I felt Layla tense beside of me. I didn’t know if it was because she felt like Lucy was bothering Drake, or if she was worried about Lucy being alone with the rocker. Without thinking about it, I captured her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “That sounds like a really fun idea,” I agreed before anyone else could say anything. “Then Layla can get some unpacking done without having to worry about Lucy.”
She seemed to relax a little after that. It made my chest tight that she took my opinion on the idea to heart and was confident in it. Lucy shot Layla a look. “Can I go, Layla? Please?”
“Sure. As long as you are on your best behavior, baby.”
“Awesome.” Lucy pumped a fist in the air and I came to the conclusion that ‘awesome’ was Lucy’s favorite word.
“Awesome.” Drake pushed back his chair and stood. Lucy put her little hand in his bigger one. Before they turned to leave, Drake glanced down at Lana who was frowning out at the ocean. “Want to join us, Lana?”
She seemed startled that he asked her. A blush crept into her cheeks, making her face glow. She licked her lips like she was nervous and glanced at Layla. “I…I should stay and help Layla unpack.”
“If you want to go, then go.” Layla was gathering her trash. “I can handle unpacking.” She shooed them away with a smile. “Go. Have fun.”
Lana was already up before her sister had finished speaking. She grasped Drake’s free hand and started tugging him into the house. The look on my friend’s face was priceless, and for the second time I wondered…but no! Drake would never…
When they had disappeared inside, I glanced over at Emmie who was still gazing after the three. Her eyes were wide, but there was more wonder in those pretty green eyes than worry. A smile teased her lips, and I let my worry fade away. If Emmie wasn’t worried, then I wasn’t going to be either.
“Thanks for lunch, guys.” Layla had her trash as well as Lana's, Lucy's, and Drake's. She stood, “And thank you for helping us move in. Today has been fun.”
“Don’t run off,” I told her. “Stay. Unpacking can wait a little longer.” I didn’t want her to go in yet.
“Yes, Layla,” Emmie agreed. “Sit and relax. Or go change into a bikini and let’s hang out by the pool. I’ve really enjoyed this afternoon, and I’m not ready for it to be over.”
The thought of Layla in a bikini made my dick twitch. I had to bite my cheek to keep from groaning out loud. “I don’t know.” She looked tempted and I wanted to tempt her more.
I leaned closer and murmured in her ear. “There’s a hot tub.”
Her chocolate eyes met mine, and I watched as her mouth opened ever so slightly. Her wicked little tongue sneaked out to moisten her bottom lip, and I wanted to suck it into my mouth. “A hot tub?” Her voice came out a little breathless, and I grinned as I nodded.
“Come on, Em,” Nik said as he stood and helped Emmie to her feet. “Let’s go try on your new bikini. I feel like a dip in the pool myself. Shane, you going to join us?”
“Nah. I’m going into the Hills. Axton is having a party, and I think I’m going to head over and drink up all his Scotch.” He stood slowly. “See you later, Layla.”
“Oh…Bye Shane.”
“Shane, are you staying over?” Emmie called after him.
He shrugged. “Depends. But don’t expect me home until tomorrow.”
I knew it was coming even before it left her mouth. “Don’t drive, Shane. Please don’t drive.”
He stopped and turned back to her. She pouted at him and Shane was just as much a sucker as the rest of us when it came to that pout. He pulled her close, his hand automatically going to that damned bump and caressing it. “I swear I won’t drink and drive, Em.” He kissed her cheek.
She hugged him tight then pushed him toward the door. “I’m calling Axton and making sure he gets your keys as soon as you walk through the door.”
“Love you, Em,” he called as he entered the house.
“Love you, Shane.” As soon as he was out of sight, she pulled her phone out and started dialing. Nik looked at me and rolled his eyes, before following her into the house while she bitched at Axton about not letting Shane drink and drive.
I watched them go before I turned back to the goddess sitting beside of me. “Do you have a bikini?”
She nodded. “It’s a few years old, but yeah, I have one.” I could see the anticipation in her eyes. Gods, I loved looking into those eyes! “But it’s a little warm for the hot tub. I think I’ll stick to the pool.”
“I guess we will just have to wait to try it out then.” I stood and took the paper plates from her before she could protest. “Go change, Layla. I need to see you in that bikini.” I was dying to see her in nothing at all, but right now a bikini would do.
Chapter 7
Layla
By the time I found my bikini and changed into it, twenty minutes had gone by. I grabbed a towel and headed out of the guest house. There was a small grassy yard that separated the guest house from the main house, and I loved the feel of the thick green grass under my bare feet.
I heard music. It wasn’t turned up loud, just enough to provide some background noise. Jesse must have turned it on, because he was the only one sitting by the pool. Apparently, Nik and Emmie were still trying on Emmie’s new bikini. The realization that I was alone with the sexy rocker in nothing more than a bikini should have made me nervous. Really, it should have, but it didn’t.
I tossed my towel on a lounger and dropped down on the edge of the huge pool beside of Jesse. He was sticking his bare feet in the water. His eyes were on the ocean in the horizon, but I knew that he had known I was there from the instant I had stepped out onto the deck. His entire body had tensed, just as mine had. There was some unknown force that kept drawing me to this man, and it scared the hell out of me even while it excited me.
“I’m trying not to look,” he murmured, keeping his eyes on the horizon. “Because I know the instant I do I won’t be able to keep my dick under control.”
He might be trying to keep his eyes off of me, but I had no problem letting mine drink in the sight of his bare chest and back. My fingers actually itched to trace over every hard angle of his sculpted muscles. My mouth was full of saliva from wanting to run my tongue over every fine detail of his many tattoos. And that head! Fuck, I wanted to rub his head to see if it felt as smooth as it looked.