He expected some taunting. It was a given that when any one of them had a woman in tow the others tormented the shit out of him. It was part of their camaraderie and done good-naturedly. They’d all been guilty of it in the past, but this was the first time he’d been on the receiving end. He’d managed to escape thus far, but by not having the good sense to keep Kathy away, recognized his turn had come, and the guys were going to make up for lost time. As for the touch up, well, he’d give Wolf the benefit of the doubt this time, but if it happened again, he’d take Wolf’s head clean off his shoulders.
Ice ignored their crap, figuring it was best not to give them any leeway. He didn’t even dignify to respond with a scowl, but his demeanor gave him away as Wolf’s smirk signified he knew he’d scored a point anyway.
“If we’re all ready then?” Wolf turned the ignition key, the engine kicked over, and he guided Red-Hot out of the marina.
*
Kathy was having a fantastic time, aside from the embarrassing moment when she’d tumbled into Wolf’s arms, and she had a sneaking suspicion that he’d rocked the boat on purpose. From the moment she’d met Shane’s friends, they’d impressed her as being a tight knit rowdy group, and if today’s undercurrents were anything to go by, it was clear that Shane was going to bear the brunt of their mischief.
The wind on her face and the sun on her skin as they skipped over the waves was tempting, but Kathy decided to stick to her guns and not do any skiing this time. The ocean was far too intimidating, lifejacket or not.
When they arrived at the secluded cove, she marveled at the pristine sand and clear water, it was so pretty and virtually deserted. “How did you guys find this little gem?” she asked Wolf.
“We went fishing one day and just happened across it.”
“It was actually Hawk, who spotted it,” Havoc supplied. “We’ve been coming here ever since. The inlet’s well protected, so when Sarah and the nippers come along they have a great time swimming here.”
Wolf let the engine idle and temporarily dropped anchor. Shane levered himself over the side into thigh deep water.
“Come on Kat, I’ll carry you to shore so you don’t get wet.”
With a helping hand from Havoc, Kathy lowered herself over the side into Shane’s waiting arms. Her hands interlocked around his neck, and he held her high above the water line, taking great care not to get her shorts wet as he carried her to shallower water.
*
Wolf and Havoc watched fascinated from the boat. “He’s got it bad.”
“Yep,” Havoc agreed with a cheesy grin as he jumped over the side and into the water.
Handing the basket of food down to the big fella, Wolf beamed as he thought about the fun to be had at Ice’s expense. “Payback’s gonna be a bitch ain’t it?”
“Got that right.” Havoc chuckled. “And about time too,” he added as he waded toward the sand.
“Hey Havoc,” he called, and was waiting when Havoc spun back toward the boat. “Say cheese,” he said, snapping the big man’s photo with his digital SLR.
Havoc flipped him the bird. “Get a life will you? I’m sick of that goddamned camera of yours, and while we’re on the subject, if you e-mail one more bloody picture to my mother I’m gonna knock your freaking block off.”
Wolf gave a belly laugh, zoomed in on Kathy and Ice on the beach, and snapped them too. Checking the images in the LCD, he was pretty happy with the results.
*
Ice put Kathy down in knee-deep water and returned to the boat to ferry some more of their gear ashore. When Havoc arrived, she relieved him of his basket and went to find a shady spot under a tree. Another trip by both men saw all the gear ashore. After waving Wolf off, Kathy and Havoc spread a couple of blankets on the sand, and Ice opened the only fold out chair, setting it aside for Sarah. Kathy dropped onto the blanket, tucking her legs up under her. The men sprawled beside her making small talk until Wolf and Red-Hot returned with the others.
After settling Sarah comfortably with a soda in hand, Frosty took his skis to the water’s edge and connected the bindings. He was first up and raring to go. Hawk waded out to the boat to act as lookout. Wolf was going to drive, while Ice and Havoc wandered down the beach to cast out their fishing lines. Kathy, having declined a lesson, stripped to her swimsuit and stretched out on the blanket to keep Sarah company and watch the men at play.
