by Kim Linwood
I’m an asshole for taunting her into this, but I want her to keep going. Fuck, there’s no way I could turn her down if she does.
She stands up, and for one glorious moment, I see everything.
And then she takes a step and dives straight into the water, cutting a pale line through the dark water. My heart jerks in fear. I don’t know what the conditions are like under the surface. If it’s deep or shallow. Sandy or rocky. Then she pops up a few yards away, grinning.
I run a shaking hand through my hair. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“You were the one that wanted to go swimming, weren’t you?” Her long legs kick under the water, completely bare but all I see is movement. “You’re a bit overdressed for it though.”
Does she think I won’t?
I stand up and open a few buttons on my shirt, pulling it off over my head. Is it vanity that makes me flex while I do it? Hell yeah, and the look on her face when I throw my shirt to the ground near her clothes makes it worth it.
“Like what you see?” I walk to the edge of the rock and put my hand on my belt.
“I—” Her voice cracks. “I’ve seen better.”
Not fucking likely. The idea of her looking at anyone else like she is me, pisses me off. I pull off my belt with a snap of leather than makes her start. My pants come off slowly, and I reach for my boxers, enjoying her little gasp when I bounce into view. Liz watches, eyes wide.
Standing on the rock, I kick away the last of my clothes. She dove in before I could get a good look, but I let her drink me in while I stretch and make point of not being in a hurry. Still, a man can only hold on for so long. Aiming for Liz, I take a breath and jump, keeping my dive shallow so I don’t hit bottom.
The water’s warm, but not so warm that it doesn’t take the edge off my need to drive inside her. I come up beside her, shaking the water off my hair. It’s shallow enough that I can stand on the bottom, my shoulders out of the water. “Hi.”
She grins nervously. “Hi.”
I put my hands on her waist and she freezes, gripping my wrists and pushing away slightly. I’m a hell of a lot stronger than she is. If I wanted to force the issue I could, but I want to keep her off balance, not terrify her. “Say no and I’ll back off,” I whisper.
She nods, a mischievous look on her face. “The perfect naked gentleman?”
I step forward, knowing that if we get any closer, she’s going to find out exactly how un-gentlemanly my thoughts are right now. “More or less.”
Liz floats closer, unable to stand comfortably where I am. I reach out again, fingers trailing down her spine until I can cup her ass and drag her to me.
She gasps softly when we come together. “Watch it.”
“Oh, I would, but it’s hard to see under the water.”
She snickers and ducks her head, looking away. Her body is slick and warm next to me. The hard length of my cock is trapped between us, and it would be so easy to slide her just a few inches up. The way her breath catches as we touch, I know she knows it too.
“I’m... I know I probably seem like a giant tease, but I’m not ready.”
I knew it before she said it. Fortunately, I’m not sixteen, and I don’t exactly have a condom tucked behind my ear anyway.
“Fair enough. But what about this?” With one hand holding her firmly in place, I bring the other up under her chin, keeping her eyes on me as I lean in.
“Wait, I’m not sure this is such a—”
She might not be sure, but I sure as hell am. There’s never going to be a better time than this, because this is right now and I refuse to wait any longer.
“But—”
I cut her words off with my mouth, kissing her hard. After a moment, she kisses me back, her arms winding around my neck to clutch me tightly. Supporting her by her ass in one hand and the other around her back, I pull her closer, until it feels like we’re one being, breathing each other’s essences. In that moment, it’s as if we never parted after the first kiss.
It’s raw, it’s primal, and it’s fucking perfect.
When we finally separate, the lust in her eyes mirrors how I feel. Pressed against her, I’m reminded of how little is needed to take this all the way. Just a little nudge, and I could be deep inside her.
Maybe she thinks the same thing, because she pushes off, floating away from me, chewing her lower lip and shaking her head softly. Fuck, the urge to follow is strong, but I’m not going to force her. That’s not my style. “I wasn’t going to—”
She nods. “I know. But I might’ve, and I’m not—not ready for that.”
