Isleepinthenext day since I’d stayed up reading till two in the morning. Juli Mack, a.k.a. Juliette McNamara, is a damn talented writer. The plot had blown my mind with its twists and turns. I’d even downloaded the next book in the series because I’m dying to know what happens with the next couple.
After eating a protein bar and doing my morning workout, I head down toSwing On Infor lunch. When Juliette doesn’t make an appearance, I have another tray of food delivered to her cottage.
Then I change into my navy swim trunks with a white tropical leaf pattern and head to the beach. Finding an open lounge chair, I settle in to read the next book in Juliette’s series.
Two hours later, I reach a particularly spicy scene, and her words from yesterday pop into my head.You probably couldn’t handle what I like in the bedroom anyway.
Fuck me, that was so goddamn hot. After reading her stuff, I think I know exactly what she likes in the bedroom, and I think I’m exactly the man to inspire her. My cock rages inside my trunks, and I set my phone down and close my eyes.
I’ve heard the termone-handed readbefore, and I completely understand the phrase now. More than once I’d had to take care of business while reading last night.
Not exactly something I can do out here on the beach, so I make my way into the ocean, hoping the cool water will help with my erection situation. I dive beneath the surface, and the water is soclear, I can see schools of brightly colored fish darting away from my intrusion into their world.
I should see if Juliette wants to go snorkeling.Which would be a fine idea if she were actually speaking to me, I think sardonically. After a long swim, I walk out of the water and shake my head to sling some of the wetness from my hair.
As I pass two men with their lounge chairs pushed close together, one of them says, “Um, excuse me?”
“Yeah, what’s up?” I ask, and he pulls down his aviator sunglasses to reveal hazel eyes.
“This may sound weird, but… are you Reno Swain? The hockey player?”
I give the man a smile. “I am.” He turns to his partner with anI told you solook, and I chuckle. I had seen a few people staring at me and figured they probably recognized me, but no one at this resort had mentioned it until now. “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep that on the down low though.”
He mimed locking his lips and tossing away the key. “Your secret is safe with me. I’m a huge fan, by the way.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” We talk hockey for a couple minutes, shake hands, and then I go back to my spot.
Reclining the chair all the way, I lie on my stomach and read another eight chapters before calling it a day. On my way back up the sandy path to the resort, I remember that it’s Wednesday, and Juliette had said we should wear pink. After mentally scrolling through the clothes I’d packed, I realize I hadn’t brought anything pink, so I veer toward the main lodge.
In the gift shop, I purchase a pink polo with thePineapple Island Resort and Spalogo on the chest and head to my cottage. I don’t even know why I did that. I probably won’t even see Juliette tonight.
That thought bothered me more than it should. I barely knew this woman and yet… I wanted to.
While rinsing off beneath the outdoor shower on my back porch, my eyes stayed glued next door looking for any sign of movement. Her light’s on in what I assume is her bedroom, but otherwise, I see nothing.
Sighing, I close my eyes and lean my head back to rinse the salt water from my hair. Then I strip off my shorts and turn beneath the spray, washing off thoroughly before grabbing a towel from the rack and wrapping it around my waist. I’ll take a better shower inside, but I hate the dry feeling on my skin after getting out of the ocean and wanted to at least clean the salt and sand off me.
Once I've dried a bit, I toss my shorts over the railing before going inside and hanging up my new shirt. When my phone pings with a text, I almost trip over my own feet to get to where I’d tossed it on the bed. My head gets tangled in that drapey shit that’s hanging from the posts of the bed, and I curse until I manage to free myself.
It’s not from her. I try not to feel disappointed that it’s my friend and teammate, Marcus.
Marcus: Hey, I’m with Lane. Got a minute to FaceTime?
Me: Yeah, hit me up.
A few seconds later, we’re connected, and I smile at my buddies.
“Whoa, dude. You are tan,” Lane drawls. “You’re almost as dark as me.”
I glance down and see the sharp demarcation of my tan line around my waist as I lean back against the dresser. “Yeah, I got some sun today.”
“You’re not naked are you?” Marcus asks, and I slowly lower my phone down my bare abdomen, singing a little burlesque tune as I do. He covers his eyes and groans in misery. “God, please make it stop.”
I laugh and raise the phone back to my face. “Kidding. I have a towel on. I just got backfrom the beach.”
“How is the resort?” Lane asks. “Is it nice?”
“Oh, it’s very nice,” I say, lifting an eyebrow as I lead up to the bombshell I’m about to drop on them. “It’s also a swingers’ resort.”