*
As their conversation evolved, Sarah realized that although she’d known Ice a lot of years, she didn’t quite know him as well as she thought. Kathy was revealing a side to his personality that she’d never known existed, and the insight into his life was eye opening to say the least. Sarah figured that Kathy and Ice must be pretty tight for her to have gleaned so much intimate information from a man who rarely talked about himself.
“What a beautiful day it’s turned out, I’m having so much fun. I’m glad Shane decided we should come.”
“Was he thinking of not coming?” Sarah inquired surprised. Ice loved skiing as much as any of them and never missed an opportunity.
“Not exactly, but he kind of acted a bit weird when we left your place last Sunday night, like he wasn’t that keen on coming.”
Ice had to be miffed by Wolf’s invitation to Kathy. That was the only explanation that made sense, but Sarah didn’t voice her thoughts. It was clear that the girl was head over heels for the Iceman. Sarah was glad. Kathy was nice, caring, and bright. She laughed often and fit in with their family, and that’s what Sarah considered their little group to be, family.
“Come on Kathy, your turn on the boat. You can be lookout with Ice while Hawk skis,” Patrick called out as he skied into shore.
*
Ice reeled in his line and jogged up the beach to join the others. He pulled Kathy to her feet and only released his hold after they’d waded to the speedboat. But before he had a chance to pull himself over the side and help her up, Wolf leaned over, spanned her waist, and effortlessly swung her aboard.
“Gee, you’re a light weight Kat.”
“It’s Kathy,” the green eyed monster inside him snarled as Ice hoisted himself over the side. Kathy’s perplexed gaze tried to capture his, but he avoided her eyes and turned toward Wolf, then wished he hadn’t. Wolf’s folded arms and goofy grin declared that he’d gotten the reaction he’d been fishing for. Wolf two—Ice nil.
“What’s the holdup out there?” Hawk yelled, impatient as ever to get under way.
“Keep your shirt on, we’re ready now,” Ice called back at the kid. Wolf eased the throttle forward and they were away.
* * * *
Frosty dried off with a beach towel, grabbed a soda from the cooler, and sat down beside his wife.
“Kathy and I had an interesting talk,” she said. “The things I never knew about Ice could fill a book.”
“Like what?” Frosty dropped his head back and took a long pull on his soda. It was a hot day and all that skiing had worked up a thirst.
“For instance, did you know he likes to watch Seinfeld reruns and that his favorite color is turquoise?”
“Nothing wrong with George and Jerry, but what the hell kind of a sissy color is turquoise?”
Sarah ignored his nonsense. “And did you know that his favorite food is Italian, and that he hates turkey?
“Now I know you’ve had too much sun. He has turkey at our place every Thanksgiving in case you’ve forgotten, and if he didn’t like it, he wouldn’t eat it.”
“He doesn’t want to offend anyone or seem ungrateful, but I think it goes deeper than that. I think he’s afraid we’ll cut him from our family.”
“Oh come on Sarah, you have to be kidding me, as if we’d do that.”
“Think about it, his whole life he’s been rejected by those who should have loved him most. When his mom announced she’d conceived, his father did a runner, and her parents, Ice’s grandparents, kicked her out of home. Then when he was younger than Mandy, his mom dumped him in a home never to be se
en again. When you think about it, Janine’s betrayal must seem like the ultimate rejection. Perhaps that’s why Ice can’t commit to a relationship now.”
Frosty was pole-axed by what he was hearing. True, Janine had burned him bad, but if what Sarah was saying was true, then he hoped Kathy could change that. Regardless of his famous bullshit line “I don’t do long term,” Ice would make a fine husband and excellent father. One only had to look at how good he was with Meredith and Mandy to realize that.
* * * *
Kathy drove the boat under Wolf’s guidance. Hawk had his turn skiing, followed by Havoc, then him. At the next change over, Kathy called it quits.
“I think I’ll go keep Sarah, company.”
Ice watched her reach the shore and flop onto the blanket next to Sarah. The water was calm, the weather perfect with barely a breeze to ripple the surface, so the guys agreed to take advantage of the conditions and ski another round.
When they’d all taken their turn, they came ashore and unanimously agreed there was just enough time before lunch to toss in a line or take a walk.
Frosty and Sarah opted for the walk while he had ideas of his own.
