“Don’t act like you don’t see what’s right in front of you. The girl is smokin’ hot. She’s tiny as hell but her legs go on for miles. Fucking. Miles.”
Max didn’t respond but his hand was running over his jaw, back and forth. Lola dipped her foot in the water and shivered. “The water is freezing.” Changing the subject seemed like a good idea since Ian was starting to embarrass her. She had never thought her body anything special, but the way these two were looking at her made her feel like she was beautiful, maybe even better looking than the Barbie twins.
Max and Ian splashed water on her at the same time and she cried out before laughing. “You assholes!” As soon as she said it they stopped and stared at her and she slapped a hand over her mouth. Did she really just call her bosses that? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Max swam over to the edge, his face a mask of serious composure. “Come here, Miss ... Shyne.” Oh shit. She took a few hesitant steps toward Max and when he gestured for her to come closer she bent at the waist, knowing he was about to fire her. It was her own damn fault, though. When would she ever learn to keep her mouth shut?
He lifted his hand and gripped her wrist so fast she didn’t know what his intentions were until she was flying through the air and doing a belly flop in the water. When her head surfaced and she gasped for air, she called Max every curse word she could think of, including a few she made up. Hair was stuck in every which way on her face she shoved it out of her eyes and glared over at him. Max was laughing his ass off and Ian scowled at him, swimming over to her and slinging his arm across her shoulders.
“You had it right the first time, Lola. He is a massive asshole.” Ian started laughing, which in turn made Max laugh harder. It was like a domino effect, and before long she too was giggling. Giggling! When in the hell did she start giggling?
Scooping water in her palm, she pushed the water toward Max and grinned wider when he choked on a mouthful. She screamed when Ian grabbed her by the waist and tossed her in the air. Her arms and legs flapped around for a split second before she flopped back into the water.
****
Half an hour later and the water had since warmed -- either that, or she had just gotten used to it. Lola sat on one of the cement steps as she watched Ian climb out and head into the house.
“You guys want to eat inside or out here?” He stopped and looked over his shoulder at them. A towel was wrapped around his waist and fell to his knees. It looked like he had nothing on underneath, and she couldn’t help but picture him nude under that strip of terrycloth. All big and just … hanging there.
“In.” Ian nodded at Max and then disappeared inside. She leaned back against the steps and closed her eyes, letting the sun warm her face. It felt so good to be outside and just absorb the heat.
Water lapping at her chest had her opening her eyes. They widened when she realized Max was right in front of her, his big body looming over hers. He was so wide, with shoulders so muscular that a shadow covered her. Her breath stalled and her pulse quickened. “What are you doing?” She whispered, not trusting her voice to go any higher, especially since his mouth was so close to hers.
“What are you talking about?” His voice was a whisper as well and she didn’t miss how he kept looking down at her mouth. “I’m just talking to you.”
“You’re awfully close.” The air came out of her in fast pants and she prayed he didn’t notice the effect he had on her.
“I know,” he moved in another inch, “but you like it like that.”
She licked her suddenly dry lips. “Wh-What makes you think that?” Was that her voice, all husky and needy?
“Just admit that you want me, Lola.” His eyes were on her mouth now, completely focused on her lips.
Her heart was beating so fast she wondered if he could hear it, or if he could see her pulse beating frantically at the base if her neck. Did she dare admit that to him? It seemed dangerous to show her vulnerability, but at the moment she wasn’t thinking clearly. All she could think about was what he would taste like. His scent was clean, fresh. Leaning in, she stopped right before their lips touched. His breathing was heavy and fast and she smiled slowly. Yeah, he wanted her just as much as she wanted him.
“Maybe you should admit that you want me?” Why in the hell was she playing with fire? Even as this thought slammed home, she also couldn't deny that getting burned by them would feel damn good.
Chapter Five
Max’s mouth was on hers as soon as the words left her lips. His kiss was firm, demanding, just like the man himself. Groaning, Lola threw her arms around his shoulders and pulled him closer. Kissing him was so much better than anything she had ever imagined. His tongue stroked first her top and then her bottom lip, teasing her until she opened and he could slip inside. His kiss tasted tangy with a little bite to it, like he had taken a shot of whiskey. It was potent, yet addicting.