by Dani Lovell
"That sounds great... does that sound good to you, Til?"
Still gazing at Luke, she waves her hand in my direction. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."
I know I should be saying no, I should be steering well clear of this man, I'm going home in just over a week and I really don't want to start liking him any more than I already do. But I can't tear myself away. Just today, I tell myself, that'll be all. I won't see him again after today.
When we have all finished our food, we make our way back towards the shopping precinct. Tilly walks ahead with Luke, they're still making eyes at each other but have actually stopped gawking and started talking. Daniel and I walk side by side, occasionally looking up at the other in disbelief.
"So, how's California treating you?" he asks.
Gosh, he's just so hot, even his voice does delicious things to my nether regions. "It's wonderful, thank you. We had a pool day at the house yesterday, so today is my first day out and about. I'm really enjoying myself."
"I'm glad to hear it. I must say, you look like you've caught a little sun, you look radiant."
I tuck my hair behind one of my ears and smile down at the ground feeling shy. "Thank you, Daniel. You look very handsome yourself." I turn to look up at him through my lashes. Oh how I want to touch him, we've known each other for no time at all, but I want to hold his hand, stroke his muscular shoulder blades. His back is so broad, and through his white polo shirt, I can see the definition of the muscles all over his back. Christ, take it off, man, let me see you in your full glory.
As we approach Nordstrom, Tilly wolf whistles over to the male models standing outside a neighbouring shop with nothing but their pants on. On any other occasion, I'd have had a good old perv myself, but right now, the only person I want to see with no clothes on is walking along beside me.
"Right, shall I go to the... um... department that I want, while you boys get what you need?" I ask as we enter, praying that they'll let me buy my knickers in peace.
Luke responds immediately, "It'll be easier to stick together, and much more fun that way. I, for one, love panty shopping." Ugh, great. Luke winks at Tilly and she giggles, his smile that of child let loose in a toy shop
Daniel puts a gentle hand on my waist and leans in to whisper, reassuringly, in my ear. "They're only panties, don't be embarrassed. I'll buy some boxers and you can all help me choose, how about that?"
The sensation of his hand on my body is enough to make me stop breathing for a moment. All of my hard work trying to forget this man yesterday clearly hasn't paid off. His lips skimmed my ear as he whispered, and that unwelcome, yet, exquisite tingle ran right down to my very own underwear department.
We all enter the lift, and Daniel presses the button for the appropriate floor. Tilly and Luke silently flirt - there's no way these two aren't going to 'get down and dirty' by the end of the day. Daniel stares down at his brown deck shoes, hands clutched behind his back, trying to suppress a super cute smile. I wonder if I could bury my face in his neck and sniff him silly without him thinking I'm some sort of lunatic...
I manage to tear myself away from thoughts of Daniel's sexy skin, and mentally prepare myself for the task ahead. As the doors open, I shoot out of the lift in search of the Hanky Pankys. I thread between rails at the speed of lightening, ducking and diving to get where I need to be without giving the others a chance to catch up. James Bond, eat your heart out.
I finally come across my favourite knickers, and in a matter of minutes - seconds even - I have grabbed ten pairs of the lace hipster thongs in a variety of pretty colours. As I'm still alone, I choose three lace bras in my size so I have three matching sets. I have probably spent a small fortune, but I know I won't be here again for a long time, if at all, so I may as well make the most of it. They're not easy to find in the UK, and will set you back a pretty penny.
I stroll, basket in hand, towards the nightwear section. I can see Tilly a few rails away, seductively holding a super-sexy black corset with suspenders against her body, in front of Luke, who's grinning like a Cheshire cat. The two of them seem so similar, overly flirtatious, afraid of nothing and up for a laugh all the time.
I focus back on the night wear and look at the vast selection of nighties. I've always been a fan of silky, pretty night dresses, I've never really been one for wearing t-shirts or big baggy things to bed. I do have a few pairs of pyjamas, but they're silk bottoms with camisoles or vest tops. I like to feel pretty in bed, even if there's no one with me, as is the case, most of the time.