Ice pulled Kathy to her feet. “Time for a dip lazybones.”
“No Shane, I’m happy here,” she wailed, trying to fend him off.
“Babe, you look so sexy in that new suit I just gotta see if it passes the water test.”
Kathy turned pink and dug in her heels as he dragged her protesting and squealing along the sand. Half way there, she was still kicking up a fuss, so he grabbed her around the waist, threw her over his hip, and carried her down to the shore.
At the water’s edge, he set her on her feet but kept a firm hold of her hand. As they waded out almost waist deep Kathy drew in a sharp breath, probably at the coolness of the water, but seemingly adjusted to the temperature at about the same time she was bitten by the mischievous bug. Making a ladle with her hands, she splashed scoop after scoop of water into his face.
“You’ll pay for that Kat,” he threatened, and pulling her to him, lifted her up and made as if to dunk her under the water. She screamed and latched onto him like a lifeline, locking her arms around his neck.
“Don’t you dare,” she screeched.
He laughed down at her. She felt phenomenally good plastered up against him. He could feel her heart hammering through her breasts, their pebbled peaks turgid, and it gave him a seriously nice feeling knowing he affected her as quickly as she did him. “Babe, I was just playing, I won’t dunk you.”
“I don’t know if I believe you.” She laughed. Her sweet upturned face held his gaze, and he felt its heat course through his veins as she gave him a siren’s smile. That was all it took to send him into the usual urgency he felt whenever she was around.
He pressed her closer, and reaching down with one hand, hoisted her leg and draped it around his waist. Kathy got his drift and lifted her other leg to straddle his hips. He cupped her bottom, supporting her weight and pushed aside her briefs. Her pussy settled snugly over his growing erection. Her fingers interlocked behind his neck, he lifted a hand to her breast, and tweaked her nipple. The moan she released into his mouth said it all, and he rocked her against his cock.
* * * *
Wolf, Havoc, and Hawk weren’t getting any bites so decided to reel in their lines and do something more constructive, like eating lunch. They signaled their intentions to Frosty and Sarah, who were strolling nearby. The guys drew alongside the couple adjusting their pace to Sarah’s waddle, and the five of them strolled back to their picnic spot.
Frosty unpacked the food refusing Sarah’s help. Wolf and Havoc lent a hand while Hawk got drinks for everyone. No one paid much attention to what Ice and Kathy were up to, until Hawk exclaimed, “Good Lord, check that out. I think the Iceman’s going to do her in the ocean.”
Astounded at Hawk’s crass outburst in front of Sarah, everyone stopped what they’d been doing and all eyes flew to Kathy and Ice, who were indeed interlocked lip-to-lip, hip-to-hip.
“Crickey, I think the kid’s onto something,” the big Aussie drawled.
Wolf quickly riffled through the gear and found his camera. He wasn’t about to let a unique opportunity like this slip by.
“Wolf, don’t you dare, Ice will have you for breakfast when he finds out.”
“Sorry Sarah, but this is gold,” he replied, taking snap after snap.
“I want copies,” Hawk announced.
“Hell yeah,” Havoc added.
“You’re all a bunch of perverts.” Sarah admonished, but kept her eyes glued on the unsuspecting couple.
Frosty, who’d been sitting next to Sarah, stood up and stared in disbelief at the couple, who were indeed, engaged in some steamy ocean activity. Twin furrows bracketed his mouth as he let loose with a silly grin. Yep, Ice was pussy whipped. Blind Freddy could see that, even if it wasn’t apparent to the great man himself yet. And if Ice’s reaction over Wolf’s antics earlier didn’t confirm it, this sure as heck did. Yes siree, it was only a matter of time, and it was going to be entertaining to watch. What was the old saying? Oh yeah—the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
*
Ice eased out of the kiss. Some sixth sense had made his eyes snap open. As he looked toward the shore, five pairs of prying eyes stared back unwavering, riveted on them. Bloody Wolf was taking snapshots.
