All the Pretty Poses (Pretty #2)(25)
Author: M. Leighton

“Well, then let’s bond, girl,” Brian says with a flourish. “Come on,” he says, taking my hand and towing me back toward shore. “Let’s get free.”

“What’s getting free?” I ask, pushing my legs through the water to keep up with him so that he doesn’t actually start to drag me.

“That’s when we strip down and get some sun all over.”

I pull back against the grip he has on my hand. “You’ve got to be joking! I am not taking off my clothes in public.”

Brian stops to give me a dubious look. “This is hardly public,” he says, sweeping his hand across the empty, tree-lined beach.

“But still…”

“But nothing. You need to loosen up. And I’m just the person to help you do it.”

“Not likely.”

Brian stops again, frowning down at me. “What is it? Have you neglected your grooming? Are you hiding a Rapunzel-length braid down there somewhere?”

I can’t help but grin at his offended expression. “You’re sick, you know that? And what is it with you and fairy tale references?”

“Don’t change the subject. Now you’ve got me curious. What are you hiding?”

“Nothing. God.”

“Good. Then come on. Let’s get naked.”

He tugs me up to our towels and then releases my hand to start stripping. I watch his unabashed undressing, taking in his fantastic body. It quickly becomes obvious that he sunbathes in the nude quite often. There’s not a white patch of skin anywhere on him.

“That’s The Bishop,” he says, catching me as I look him over.

My eyes fly to his and my lips quiver in amusement. “You call your…your…junk ‘The Bishop’?”

“Hell yeah! If you had junk like that, wouldn’t you give it an awesome name?”

I let my giggle go and admit to Brian, “Probably.”

The smile he gives me is happy and relaxed. “Now, your turn.”

As if he knows his attention might make me uncomfortable, Brian stretches out on his towel, tucks his folded hands behind his head and closes his eyes. I watch him for a few seconds, debating whether to run back to the water or just plop down on my towel, too.

“Just because my eyes are closed doesn’t mean I don’t know you’re still wearing too many clothes,” he says in a sing-song voice, making me roll my eyes. “And don’t you roll those big green eyes at me.”

That makes me laugh outright. “Are you sure your eyes are closed?”

“Just do it, for god’s sake.”

I exhale loudly. “Fine, but you better never tell a soul about this.”

“I make no promises. I might have to sell your wares to the clients.”

“The hell you will!” I exclaim, reaching for the ties to my top.

Brian laughs this time. “It’s not like that. Unless you want it to be, of course.”

“Which I don’t,” I assure him as I hurriedly drop my top then my bottoms and flop down on my towel.

“I doubt that would end well anyway.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’d say our fearless leader would draw and quarter any such unlucky bastard and then toss his bits and pieces into the sea.”

I turn my head to look at Brian. He squints his eyes and looks over at me, too.

“Why do you say that?”

“Girl, everybody knows he’s got a thing for you.”

“He does not.”

Brian snorts. “Whatever you say.”

When he closes his eyes and turns his face back up toward the sun, I nibble my lip for a minute before asking. “What makes you say that anyway?”

Brian’s lips curve into a smile. “I know him. I’ve seen him around a lot of beautiful women and I know when he wants one of them. And trust me, that man wants you.”

That’s not quite the answer I was hoping for. “Well, he’d better get used to disappointment because he’s not going to get me.”

“Mmmm hmmm,” Brian murmurs doubtfully. “By the way, nice rack.”

I jerk my head back around to find Brian grinning broadly. I punch his rock-hard arm. “You weren’t supposed to look.”

“I had to make sure I didn’t need to rent a bushwhacker while we were here.”

“You’re sick,” I half laugh-half sneer.

We both fall quiet and I find the combination of easy companionship and warm sun a very effective muscle relaxer. It’s not long before I feel like I might doze off. That’s when I feel eyes on me. Like a little prickle along the nape of my neck. I cross my arms protectively over my chest as I sit up and look around. I don’t see anyone else. It appears we are as alone as ever. But as I lie back on my towel, I wonder if there’s any way Reese could have found us. Reflexively, my ni**les furl into tight buds, thoughts of his mouth on me bringing about a very physical reaction.

That signified the end of any relaxation I might’ve had.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE – Reese

Whether they know that I know is debatable, but I’m aware of Brian’s relationship with Lee. I’d have to be a complete fool not to notice. A man has a sixth sense about these things.

I’ve never said anything because it hasn’t become a problem. And I hope it won’t.

When I went to get Kennedy late this morning and she wasn’t in her cabin, it didn’t take much asking around to find out that she went ashore with Brian. Lee was more than happy to tell me where Brian took her. I don’t know if Brian simply told him or if they have special places they go together when neither is working. Either way, I finally located her.

I heard talking and hushed laughter as I walked the shaded trail that led through the dense vegetation. I recognized the higher tones of Kennedy’s voice so I knew I was on the right path. I expected to find her when I reached the end of the forest, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the sight of her lying naked on a white-sand beach, bathed in golden sunlight. Or the jealousy that streaked through me when I saw a man at her side.

The fact that Brian is g*y makes no difference to me. I don’t want any man enjoying Kennedy like this unless that man is me.

As I watch them, fuming and debating how to approach them, Kennedy grows still, her face going lax as though she might be falling asleep. I let my eyes roam her perfect form. High cheekbones turned up to the sun. Graceful arms tucked against her sides. Lush, round br**sts standing firm in the center of her narrow chest. Flat stomach and gently flaring hips. Small triangle of short hair between her slim thighs. I’ve never wanted anything more than I want her right this minute. Not ever.