by Stephanie
Some Like it Hot
Stephanie Morris
Some Like it Hot
One Hot Summer Anthology
Copyright © 2013 by Stephanie Morris
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ISBN-13: 978-1484950289
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Dedication
To Gail. Thank you for everything.
Chapter One
“Here’s to lots of sun, gorgeous men and two weeks of mind-blowing, toe-curling sex.”
Naja Westbrook held her glass up to the open air then took a sip. The decision to take a vacation and head down to Myrtle Beach had been a good one. She hadn’t realized how much she needed to get away until she pulled up in front of the beach house yesterday afternoon. As soon she lugged her bags up to bedroom on the second floor, she’d fallen into bed and slept well into the evening. When she woke up, there were no signs of her sister having come to the beach house; not that Naja was surprised.
A few weeks ago, she’d informed Imani, she’d be taking a well-needed break. Due to her hectic schedule she hadn’t been certain she’d arrive before her sister headed back to Charleston.
Thankfully, Imani had been persuaded by her new love interest to extend her vacation. She couldn’t wait to meet the man who’d convinced her well-organized sibling to change her plans.
While she didn’t intend to give Carson a hard time because he seemed to have Imani floating on cloud nine, she wouldn’t hesitate to let him know what she’d do if he hurt her. However, from the way things seemed, there was no chance of that. She’d been in town for twenty-four hours and hadn’t seen Imani or Carson. That would all change tonight when she met the two of them for dinner at his restaurant, Baxter’s.
Until then she had some time to kill. Perhaps she’d go for a stroll on the beach. The weather was beautiful. People were out in abundance, taking advantage of it. There were several gorgeous men milling around. Maybe one of them could help her relax.
Unlike her sister, who’d been reluctant to let her guard down when she’d first arrived, Naja looked forward to finding a sexy-as-sin man to help her unwind a little while on vacation. Her life in Raleigh was hectic. There were moments when she barely had time to breathe because of her job as an event planner. She was always careful not to overbook herself. It was just the clientele she worked with were demanding. Thankfully, she was surrounded by a team of efficient assistants.
Yes, she definitely needed to chill out and the best way to start was with a few none battery operated out-of-this-world orgasms. Naja chuckled and closed her eyes. Imani would cringe if she heard her thoughts right now. Even though she was only three years younger than her sibling, it was enough of a gap for them to be night and day personality wise.
Imani was the serious plan her entire day out sort of person. Naja was as well, when it came to work. Outside of work, she went with the flow. She liked to have a good time, but was smart enough to be safe while doing it. She planned to veg out as much as possible during her two week stint in Myrtle Beach.
After draining her wine glass of the remaining liquid, she sat it down on the patio table and decided to go for a stroll as a means to kill time and to scope out the beach. Several moments later, the house was locked up and she made her way down the back steps toward the sand she couldn’t wait to dig her feet into.
She inhaled deeply as she wandered down the beach, grateful at how fortunate she was to be afforded this opportunity. It’d been a few years since she’d been to the beach house. She definitely used it more than Imani did, but for the most part her family rented the beach home out to vacationers. Once her older sister had become unemployed, the first place Naja thought to advise her to go was to the beach house. She couldn’t think of a more relaxing place to be, especially with the soul searching Imani needed to do. Evidently her idea had been a good one, because Imani was more at ease than Naja had ever recalled her being. Not to mention she appeared to be smitten with Carson. If all the reports were accurate, Carson was just as much over the moon.
Naja stopped and stared out at the ocean, laughing at the sight of two kids burying a grown-up in the sand. She remembered days like that with Imani and her grandfather. As a child she’d loved coming to the beach to spend time with her grandparents. Whenever summer time rolled around, she and Imani knew what they’d be doing for at least a month during the break from school.
Those childhood memories always made her smile. This was the first time she and Imani had been at the beach house in years. She was looking forward to hanging out with her.
Imani had always been a great big sister, even when they didn’t always agree. Her older sibling had always been there for her over the years. She was glad she had the opportunity to return the favor on occasion. Releasing a pent up breath, Naja continued on her stroll down the beach, checking out the scenery, until she realized it was time for her to head back to the house and get ready for her dinner date with Imani and Carson.
An hour later she was freshly showered and dressed in a brown tank top, pink jeans and brown sandals. It felt so nice to be able to dress down for a change. Grabbing her purse, she headed out the front door. She couldn’t wait to see her sister. Several moments later she pulled up in front of Baxter’s.
