Hot Mistake

by Cara Lockwood

  She didn’t know if a minute passed, or ten, but all she knew was that she was going to come, and come hard. It was inevitable as he marched her straight to the edge, her body strung tauter than razor wire as he wound her tighter and tighter. She tensed then, every single muscle flexed, her toes curling in her flip-flops as he sent her completely and utterly to the ultimate climax. A moan escaped her mouth. She couldn’t help it. Her whole body was awash in the good endorphins as every muscle unwound, throbbing with the quivers of aftershocks.

  He stood, a satisfied look on his face, while her whole body was a trembling mound of jelly. What had he done to her? Her knees didn’t seem to want to work. She stood, wobbling a little as he helped her steady herself. Pressed against him, she realized that he was more than a little bit excited. She slid her hand down the front of him. Now it was his turn. She gave as good as she got, and she’d make sure he knew it, too.

  Someone rattled the doorknob and she froze, hand halfway down Sebastian’s swim trunks.

  “Hello!” cried Felicia from the other side of the door. “Anybody in there?”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  PANIC SWEPT OVER HER. Felicia could not find the two of them in the bathroom. Gabriela scrambled to get her bikini bottom tied back on.

  Now what? she mouthed. Her heart hammered in her chest as all the worst-case scenarios flooded her brain. Felicia would make a scene. There might be yelling. She might have said she wasn’t interested in Sebastian, but if she knew what he’d just done to Gabriela in this bathroom... Her jealousy would have no bounds. Then she’d have to explain why she’d told Felicia to stay away from Sebastian only to have him herself.

  Gabriela quickly released Sebastian, wondering what she should do. She glanced around the tiny enclave, but found no place to hide. Once that door swung open, Felicia would see them both.

  Sebastian placed a finger over his mouth, telling her to be quiet. He pressed his ear against the door.

  “Hello?” Felicia knocked harder. “Hello!” She tried the handle again but thank goodness it was locked. “Seriously! Whoever is in there, I need to pee!”

  Classy, Gabriela thought. Sebastian put his hand on the knob, as if to hold it in case the lock gave.

  “Ugh!” Felicia hit the door hard one last time and then stomped off, her wooden slides making clomping sounds as she hit the stairs and went up.

  With each sound of her retreating steps, Gabriela breathed a little easier. “Thank God,” she whispered. Frantically she finished tying off her string bikini. She had to get out of this bathroom.

  Sebastian held another finger up and listened once more. He slowly slid the lock to the open positon and pushed the door a crack, keeping Gabriela behind him as much as he could.

  “Coast is clear,” he whispered and then swung the door wide. Gabriela hurried out, followed by Sebastian. They went back to their two abandoned beers on the bar. Gabriela wondered if Felicia had seen them. She hoped not.

  The horn sounded and the captain’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “All right, everyone,” she said, “we’re approaching our snorkeling location for the day, so come to the main deck and get fitted for your masks and fins.”

  “I guess that’s good timing,” Sebastian said. He grabbed his beer and had a drink. “You should go on up first. I’ll wait a few minutes.”

  “You will?”

  “Sure.” He turned to face her, the hint of a smile on his face. “Because you still owe me one more night.”

  “I do?”

  “I think you know you do.” He nodded slowly.

  “I thought that was the one more time.” Even she knew that couldn’t be true.

  “That?” He laughed. “That was just an appetizer. I have twelve more courses at least.”

  “You do?” Gabriela felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “And what’s for dessert?”

  He laughed, deep and throaty. “Why, you, of course.”

  * * *

  Sebastian tried to focus on the snorkeling and the many dozens of beautifully colored fish beneath him as he floated with Marco and the groomsmen around the anchored boat. The bridesmaids were busy using the fish food the crew had given them to attract the fish, schools and schools of bright colors whirling just beneath the surface in a rainbow of bright shades, but all Sebastian could see was Gabriela in her neon-yellow bikini. He could almost still taste her. He wanted to make her come again. And again. And again.