A beautiful cream and black, polka dot nightie with lace detail grabs my attention, and next to it, a black lace nightie with a matching short robe. I start to look for my size in the black lace as an arm slips around me from behind, resting on my tummy. I turn my head in surprise and my lips almost touch his cheek as he leans forward. His close proximity, electrifying.
"Excellent choice, Miss Hart. Although I do rather like your first choice too," he says, pointing with his free hand to the polka dot nightie. "What size are you? Four?" He steps back and slowly slides his hand from my belly. Touch me, touch me, again.
"Well, it's a little confusing, at home, I'm an eight, so yes, I think that makes me a four here. How did you know that?"
"Lucky guess, I suppose." He starts to look through the hangers, pulls out my size and drops it into my basket.
"Oh, I'm getting that, am I?" I smile at him.
"I think it would be a great shame if you didn't. And the lace one."
"I do like them, but I won't get both. I'm already purchasing about a hundred pairs of knickers." Holy moly, I'm talking knickers with a hot man I hardly know.
"You're doing things to me, Beatrice, I think you should stop talking about panties." I laugh as he continues. "If you're only going to get one, I think you should get the lace one, it's a little cheaper, it's very different to the others and also... it's sheer," he smirks.
"Daniel, I believe you have a point, thank you for your helpful assistance." I smile, swapping the nighties over.
"Oh, anytime, Beatrice. Anytime." He rocks back onto his heels and smiles, his teeth are so perfectly aligned, simply dazzling.
"Right, I'm going to go and pay, shall I meet you over by the lift? I'm not sure what Tilly and Luke are up to..."
"They're probably trying on underwear together, those two seem to have hit it off. I'll meet you downstairs by the door in a few minutes, I need to get a couple of things too. Unless you really would like to help me select boxer shorts?"
I giggle, he's very endearing. "Oh Daniel, I think that as you gave me a moment to select my own 'panties' - as you call them - I will let you 'boxer-shop' in peace."
"I didn't have a choice, you practically sprinted out of the elevator, I don't think an athlete could have caught up," he grins, "see you in five or ten."
I head to the cash desk and unload my basket, smiling. I love to shop, but to flirt 'n' shop is a whole new, exciting experience. I want to wrap my arms and legs around that man and... oh, the rest.
I meet Tilly and Luke back at the lift, both looking naughty and extremely pleased with themselves. What they've been up to, I don't want to know... ok, I do. But I'll find out later. We head back down towards the main door leisurely, stopping to look at this and that on the way.
When Daniel returns to us, we stroll outside into the beautiful sun and decide to skip the rest of the shopping, and go straight for a beer. The boys take us to a place close by, where we sit and each order a beer, basking in the wonderful weather and great company.
Luke tears himself from his flirtatious conversation with Tilly briefly to raise his bottle. "To great days in LA and hot British chicks."
We raise our bottles, laughing, and Tilly adds, "And super-sexy American boys." I'll drink to that!
Three beers later, we're all thoroughly enjoying ourselves, conversation is flowing freely and we're finding out a lot about each other. I already know a little bit about Daniel, but it's nice to find out about Luke, th
e fitness trainer best friend. He and Tilly have calmed their outrageous flirting, somewhat, and seem to be enjoying normal conversation.
It's been almost impossible to resist temptation, sitting here, next to Daniel. My eyes have been drawn to his sexy, tanned thigh so close to mine, my hand struggling not to reach out and stroke it. I have visualised running my fingertips up and down his strong, muscular arms, pretty much every five minutes.
As we all get close to finishing our drinks, Luke puts his bottle down to address the rest of us. "Hey, I have a great idea, it's a nice day, why don't we all go over to my place for a swim?"
"That sounds like fun!" Tilly answers, immediately, and I nod in agreement. "Let's nip into one of the shops on the way back and grab a bikini each," she adds.
So we head towards Luke's place over the road, taking a detour to buy a bikini. Tilly and Luke, again, walk ahead of Daniel and I, so we get a chance to talk some more.
"So, did you grow up in the town that you live in now?" he asks.
