He doesn’t answer me; he just stands, staring at me with an intensity that sets my blood on fire. His eyes are such a dark green, the pupils almost disappear. I remember this look well, a look that used to make my body melt under his dark scrutiny. I turn away, needing to disconnect myself from his eyes before I do something stupid. Like jump him in a public dressing room with Pervy McPerverson standing outside. I’m pretty sure he's already downloaded me into his spank bank; I don't need to add an auditory fantasy as well.
“He’s right, you know.” My head immediately snaps back around and my brows draw together.
“Who's right?” I ask, the confusion I’m feeling evident in my tone.
“Kevin, the manager of this shop,” he says.
I look at him like he has lost his mind.
“Oh, okay.” I turn back around still not knowing what the hell he is talking about. I rest my head against the door and look down. Groaning, I remember that I’m in this stupid bathing suit and I can't change because Luke is in the room.
A strip show is so not what I need to be handing out right now.
I go to reach for my dress, but Luke snatches it away from me. Holding the dress in his grasp, I quickly reach out, trying to rip it away from him. Just as my hand gets close, he latches onto my wrist and slams me against the wall.
I gasp as his body presses up against mine and my lids get heavy. My chest rises and falls in quick succession and I can feel my heart rate increase. My hands start to shake with need and wetness seeps into my core. At that, I snap back to my senses and grasp onto the first emotion I can.
Anger.
How dare he think he can do this to me? What right does he have to touch me like this? And, how dare he turn me on! I can feel the flames of my anger rising up to my face as I glare at him in hate and bring my hands to his shoulders to shove him off of me. Not only does that not work, he presses himself closer, molding his body to mine and brings my wrists above my head, locking one hand around them.
My body reacts as if I have no control. I reach back for the anger that is suddenly replaced with need and hold on for my very life. His head moves lower as if he's about to kiss my neck and I thrash my head back and forth. I’m not sure what I expect to happen, but will try anything to make this situation end. With one hand still locked around my wrists, the other snakes up and rests on my hip, pulling my body closer to his. I can feel how hard he is and I moan against my own accord.
“Let me go,” I sneer, gathering up every ounce of malice I possess and placing it in those three words. His breath is hot against my neck as he moves to whisper in my ear.
“Kevin is right about this body, Shayne. Not only is it banging hot, but it’s made my cock so hard right now, it's taking every ounce of control to not rip this bikini off of you and show you how much I need you.”
I groan again, completely hating myself for being so weak, but unable to fight any longer.
“You know what else, Shayne? This body belongs to me, it always has. You know how I know that? Because your body, baby, hasn't stopped shaking since you saw me standing here and those pert nipples of yours are so hard, if I ran my tongue over them you would be lost, soaking wet and on the verge of coming within seconds.”
I don’t know what to say to him because... fuck, he's right. But I am not about to fold, no matter how my body reacts. I can't help that my body responds to his, nor can I help the thoughts that are running through my head. I can, however, control my actions and leave with a little integrity. After seven years I am not about to let him talk to me like this, so I do the only thing I can think of. Jerking my right hand free from his hold, I bring my hand up and slap him across the face.
He doesn’t even blink or wince. He just smiles.
“I deserved that,” he says, “And I deserve so much more. However, you are going to listen to me. You stood me up today and there are things I need to say to you. But I am not going to explain it to you here. You are going to get in your car and I am going to follow you back to your house. Then, you are going to come with me and let me tell you everything. After you listen to what I have to say, you can decide if I am worth forgiving or not. But know this; I will not let you out of my sight again until I say what I have to say.” He pauses and licks his lips. “Do you understand me?”
“Okay,” I say quietly. “I will listen to you, but I can tell you right now, it won’t change a damn thing. And you can take that to the bank. Now, can you please let go of me and leave so I can change?”
He gives me his panty-dropping smile before turning and walking out of the room. I turn around and put my head on the wall. What the hell am I doing? I stand there for a few minutes, allowing my breathing to get under control before I get dressed and grab the bathing suits. I exit the dressing room only to find Luke standing up against the wall with his legs crossed at his ankles and his hands in his pockets waiting for me. Strolling right past him, I remember I have my daughter’s swimsuit in my hand. Oh, shit! What am I going to do? I instantly start to panic. Luke comes up behind me and stands so close that I can feel his breath on the base of my neck.