His eyes darted around her face, tortured and frantic. He was going to stand there all night, fighting an inner battle.Oh, for God’s sake.She rose on her tiptoes and tugged his head down and then kissed him. It was soft and lingering, and he sighed into her mouth. His tongue traced her bottom lip, coaxing her to let him in. Her lips started to part before she remembered Aria, and she pushed against his chest.
“You have to go.” She sounded winded.Gah.She was in trouble. “I hope Aria’s okay.”
“Me, too.” He shoved his hands through his hair and took a backward step. “Good night, Aubrey.”
“Bye.”
Long after Landon drove off, Aubrey stood exactly where he’d left her, blinking like an owl. The chill in the evening air nudged her to action, and she stumbled into the dark villa.
She already missed him.
14
Their lovely day together had filled her with energy, and Aubrey paced her room, twitchy with cabin fever. Nothing made sense where Landon was involved. She was in a perpetual haze of conflicting desires—want him, can’t have him, fuck it, be practical. It was time to make up her mind, and there was only one wise choice. No more kissing. No more testing the line. They were going to be friends. Withnobenefits.
She heaved a loud sigh and parked her bottom on her bed, but her feet danced around the floor, enchanted with angst.How am I supposed to still this restless energy? Oh yes.The villa’s lovely swimming pool.
She hadn’t brought a swimsuit, but it shouldn’t matter; the pool was surrounded by trees and hills as far as the eyes could see. As for Landon, he’d be gone for God knew how long.Will he want to continue our kiss when he gets back?The wayward thought made her want to kick something, preferably Landon. It was unfair. She was a strong woman, and her brain, not her lady bits, ruled her actions. No man should be so irresistible. Taking a deep breath, she crammed serenity down her throat.
Swim. Now.
The late-summer night held hints of the autumn chill, but the sun-warmed water felt luxurious on her naked skin. Despite the accent lighting glowing out of the pool, the stars poured down from the sky, outshining the artificial lighting. Even the grace of the crescent moon seemed to pale in comparison to the brilliant diamonds blinking in the heavens.
The rhythmic laps around the pool calmed Aubrey’s clattering mind and released the tension from her body. Soon her heart resumed its steady beat, and the soothing balm of nature spread peace through her. After a while, Aubrey lay floating on her back, stroking one arm and then the other, making herself circle slowly around the pool. Her mind wandered lazily until it settled on Landon—the dark intensity of his eyes, his full, sensuous mouth, his firm, muscular chest, and his long, strong legs. In her calm, relaxed state, thinking of Landon made her mouth curve into a lazy smile.
The quiet scrape of the pool chair shattered her reverie, and Aubrey stood up in the pool, clumsily splashing water in her hurry. Landon sat a few feet from the pool, his arms crossed over his chest. He was apparently waiting for the second act of the show. His face was partially hidden in the night, so Aubrey couldn’t read his expression.
On the contrary, she was in a glowing pool with the moonlight shining down on her—her nudity spotlighted from top to bottom. Embarrassment flaming her face, Aubrey stopped treading water to cover her breasts with her arms. When she started sinking, she released her arms to tread water again.
“Go away.”
“Not on your life.”
“Then at least have the courtesy to look away,” she snapped.
“I’m not feeling particularly well mannered at the moment.”
“Well… I…” She clamped her mouth shut to stop sputtering.
Aubrey couldn’t see his face, but she felt his gaze follow her across the pool. She had nowhere to hide, but creating some distance was better than nothing. By the time she reached the far end of the pool, her mortification had morphed into anger.
He had suddenly shown up in her life, unreasonably attractive and amazing in bed. But he’d written a judgmental review, which still might cost her Comfort Zone. Then, he unilaterally announced he didn’t want to resume their affair, then made her a business proposal.It’ll be strictly business. Blah, blah, blah.They were starting to become some sort of friends, and they had gone on a lovely day trip. Now, here he was, watching her like a man dying of hunger. Hunger for her. He had no right to confuse her like this.
Indignation doused her fury with fuel. The fire burned her modesty and inhibition into ashes. Aubrey spun around to face him and draped her arms over the edge of the pool. Her breasts jutted forward, the top curves breaking water. She held her position for a long minute, daring him to explore every last inch of her.
Then she kicked off the wall and swam to the other end. She didn’t rush and enjoyed the caress of the water against her sensitized skin. Slowly and deliberately, she drew close to her sole audience. Landon sat motionless in the shadows. She dove under at the last stretch and broke through when she reached the edge. Tipping her head back, she let the weight of the water smooth her long bangs back.
“If you won’t look away, the least you could do is help me out of the pool.”
Landon was so still, he could’ve been a statue, and Aubrey’s courage faltered. Then, with a suddenness that nearly knockedthe chair over, he stood and reached the edge of the pool in two long strides. Uncloaked from the darkness, his eyes blazed with desire, and her body caught fire in response.
When he reached out, Aubrey wanted nothing more than to put her hand in his so he could pull her into his arms. She wanted to press her wet, cool body against the hard heat of his and kiss him with all her pent-up desire.
There was nothing she wanted more. Maybe except for this—
Once she had a firm grip of his hand, Aubrey planted both of her feet on the wall and leaned back with all her strength. She heard rather than saw Landon land in the water. While he remained stunned for a split second, she pushed herself up and out of the pool.
The thick towel she’d brought dwarfed her, leaving only her feet visible. Grateful for the armor, she glanced at Landon from under her lashes. He was resting his chin on his forearms, leaning out of the lip of the pool. He wore an amused grin on his face, but his eyes raked over her like hot coals. She was afraid he’d singe the towel off her.