"No, I grew up in a small town called Rickmansworth, and that's where my business is, but I live in a larger town called Watford. My parents still live in Rickmansworth and my apartment is only a short drive away."
"Ok, and your friends?"
"Til and Clare live just around the corner from my apartment, so I'm close to everything important. My complex was built right next to the Metropolitan Line train station, so it's really easy to get everywhere if you don't want to drive. Especially London, we're very close to the City."
"That's great, maybe I'll come visit next time I'm on business in London," he says with a smile.
"Hey, that would be great!"
"You're beautiful, Beatrice, do you know that?" Whoa, change the subject, Daniel. "Oh, and before I forget... I bought you a little something." He hands me a Nordstrom shopping bag.
I accept it, stunned. "Daniel, that's very kind of you but you shouldn't have, you hardly know me."
"Please, I wanted to. I like buying gifts for people, please accept it."
"Thank you Daniel, that's very sweet." I hold open the bag, and at the bottom, I see the pretty, polka dot nightie. My first thought, is that he's been painfully sweet and bought me something he knows I wanted, but I quickly begin to wonder if he's buying me sexy nightwear to get me into bed. He wouldn't, actually, need to buy me anything to get me into bed, I've never been so sexually attracted to another human being in my life, but the thought of him expecting sex because he's bought me this, is quite unsavoury.
As if he read my mind, he says, "Please, don't think I bought you this for any other reason than knowing you liked it. Of course, any red-blooded male would love to see a beautiful woman like you, dressed in something like this, and the thought is making blood rush to places that I'd rather it didn't - in public - but I certainly didn't buy this to get anything out of it, other than the joy of buying someone a gift."
He's either throwing me a line or being totally genuine and right now, I think I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. "Daniel, thank you very much, I love it, that's so sweet. Thank you." I slow to a halt and lean in to kiss his cheek. Sparks fly like fireworks between our skin, and before I can lean away to continue walking, his arms wrap gently around my waist.
He gently pulls me towards him and his lips skim mine, our eyes burning into each other's. Lips touching, but not moving, breathing heavily against me, he lifts his head slightly to brush his bottom lip against my top lip. My eyes close automatically. I'm no longer on the pavement, carrying shopping bags alongside a busy road; I'm in a whole other world of arousal and electricity and tingling and butterflies. He increases the pressure, and we kiss a slow, gentle, sensual kiss. No tongues, no mad animalistic frenching, just a simple, ambrosial kiss.
"Spit spot, lovers!" Tilly shrieks from the other side of the busy road and my eyes open, looking directly into Daniel's. "Come on, plenty of time for that later!" she shouts.
Daniel smiles and I melt, I could stay in this embrace for the rest of the week, easily. We gradually separate and start to walk towards The Palazzo again.
We arrive at Luke's apartment and it's gorgeous, Tilly's mouth dropped to the floor the moment we walked through the door. It's an elegant, stylish, luxurious bachelor pad, decorated in rich browns and reds.
The boys lead us to the spare bedroom upstairs to change into our swimwear while they get their trunks on. Apparently, this is Daniel's room when he stays here. It's very simple, a low, king size bed with simplistic wooden head board, two matching bedside tables and a plasma TV against the far wall. Two doors lead to the en-suite and walk in wardrobe.
We close the door and Tilly immediately whispers a squeal. "Eee! This is so much fun! I cannot believe you didn't arrange to meet up with him!"
"I know, it's so weird that they were there! I'm really glad though." My face bursts into a huge grin and Tilly's mirrors it.
"Daniel is so hot, Bea, and as for Luke, Christ on a bike. I am hot for his bod. I am going to get some sex!"
I laugh out loud and return to a whisper, "But aren't you worried that you'll really like him and then we'll have to go home?"
"Not at all, I want some sex, he wants some sex, so we're both gonna get some sex. Yes, I fancy him like mad, but I'm not going to fall in love with him or anything, he's not exactly boyfriend material. Just fun, fun, fun in the sun, sun, sun! Whoop whoop, baby!"
I wish I was able to think like Tilly, I'm so worried that I'm going to really like Daniel, and then I won't want to go home. Holiday romances always make me feel like shit, so I try to avoid them at all costs. I just can't seem to tear myself away from Daniel today.
