Page 42 of The Prince's Game
I shook my head. “Your life is unreal.” Behind the cabana was a Mershano Suites resort, which explained how he arranged everything. I pulled my tank top over my head to reveal the swimsuit I changed into on the plane. “I hope you brought sunscreen.” My tan skin would turn a deep red under these conditions. It was after noon, but I wasn’t accustomed to the hot rays bathing my skin.
He walked over to a bag in the cabana and retrieved the lotion. Rather than handing it to me, he squirted some on my exposed shoulders and started massaging it into my skin.
“Turn around,” he whispered. I pulled my hair up into a bun and did as requested. His strong palms rubbed over every inch of my back before trailing his fingers around to the front to unbutton and unzip my shorts. Goosebumps pebbled my flesh as he tugged them down my legs in a slow, measured move.Shit.Who knew applying sunscreen could be so seductive?
Heat spread upward from his touch as he started with the tops of my feet and worked his way up my calves and thighs. I was a quivering mess by the time he turned me around to apply the ointment to my lower abdomen. His gaze darkened with each stroke and burned when he started on my chest. The red fabric cut diagonally across my breast, leaving ample cleavage on display. He licked his lips and took his time before moving onto my collarbone.
“Close your eyes.” His voice was husky. I complied and felt the cool touch of cream against my cheek as he finished the task. When he was done, I no longer had any interest in the beach or the alluring waves. A hotel room with a massive bed suited my mood.
“My turn.” He shed the beach shirt, letting it fall to the sand next to my shorts, and then handed me the sunscreen.
“Right.” An excuse to caress him without strings attached? I could do that.
My palms ran over his defined pecs to the happy trail dusting his lower abdomen.Hard, hot male.My thighs clenched.Keep it together, Sarah. I focused on the job of moisturizing his skin and tried not to think too hard about where my fingers landed. When I kneeled to massage the lotion into his ankles and calves, I made the mistake of meeting his aroused gaze. The intimacy of being on my knees almost undid me. My throat went dry. His chocolate irises swirled with an unveiled lust that went straight to my slick core. My resolve threatened to crumble under his intensity.
Why did I think keeping him at arm’s length would work?It didn’t make me feel better when I saw him with other women. If anything, it made it worse. And the feigned intimacy on set was driving me mad. I knew what a real kiss from him felt like, but his kisses of late were robotic and controlled. I was tired of the half-assed experience, but it was a necessary evil.
The cameras surrounding us weren’t enough to cool my spiraling libido. I knew they were there, watching our seduction unfold, and I didn’t care. All that mattered was the look in Evan’s eyes as I stood up. He wrapped a hand around my neck and pulled me in for a kiss.
There was nothing stale about the way his tongue entered my mouth. It was all fervor and unveiled need, and it left me quivering against him. If he kissed me like this throughout our date, I was going to be in trouble. When he pulled back, it was without an ounce of apology in those eyes. He knew I wanted him to keep the passion in check, and that look told me he was done playing nice.I’m so screwed.
My throat went dry. “I still need to do your back.”
He let me go and turned around. I rubbed down his muscular torso and fought the urge to slide my fingers beneath the black swim trunks to fondle his ass. His gorgeous face was last. I traced his defined cheekbones, strong jaw, and straight nose while admiring his full lips. My body was quaking with need by the time we were done with the erotic dance. I eyed the water with renewed interest and prayed that it was cold.
“Ready for a swim?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Cut,” Paul interjected as I took my first step. My hands fisted at my side as I considered punching the jackass in the face. The short, orange-toned man was not my favorite person.Too many self-tanners, buddy. “I want to get some shots of the two of you on the lounge chair.”
“We’re going in the water first,” Evan said, taking my hand in his.
“No—”
“That wasn’t negotiable, Paul.” He tugged me toward the ocean with a fuming director protesting behind us. The crew couldn’t follow us beyond the shoreline without risking their equipment. I suspected that was the point as Evan lured me deeper into the waves. He didn’t stop until we were beyond the point where they broke over the surface. His long legs enabled him to stand while I had to tread water. Not that I minded. The exercise felt great.
“I haven’t done this in years,” I said with a laugh. My last beach vacation was in high school with a group of friends. “I forgot how fun this is.”
“Really?” He hooked an arm around my lower back and pulled me to him. “That’s a sin, you know.”
I grabbed his shoulders and wrapped my legs around his waist. “What is?”
“Not taking this gorgeous body to the beach.” He fingered the strings dangling from my hip. “This swimsuit is killing me.” His lips brushed my ear. “I both hate and love that you’re wearing it.”
“The producers gave it to me.” I liked the way the red popped against my tan skin. The bottom didn’t cover my ass, an aspect the producers no doubt knew when they picked it. When they aired the scene, they would have to add a blur for decorum purposes.
“Well, it’s the first show-related decision I wholeheartedly approve of.”
“Typical man, pleased by a little exposed skin.”
“There’s nothing typical about my response to you, Sarah. And I’m more than pleased—I’m floored.” He fisted his hand in my hair and angled my head to receive his claim. The contact left me breathless. Our recent embraces were too remote, like he was turning himself off and going through the motions. There was nothing detached about this kiss. It was pure aroused male as his tongue parted my lips and delved deep into my mouth. His other hand palmed my ass, holding me to him.
I melted into his touch, forgetting everything around us. Desire consumed me, flaring outward from my center and making me shiver with want. Two weeks of ignoring temptation was wreaking havoc on my nerves, and his kissing me like this was not helping.I can’t give in . . .
His lips dropped to my neck, tasting every exposed inch. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered against my collarbone. “Even though I’ve seen you every day, I’ve still missed you.”
My hands were in his hair, tightening as he explored lower, licking the crease of my breast. His arousal was thick between my thighs, making me ache for him.Fuck.Maybe I could have a little fun. I rotated my hips against him and luxuriated in his heat hitting me where I needed it. When I did it again, his hand tensed, holding me still.
