Page 21 of Beach Bodies

‘Why do you think that is?’

I shrug.

‘So, about the last one,’ Daniel persists. ‘Audrey. Serena said something about her getting fired… Do you know anything?’

‘What exactly is your article about?’ I say with exaggerated caution, glancing at Serena, who’s still lazily tracing circles in the moisture, apparently oblivious to our side conversation.

He laughs. ‘Sorry. Not for the article. Just my natural curiosity.’

‘I’m a lowly lifeguard, Daniel,’ I say in a quiet, amused voice. ‘Whatever happens in the upper echelons is beyond my pay grade. Now, if you want to ask about our rigorous lifeguard protocols, or my favourite sunscreen, or my feelings about the new swimsuit…’

Under his intent gaze, another wave of goosebumps goes over me, and something perverse must be operating through me, because I uncross my arms and turn fully to face him. My tank top can’t be hiding much. His smile widens, but to his credit, he keeps his eyes on my face. Good man.

‘Well, Lily Lennox,’ he says, rubbing his thumb in little motions over the centre of his lower lip. Which is remarkably full, for a dude. Pillowy is the word that comes to mind. ‘What are your feelings about the new swimsuit?’

‘Have you seen it in action?’

‘Refresh me.’ That thumb is still rubbing his lip. My eyes keep drifting to it.

I laugh. ‘Let’s just say it doesn’t leave much to the imagination.’

‘Shame,’ says Daniel, and I swear this man could make love through eye contact alone. ‘Imagination can be a powerful drug.’

My breath catches; I am officially turned on.

‘I, for one, stay away from drugs.’

‘Good girl,’ he says, his voice barely audible, for my ears only, and suddenly I imagine the Sunset Bar emptied of people, mostly dark, with just Daniel, me, and the warm glow of the champagne chandeliers. His breath, hot in myear–Good girl. If I braced my feet on the middle rung of the bar stool, it’s the perfect height for—

Trash bin! Now!

But instead, the image sharpens, and heat surges between my legs as imaginary Daniel steps between them, his eye contact unwavering as he fingers the bottom edge of my tank top and—

His eyes break away from me and the vision shatters, leaving an uncomfortable pulsing still working its way through places in my body that haven’t felt any pulsing in years. Damn it– I’d forgotten how fucking good it is to feel this way—

No! Intimacy is dangerous!

‘I’m afraid we have a situation…’ Daniel says, and for a second I think he’s talking about the next-level attraction simmering between us, but there’s a loud snort, and I follow his line of sight.

Ah. Serena. You wouldn’t think such a mighty snore could come from so petite a frame, but the universe likes to have its little jokes.

I slide off my bar stool to approach her and jostle her arm. ‘Serena? Hey, Serena? Wake up…’

Her head lifts infinitesimally. ‘Hmm?’

‘Hey. Good, you’re awake…’

She immediately slumps back down on to her arms.

‘Please tell me you didn’t buy her an irresponsible number of drinks,’ I say with a touch of crankiness, because it’s pretty clear now that I’ll have to attend to Serena’s needs instead of Daniel attending to mine. Damn it, Serena. Not that I actually would have done anything with Daniel, of course…

‘I’m afraid she’s the one who bought me drinks.’ Danielstands, giving a sorrowful look at his unfinished piña colada. ‘Come on. We should get her back to her room.’

I scrunch her shoulder. ‘Hey. Hey. Serena? What’s your room number?’

Her eyes open and a sleepy smile drizzles over her face. ‘It’s… four zero zero… zero.’ She draws the zeros in the air. ‘Why?’

‘Bedtime,’ says Daniel. ‘Don’t worry. We’ll deliver you safe and sound.’

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