As soon as she entered the restaurant, she spotted her sister and waved.
Imani raced over to her and they embraced each other tightly.
“It’s good to see you.”
“You too, Naja. I’ve missed you.”
Naja gave her an extra squeeze before pulling back to give her a once over. “You look good.
Well-rested and relaxed. Beach living seems to agree with you.”
“In ways you wouldn’t believe. Speaking of which, let me introduce you to Carson.” Imani motioned behind her and a man Naja hadn’t noticed before now made his way over to them.
She shook her head. “That’s the man you were saying no to? Imani, you have better willpower than me. Let me tell you.”
Imani laughed. “Behave yourself. Besides, I came to my senses.”
“I’m glad, because if you’d let someone else snatch him up, you’d live to regret it the remainder of your days.”
Imani didn’t have a chance to reply. Carson slid his arm around her older sibling’s waist and Naja didn’t miss the way Imani melted into his embrace. He smiled as he held his free hand out to her. “It’s nice to finally meet the sister Imani is always talking about.”
&n
bsp; She offered up her hand in return. “And it’s nice to finally meet the guy my sister is always mentioning.”
As if it were possible, Carson’s smile widened even more. “We’re glad you could join us for dinner tonight. Our table is ready, so we can sit down if you’d like.”
“I’d like that very much.” Naja followed Carson and Imani over to the table, checking out the décor of Baxter’s while she did so. He’d done well for himself. She paused as her gaze landed on two paintings. “Imani, are those your paintings?”
Her sister and beau stopped, glancing in the direction of the paintings she referenced.
Imani chuckled. “Yes, they are. I should have known you’d guess.”
Naja gave Carson major brownie points. Clearly he supported Imani’s passion for painting.
“I’d know your work anywhere. Those paintings are gorgeous. If you don’t have any extras just lying around, I’m going have you paint something for my apartment.”
Carson looked over at Imani with a slight frown. “You haven’t told her?”
“I planned on mentioning it tonight.”
Naja’s left brow arched upward. “Told me what?”
“Wait until we get to the table.”
Carson and Imani resumed walking and Naja followed them.
She slid into a private booth across from her sister and boyfriend. She didn’t waste any time getting back to the subject. “Glad to know your creative streak is still going strong. I’m thrilled at the fact you’re supporting her, Carson.”
“It isn’t a hardship. Although, I have to be honest, I thought Imani would have a coronary when she walked into the restaurant and saw them displayed.”
Naja laughed. “Sounds about right.”
“Hey now! I had the right to be nervous. You know I’ve always kept this part of my life relatively private.”
“Which I haven’t been able to figure out since you took up painting. You have a true talent you should be happy to share.”
“Then you’ll be happy to know I’m getting used to doing so now.”
Before Naja could ask her what she meant, their waitress came up to the table to take their drink orders. She ordered lemonade then picked up the menu so she could figure out what she wanted. Deciding on a sirloin steak and loaded baked potato, she sat the menu aside.
When the waitress walked away, Naja turned her attention back to the couple across from her. “So what did your last cryptic statement mean?”
Imani smiled as she glanced over at Carson. “Well, because of Carson’s love of my work, I now have more customers than I can count. I even have the ability to turn down some.”
“What?”
Imani laughed. “Baxter’s gets quite a bit a business. Several people have noticed my paintings and some have commissioned me to create something for them. It varies from landscape painting to real-life paintings. The few I had stockpiled are all gone.”
“Wow! That’s wonderful, Imani. I’m proud of you.”
If she hadn’t already had a positive viewpoint of Carson being a part of her sister’s life, this just sealed the deal.
“It’s been interesting. Once Carson convinced me to let him put the paintings up, people starting inquiring about who’d done them immediately. As much as I’ve been enjoying it, I keep my schedule light so I don’t get burned out.”
“That’s great. So are you thinking about doing it full time or just while you’re here?”
Imani’s smile dimmed and she glanced at Carson before clearing her throat. “That’s just it, Naja. I’ve been really thinking about my next move. I’m not sure I’m going back to Charleston right now. I’m not sure I ever will. Being in Myrtle Beach this last month has really opened my eyes. I feel different, in a good way.”
Naja reached across the table and grabbed her sister’s hand. “I can tell. You don’t have to explain it to me. I can see it. Now, our parents might think you’re off your rocker, but I understand.”
