Page 8 of Hot for the Lifeguard
My eyes are bouncing between the two of them, wondering what the hell is happening. Gael is laughing, but Luca doesn't seem to think it's very funny because he just stares him down. After a moment, Gael shrugs his shoulders. "I was just trying to be charming."
"Be charming with someone else," Luca snaps.
Gael puts his hands up in surrender. "Okay, I get it. Won't happen again."
"Good." But Luca doesn't stay sitting any longer. He gets up, his face softening as he looks at me. "Would you like to go for a walk, Diana?"
"I would love to," I reply, pushing my chair out.
Luca places his hand out and I place mine into his. We walk away from the table and head toward the beach.
We pause at the edge of the resort. I slip my shoes off and reach down to grab my sandals. The sun is starting to set, painting the sky a beautiful array of colors. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like this, or maybe it's that I've never taken the time to appreciate it.
We walk in silence along the shore. The sand feels soft between my toes, and I love it. I just take in the moment. The sound of the ocean fills my ears when Luca squeezes my hand, pulling my attention to him and out of my head.
Before I know it, I'm blurting out, "It must be fun to work at a resort like this."
"It can be," he mutters.
"What do you love about your job?" I ask him.
"I love being outside and helping people," he says and I can see in his eyes that he is telling the truth, but there’s a hint of something else too.
"But you don't want to stay a lifeguard?" I ask cautiously, a little nervous that I might be reading him all wrong.
"No. I want to open my own relaxation center. What about you? What do you do?" he asks.
"I play basketball. But I'm not sure how much longer I can. That's why I'm here—to rest my back and figure out if I want to keep playing after my injury," I say, shrugging my shoulders.
"You have time," he mutters, stopping us in our tracks. The breeze wraps around us and it feels as if we're in another world while simultaneously staring into each other's eyes.
His hand comes up and he pushes back a stray strand of hair behind my ear when he whispers, "You are so beautiful. Can I kiss you?"
"Yes," I mutter back, but I don't have time to think about what I agreed to before his soft lips are on mine.
Electricity runs through me and all I can do is lean into the feeling, my arms wrapping around his neck as his hands grip my back, pulling me into him.
My nipples press against the front of my dress, rubbing against the soft fabric and making the moment even more intense. I've never been this turned on before. Every molecule in my body feels as if I’m simultaneously drowning and on fire. I pull away from him, my chest heaving. I bend over, placing my hands on my knees, trying to fill my lungs with air once again.
"Diana?" Luca calls my name.
I straighten up and look into his eyes, seeing a look of concern in them. "Sorry. This is just so intense. I've never felt anything like this before."
Luca doesn't say anything as he takes a step toward me, his hand sliding around the nape of my neck. He bends down giving me a kiss on my cheek before slowly moving down my neck, leaving a trail of fire behind him.
He mutters against my skin, "Me either. It's meant to be."
I go to open my mouth to respond, but at that moment he slips down the strap of my dress, kissing my shoulder and across my collar bone. I only had one thought in my head when he hits right above my breasts, and that thought was feeling those lips all over my body.
"That's right, surrender to me," he says as I melt into him.
"Luca, we can't. Not here," I mumble, glad that I seem to still be somewhat aware.
If someone found us and photographs us, that would not be good. He pauses then stands back up to his full height. The moment his lips are not on my body, it suddenly feels cold.
"You're right," he says, looking around the beach area. "Come on."
He holds out his hand to me and I don't hesitate. I place my hand into his, never feeling safer than I do right now.
