Before I know what's happened, there's needles on my palms, and I realize I've just slapped Mystery Man. My jaw drops.#p#分页标题#e#
“Oh, crap. Jesus. I'm sorry, sir, I really didn't mean to hit you like that. I just got carried away when you started feeling around for –“
What, exactly? Maybe I screwed up, misread him, even if he was getting way too close for comfort.
“For what?” he says coldly, reaching down to a huge bag at his feet to start packing up his gear. “You've got nothing to worry about. I said I'm on my way out. I'm used to partying on these beaches too when I'm stateside. It's fucking hard keeping my hands to myself when I see a firecracker.”
He flashes me a smile, complete with dimples that bend in on his cheeks. My heart sinks as I watch him stuffing his scuba gear away.
Yeah, he's been rude, but I haven't exactly been an angel. Clearing my throat, I step up to him again, gently reaching for his shoulder.
He stands up, a fresh change of clothes in his hands, turning to look at me when he feels my touch. “What?”
“Hey, I didn't mean to just brush you off. I'm not as rude as I seem. You probably think I'm a snob, but if you want, we've got an open bar and some music tonight. It's no big deal if you want to hang around and have a few drinks. This isn't like an invite-only thing.”
He quirks an eyebrow, moving his eyes up and down my curves. “Yeah? You're serious?”
I nod. I'm not sure what's pumping my heart harder – the awkward guilt, or seeing how hard his tattooed muscles flex when he drops his pants and boxers, ready to roll them on.
“Sounds a helluva lot more fun than being slapped by a party girl. Turn around while I get dressed. Unless, you know, you wanna rake those little nails across somewhere else on my body.”
I'm not sure what's pounding more hot blood as I spin around. My nipples are like hot, wild buds beneath my tank top, but the heat in my cheeks is almost enough to burn me alive.
I lead Mystery Man to the small private bar and watch as he orders a dark beer and another martini for me.
“So, what the hell were you doing out there diving this late at night?” I stare at the neat white button down shirt he's changed into. It clings perfectly to his slab of a chest.
“Work. Fitness. Pleasure too. You'd be amazed at all the things you can see along this stretch of beach. This place is pretty damned pristine by Bay Area standards.”
I sip my martini, unable to keep my eyes off just how sculpted he really. He sounds too smart to be a beach bum bodybuilder like Marnie's new fling. Only one possibility comes to mind.
“Are you Navy, or something?”
“Yeah, you can say that,” he says with a wink, taking a long pull from his beer. “I didn't really come here to talk about business. Listen to that music.”
He holds up a finger, and I sit up straight, listening to the booming speakers. There are only a few couples left swinging drunkenly around the fire, occasionally collapsing into the sand underfoot with bawdy laughter.
“I didn't get your name,” he says, standing up and darting his eyes over my top.
I try not to flush. “Cordelia. Everybody calls me Delia.”
“Fuck, for real? I've never heard that name outside the Johnny Cash song.” He snorts, and then smiles. “Love it. Does Delia like to dance dirty?”
I'm stunned. Is he seriously asking me to dance? Nobody's done that since high school prom, and the skinny geek I danced with there didn't have anything on this god.
He gestures toward the open fire, polishing off his drink. Before I can answer, he slams his empty glass down with a clink, and grabs my wrist.#p#分页标题#e#
“Come on, babe. This is supposed to be a party.” He pulls me along, picking me up with one arm under mine, carrying me across the sand toward the dance around the fire. “My name's Chris, by the way.”
I'd say 'pleased to meet you,' but I'm yelling instead when she swings me completely over his shoulder and flings me around, before pushing my bare feet into the sand with ease. Right where he wants me. It's hard to keep up, and he does most of the work.
I catch flashes of his eyes on me, checking to make sure I'm not going to freak out and walk away. Once his hands wrap tight around my waist, jerking me close to his chest, it's not even a possibility.
“Too rough for you?” he asks, pushing his hot breath into my ear.
My brow furrows. I'm tired of being the boring good girl at all these parties. I want to act out, and the perfect opportunity just landed in my lap – or is it up my skirt?
My panties feel like they're about to melt, but I force my hips to grind into him, wrapping my arms around his thick neck.