Page 23 of Trusting You

“Sure,” she shrugged as she pushed up and reached for the beach bag she’d brought. She soon produced a bottle of lotion, and then resumed her position. “Please don’t get it in my hair,” she mumbled as she settled back onto the towel.

I sat up as I squirted some of the lotion into my palm. My hand almost shook when I reached to rub it between her shoulders. “Thank you,” she murmured and moaned at the same time.

“No problem,” I continued to rub the lotion all down her back, making sure to not be too bold. I didn’t want her to think this was anything other than me helping her. I had to show her she could trust me, then she’d let me touch her how I really wanted to. “Maybe you could do my back when I’m finished?” I mused.

“I didn’t think you needed it. I mean, you’re out here all the time for work. You tan really well,” her head lifted and she looked at me over the tops of her glasses.

“Once I build a base, I do, but not starting out,” I smiled. “Please?”

She didn’t answer me, but instead slowly pushed herself up and held out her hand for the bottle. Her lips were pinched together as if she were trying to hold back a smile and I know if I could see her eyes, they would be rolling.

I handed it over before lying down on my own towel. It took her a minute, but I soon felt the lotion squirt onto my back. “Not going to use your hands?” I teased.

“I know what you’re trying to do, Aaron Sutter, and it’s not going to work,” she reprimanded me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking…” I trailed off just as I felt both hands slowly slide down my back. I couldn’t help but groan as she put enough pressure to practically give me a massage. I wasn’t complaining though. It felt good. The next thing she did caught me completely by surprise.

Before I could react, she lifted up and swung one leg over me, straddling my hips. She lowered herself to where she was sitting on my ass and continued to rub the lotion in. “What are you doing?” I attempted to turn my head but I couldn’t quite see her.

“I needed a better angle,” she shrugged. “You don’t mind, do you?” she’d leaned forward, and her bikini top was pressed against my back.

“Not at all. I just didn’t think you had it in you,” I chuckled.

“There’s a lot you don’t know,” the playfulness she’d just had floated away and was replaced by what seemed like sadness.

“Where’d you go?” I rolled slightly, causing her to shift. I was now on my side, and she climbed off and resumed her spot on her stomach.

“Nowhere,” she mumbled as she put her head down, facing away from me.

I don’t know why I felt the need to find out more, but with her I wanted to know everything. She didn’t seem like the girl who needed saving, but something told me she did. Melinda Brooks was a mystery, and I was determined to solve it by the end of the week no matter what it took. I’d be patient. I’d be the guy she needed. I’d earn her trust, and show her she had mine.

Chapter 10

Melinda

“So how was your day yesterday?” Emma flopped down on a pool lounger and sighed. The guys were surfing, and since it wasn’t her thing, we were hanging out by her pool.

“It was nice,” I smiled softly as I remembered my day with Aaron. We’d spent all day on the beach, and then parted ways when the sun began to set. Emma and Brock had come back, and my manners got the better of me. I knew I needed to spend time with her since she was the one who invited me.

“Just nice,” her head rolled in my direction and her lips curved into a smile. “Not great? Or awesome? Please tell me you at least got a kiss,” she grumbled.

“Nope,” I shook my head. There were moments when I thought he was going to, but he kept backing away. It was almost like he was afraid to.

“Wow!” she gasped under her breath. “What the hell happened to him?”

“What do you mean?” I shifted on my lounger.

“He must really like you,” Emma giggled. “I don’t think I’ve ever known my cousin to spend the day with a girl that he didn’t end up spending the night with. He never takes his time.”

“See,” I sat up. “This is what worries me. Why is he doing this?”

“Doing what?” Aaron’s voice sounded from behind me.

I jumped at being caught. I didn’t know they’d made their way up onto the deck, and now I was worried that he’d heard me.

“Nothing,” I stammered as I refused to look at him. I could see his shadow, and he moved closer, standing almost beside me, towering over both Emma and I.

“Didn’t look like nothing,” he muttered. I watched his shadow as his arm rose and his hand ran through his hair. I tried, I really did, but I couldn’t stop my head from lifting and my eyes from trailing up his body.

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