"How about this?" he said. "I'll tell you if you promise me something."
"What?"
"That you won't run off."
"Why would I run off?" I asked.
"Because it was damned embarrassing."
Now, I wasreallyintrigued. Lying on my back, I gazed up at him. "Oh come on. It can't be any more embarrassing than all the stuffyou'veseen with my mom."
"Wanna bet?"
I smiled. "I'd love to."
Now,hewas looking intrigued. "So, what kind of stakes are we talking?"
For some reason, I wanted to giggle. "Wait a minute, are we talking about a real bet?"
He shrugged. "Why not?"
"Well, for starters," I said, "I can't think of anything I have that you'd actually want."
His gaze dipped to my bikini. "You think, huh?"
Something in his voice made my pulse jump. "I, uh…" Suddenly lost for words, I felt my tongue dart out between my lips for just an instant before I somehow managed to say, "Well, Idohave my swimsuit."
He gave a slow nod. "It's a nice one."
Good Lord. How could a simple nod be so sexy?
"Well…" I was feeling so stupidly breathless. "…it's all yours if you win."
He reached out and ran a single finger underneath the nearest bikini string, one of two that held up my top. "And what if I lose?"
His touch was electric, and I longed for his finger to dip lower, to trace the outline of my nipple and maybe even take it into his mouth. The air wasn't cold exactly, but there was a cool breeze coming off the water, making both of my nipples stand at attention and long to be warmed with the heat of his mouth.
The thought alone was almost too much. In a breathless rush, I blurted, "You win."
A slow smile spread across his lips. "I know.'
"Wait, how do you know?"
"I'm withyou, aren't I?"
I wanted him so very much. I met his gaze. "If we go upstairs, youcouldbe."
"Upstairs, huh?" He looked around. "What's wrong with here?"
I sucked in a breath. Here would be amazing, and yet, way too risky. "We can't do anythinghere." And yet, I felt myself swallow. "I mean someone might see, right?"
But Jax looked entirely unconcerned. "Like who?"
"Well, Jaden for starters."
He ran his finger just a little bit lower. The movement, as small as it was, made the fabric of my damp bikini shift maddeningly against my hardened nipple.
I stifled a moan. That shouldn't've been so exciting. It was, after all, just a finger –andjust a nipple. Cripes, the finger and nipple weren't even touching.