  He’d like to spend the rest of his life doing it, actually. He knew he was moving fast, but he was almost thirty and he’d dated so much. He knew what he wanted. Why wait? If it’s right, it’s right. That’s what his mother had always told him. She’d also told him when it’s wrong, it can be very wrong. Sebastian, of course, knew that firsthand. His dad had skipped out on them when he was just two, moved across the country with another woman and started a whole separate family. It had been Sebastian and his mom most of his life, and with her often working two jobs, it had been mostly just him. Not that he ever threw pity parties for himself. He’d thrown himself into athletics. He’d gotten a football scholarship to a small Florida university and then he’d managed to parlay that into a Harvard law degree.

  Sebastian had never backed down from a challenge and he wasn’t about to start now. He watched Gabriela and her oversize flippers move away from him, the slim muscles in her legs working as she kicked. She and Lola swam side by side, feeding a school of bright yellow-and-blue Queen Angelfish.

  He noticed that the first mate, the pretty, blond boy, was right by her side. He didn’t like that one bit. Jealous? Him? No. He didn’t get jealous. But he didn’t like sleazy tour guides muscling in on women, either. The crewman—Carson—maneuvered between the two women. Sebastian didn’t like that some guy who was all muscle and no brain had the hots for Gabriela. It was obvious to him, the man was smitten. The way he stole glances at her, watched her when he thought she wasn’t looking. Carson was someone Sebastian would have to keep an eye on.

  But keep her coming like that and she’ll never look at another Carson again.

  Still, Sebastian believed Gabriela when she’d said she wasn’t interested. He watched her yellow bikini flash under the water, her taut bare legs kicking hard. He felt himself tighten. The woman was about to make him hard right there in the water. Water trickled into his face mask and he popped up to adjust the rubber strap. From this vantage point, he saw Gabriela’s firm round ass bobbing above the water. His groin reacted instantly. He adjusted himself discreetly with one hand, wishing he’d had just fifteen more minutes in that bathroom. Then he wouldn’t be aching so hard for her now. The woman was like a drug. He was flat-out addicted after only a couple of hits. It made no sense to him.

  Next to him, Lola popped out of the water, flinging her snorkel to the side. “Those fish are beautiful. Did you see them?”

  Sebastian nodded. “Yeah, they’re cool.” But his focus was on Carson, who seemed to be swimming after Gabriela like a shark. He’d have to break that up. Yesterday. “So what’s the deal with the guy? He and Gabriela dating?”

  “Who? Carson?” Lola barked a laugh as she dog-paddled, her snorkeling mask on top of her head. “No. He’s just one of the New York guys.”

  Sebastian kicked a little harder as he bobbed in the water. “What do you mean ‘guys’?”

  “Nothing.” She shrugged. “Forget I said anything! Gab would kill me.”

  “I’m not going to tell anyone. Who would I tell?” Sebastian grinned. “Besides, I already know she’s a platinum Spark dater. I saw it on her phone.”

  “She’s just different in New York, that’s all. Not like people here know her. You know?”

  Oh, he knew. He knew she’d changed. Gobstopper from high school wouldn’t have blown his mind in the bedroom like she had last night. Well, that also explained why she knew so many tricks. She’d had practice. He didn’t know if h
e hated that...or loved it. One more layer to Ms. Cruz. Interesting.

  Lola shrugged. “I don’t think it’s even bad, but she’s worried people will judge her or... I don’t know. She doesn’t want Felicia to know.”

  “I won’t say anything,” Sebastian promised.

  Lola put her mask back on and dipped her face into the water, kicking away from him.

  Sebastian watched Gabriela come up for air, her snorkel dangling by her mouth, water dripping off her nose. She caught his eye and then quickly looked away. Well, she could ignore him now all she wanted. He’d have his chance later that evening during the rehearsal dinner. She’d have a much harder time swimming away from him when he was walking her down the aisle.

  * * *

  Gabriela tenderly touched her sunburned shoulder, wishing she’d put on more sunscreen that morning during the snorkeling trip. She and the other bridesmaids sat in the back of ship’s open-air veranda overlooking the blue Atlantic Ocean. It was an impressive place to exchange vows. They waited while Marco and Lola talked to the ship’s wedding planner.

