Conception (The Wellingtons #4) - Tessa Teevan Page 0,27

for male bathing fashion.

I memorize the hard planes and contours of his rock-hard chest, the tightness of his abdomen, and the muscles rippling down his arms. A narrow waist leads to lean hips with steely thighs corded with strength. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a male specimen quite so built like him that wasn’t too overdone the way some bodybuilders are. I have the urge to run my fingers over every inch of him.

Another glob of goo hits my chests, breaking me from my spell. The cocky smirk on his face tells me Knox knows precisely what I’ve been doing behind my sunglasses, but he doesn’t call me on it.

“I believe someone once said, ‘There’s a shortage of perfect breasts in this world. It would be a pity to burn yours.’” A wicked grin spreads his full lips, and I momentarily wonder about those lips on said perfect breasts. Though I’ve never thought mine were perfect. “Not to mention, there’s a heat wave going on, babe, and I thought maybe you could use a little cooling off.”

As if this man would ever have the power to do anything to me but make me even hotter than the scorching temperatures.

“I believe that quote is, ‘It would be a pity to damage yours,’” I inform him, ignoring the butterflies flitting about in my belly.

He gives a bow that I imagine would be very Westley-like. “Forgive me, Highness, for I was paraphrasing.”

I lift up to study him, relishing the way the sun gives him an almost golden appearance. I’m dying to run my hands through his messy, dark hair. Bright eyes shine as he gives me a once over, and I’m not sure whether to thank Sunny or try to cover up with a towel. The way those eyes peruse my body has me leaning towards gratitude.

“You’ve read Goldman?” I ask, growing ever more curious about this man.

“Mom’s orders.”

“Something tells me you don’t often follow orders from others.”

He lets out an easy chuckle. “It’s true. I often don’t. However, if you met my mother, you’d know she’s impossible to disappoint.”

“Well, if you know it well enough to quote, I’d have to guess you enjoyed it.”

“I did. Trust me, not every fifteen-year-old boy wants to read a fairy tale, but once I started, I dug it. What’s not to like about pirates, sword fights, and aforementioned perfect breasts?” he asks, his gaze leaving my face and trailing down to where Sunny’s bikini top does little to hide mine.

“And the mumbo-jumbo about true love?” I shouldn’t have asked, mainly because he isn’t here for anything more than a bit of summer fun, but the words slipped out before I could think better of them.

“Inconceivable.”

Just as I open my mouth to protest, Knox holds a hand out to me. I place mine in his, and he hoists me to my feet. One arm swoops around my waist, hauling me into his bare chest. I don’t know if it’s the heat or him, but I’m suddenly ablaze with excitement.

“And don’t go telling me I don’t know what the words means. Trust me,” he says. “I’m not a thwarted romantic. Just a cynic.”

He’s teasing. I know it, but there’s something underlying in his tone that makes me wonder why such a young, handsome, obviously virile young man already considers himself a cynic. I study his eyes, trying to find something in them, but instead, I find myself lost in the dark depths.

“What’s running through the pretty little head of yours?” he asks, his voice low and smooth, like a hot pool of honey too delectable to resist.

If he only knew. I could play coy. Hard to catch. But why? Our time here is limited, so if I want to maximize it and make the most of my summer, why not jump in feet first, with eyes wide open?

I rest my hand on the nape of his neck. “I’m thinking, Knox, that perhaps it’s time we put an end to this literary session and move on to more exciting ventures.”

His eyes flash with desire. “Let me guess,” he ponders, rubbing his thumb along my lower lip. “You’re wondering about Goldman’s claim of five great kisses in history. You’re wondering if it was true. Did Buttercup and Westley top them all?”

“According to Goldman, they did,” I whisper, my belly tightening the closer his lips come to mine.

“And now you’re wondering: Will ours top them all, too?”

My tongue darts out to wet my lips. Heat coils between my legs