I shake off the memory as his hand reaches out, pressing his chilled glass to my chest. “You should really have someone take care of that sunburn. Skin like yours, it’s meant to stay porcelain.” He pulls his drink back and takes a long sip.
“If it’s not too much trouble, maybe you can come out and help me. Keep me company for a bit. It looks like my dad’s going to be on the phone a while.”
I can’t stop staring at his lips. I bet they taste like scotch. Smooth to the touch, oaky spice to the taste. God, when did my simple girl crush turn into a deep-rooted obsession? I’m being foolish. Asking a grown man to follow me out of my dad’s office and entertain the idea of touching me. But his wicked smile feeds the temptress inside me. I can’t stop. I’m leaving for college soon and won’t get to see him as often as I want.
Gabriel glances over at my dad, still deep in conversation, then brings his gaze back to me. “You sure you can handle a man like me? I may not be the company you’re expecting.”
My heart does a double flip. He’s flirting with me, I think… Whatever it is, I’ll take it. I know this is wrong, but there’s no hint of resistance inside me that will make me abort this mission. I return his tempting smile and reply in a flirtatious tone. “I guess I’ll have to endure your presence and find out.” I don’t stick around for his next move, but his deep chuckle at my back is intoxicating—and I love every bit of it. Excitement buzzes through my veins as I step outside and strut back to the pool. A few seconds pass before I hear the sliding glass door open and close.
Bingo.
Holy shit.
This is really happening. I think… Oh my god, if I mess this up, I may die of humiliation. If I’m reading the signs wrong…
I peek over my shoulder and watch him disappear into the pool house where Dad keeps extra trunks. Too worked up, I dive into the pool, needing the rush of the cold water to soothe my overheated skin. When I pop back up, the sight before me threatens to further torch me to a pile of ashes. I bite the inside of my lip to keep calm.
Gabriel in a luxurious suit is breathtaking, but Gabriel in nothing but swim trunks? Heart-stopping. I wish I had my sunglasses to hide how I devour his built body, the smooth, tanned skin and bulge giving away just how well-endowed he is. His gaze holds me captive as he walks to the edge of the pool and dives into the water. Body frozen in place, my arms barely sway back and forth to keep me afloat as I wait for him to break through the surface.
Water splashes as he comes up mere inches from me. Built arms raise to run his hands through thick wet hair. Water droplets collect on his lips, and I crave to kiss away the wetness. Gabriel catches me staring, his eyes flashing to my own mouth. My heart starts to hammer in my chest, every image and fantasy I’ve ever conjured flashing through my mind. I turn to swim away before my erratic heartbeat creates ripples.
Dad would kill me.
Dad would kill me.
I swim toward the shallow end, and away from the biggest mistake I shouldn’t even be considering. I know it’s crazy, but not all entirely impossible because I can sense the forbidden desire in him too. He’s as tempted as I am to test out the waters of this fatal attraction. And fatal is the perfect way to describe what it would be if we pursued it. Because Dad would kill him. Then me. Maybe not me since he loves me. But then he would remember what I did and realize killing me could be what’s best.
When I make it to the stairs, I flip onto my back and stretch out, allowing my legs to float. “So, you going to miss me when I go off to college? I leave in three weeks, ya know.”
Gabriel swims closer but keeps his distance. “What are you looking forward to most about college, little bird?”
“The boys,” I reply, watching his face for any reaction.
His brow raises in interest as he swims closer. “What do you imagine a college boy will do for you?” he challenges back.
I shouldn’t admit this. It’s not a topic I should be discussing with him, but I can’t help myself. “Well…sex.” Fire burns behind his steely gaze as he takes in my reply. He feeds off my words, and I can’t help but wonder what he wants to do with that information. I lick my bottom lip and continue. “I hear college is where all daddy’s girls lose their innocence.”
I’m playing with fire—and Gabriel isn’t a man to mess with, let alone tease. But there’s this burning need inside me to poke the masculine, forbidden bear and see if he’ll bite if I taunt him. The way he’s devouring me tells me he’s as hungry as I am.
He swims up to me and stands on the bottom step, his frame towering over me and blocking the sun. I have to crane my neck to keep eye contact.
“Can you handle a college boy, little bird? Your innocence is something you can’t take back. Once you’ve given it up, it’s gone forever. You may no longer be my little bird. You want a college boy to ruin you for me?”
My throat tightens. My mouth becomes dry. I fight to look down and see if my nipples have turned into pebbles through my white bikini. “What makes you think I’m yours?” I poke further.
“I’ve looked over you your entire life. It’s my duty to watch over you wherever you are. I haven’t spent years fending off fuckwit boys for you to spread your legs for a drunk frat boy.”
My legs begin to widen at his words. I’m going to hell. My dad is going to go on a murdering spree. “What do you say I do about it then?” Shame, guilt, and desire swim in my gut, but I can’t make myself stop. For years, I’ve fantasized from afar. Allowed him to look at me in ways I memorized and replayed in my head when I touched myself at night. Dreamt of attaining the unattainable. I’m riding a thin line. My tongue licks my bottom lip as I suck it back between my teeth. Yep. I’m definitely going to hell.
He stands over me, his cock coming alive in an opportunity to test our boundaries. I continue to push. “Are you trying to tell me you want to be my mentor? Be the one to take my innocence?” I can hardly breathe, and my nerves are suffocating me. How am I being so brazen, so blatant? How is he so collected? He’s slow and methodical as he bends down, a single finger gliding along my neck. His words are low yet almost threatening. “I would break you in two, little bird. I would ruin you, and for every other man, because you would forever feel me inside you.”
I stop breathing. My lips part as he abruptly stands, gets out of the pool, and walks inside the house. I don’t move for what feels like hours. Possibly a lifetime. His words replay in my mind. I blink to make sure I’m not dreaming. “Holy shit,” I breathe, still feeling the heat of his finger across my neckline. “Holy fucking shit,” I repeat, still in shock. I’ve yet to take my eyes off the door where he disappeared. My fingers follow the trail of where his once were, and I can’t help but bask in his warning.
This is wrong. I should stop whatever insane idea I have swarming in my head right now. But I know I won’t. The need to get a taste of him is too strong, and I can’t and won’t leave until I get what I want.
Hazel
One week later…
Walking out of the pizza place, I wave goodbye to my friends—a last meet up before we all head off in a couple weeks. Everyone is going in different directions, and it sucks not knowing at least one person in college. I’ve chatted a bit here and there with my roommate, and she seems friendly enough, but who’s to say we’ll get along living in such close quarters?