Page 17 of Center Ice

I ran my eyes up and down him and nodded once. “Yeah, I think so.”

“I appreciate that.” He sounded genuine.

“I didn’t catch your name earlier.” I wasn’t sure what was making me so forward. I didn’t usually approach guys like this.

“I’m Jake.”

“Dani,” I offered. “I came over not only to dodge your friend but to tell you that you’re burning.”

His brows pulled together. “What?”

I pressed a finger to his forearm and lifted it, revealing a bright white spot. “Your skin is burning.”

“Oh, man. I put on sunscreen earlier.”

“You’ve got to reapply quite a bit here, especially if you aren’t used to being in the sun.” I nodded toward my chair. “I’ve got some if you want it.”

“Thanks.” He stood, and I led him across the pool. I reached into my bag, retrieved the bottle, and turned just in time to catch him checking me out.

I wasn’t normally self-conscious in a bikini, but my cheeks warmed and I pulled my shoulders back before handing it to him. “This is my favorite.”

“Great.” He flipped the cap and poured some into his hands. I watched a little too intently as he rubbed it over his arms and chest. If he was going to watch me, I’d watch him.

“Did I get everywhere?” He held his arms out, blatantly showing off his defined pecs and abs.

“Yeah,” I choked out. If this was a game to see who would crack first, I was about to be the loser.

“Can you get my back?” he asked as he turned. Like he wasn’t asking me to touch his skin. Like it wasn’t a huge deal.

“Sure.” I took the bottle back and clenched my jaw as I rubbed the lotion on the planes of his back. I tried not to notice how tight the muscles were. How strong he must be. “All done.”

“Thanks.” His smile seemed genuine, not cocky or suggestive like I expected.

“No problem.” I hesitated. He didn’t scream arrogance like his friends, and the more I was around him, the more confused I became. Either he was a better player than I thought, or ... no there was no other explanation. He was throwing me off.

“See ya.” I tossed the bottle back in my bag and went to pick up my dress.

“Do you have to go?” he asked in a quiet voice.

I debated lying. He was trouble. I knew guys like him all too well. They were used to getting everything they wanted, especially with someone they wouldn’t have to ever see again. They thought I was a fun plaything to entertain themselves with for a few days. Then they went back home and forgot about me. I used to be a willing participant, but it had gotten old, and I had learned to keep the guests at a distance.

I knew better, but something in his eyes made me pause. The light was missing. A void where that sparkle was supposed to be. The obnoxiously confident gleam guys like him always had when they assumed I’d say yes.

I shouldn’t do this. It was against my rules. He shouldn’t even make me pause, but I was curious. He was a puzzle I wanted to solve.

“What did you have in mind?” I asked with more confidence than I felt.

He opened and closed his mouth. Had he expected me to leave?

“I know a spot.” I stuffed my dress in my bag and led him down the path toward the beach. There was an alcove on the far south beach. Most guests didn’t realize it even existed because you had to swim out and around a jetty of rock to get to it unless the tide was out.

“Set your stuff here.” I dropped my bag on the sand and stepped into the water.

“What makes this spot better than the rest?” he asked as he stepped next to me.

“Just follow me.” I smiled and moved through the water until I could dive in and swim. I didn’t check to see if he was behind me until I was waist-deep on the other side.

He found his footing and stood as he looked around at the small beach hide-away. “Wow. This is cool.”