Of all the… His thoughts trailed away and he smiled down at Kathy. He didn’t want her to know his so-called buddies were ogling them as if they were performers in a peep show. Releasing his hold on her boob, he set her down, keeping her in the shelter of his arms, and her face pressed against his chest. Over the top of her burnished locks, he peered at the group and hit them with a death stare topped off with a finger salute. It was done so smoothly Kathy hadn’t a clue. He pressed his lips to her forehead and said, “Come on babe, we’d better make for shore before you get sunburned.”
*
Wolf snapped a series of frames with the digital SLR, but as he zoomed in on the couple, Ice’s irritation came across in the viewfinder loud and clear.
He lowered the camera and interpreted Ice’s glare for the benefit of the others. “I guess we’d better behave, Ice has lost his sense of humor,” he said, stashing the camera before Kathy had a chance to catch on.
As if on cue, they turned away as one and started filling their plates with food.
“Not a word,” Sarah warned as the pair came ashore.
Hawk passed Kathy a towel exclaiming, “Was it hot enough out there for you?”
Sarah scowled, but when she faked a trip, spilling her soda all over Hawk, Wolf read it for what it was; an attempt to prevent the kid from making any more blunders. God alone knew what would come out of his mouth next.
“Sorry Hawk, I’m just so clumsy lately,” she purred.
“No harm done Sarah,” Hawk replied without a clue.
Havoc tugged the brim of his hat lower to hide his amusement. Frosty hadn’t been fooled either. Wolf saw the conspiratorial wink he gave Sarah as he helped her into the chair, but the evil glare Ice shot Hawk promised retribution. This was turning into one kooky day.
“Thanks Hawk.” Kathy colored up as she accepted the towel. “Do you think they saw us?” she whispered to Ice.
“Nah, they were too busy fixing lunch.”
Wolf was close enough to eavesdrop and wasn’t ashamed he did, not one iota. The lie slid so easily off Ice’s tongue—that had to be a first. As a rule, he’d just tell it how it was, but with this little lady, Ice was all caveman. Wolf figured he’d lied to spare her knowing they’d been the floorshow, and that was a revelation.
Chapter 11
The shadows were lengthening. Everyone had had their fill of food, skiing, and fishing when Frosty announced it was time to make a move. Ice and Wolf collected the first load of gear and waded out to the boat. Wolf tossed his lot over the side, hauled his ass in after it, and took the gear Ice handed over, stowing it on bo
ard. The tide was coming in and it was deeper now than when they’d first arrived.
“Climb aboard and I’ll take her in closer.”
Ice pulled himself into the boat. He’d been waiting for an opportunity to get Wolf alone all day to broach the subject of Kathy’s roses. Not one to beat about the bush, he came straight to the point. “Kathy got flowers while I was away.”
“Didn’t realize you were serious, thought she was just your neighbor.”
Ice knew that was bullshit. They’d all witnessed his little exhibition earlier with Kathy.
“Was it you?” he tersely asked.
“Me? Who sent the flowers? You can’t be serious.”
Ice pinned him with an unwavering eye while he waited for an answer.
“God, you are serious.” Wolf’s eyes widened with shock. He exhaled a deep breath and put his hand on his heart. “The answer is no Ice, I did not send your girlfriend flowers.”
Ice ignored the taunt. “You like her, you’re attracted to her.”
“Sure I like her, what’s not to like? You should know better Ice, than to think I’d ever tread on your turf, not ever, not for any reason. You know the ragging is all in fun, we don’t mean anything by it.”
Wolf had been deliberately flirting with Kathy all day, and Ice knew it for what it was; harmless fun meant to get a rise out of him. But he had hoped the flowers were as simple as Wolf and the guys overstepping the mark. He should’ve realized they’d know the explicit messages would not only stir him up but would embarrass Kathy, and that was not their style. It was the answer he feared. It opened the door to a whole range of possibilities, none of them good. Ice extracted the two cards from his pocket and handed them over. “What do you make of these?”
Wolf read both, his blank expression unreadable as Ice waited for his verdict.
“Pissed off ex-lover would be my guess.”
Ice shook his head. “Not an option, there are no ex-lovers.”
“She told you that and you believe her?” Wolf sounded incredulous, and truthfully, he couldn’t blame him for that.
“Trust me, there’s none.”
Desire Unleashed Page 16
