“Damn, that was cold-blooded,” Dex announced as we rejoined the group after dropping off our gear. “I liked it,” he admitted, holding his hand up to Maren for a high-five. She obliged, a triumphant smile curving her lips. Her gaze landed on me, and it faltered as though she worried I was mad. I wasn’t. If anything I was impressed. She’d been ruthless and competitive, and I found it sexy as hell.
“I guess I underestimated you,” I admitted, stepping up to her. I was so close she had to tilt her head back to look at me.
“Most people do.”
Before I could respond, Dex stepped up next to me and clamped a hand on my shoulder. “I think we’re going to head to that new club up on the corner. You guys want to come with?”
Maren shook her head. “You have to be twenty-one to get in.”
“Bummer,” Dex drawled.
“It’s okay.” Maren shrugged. “We can find something else to get into,” she said, looking back to her friends who voiced their agreement.
“We can check it out another time,” I replied, looking to Dex who nodded. Colton and Xander shrugged and mumbled their assent. They didn’t care what we did as long as there was beer.
After weighing our options, we decided to hit up a popular spot on the boardwalk. We listened to live music as the guys sipped their beers and I nursed a fountain drink. I was the DD this time, and for once I didn’t mind. Maren couldn’t drink, and I wanted to keep a clear head around her. I didn’t want anything to dull my senses, especially since I planned to repeat what happened in the laser tag arena.
I licked my lips at the memory of how she tasted. It was sweet and fruity with a hint of mint. I couldn’t wait to taste it again.
As the band played the opening chords of a slow song, I rested back in my seat and draped an arm across the back of Maren’s chair. Dex eyed me over the rim of his beer bottle, a smirk tugging at his mouth before taking a swig. I ignored him and leaned in to speak into Maren’s ear.
“Have you checked out the hot tub at our condo yet?”
She visibly shivered before turning to face me. Her lips were only inches from mine, and I wanted nothing more than to close that gap. My eyes dropped to her mouth as her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
“No, not yet.”
“I was thinking of taking a dip when we got back. Care to join me?”
“I’d like that.” My blood heated at the sound of her breathy reply, but I tried to play it cool.
“It’s a date, then.”
We stayed and listened to a few more songs before calling it a night. When we returned to the condo, Maren and I agreed to get our swimsuits on and meet at the hot tub, but when I got down there, it was closed. Disappointment welled in my chest. I’d been dying to get her alone, and the hot tub was the perfect place to finish what we’d started.
I turned at the sound of footsteps and saw Maren approach. She wore a hot pink bikini under a gauzy, white cover up, and her long hair was pulled back from her face.
“They shut the hot tub down at ten,” I explained, motioning to the sign when she drew near. Her eyes fell to the still water, and she frowned.
“Maybe we can try again tomorrow,” she offered hopefully.
“Sure,” I replied, hoping she wasn’t about to call it a night. “Why don’t we sit out here for a bit and talk?”
That heart-stopping smile returned along with her dimples. “Okay.”
We settled into two lounge chairs, using our towels as pillows. Staring up at the stars, we talked for a long time. When she began to shiver and rub her hands up and down her arms, I stretched out my towel and instructed her to lean forward. She sat up and swung her legs over the side of her chair, her knees brushing mine as I wrapped the towel around her shoulders. Her skin felt cool, but mine was on fire for her.
“I should get you back inside,” I said, preparing to stand.
“I’m not ready to say good night yet.” Her declaration stopped me in my tracks, and I studied her for a moment. Her eyes were filled with hunger, one I was happy to satiate.
I lifted my hand to her face and leaned in. Our lips brushed softly against each other’s. When she didn’t pull away, I slid my hand to the back of her head and deepened the kiss.
Her lips parted, and my tongue swept inside. A soft moan worked its way up her throat, and the sound went straight to my cock. I needed more. I needed to hold her in my arms and feel her against me.
My hands slid to her waist and tugged, urging her forward. She eagerly climbed onto me, her legs straddling mine as she settled into my lap. Her hot core pressed against my growing erection, and she sucked in a sharp breath. Fingers tangled in my hair, she held onto me as I devoured her, my tongue plunging in and out of her hot mouth.
I was ready to strip her bare and lay her out right there so I could feast on her until she cried my name, but the sound of the gate creaking open reminded me of where we were.
Maren froze and pulled back, her eyes going wide as though she’d forgotten too. A couple walked past, the girl giggling at the scene they’d interrupted. The guy smirked and wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they disappeared out of sight. Maren slowly climbed out of my lap and straightened her clothes.
“Guess we’d better call it a night,” she said, retrieving her towel. She picked mine up from where it had landed on the ground somewhere during our make-out session and handed it to me. I gently gripped her chin and gave her a soft peck on the lips.
“You’re probably right,” I agreed. “If we stay much longer, we may get caught doing something far more scandalous.” Her cheeks flushed red and her eyes widened. I grinned wickedly as I grabbed her hand and laced her fingers with mine.