  “Ow,” Gabriela groaned as one of the straps from her sundress rubbed against her fresh sunburn. The cool ocean breeze felt lovely on her shoulders, but it wasn’t quite like a slathering of aloe vera she desperately wished she’d remembered for this trip. It didn’t help that she was acutely aware of Sebastian watching her every move. Now, in fact, he was sitting in a chair across the aisle, studying her. Why did he have to look so gorgeous? He wore a crisp Oxford and khakis, his dark hair swept back from his forehead, those green flecks in his hazel eyes seemingly visible from even this distance. His shoulders seemed too broad for the sport jacket he wore, yet he pulled it off. He looked devilishly good, three buttons open on his shirt that revealed smooth, tanned skin leading to what she already knew was an expansive and impressive chest. She realized she was staring at his neck and chest, and tried to glance away, but somehow ended up staring at the crotch of his pants. She was amazed he wasn’t somehow visible through the heavy cotton material. Finally sanity took over and she managed to pull her eyes to meet his.

  He raised his eyebrows, amused. God, she hated being caught staring. Might as well have just told him she was thinking about his...everything.

  He grinned and mouthed, One more night.

  She shivered. One more night might kill her. She’d never had so many orgasms, so hard, so fast, before. Could she even have another? But then again, she remembered his talented hands and tongue, and knew for a fact she’d be jelly in his hands. He could mold her however he chose. That was what worried her. The more she came, and the harder she came, the more she liked Sebastian. And liking him would just get her into trouble.

  He comes on strong at first. Isn’t that what Felicia had said? He’s hot and heavy and then—poof!—gone. But since when did she really ever believe anything Felicia said? She glanced at him, heart rate ticking up a notch. One more night. Would she dare? If she were careful, who would know?

  Suddenly he was standing and moving toward her. She realized, with a start, she’d missed some key instructions doled out by the ship’s wedding planner, as she saw the rest of the groomsmen also stand, and head for their corresponding bridesmaids. Oh, no. She’d forgotten all about this part, about Sebastian leading her down the aisle.

  He was standing in front of her now, as he bent down and offered his elbow.

  “Madam,” he said, “may I have the pleasure?” His voice was all lightness, his light eyes teasing. She reached up and took his arm and he led her to the back of the aisle of chairs. “So, just which positions do you want to try tonight?” he whispered in her ear.

  “I...” She didn’t know what to say, and everyone else seemed like they were practically in earshot.

  “My vote is all of them.”

  She had to laugh at that. His arm felt warm and strong as she rested her hand on his forearm.

  “The music will start and...” The wedding planner, a young woman in her twenties, pointed at Sebastian. “And then you two will start the procession. I want you to walk slowly. Remember slowly.”

  Sebastian and Gabriela began their walk, but all Gabriela could think about was the powerfully muscled man at her elbow—and the promise of tonight.

  “I want to touch you slowly. All night long,” he whispered, keeping his eyes fixed on the captain at the end of the long aisle.

  “You sure tonight is a good idea?” she whispered.

  “Tonight should be the only idea. It’s all I can think about.” He sent her a sidelong glance and she felt her cheeks burn with heat. She knew more heat would come once she was in his bed once more. Heat all over. The good kind. “If you can tell me you absolutely, positively, don’t want to do it, then I’ll respect your wishes. But something tells me you want it as much as I do.”

  That’s because I do.

  Gabriela said nothing as they ended their walk and he let her go so she could stand on the bride’s side. The beautifully flowered latticework alter stood between them. The rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmen made their way down the aisle, as well, and she watched as Felicia seemed to cling a little too tightly to Bill. She didn’t want to know what that was all about. Instead she glanced at Sebastian. Was hooking up with him really so wrong? Sure, she’d spent the last ten years telling all of her friends he was toxic and should be avoided at all costs, but maybe she’d been wrong.

  But maybe she’d been right.