Welcome to Awkward Beach, population two. I nod. “Yeah. Okay. One step at a time, right?” I do my best to keep my cool, but if there’s anyone who’s going to take a cold shower when we get back, well, you’re looking at him.
Hunter
“Welcome home, Sir. I trust your soiree with Miss Dreyer went well?”
I pelt my jacket at Danny, catching him square in the face. “Think fast,” I say with a grin. “Where are your lightning butler reflexes? Alfred would’ve caught that.”
“Bruce Wayne probably never left Alfred alone all day with a horde of cranky women, Sir. Nevertheless, I shall endeavor to do better next time.”
I laugh. “Cut the crap and get me a beer.”
“Up yours. Unless you’re prepared to pay me overtime, because it’s bloody late.” He flips me off with two fingers, throws my jacket across a chair and then grabs a single beer from the fridge for himself.
“I don’t pay you at all.”
“Exactly. I think I should renegotiate my contract, because my current terms are fucking rubbish, if I should say so myself. And I do.” Dropping into one of the leather chairs in my study, he twists the cap off his bottle and tosses it onto the coffee table in front of him. “You Americans have it so easy. The beer is mostly piss, but did you realize that you can still hardly find twist-off caps back home?”
“Hey, give the colonists a little credit. Sometimes we have clever ideas.” I grab my own beer, flipping the cap at Danny. He beats it out of the air with a laugh. Taking a chair across from him, I ease back, tonight still whirring in my mind.
“So.” He leans forward in his chair with a mischievous grin, resting his elbows on his knees and dangling his beer in front of him. “How did things go with the lovely Sarah? Did she put out on the first date?”
I growl and flip him off.
“Apparently not.” His eyes sparkle with amusement. “Hey, if I can’t play the field here, I’m going to have to live vicariously through you.”
We never did get those hotel rooms, but maybe that’s just as well. I’m not sure if I could’ve held back much longer, and from the looks of it, neither could she. Still, I can’t say I was particularly happy when the camera crews caught up to us. At least we had our clothes back on.
“I’m going to tell you something, and I need you to keep that flapping jaw shut for a change. I’d love someone more intelligent, savvy and sweeter-smelling, but I’m stuck with you.”
“Tosser. What’s going on, then?” Danny perks up. He’s always been a sucker for gossip.
“Sarah is actually Liz.” I pause to let that sink in.
“Liz? There’s no Liz on the list.”
“Liz. My old stepsister.” I know he knows who she is. He wouldn’t stop giving me a hard time about her that first year at school.
“What? How?” He leans back, stunned. “No bloody way.”
“The one and only.”
“Are you sure you’re not just crazy? It’s been years. I think she did your head in.”
“I swear. It’s her. She doesn’t know that I know, but there’s no fucking way I wouldn’t recognize her, even after so long. She’s here, and I just went on a date with her. With Liz.” I stand back up, pacing the room. Just like it has all night, adrenaline has me on edge.
Danny shakes his head. “All right. Fair enough. Did you figure this out before or after she gav
e you the blue balls?”
“Oh, ha fucking ha. I recognized her as soon as I saw her. I just didn’t know what to do about it.”
“Has it been that long?”
I stop pacing and give him a look. “Tell me again why I’m talking to you?”
“Sorry, sorry. Go on.” Danny makes a get-on-with-it motion with his beer.
“Using my dick isn’t the problem.” The memory of holding her naked body in the water as my hands roamed and my tongue plundered her mouth has me half hard just thinking about it.
He shrugs. “So use it. Just do me a favor and wait ‘til I’m out of the room, will you?”
“I don’t think you fucking get it. It’s Liz.”
“Yeah. A girl. No, sorry. The girl. The one that got away. So now’s your chance.” He makes a shooing motion. “So what are you still doing here?”
Maybe he’s right. Maybe I should go to her room. Not give her time to back out, to say no.
She’s mine.