She turned her focus to Carson. “I guess now would be a good time to ask you what your intentions are regarding my sister.”
“Naja!”
“Relax, Imani. I’m just preparing him for Dad. If he can’t pass my interrogation, he doesn’t stand a chance with Daddy.” Naja arched a dark brow in Carson’s direction. “So, back to my question. I need to know Imani isn’t making a mistake in giving you a chance. Tell me the affection I see in your eyes toward my sister is real.”
“It’s very sincere. The instant I saw Imani I was intrigued on the deepest of levels. I care for Imani. While what we have is still developing I always look forward to finding out what each day will bring when it comes to us. It might scare her, but this attraction between us is not a fluke. Our compatibility amazes me at times.”
Carson paused and gazed at Imani. “I don’t proclaim to be perfect. I never will. So, when you ask me what my intentions toward your sister are, it’s simple. I plan to spoil her and treat her like the exquisite jewel she is for as long as she’ll allow me.”
Naja had to stifle a sigh. Not because what he’d just said was super sappy, but because he clearly meant every word uttered. Imani was so lucky. She wondered if Imani had any idea. While she wasn’t in the market to find her love, she could appreciate the true beauty of it. And her older sister was in love, whether she realized it or not.
Naja smiled at the waitress appreciatively as she delivered their drinks. She glanced up in time to catch Carson and Imani share a passionate kiss. A sliver of jealously traveled through her at their intimate gesture. She wasn’t looking to fall in love in the least. Didn’t actually have time for such a thing in her life, but she wouldn’t mind finding a man who could make her feel special for as long as she was in Myrtle Beach. Now, she just had to find him. Fast. She didn’t have any time to waste.
Chapter Two
Sterling Henson sat on the back porch of his friend’s beach house, taking in the serene setting around him. There was a tightness in his chest that had gotten lighter over the past few months, but hadn’t disappeared completely. As much as he tried not to focus on it, he couldn’t help himself. The entire point of this vacation was to unwind from all of the guilt and turmoil he’d experienced over the last eight months.
Releasing a pent up breath, he closed his eyes. One of these days the pain of his loss wouldn’t hurt as much. He smiled as he thought about Amelia. She’d been such a beautiful soul. The ying to his yang. The person who’d been the constant reminder for him to relax and not take life so seriously, because one never knew how much time they had.
He wondered if she’d been intuitive to know her years on earth would be much too short.
Regardless, he’d forever be grateful for the time he’d had with her.
Allowing the soothing sound of the ocean to drift over him, he wondered if coming to the beach house had been such a good idea. He didn’t feel as if he was in a place to truly enjoy the beauty of it and everything surrounding him.
He wanted to be though. Elton was right when he said Amelia would kick his butt if she could see how he was carrying on now. Hopefully the two week getaway would help.
The sound of voices brought him out of his inner musings. He opened his eyes to find a couple taking an early morning stroll down the beach, hand-in-hand. It was moments like this he was envious. He hadn’t experience companionship in a long time. To be honest, he hadn’t been ready to for a while.
Perhaps it was time to get back to the world of living. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to follow Elton’s advice and see if he could find a woman to have a brief affair with. It could prove to be the distraction he needed. Right now he clearly needed one if he was going to completely enjoy his vacation.
At forty-six years of age, he felt that was sad to say. He was at a point in his life where he should be settled, completely happy and enjoying every moment of life. Up until eight months ago, he had been. The sudden loss he’d experienced had punctured a gaping hole right in the center of his chest. Trut
hfully, he didn’t think it’d ever be filled again.
He’d buried himself into work over the past few months. That helped some, but there was only so much work, only so much he wanted to do, only so much diversion when he lay in bed at night.
As a corporate attorney, his job could be stressful at times. But he loved it and he couldn’t imagine doing anything else. He didn’t want to. However, he had to admit, he’d only been in Myrtle Beach for two days and he didn’t miss work in the least. That was a good start.
He’d called Elton to inform him he’d arrived and to prove he hadn’t chickened out. Hearing the relief in his best friend’s voice had sent a pang of guilt through him. He couldn’t ask for a better friend. They’d met their sophomore year in college and had been friends since.
Sterling reached for the water on the patio table and took a sip. It was sort of muggy out.
Not surprising with the Fourth of July being around the corner. Summertime temperatures were definitely in full effect. A part of him really looked forward to enjoying his vacation. Another part of him didn’t like the fact he’d be spending it alone.