We throw our clothes back over our new bikinis and head downstairs where Luke leads the way to the fabulous pool. We place our belongings on sun loungers and are the only ones here, which seems odd for such a large complex.
Tilly quickly strips down to her bikini to wolf whistles galore from Luke, she sashays over to the edge of the pool and expertly dives straight into the water. Luke strips in record time and shows off his immaculate, muscular body. Tilly's eyes almost fall out of their sockets, I know she's in her element as Luke dives in and swims straight up to her.
I look over to my right at Daniel as he kicks off his shoes and smiles in amusement at Luke and Tilly. He grabs his polo shirt buy the hem and leisurely lifts it up and over his head, the muscles on his torso ripple under the flawless tanned skin. Fuck me. His body is outstanding. He pulls his shorts down to reveal navy, Ralph Lauren swimming trunks, and, although I am aware that I'm ogling, I can't seem to stop. My mouth is watering at the sight of this Adonis, my tongue must be hanging right out there.
It takes a while, but I manage to drag my gaze away from the burning chunk of eye candy and focus on the glorious, tropical surroundings.
"Aren't you coming in?" Daniel asks.
"Yes, I'm just chilling out for a bit, I'll join you in a minute."
"Ok, don't be too long," he grins. I want to eat him.
He dives into the water from the end of the pool and it's a sight for sore eyes. Utterly gorgeous. I watch him swim for a moment before I start to undress. Once I've laid my dress on the lounger, I take a few steps over to the edge of the pool and sit, dangling my legs in the water. It's so refreshing, not too cold but not too warm.
Daniel swims over to me and stands up by my feet, it's just the right depth for him, but too deep for me to stand in. He runs his hands up the backs of my calves and the goose bumps spread over my skin at top speed. How does his touch do this to me?
"Come on in, it's great."
I wriggle forward so that my bottom is at the very edge of the pool. He rests his hands on the edge, either side of me, as I lower myself into the water, sliding my body along his. It's erotic, I want nothing more than to wrap myself around him. Once my body is submerged, I bend my arms up, either side of my head, to hold on to the edge of the pool. Daniel's face is mere centimetres away from mine and my legs are freely floating around his.
"Put your hands on my shoulders," he says, his voice rich and velvety.
I let go of the edge and gently hold onto his wet shoulders, savouring the feel of his hot, wet skin. He runs his hands down my sides to the backs of my thighs, and pulls my legs around his waist. The flutters in my stomach become full on thrashes, a wave of heat courses through my veins, my fingers and toes tingle, not to mention down there. I'm wrapped around him, it feels like every inch of my body is touching his. His erection presses against me, in between my legs. If this was a private pool, and Tilly and Luke weren't here, I'd be pulling my bikini to the side and in the throes of passion already.
"Bea, what are you doing to me?" he whispers, looking into my eyes. "Your body is perfect, your skin feels like silk. You're incredible." His eyes full of desire as he strokes my back gently. My heart races as he glides one of his hands up to the back of my neck, his eyes gazing down at my mouth. My tongue tentatively reaches out to run along my bottom lip, slowly, in anticipation.
His mouth wet from the pool water, a tantalising invitation that I gladly accept, eagerly embracing the deep passionate kiss, his tongue warm, he tastes delicious. Natural instincts urge me to flex my pelvis, grinding myself against his solid erection. No, no! Stop this, Beatrice!
My hands explore his broad, naked back, I impulsively run my nails gently up his spine. He lets out a quiet, deep, masculine groan, spurring me on even more. I can feel the quivering inside building, my internal muscles twitch in response to his hard cock moving against my lady bits through the fabric of our swimwear.
I drag my hands back to Daniel's delectable shoulders and gradually slow the kiss until it fades, reluctantly creating space between my groin and his manhood. "We need to stop, Daniel."
"I want you," he says, trailing kisses down my neck. A wanton moan escapes me, I need his naked body against me, preferably in a bedroom, though, and without the trunks and bikini shielding the important bits.
