Paul crossed his arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Daniel poked his finger into his chest. “I’m warning you, Paul. If you hurt Holly, I’m going to have your hide.”

Paul glared at him. “I have no intention of hurting her.”

“Hey, you guys, what’s going on?” Jay called to them.

Paul turned his head at the same time Daniel did. “Nothing!” they said in unison.

17

Holly stretched out on the lounge chair next to the pool, soaking up the afternoon sun. After having lunch with Sabrina at the Sinclair house and hanging out with her for a few hours, Sabrina had felt tired. According to Sabrina, ever since she’d gotten pregnant, she’d started to nap in the afternoons. Her friend had warned her that Holly would feel the same very soon too.

None of that looming tiredness showed at the moment. Instead, Holly felt almost invigorated as she lay there under the warm rays of the sun, wearing a tiny black string bikini that barely covered her breasts. She’d always loved getting an overall tan, and now seemed the right opportunity. She was alone. Nobody would see her if she took off her top and sunbathed topless.

Holly reached behind her back and undid the knot, then pulled the top over her head and dropped it on the little table next to her. Not wanting to get burned, she poured a small dollop of suntan lotion into her palm and rubbed it over her breasts, massaging it in. To her surprise, her nipples stiffened instantly. She’d never been that sensitive before and blamed it on her pregnancy.

She lay back and enjoyed the sun warming her body. The cool ocean breeze coming from the beach made sure she didn’t overheat and helped keep her body at a comfortable temperature.

After Paul’s heartfelt apology in the morning, she was more confused than ever. He’d sounded so sincere that she’d had no reason not to believe that he regretted his behavior toward her. At the same time, he’d confessed that he was still attracted to her, and those few words had stuck with her all day. She couldn’t get them out of her mind.

Paul wanted to touch her, to kiss her and hold her in his arms. Yet he knew what she was, or rather, what she still pretended to be: an escort. Did this mean they still had a chance?

She shook her head, trying not to get her hopes up. No, Paul was simply trying to make up for his loutish behavior the night before and smooth things over before his parents returned tomorrow. Any tension between them would make his parents smell a rat. That was all.

Holly sighed when the sound of a door opening drifted to her ears. She looked toward the house to see Paul stepping out onto the terrace. He noticed her and waved, but from where he stood, she knew he couldn’t see that she was topless. She would have enough time to cover up before he reached her. She reached toward the table, but instead of grabbing her bikini top, she clasped the suntan lotion in her hand.

A moment later a shadow fell over her body and she looked up at Paul standing next to her. His eyes went wide in surprise, then he abruptly looked away, purposely not looking at her bare breasts.

“Hi! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’d better—”

She appreciated the fact that he tried to give her privacy and that very fact fortified her resolve. “I was just about to apply more suntan lotion,” she lied. “I could use some help.”

Slowly, Paul turned back to her and stared at the bottle of lotion she held out. “Holly, I really shouldn’t—”

She rubbed a hand over her breast. “I don’t want my breasts to get sunburned.” She lifted her lashes and looked directly at him, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to resist her. She was playing with fire, but she couldn’t help herself. Paul wanted her and she wanted him. The fact that they had no future together didn’t count right now.

Paul lowered himself onto the lounge chair, taking the bottle of suntan lotion from her. “That would be a shame,” he said, his voice husky.

Her heart beat into her throat as she watched him pour suntan lotion into one hand, then spread it over both his palms. His eyes seemed to darken as he leaned over her and placed his hands on her breasts. A low moan came from his throat and she sighed.

“Rub it in,” she murmured, and pushed her breasts into his palms.

“Oh God, Holly,” he ground out as his hands began to spread the lotion in a circular motion.

Already her nipples were hard, and with every stroke he aroused her even more. He began to massage her breasts with firmer strokes.

Holly pressed her head back into the lounge chair and arched her spine, urging him not to stop. She loved the way he caressed her, with long, sure strokes and with just the right pressure when he squeezed her. Whenever his fingers grazed her nipples she wanted to cry out, but instead she pulled her lower lip between her teeth and held it there.