“See, the Hunter I know is a predator.” Danny keeps going. “He stalks the savannah like a bloody lion. He takes what he wants, when he wants, and the girls drop to their knees wherever he goes, for he is the alpha fucking male. He doesn’t mope around like an angsty teenager when there’s conquest to be had.” He cocks his head and looks at me with a sad face. “Is that what we’re reduced to now?” He takes a deep swig of beer. “Well, is it?”
“I’m not going to fuck her while she’s pretending to be someone else.” There it is. As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I know it’s true. No matter how hot and bothered she got me tonight, it was easy to brush off Sarah.
I don’t want Sarah.
When it happens, and it will happen—I’m sure of it—it will be when we can look each other in the eyes honestly. Whatever happens after, I want it to be Liz beneath me. Her name on my lips, like mine will be on hers.
Liz
I’ve avoided Hunter all day, but there’s no way my luck will hold. Today was easy because they were doing shoots with him and the other women after our “date” yesterday, but at some point I’ll have to deal with him. The camera people were more than happy to get footage of the others snubbing me, though.
Even Amanda’s not talking to me again.
Doesn’t matter now. They’re all asleep. It’s three in the morning, and the house is ghostly quiet. If I find what I need tonight, then they can vote me off the island if they want. It’s better if I get sent home, anyway. I only barely managed to keep from spilling everything over dinner.
Chalk it up to terrible planning. All I had was: first, get to the island, second, find the deed, third... I’m still working on that. One date with Hunter and I’m already getting off-track.
I’d make a really horrible secret agent, but I’m trying to make up for it.
I’m going to find that deed.
I tip-toe down the stairs. The light is on in the kitchen, but I don’t see anyone around. Standing in the doorway, I hesitate while trying to decide if I should go another way, or chance going through the lighted room.
“Well, hello.”
I squeak in surprise, my heart jumping clear up into my throat. That voice. Like Hunter’s, but deeper and scratchier, worn by a lifetime of yelling and smoking cigars. It’s a voice I’ve never forgotten and never will. The voice that sent Mom and me packing ten years ago.
Hollister Campbell.
“H—hi,” I answer without turning. Shit. Hunter didn’t recognize me, but will his father? I need to start avoiding the kitchen.
“You must be one of the lovely ladies competing for my son’s favor. What’s your name?”
“Sarah.” Can I risk turning around? Standing here with my back turned must seem more than a little suspicious. I have to chance it. If Hunter was fooled, hopefully his father will be too.
“Well, Sarah. You couldn’t sleep either? No need to be shy. I’m Hollister Campbell. Hunter’s father.” His good ol’ boy voice doesn’t fool me. That’s what he sounds like when he wants something.
Taking a deep breath, I steel myself and turn. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Campbell.”
He’s right there, closer than I expect. Hunter’s blue eyes, muted with age, look out at me from a face I know all too well. “Call me Ollie, no need to be formal.” He reaches out and strokes my upper arm, his gaze traveling casually down my body.
Words cannot describe the ick factor of having my ex-stepfather checking me out. I cross my arms over my t-shirt, regretting not wearing my bra. He smiles, teeth as white as Blaze’s and just as unnatural.
I lick my lips nervously, cringing at the way he eagerly watches. “I was just coming down to... make some tea.” Thank God the tea is in the same spot it always was. I slide away from him, grabbing a box of chamomile and scanning the counter for the kettle.
Ollie—ugh—grabs a beer from the fridge, throwing the cap on the table and leaning back against the counter. He watches me while I fill the kettle with water and turn it on.
“I just got in after dinner,” he says. “Going to take a couple days to adjust to the time change. Was out in Hollywood, pitching some new ideas to the investors.”
“Oh?” Is that supposed to impress me? I suppose it might if I was interested in spinning my fifteen minutes of reality fame into a career like some of the other contestants. I turn to grab a mug. There are so many reasons I don’t want him studying my face too long.
“Yeah.” He walks up behind me, and brushes a lock of hair off my shoulder. “You know, we’re always looking for pretty girls.”
My skin crawls at his touch. This man was married to my mother. He’s literally old enough to be my father. Because he sort of was. Not to mention that he stole my home. I resent Hunter, but I don’t hate him. Not like his father.
