Brazen (Brazen #1)(7)

“Just two of them, mamacita.”

Carmen threw up her hands and continued to mutter. She attacked the bread dough she was kneading with ferocity. “You’re playing with fire, niña. Mark my words. What’s come over you? You didn’t used to parade around in skimpy outfits trying to drive my boys crazy.”

Jasmine wrapped her arms around Carmen and hugged her tight. “I love them, mamacita. I’ve always loved them. But they’ll always look at me like a little girl unless I do something to make them notice me.”

Carmen dropped the dough and wiped her flour-covered hands on her apron before returning Jasmine’s hug. “You be careful, mi niña. I love you like you were my own daughter. I don’t want to see you hurt. If you tease those boys, you have to be prepared for the result. That’s all I’m saying, eh? You be careful.”

Jasmine smiled. “I will, mamacita. I promise.” She hugged Carmen again. “I’m so glad to be home.”

Carmen clucked and shooed her away. “I’m glad you’re home too. Now go on and have fun. This is your fiesta. I’ll bring out some more food in a while. If I know those boys, there’s nothing left.”

Jasmine grinned and hurried for the patio. She paused inside the glass doors, gathering her courage to go out. Carmen was right about one thing. You could hardly call the strings of her bathing suit an actual bikini. Other than a thin triangle covering the curls between her legs, the rest of the suit was a series of strings. One around her waist and one resting in the crack of her ass. And her top. Well, it covered her ni**les, and that was about all she’d say for it.

With a fortifying breath, she opened the sliding doors and walked out into the sun. The concrete patio felt warm underneath her bare feet as she padded toward the lounge chairs lining the pool.

A series of whistles rent the air, and her cheeks grew tight and warm. She glanced sideways to see the men staring at her from the pool. She couldn’t look away, despite the fact she was mildly embarrassed. Four hot men slicked down with water, droplets beading and running down hard chests. Damn.

She swallowed as her gaze found Zane. Her mouth went dry. His wild, black hair hung limply to his shoulders. The sun glinted off his wet skin, drawing attention to the bulging muscles. His earring winked at her in the light.

“Jesus, Jasmine, when did you go and grow up on me?” J.T. yelled out as he made his way to the side of the pool.

She smiled and waved then continued on to the chair a few feet away.

“Come on in,” Toby called out, gesturing for her to jump in.

She shook her head, a cold sweat beading on her forehead at the thought of plunging into the ten-foot deep pool. “I’m just sunbathing.”

She settled into her chair and began rubbing suntan lotion over the front of her body. She moved with slow, sensuous motions and watched from the corner of her eye.

Zane watched her, but then so did the others. She wasn’t normally such an exhibitionist, but the attention gave her a tiny thrill.

Finally she reclined, closing her eyes to soak up the warmth of the sun’s rays. In the distance she could hear splashing, the men’s voices.

Sometime later, she felt cold droplets on her stomach. She opened her eyes to see Zane standing over her, water dripping from his hair. He stared down at her, his gaze lowering to her stomach.

“You know Seth is going to shit a brick when he sees that, Jaz.”

She arched an eyebrow then looked down at her belly ring. She fiddled with the thin gold loop with her fingers. “You don’t think he’ll like it?” she asked innocently.

Zane chuckled. “You know damn well it’ll make him crazy. He’ll blame it all on me and call me a bad influence.”

“Do you like it?” she asked, staring back at him.

Zane swallowed and looked away. “It looks great on you. Uh, when did you get it done?”

He was uncomfortable, that much was obvious. She smiled a little. “In Paris. I missed you. Getting the piercing reminded me of you,” she said softly.

His eyes flew back to hers, fire building in their depths. Before he could respond, she rolled slowly onto her stomach.

“Could you untie my top and rub some suntan oil on my back? I don’t want a tan line,” she said.

She heard his swift intake of breath. Felt his eyes on her naked skin. His hands shook as he gingerly untied the strings and let them fall beside her.

It was all she could do not to moan in pleasure when his big hands rubbed gently over her. He smoothed oil over her shoulders, down to the small of her back. She held her breath. Would he touch her ass? God please let him touch her.

She closed her eyes when his hand closed over one cheek and then the other. He spent less time there, hurriedly applying the oil before standing back up.

“Thank you,” she mumbled, her face still hidden in her arms.

She heard him walk away then heard the splash as he jumped into the pool. His touch still lingered on her skin. Still burned hotter than the sun shining down on her.

As the sun rose higher, she drifted languidly between sleep and waking. She tuned out distant sounds as she floated. Then suddenly, the sun was blocked from her body. A shadow fell over her.

She pried one eye open and looked in the direction of the obstruction to see Seth standing over her, a dangerous glitter in his eyes.

“What the f**k are you doing, Jasmine?” He spread a towel over her ass before she could respond. “Since when do you lie around in the buff to sunbathe?”