Page 21 of Flame it Up

He put his hands casually on his hips, flexing for her. Mazie gasped, watching his muscles harden all over.

“I can do this all night,” he whispered.

Mazie giggled. “No, no, you’re right. We should go to the party,” she said. Looking up at the yacht caused another wave of anxiety to run through her, and she shuddered. Pyrus didn’t appear to have noticed.

“You can leave your clothes on if you like,” Pyrus said as he grabbed his phone and keys, stuffing them into his front pocket. “It’s up to you.”

Mazie looked down at herself, her stomach churning. She wasn’t comfortable at all. She didn’t want to stick out more than she already did, though. Being the only person wearing clothes would definitely mark her as different from the others.

Mazie took off her shorts and tank, tossing them into the back of the jeep. She was wearing her faithful old black one-piece. It was cut high on the hips and not too low across her breasts. It was meant to be serviceable, not fashionable.

I wish I’d brought a wrap, a long shirt, anything. I feel so naked.

Then she noticed Pyrus watching her. His eyes were glued to her body as he looked her up and down. He was doing the exact same thing that she’d done to him a few minutes before.

Mazie grinned and put her hands on her hips, flexing a little as she pushed out her breasts. Pyrus gasped softly, his eyes widening. Mazie jiggled slightly, enjoying watching his face as he followed the movement of her body and the bounce of her ample breasts.

“Sorry,” he murmured as he looked back up to her face. “You just look … incredible.”

“Thank you,” she said, meaning it. The moment had given her enough confidence to walk up the gangplank with pride, even though she still felt a bit out of place.

They hit the main floor, and, of course, everyone wanted to talk to Pyrus. Mazie clung to his arm, smiling and nodding while she tried to join in. Pyrus treated her like a VIP, and all those he introduced her to acted the same way, but she could still feel her confidence failing.

As they moved through the crowd, Pyrus was at his personable best, greeting people and shaking hands with almost everyone they saw. Mazie was impressed by Pyrus knowing everyone’s name, as well as small personal details, as he engaged them in conversation.

He is really good at this. He loves it, and the crowd loves him.

As Pyrus frequently stopped to greet his friends, people began to chat with Mazie. She struggled to keep track of names and faces, but other than that, the conversation flowed easily. She talked a bit about her work with the corps and her duties at the animal sanctuary, and most people were fascinated by her knowledge.

After some time of being surrounded by a crowd, the web of people finally began to thin out. Pyrus wrapped an arm around her waist and snuggled her against him.

“It’s a great party, don’t you think? Everyone just loves you, Mazie,” Pyrus said.

“Really?” she asked a little bashfully. He nodded and kissed her on the forehead.

“I’ll grab us some more champagne. Wait here for me.”

Mazie watched him go, then looked out across the dark water. Even in the ripples made by the hull, the reflected stars winked at her. She sighed with pleasure as the soft sea breeze teased across her face.

This is great. I have nothing to worry about.

“Hello, there,” gushed a loud, intrusive voice. Mazie flinched as a tall, blonde woman leaned on the railing next to her.

“Hi,” Mazie said uncertainly. The woman was dressed in a tight wrap over a very tiny bikini, showing off her incredible, fit, and tanned body. Mazie was immediately intimidated.

“Yes, hello,” another obnoxious voice sounded from her other side. Mazie actually did jump this time. The other woman was a brunette, and all she wore was a tiny, red bikini that was so small she should have just come naked.

Mazie felt like a mouse caught between two cats. “Uh, hi,” Mazie muttered.

“I’m Priscilla,” said the blonde, reaching out a hand. Mazie shook it warily.

“I’m Heidi,” the brunette said, not offering a hand to shake. The woman had big green eyes accentuated by hard lines of black kohl.

“You’re here with Pyrus?” asked Priscilla. Mazie felt like they were going to attack her from either side with their words just so she’d get dizzy looking back and forth between them.

“Yeah,” she said softly.

“Hmm,” Heidi said, leaning back on the rail. Her expression was only a shade away from being hostile.

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