The kettle comes to a noisy boil and clicks off. I pour steaming hot water over my tea bag, hand shaking. All I have to do is say goodnight and go lock myself back in my room.
And maybe shower a time or three.
“You know, my room’s a bit cold tonight. Isn’t yours?”
My stomach lurches. Is he for real?
“No. You know, I really hadn’t noticed that.”
Not put off by my deflection, he pushes on. “Are you sure? Because you have an opportunity here. It would be a shame if it went to someone else. Hunter might be flashy, but don’t knock the benefit of experience.”
That’s it.
I turn around and glare at him. “Seriously? That’s just gross, Mr. Campbell. I can’t even begin to count how many levels this is wrong on.”
Anger flashes across his face. Then disbelief.
“You.” He sounds disgusted as realization sets in. Which, quite frankly, is a relief.
“Yep. Me.”
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Drinking tea?” I take a sip to hide my nerves. Inside I’m shaking like a leaf, but I’ll take an angry Hollister over a horny one any day of the week. I’d rather get sent home now than deal with that.
Seeing who I am, he looks like he’d rather spit on me than touch me again. Good. “I should’ve known you’d grow up into as big a bitch as your mother.”
“Yeah, well. Genetics I guess.”
He rakes me over with his gaze. “You got her looks. It’s too bad you got her attitude too.”
That actually stings a little. I’m nothing like my mother, but I’m not going to stand here and argue with him about it. He can hate me as much as he likes. He doesn’t know shit about my life anymore.
“How’d you get here? I personally approved every applicant and I know you weren’t on the list.”
I keep my mouth shut and shrug. Nothing I say can help at this point. He’ll kick me off the show no matter what, and I don’t want to be responsible for getting anyone fired.
“Wait... let me guess. The hair, the contacts...” Hollister Campbell narrows his eyes and his mouth twists into an ugly smile. “You lied your way in. But why?” He taps his chi
n, devious brain working overtime. “Some misguided dream about seeing your old home one more time? Left your favorite Barbie behind? Finally decided you want to fuck my son?”
“Don’t be disgusting!”
He grins and takes a swig of beer. “Yeah. That’s it, isn’t it? You think I didn’t see you sniffing after him when you two were teenagers? It shouldn’t surprise me. You are your mother’s daughter after all.”
My fists clench. It takes all the willpower I have to keep from slapping him.
“How is she, by the way? Drink herself to death yet?” he taunts, not waiting for an answer. “I suppose that’s hard in her current situation.”
“You know?”
“I check in now and again. Just to make sure she’s not up to anything. A smart woman, your mother. A little less booze and a little more loyalty and she’d have had it made. What a waste.”
I’ve hated my mother more often than I’ve loved her, but this man is a whole new level of vile. “Does Hunter know?”
Hollister laughs. “Hunter has his island and his charity shit to keep him busy. I doubt he’s given more than ten seconds of thought to Irene in the last ten years.”
“I bet he’d care if he knew how we were living.” Guilt floods me as I realize it’s true. Hunter is full of himself and a bit of a jerk, but he’s a genuinely nice guy. If I’d come to him with my situation, he probably would’ve helped from the start. Maybe he wouldn’t just hand over the island, but he wouldn’t turn his back on us.
But now? He might help, but I’d lose him, and I’m not ready for that.
“Does he know who you really are?” Hollister asks.
I hesitate, and he guesses the truth.
“He doesn’t, does he? Oh, that’s too perfect. Sarah... you were the girl who won the first date. I heard that went exceptionally well. Some quite nice footage from what I saw on the plane flying down. Blaze has been good about keeping me up to date. I wonder how he’d feel if he knew you were in this to screw him over.”
“I’m not!” Lie.
“No? Then give me one good reason for sneaking in like you have.” He looks at me speculatively, but this time it’s not creepy, it’s scary. “Wait, don’t. I don’t actually care why you’re here, but as long as you are... let’s make this work for both of us.”
