Unexpected Rush (Play-By-Play #11)(28)

“Yeah. I like privacy.”

A cocktail waitress appeared. “What can I get you two to drink?”

Barrett ordered a beer.

“I’ll have an iced tea for now.”

“Anything to eat?” their waitress asked.

“Nothing for me,” Harmony said.

Barrett shook his head. “We’re good, thanks.”

After their waitress left, Barrett said, “How am I supposed to get you drunk and appropriately sugared up if all you’re going to drink is iced tea?”

She laughed. “I’m fine for the moment. And I promise to tell you the second I get hit with a hunger pang.”

“Promise?”

She crossed two fingers over her heart. “Promise.”

Content to sit under the shaded roof of their private room for now, she pulled off her cover-up, kicked off her sandals and slid fully onto the lounge, enjoying the view of not only the ocean, but Barrett as he drew his shirt over his head, revealing his amazing torso.

The man had one hell of a body. He was well muscled, with incredibly wide shoulders, impossibly chiseled biceps and triceps and a lean, tapered waist. She itched to run her fingers over his amazingly sculpted abs.

His legs were just as well defined as the rest of him.

As she scanned her way up his body, her gaze landing on his gorgeous face, she found him ogling her in the same way.

Only he was frowning.

“What?” she asked.

“You keep checking me out like that and I’m going to pick you up, carry you to the water and toss you in.”

She laughed. “I don’t need a cooldown, Barrett.”

“You sure as hell look like you might.”

He was still eyeing her, his gaze hot and direct and seemingly unable to focus only on her face. She had to admit she liked that he looked at her body. She wanted him looking at her in that way that told her he was interested. If he was interested, then maybe she could offer up some . . . temptation.

She stood, stretching. “Okay. Maybe we should get our toes wet. How about a walk along the water?”

“You want to put on some sunscreen first?”

“Absolutely.” She dug into her bag and the first thing she did was wind her hair into a bun on top of her head. Then she pulled out her sunscreen and lathered it on her legs and arms. She made sure to take her time, stretching each leg out on one of the chairs to smooth the lotion on her legs.

She might have heard Barrett groan when she rubbed the sunscreen over her chest, her fingertips lingering at her cleavage. She resisted the urge to smile.

Finally she handed the tube to him. “Would you do my back?”

He heaved in a giant breath of air. “Sure.”

When she felt his warm fingers along the top of her shoulders, it was her turn to take in a breath. He’d touched her today when he kept her from falling, but that was him caring for her in a medical crisis. Now it was different. Now it was his fingertips gliding over her skin, a soft caress that made her close her eyes and wish they were up in their room, both of them naked and exploring each other’s bodies.

She’d really love to get her hands on his body. All of his body. But for now, she’d enjoy this moment and the gingerly way he seemed to touch her, as if he thought she was fragile. Or maybe he was trying to avoid too much contact.

“Everything okay back there?” she asked as he moved down to her lower back.

“Fine.”

His voice was tight, his tone clipped, as if he wasn’t having the best time putting lotion on her body. Since most men who weren’t at all physically attracted to a woman would have no problem putting sunscreen on them, she knew the reason Barrett was uptight about this was because he was attracted to her.

Her lips curved upward in a satisfied smile. This day was turning out better and better.

He finally handed the lotion back to her. “Done.”

She turned around, gracing him with her brightest smile. “Thanks. Ready?”

“Unless you need me to rub some of that on your butt.”

She cocked a brow. “Would you?”

“Hell no.”

She laughed. “Come on. It’s blistering hot out here. Let’s go cool our feet off in the water.”

She wasn’t intentionally torturing him, but if he suffered a little and it moved him in the right direction, then she wouldn’t mind that.

She wanted him interested in her. And he was definitely showing signs of interest.

So far, so good.

Now she just had to turn up the heat a little.





Twelve





Go to the beach. Who thought that was a good idea?

Oh, right. He had. Barrett made a mental note to do extra squats in the gym tomorrow to torture himself in punishment for this lame-ass idea.

Harmony was a few steps ahead of him as they walked the water’s edge, her bright red bikini showcasing every one of her perfect assets.

Mostly, her perfect ass, which was round and curvy, and all he could think about was getting his hands on it.

He should have suggested they spend the afternoon in a frigid movie theater, where she’d have all her clothes on. And maybe a sweater, too.

The problem was, he liked the water, and figured maybe she could relax and unwind, they could have a few drinks and she could eat. He hadn’t thought this through to the part where she’d be in a bikini and he’d have to endure seeing all her gorgeous skin exposed.