Page 13 of The Game
‘Oh really?’ Wrapping an arm around her, he held the jet ski in place with the other. ‘Well, since you mentioned anatomy, you know it was your butt that set it adrift.’
She grinned at him, like the cat who’d caught the canary. ‘You’ve just proved my point. My butt wouldn’t have set it adrift, if you hadn’t been so intent on plundering my mouth.’
Lust took him hostage. His eyes widened, and his gaze fell to her lips, which were still red and plump from his kiss. He dipped his head lower, and his voice came out husky. ‘Say those words again.’
But she slapped a hand to his chest and pushed him away. ‘Keep your mind on the job, DoubleD!’
He groaned but figured she was right. They couldn’t stand around groping each other all day.
After shrugging on his life jacket, he pulled another from the storage compartment for Alyssa, and they mounted the jet ski. Once he’d given her a few instructions and made sure she was holding on tight, he started the engine and they were off, Alyssa’s whoops of delight ringing in his ears. They spent hours carving up the water and speeding across the bay, taking breaks occasionally to simply float and chat. Around midday, they beached the jet ski and enjoyed the picnic lunch Alyssa had brought and left on ice underneath Dean’s umbrella. Then, with their bellies full, they lazed in the shade, replenishing their energy before round two.
As Alyssa dozed beside him, snoring softly, Dean couldn’t help but smile. He reached out and ran a finger down her arm, from shoulder to elbow, and though her breathing faltered, she slept on.
An odd feeling washed over him, one he’d felt only twice before. First, as they’d watched the sun go down from the paddleboard, and the next, only moments before she’d kissed him for the first time. He’d put it down to the confusion of negotiating unknown territory—after all, he’d never been friends with a woman before starting a physical relationship. But he had to admit, he was having the time of his life. He loved that they could have fun together, but also that they could chill out and be comfortable in their silence. He loved that they could flirt like crazy and still joke around and be mates. He’d never had that before. In the past, for him, the sole purpose of spending time with a woman was to get her into bed. With Alyssa, he wanted to spend time with her for the sheer pleasure of her company, for the thrill of making her laugh, for the snap of electricity that rushed through him every time they flirted. Of course, it didn’t hurt that she got his blood pumping and rushing south every time she kissed him. And running his hands over her body was his new favourite pastime.
He glanced at her now, feeling grateful that she’d come back into his life. When she let out an almighty snore, he laughed, leaned up on his elbow and ran his thumb over her lips. He kissed her awake, softly, though he was pleased when she pulled him closer, opened her mouth wider, thrust her tongue deeper.
They lost track of time, and when they finally hopped back on the jet ski, hours more had passed. Dean had ferried the umbrella and the rest of their belongings to Alyssa’s car so she could head to the boat ramp with him, where he’d arranged to meet Harry, the jet ski’s owner, at five. When they coasted up to the ramp, Harry was already waiting.
‘Have fun?’ he asked.
‘Sure did.’ Dean grinned as Alyssa dismounted, then hopped off the jet ski to help Harry get it on the trailer. ‘Harry, you remember Alyssa Martin from back in the day, right?’
‘Oh yeah.’ A smile of recognition stretched wide across Harry’s face. ‘How you doin’, Alyssa?’
‘I’m great, thanks, Harry. And thank you so much for lending us this beast.’
Harry barked out a laugh. ‘I take it you mean the jet ski and not this big oaf.’
Alyssa snickered. ‘Either works.’
Dean threw her a look of indignation and an undignified ‘Oi!’, but she ignored him and said, ‘I’m just heading to the showers to rinse off. The layers of sand, salt and sunscreen coating my skin are driving me insane.’
With a farewell to Harry, she turned and made her way up the ramp, leaving Dean wishing she’d waited for him so he could lend a hand. By the time he returned his attention to securing the jet ski, Harry was staring at him, his brows raised with a look of amused surprise.
‘Damn, Deano. You’ve got it bad!’
Dean scoffed. ‘What are you talking about? Alyssa and I are mates.’
‘That’s not what it looks like from where I’m standing.’
‘Well, maybe you’ve got the sun in your eyes and your vision is impaired. We’re keeping it fun and casual, that’s all.’
Shaking his head, Harry snorted, a sound that plainly said he thought Dean was delusional.
‘Dude,’ he said, ‘if this were just a friends-with-benefits thing, why on earth did you just spend a whole day with her on a public beach with no chance of hooking up? That’s not how those kinds of relationships work, mate. Besides, in the whole time I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you look at a chick the way you looked at her just now.’
Something inside Dean shifted, and an unwelcome feeling settled in his gut, something ice-cold and destructive. Because, deep down, he knew Harry was right. Even now, he felt the innate need to go to her, as if an invisible force were pulling him to her and he wouldn’t be satisfied until his arms were wrapped around her. When he considered how he’d feel if the line tethering them were severed, he cursed under his breath.
They’d said no hearts, but he was in serious danger of losing his. He’d broken his number one rule and hers.
Besides, pursuing something more with Alyssa was impossible. Not only was she leaving in two weeks, but taking their relationship from casual to serious would mean they’d risk losing their friendship when things went pear-shaped, as they inevitably would. His parents’ marriage was testament to that.
Love had kept his father in a toxic relationship, and it was what had ultimately destroyed him. Dean couldn’t let that happen—to himorAlyssa. They had to end this before it was too late.
Finishing up with the jet ski, he waved Harry off and dragged his feet to find Alyssa. What would he say? What wouldshesay? Would she be hurt or angry? Would she agree they’d taken things too far?
Dread for what he was about to do sat like a rock on his chest.
