Page 3 of Paradise (Alphas Forever 4)

Gemma

One week later

Islide into my hot pink bikini and twist around, checking my mirrored image from every angle I can find.

I don’t look bad. Not bad at all. The mild sunburn I got on the boat when I first got here has turned into a light suntan, and I’ve even got a few light streaks in my hair now that bring out my eyes. Yeah, I guess I do look pretty cute.

I wonder if Captain Ryan would agree.

As soon as I catch myself thinking about Ryan, though, I roll my eyes. The man is definitely sex on a stick. I mean, I guess I’m not sure exactly what sex is like, much less what it’s like on a stick. But I know sexy. And Ryan’s sexy. A few days ago, when I saw him pull his shirt off and wipe the sweat off his forehead with it, I thought I’d never be able to breathe again. He was lean and muscled and had a line of dark hair that disappeared maddeningly into the low waistband of his shorts. And I know I was blushing bright red when he caught me looking because he raised his eyebrow at me and asked me if I needed more sunscreen.

Later that evening, though, when I asked my brother about Ryan, Brandon got a scowl on his face and told me Ryan wasn’t the kind of guy I should be around. That he was too old and a huge player. Brandon’s always treated me like I’m an annoying kid who can’t tie her own shoes. It’s so freakin’ irritating.

Despite everything, though, I can’t help thinking about Ryan. Every time I’ve thought about him over the past week, my heart has felt like it’s beating right behind my navel, fast and fluttery, like a hummingbird’s wings. I have to keep telling myself that I’m only feeling this way because of that stunning body of his. That’s all it is. And those eyes. Lord, those eyes…I could drown in them, they look that much like the ocean.

To be fair, I’m also probably feeling this way because I haven’t dated anyone in over a year. School took up too much of my time, and honestly, most guys always wanted more than I was ready to give.

When I think about Ryan, though…I think I could be ready. As crazy of a thought as that is. I know he’s a little surly, but I honestly think he’s just being protective. At first, I was annoyed by all that stay away from the edge of the boat, keep a lifejacket nearby, put on more sunscreen stuff that he kept repeating. But now I think it’s actually kind of sweet. He’s looking out for me.

Enough, though. No more thinking about Ryan for now.

I’m just going to drive myself crazy.

Brandon hadto go to Miami to the aquarium, so I’m on my own for the day. I’ve already decided that I’m going to spend the day at the condo pool, tanning and reading and definitely not thinking about Ryan.

When I get down to the pool, I’m glad to see how empty it is. It’s the middle of the week, so other than a young mom with a toddler splashing around in the shallow end, I have the pool to myself. I find a lounge chair under an oversized umbrella, kick off my sandals, and settle myself in with a cold bottle of lemonade I brought from the condo.

I’m thoroughly engrossed in a romance novel with a hot kilted guy on the front cover when a shadow falls over me, obscuring the words on the page. I wait a few seconds, but the shadow doesn’t move on.

“You’re blocking my light,” I say, shading my eyes with my hand and looking up. To my surprise, I see that it’s Ryan.

So much for not thinking about him anymore today.

Instead of saying sorry, Ryan looks me over and says, “You need more sunscreen on.”

“Do you own stock in a sunscreen company or something?” I say. I sit up and shove my book under my leg.

Ryan laughs. He snags a nearby chair and drags it up next to me before plopping onto it, his legs spread out wide in front of him. Guess he’s settling in for a while.

“Um…Brandon’s not here,” I say. “Did you need something?”

Ryan slides his sunglasses off his head and over his eyes. “He left his depth gauge on the boat. I thought he might need it. I already went up to the condo and knocked. Saw you when I was headed back to the truck. Figured I’d say hi. Give you this.”

Ryan shoves his hand into his pocket and pulls out something that looks like a watch. As he hands it over to me, our hands brush.

I swallow, suddenly dry-mouthed.

“So, what are you reading?” he asks. He reaches over and tugs my book from underneath my leg before I can stop him.

“Just…um…” I can feel my face warming as he looks at the cover and arches one sharp eyebrow in my direction.

He thumbs through the book. When he presses his lips together, I can tell he’s trying not to laugh. Then he clears his throat dramatically before he begins to read. “He pressed again her, his manhood throbbing against her most secret of places.” He levels a mocking professorial look at me before he continues. “Her heaving breasts threatened to spill over her tightly laced bodice.”

“Give me that.” I snatch at the book, painfully aware that my face is now the color of tomato soup.

“Wait. I want to see what he does with his—” he glances back at the page, “with his tumescent girth.”

He’s right. It’s ridiculous. I dissolve into a fit of giggles that leaves me clutching at my stomach. When I’m finally able to catch my breath, I look over and see Ryan smiling at me. It’s the first honest smile I’ve seen on his face and it makes him even hotter.

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