened them, Dylan's grinning face was inches from hers.

She flushed, heart pounding hard, both from surprise and from his disturbing proximity. He was holding her tight against his muscular body and she instantly responded. She got more wet, and it wasn't because she was in the pool.

Conscious of their audience, she playfully pushed him with a hand on his face and wiggled away. Dylan splashed her, but let her go. Thank God for that! She needed a minute away from him to slow her racing heartbeat. That man could really make her system go haywire in a matter of seconds!

She swam to the corner where Sam and Kris sat on a raised step, sipping soft drinks.

"What exactly is going on between you and Dylan?" Kris whispered in her ear.

"Lust," she whispered back, uncharacteristically emboldened.

They giggled as Kris raised the glass she held in her hand.

Ari watched as Dylan joined Kane and Adam, who seemed to be inspecting the pool structure. She tried to appear indifferent, but her eyes glued themselves to the object of her desire.

Jasmine approached with a knowing look directed at her. "Interesting," her friend commented.

"What is?" Ari asked.

Jasmine arched an eyebrow at her. "Don't play coy, Miss Mitchell."

"We were just being playful, that's all," she responded with a mysterious smile.

Jasmine sighed, concern replacing her teasing expression.

"What's that sigh for, Miss Allen?"

Jasmine shook her head and smiled. "Nothing."

This time, Ari arched an eyebrow at Jasmine.

Jasmine chuckled and relented. "Dylan is a great guy, Ari, but I believe he's not keen on relationships, if you know what I mean."

"And he's honest about it, too," Ari replied. She motioned for the girls to move closer to her. "I know first-hand how incredibly hot he is. God help me but I wouldn't mind sleeping with him again. Purely for physical reasons, mind you."

Jasmine and Sam gasped while Kris cheered.

"Really?" Jasmine asked.

"Yes," Ari said as she ignored the warning bells furiously ringing in her head.

"Wow," Jasmine said with wonder. "In that case...go for it, girl!"

Laughter rang from their side of the pool.





*******



A couple of hours later, they went back inside the house to freshen up for some afternoon tea.

Those restless butterflies stirred in Ari's tummy when she found Dylan staring at her again as she entered the big, open-plan room that housed the entertainer's kitchen and informal living areas. She glanced around and realised they were the only two people there.

"Where are the others?" she asked to cover her discomfort.

"Still getting ready, I suppose," Dylan answered, still looking at her with delicious intensity, his eyes filled with undisguised desire that caused her heart to gallop in her chest.

"Dylan..." she said breathlessly.

"Yes, Ari?"

"Stop looking at me like that," she whispered, her eyes wide and unable to break from his burning gaze.

He gave her a sinfully sexy grin. "I can't help it. You look so damned desirable."

She tried to suppress the full-blown smile that threatened to take over her face. "What do you plan to do about it?" she asked him in a sultry tone, shocked by her own words, but pleased that she was able to deliver them with panache.

His eyebrow shot up, his grin widening. "If you're not careful I might think you're thinking what I'm thinking."

She narrowed her eyes at him, tilting her head to one side. "What do you think I'm thinking?" she dared ask.

He closed the distance between them and stood inches from her, making it an effort to breathe. Her lips parted so she could take in more oxygen but it only served to make her breathing shallower as she took in Dylan's reaction. His gaze went to her lips and his eyes grew much darker—more dangerous.

"Invite me over to your place tonight, Ari," he commanded in a soft tone.

Excitement and desire made her heady. "For what?"

"For our second one-night stand," he answered huskily.

"Okay," she said unthinkingly, her body answering for her instead of her brain .

Dylan's lips tugged upwards. He tilted her chin with a finger and slowly brought his face closer to hers. Just as their lips were about to meet, the laughing voices of Kane and Jasmine floated to the big room.

She jumped away from him and hastily walked to the kitchen.

"Hey, guys," she said brightly, as the engaged couple appeared. "Do you want me to make some coffee or tea?"