  She glanced at Felicia and Liv, both of whom were watching them closely. Did they suspect? Oh, she hoped not. She glanced at Lola and Marco standing in front of the captain. Lola didn’t look exactly...happy. The thought of the big day tomorrow stressing her out?

  “Well, that’s it, folks,” the captain told them, addressing the wedding party. “Now I believe there’s a rehearsal dinner in the private room of the main dining hall down the hall on this floor, here on Deck Five.”

  Marco, grinning, shook the captain’s hand. Lola, however, still seemed a little out of it. She grabbed her phone, thumbing through it. Her parents, who stood nearby, were busy talking to Marco’s parents, exchanging pleasantries. Everyone else seemed fine, but Lola was just...off.

  “One second,” Gabriela told Sebastian. He let her go as she wandered over to the bride, who had already wandered away from the rest of the party and was standing by herself, intent on her phone. “Everything okay?”

  Lola’s head snapped up in surprise. She quickly pressed her phone to her hip. “Everything’s fine.” She plastered on a fake smile.

  “Come on, I’ve known you since we were little kids. Something’s wrong.”

  Lola looked uncomfortable. “I don’t know. I think maybe... No. It’s dumb.”

  “It’s not dumb. Tell me.”

  Her voice dropped so low that Gabriela barely heard her, even though they were not within earshot of Marco or anyone else. “I think I’m getting cold feet.”

  “What do you mean?” Confusion rippled through Gabriela. What was her best friend talking about? The two were the perfect couple.

  “I...I mean, I don’t know. Seeing Carson reminded me of being single and all the fun we had. Am I doing the right thing here?”

  “Of course you are. Marco is amazing and you love him.”

  “Yeah.” Lola looked a little dazed as she nodded.

  “This is probably just stress. And the craziness of the bachelorette party yesterday and just the pressure of it all. But Marco is great. I think you two are perfect for each other.”

  Lola gave her a weak smile. “You’re right,” she said. “I’m just overtired. A little hungover from this morning, too. Day drinking doesn’t sit well with me, I guess.” Lola took a deep breath.

  Gabriela laced her arm through Lola’s. “You’re going to do fine. You’ll be the most beautiful bride there ever was.”

  Lola giggled as the two walked tow
ard the empty dining room. “You’re lying.”

  “I am not. Beautiful outside and in, that’s you.”

  Lola squeezed Gabriela’s arm but said nothing. “You and Sebastian seem to be getting along well. Something you want to tell me there?”

  Sheer panic ran through her. Gabriela felt a drop of sweat trickle down the small of her back. “No. Why? What do you mean?”

  “It just looks like you two are in your own little bubble, that’s all.”

  “Us?” Gabriela let out a fake laugh. “I don’t think so. We’re just trying to get along. You know. Peace for the wedding.”

  “Yeah. Right.” Lola didn’t seem convinced. “So there’s nothing you want to tell me?”

  Gabriela was tempted right in that moment to spill the beans. Admit to it all. We’ve been at it like we’re competing for gold at the Naked Games. But what if Felicia overheard? What if Lola got upset? After all, Gabriela had promised her that she’d keep her wedding drama-free.

  “Nope,” she lied, vowing she’d tell her oldest friend the entire truth...later. Well after the ceremony.

  Lola stared at Gabriela a beat, skeptical. “Okay. Then you won’t mind sitting next to him at dinner tonight.”

  “What? Why?” Gabriela’s reply came out more forceful than she’d intended.

  “I’m not sure if you’re sad or...glad.” Lola laughed a little. “No matter. It’s just that the wedding party is all at one table, and guests at another. That’s the layout of the dinner.”

  “Are you two talking about me?” Sebastian stood at Gabriela’s right shoulder.

  “Just saying that you two made a handsome couple walking down the aisle, that’s all.” Lola grinned and Gabriela wondered again if her friend had guessed something was going on. Had Lola seen her sneak out of Sebastian’s room? Had she guessed what had happened belowdecks on the snorkel excursion? Surely not. Don’t be paranoid, Gabriela told herself. Besides, would it be the end of the world if Lola knew? Up until now, Lola knew all her secrets.