The only jarring note was the decidedly modern lines of her white bikini underwear. She stepped out of them, imagining that the fabric gave off the faintest smell of rose petals when she moved.
Entranced, she stood at the mirror, imagining Josephine, her life, her loves. Erik said she had five children, a husband who was a writer, and that she was a “party animal.” Did her husband buy her such beautiful things and plead with her to model them? Did Josephine buy them herself and surprise him? Did she own any of them before she was married? Did any other men see them on her? How many?
Allie ran her hands up and down the soft sheer material, thinking she should go down to lunch before someone missed her and came calling.
She turned from the mirror and was about to bend over to pick up her panties when she stopped dead.
Jonas was sticking his head through the trapdoor, looking as if he’d seen...a naked woman. He had that look all men get, that sort of glazed tongue-hanging-out thing.
She was about to panic, duck down or try to cover herself when calm descended over her. Okay. He’d seen her body. Nakedness was not a disease, nor was it evil. And heaven knew she’d been fantasizing pretty much nonstop about showing hers to him. She could act as if this was a terrible, embarrassing mistake.
Or go with it.
“Hey, Jonas. What’s up?”
“I’m...I’d...I came up to—” He gave up and stood there, looking her up and down.
“Isn’t this beautiful?” She gestured to the gown. “It’s one of your great-grandmother’s nightgowns. I couldn’t resist trying it on.”
“It’s beautiful, Allie.” Apparently he’d found his voice. And he no longer looked as if he’d swallowed a gnat. In fact his eyes were heating up to a dark blue smolder. “And you look amazing in it.”
“Thank you.” She smiled as if he’d complimented her on a new backpack. “Lunch happening any time soon?”
“Yes, it’s ready. I came up to tell you...” His look clearly finished the sentence. And I got a lot more than I bargained for.
“Great. I’ll be down as soon as I change. I’m starving after our ride this morning.”
“Funny. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.” He gave the nightgown another slow, thorough perusal. “Until now.”
6
JONAS STRODE UP the stairs of the main house and knocked gently on Sandra’s door, hoping she wasn’t taking a nap. He needed to talk to her.
“Yeah, who is it?”
“Jonas.”
“Jonas, my darling, come in.”
He pushed open the door cautiously, hoping his notoriously immodest friend wasn’t half-dressed. He and Sandra kept few secrets from each other, but he’d seen the only naked body he wanted to see right before lunch, and life would just get out-of-control confusing if he was faced with another one so soon after.
Sandra was standing by the window, looking fabulously sexy in a black-and-white bikini. Sort of naked, but Jonas could handle it. He gave a whistle and leered inappropriately, knowing she wouldn’t take him seriously. “Oh baby, my fire is lit.”
“Yeah, snuff it. What’s on your mind?” She grabbed a beach towel from the bed and slipped her feet into flip-flops. “As if I didn’t know.”
“You do, huh?” He put his hands on his hips, figuring she probably did. Tension at lunch had been thick enough to strangle most conversation. Sandra had saved them, chatting easily, while undoubtedly missing nothing. “I’m going on a hike, want to come with me?”
Sandra snorted and gave him a look as if he’d just suggested lava-surfing. “Take a guess.”
“A walk, then. Easy.”
She gestured to her outfit, or near lack thereof. “Listen, honey, it’s eighty degrees and the sun is shining. This body is moving only to turn over to bake its other side. Possibly to enter the lake to cool off. Then repeat. This is what bodies are made to do in the summertime at the beach. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned at her. “Okay if I join you?”
She pretended to consider. “Will you rub suntan lotion on my back and fetch iced tea when I require it?”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay. Let’s go.” She started toward him, wrapping the towel around her waist. “I take it you need to talk?”
“Might be a good idea.”
“For everyone up here.” As they fell into step she gave his arm a sympathetic squeeze. “Don’t worry, I’ll be the easiest. Go put on a suit, I’ll meet you at the beach.”
He changed into his bathing suit and joined Sandra, settling beside her near the water. She had a point about the beach today. The temperature was perfect, the sun’s heat tempered by a steady breeze that also kept away insects.
“First, my lover.” She held out the lotion. “We must always use protection.”
He spread the cream onto her back, keeping his touch impersonal without any effort. His head was so full of Allie that he wasn’t tuned into Sandra’s body the way he usually was. It was quite a body, too―narrow waist, flat stomach, full breasts and curving hips. A real woman’s body, one he’d enjoyed a lot. But the sight of Allie, hazel eyes shining, cheeks flushed, standing proudly, her nakedness barely hidden by material so transparent it didn’t seem possible it could hold together, had taken over his brain in an all-out assault. The combination of sexuality and sweetness had nearly undone him. He had no idea how he’d managed to get through lunch.
Luckily, his brain had enough sense left in it to realize that if he wanted her...no, that wasn’t the question. He wanted her so badly he’d been half-erect for the last two hours. But before he acted, there were two people he cared about deeply who’d need to be okay with him and Allie getting together.
“So.” He took off his shirt and started spreading lotion on himself. “Talk time.”
“Yes, it’s okay with me if you and Allie screw like possessed bunnies.” She lay back on her towel and exhaled blissfully. “God, it’s fabulous out. Why in hell haven’t you brought me up here before this?”
He recovered from his surprise. “That’s it?”
“What’s it?”
“Come on, Sandra.”