Page 26 of Not So Happily Ever After (British Bad Boys)
I ring the doorbell, and she opens it straight away. She’s wearing faded jeans with a cropped T-shirt that shows off her midriff.And a navel piercing.She didn’t have that two years ago. My mouth dries and my heart slams against my ribs.Do. Not. Look.
It takes all my self-control to keep my gaze on her face, when all I can see is that sexy gleam of gold glinting against her stomach. My gutter imagination goes into hyperdrive and graphic visions flood my mind. Of Mac on my bed, and me sliding down her gorgeous, toned body.Taking the jewelry between my teeth and gently tugging.Pressing my lips against her soft, warm skin as she sighs my name.
Jesus. I break into a cold sweat as all my good intentions when it comes to her unravel.Concentrate.
“Hey, Will. Looks like we’re in for a hot weekend.”
What?Involuntarily, my gaze slides south before her words penetrate through the lust blinding my sense.
She’s talking about the weather, dipstick.
I need to get my shit together before she guesses I’m having serious problems with the whole platonic thing. Ironic, considering I’m the one who asked her to give us another chance to repair our friendship.
This weekend is a great opportunity to show her how much I mean that.
No more thinking about that night we shared. Or sneaking a peek at her irresistible piercing.
And definitely no more goodnight kisses.
It’s mid-afternoon by the time we arrive at Oakland Camp. Set in a valley, surrounded by woodland and with a nearby lake, it’s like entering another world. As I park in one of the reserved bays behind the reception lodge, Mac’s window is down, and she’s admiring the view.
“This is amazing.” She turns back to me. “How long have your friends been here?”
“Since leaving Uni. There’s still a lot to do.” Understatement of the year, but at least we’re moving forward.
We get out of the car, and she stretches her arms above her head, which makes her T-shirt ride up ever farther. Without warning, memories flood my mind of how I once explored her gorgeous body with my hands, mouth, and tongue. Nothing bloody platonic aboutthat.
This weekend is gonna kill me.Which is a better option than for her to guess how much I still want her. I force my feet to move, and I open the door to the lodge. “After you.”
She saunters in, and a hint of her scent lingers in the air. I briefly close my eyes, take a deep breath, and follow her. Adam’s working on the laptop at the desk and gives me a grin as we walk toward him.
“Mac, this is Adam, one of the co-owners.”
“The camp looks great,” she enthuses.
“Yeah, we’re slowly getting there.” He gives me a look I can’t figure out. “Halfway through our five-year development plan.”
“I’ll give Mac the grand tour later.”
“Can’t wait.” She gives me a smile, and all my good intentions go up in flames. After five hours together, including a stopover for lunch, I need to get away from her before I do something we both regret.
“Right. Let’s get you settled in.” Obviously, I need to show her the way to the accommodation before I bail. I glance at Adam, who’s not even trying to hide his smirk. Bastard. I told him Mac and I were just old friends when I phoned the other night. He better keep his mouth shut. “Where’re we staying?”
“Pod Four’s the only one vacant.”
What the hell? He knows we aren’ttogether. I made that clear on the phone. Christ, the last thing I want is Mac assuming I arranged this on purpose. Somehow, I keep my cool.
“No problem.” I take the key he dangles from his finger, and we go back to the car for our bags.
“I like the sound of being in a pod.” She tries to take her bag from me. “Will!”
“Take mine.” There’s a bit of a trek to the accommodation, and my rucksack weighs half of what her bag does. I hand it to her, and she glares at it for a couple of seconds before giving a disgusted huff and taking it.
“Just so you know,” she says, as we leave the car park and head toward a small copse of trees, “I’m humoring you here.”
“I know.”
We follow the dirt path through the trees and emerge beside the half-dozen purpose-built dormitories. The trees give an illusion of seclusion, although at the right angle you can see the accommodation from the side window of the lodge. Plus, the whole place has Grade A security installed.
