Page 20 of Slippery When Wet

“What?” His grin broadened, but I didn’t let him distract me. I was set on making a point.

“I mean… you look like you’ve been airbrushed! Or have a real-life filter set on you. Maybe both.”

“Abby—“

“I didn’t know the human body could have that many abs!” This made him laugh. Hard. His body shook below me, and the sight was one to behold. And just like that, I fell harder for the man.

Abel, the guy of my dreams, was found lacking when compared to the reality of him.

And all he’d had to do was laugh. The sound made me smile, and my heart want to do a triple somersault inside of my chest.

“You’re fucking cute, baby girl.”

“I mean, see, you’re hot, and I’m okay.”

“You fishing for compliments, Abby?” I shook my head.

“No, Abel. I know who I am. I might be inexperienced, but I am also twenty-seven.”

“Just a baby.”

“No. I’m not. I’m a grown-up. I’ve lived on my own for ten years. I left for college at seventeen. That was the craziest thing I’d ever done. Well, that and kissing you in the pool yesterday, but even that I was probably bad at it since it was my first and?—"

“How the hell is that possible?” he asked, and that’s when I noticed that light easy attitude was gone. In its place was something a lot more intense. His blue eyes turned darker, hotter. “Don’t get me wrong, princess. I like the idea of being your first kiss, your first everything.”

First everything. My body felt like it was on fire. I shifted on his lap and froze when my center bumped into what felt like a very big, very thick bulge.

“I think you just felt how much I like the idea of that.”

“Why did you try to stay away?” I asked, and I was seriously proud of myself. One kiss and an innocent sleepover with Abel seemed to work wonders.

“You’re younger than me. By a lot.”

“Only fifteen years.”

“Only?” A brow rose, challenging me, but I wasn’t going to take the bait. His age wasn’t a problem with me, and by the hard ridge nestled against me, bumping my butt, I was going to assume he got over it.

“Was that it?” I pressed because I wasn’t sure if he was telling the whole truth. Something flashed in his eyes, and I knew the moment he decided to share.

“I’d never lie to you. I like certain things.”

“Okay,” I slowly sounded, but when he didn't explain further, I asked. “What kind of things?”

I had an idea. I wasn’t stupid. He called me princess. He’d made me call him daddy when we’d kissed. And I’d loved it. I might have been the oldest, most inexperienced virgin in Poppy Beach, but that didn’t mean I didn’t know things. I read. A lot. I loved my romance smutty. The dirtier the better. I loved a dirty-talking hero, and more than that, I was drawn to the kind of stories where the hero liked being called by a certain name. A name he’d already referred himself to. One that suits him as naturally as his blue eyes.

“Things I’m not sure you’re ready for, but it’s okay because I can be patient.” I opened my mouth to tell him that I wasn’t a blushing schoolgirl even though I probably seemed like it, when he leaned in closer and kissed the tip of my nose. “You get I like being called daddy. Not because it's taboo or some kind of kink but because it's who I am. I like being in charge. I like being protective and in control. Especially in the bedroom.”

“So, this is something you’ve, umm… played around with.” Played? Jesus, no wonder he thought I couldn’t handle him talking clearly.

“Yes,” he answered before I could correct my wording. Yes. He’d done the daddy thing in the past. I pressed my lips together. I didn’t know why that made me feel like crying. It was his thing. I wasn’t special. “But I need you to know it’s never felt like what I feel when it comes to you, Abby.”

“I bet you say that to all the girls.” Jesus, who did I think I was? Some main character from a storybook? I was just another girl. One he was obviously attracted to but not special.

“Look at me, princess.”

“Please don’t call me that.” God only knew how many women he had called that. How many nicknames he’d given out. I hated how jealous it made me feel. I wanted to be special to him.

“Don’t! Don’t do that,” he scolded sternly. My eyes darted up to his. They locked instantly. How couldn’t they? His blue eyes were beautiful pools I wanted to float in. Sink in and never come up for air from.

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