Hard Edge - Tess Oliver Page 0,42

text. My curiosity tapped on my shoulder like an annoying, persistent pest. A third text. I let my gaze sweep down over the phone. For a fleeting second, I saw the picture that had come through. I’d only needed the quick glance to recognize that it was a picture of naked breasts, an extremely nice pair at that.

“Damn you, curiosity,” I muttered to myself. I, of course, had no idea who had sent the boob selfie. I had no doubt that Caden had a long list of women friends. I was betting on the swimsuit model just because they were exceptional breasts. It was a cold splash in the face. Yet, I couldn’t be angry at Caden.

The picture had flustered me enough that I hadn’t noticed Caden had ridden his board into shore. He was carrying it under his arm as he tromped toward me with that same sparkling smile plastered across his handsome face. I had to force my lips up to return the smile.

Caden jammed the end of his board in the sand and dripped cold water onto the towel and me as he sat down. “Best waves yet,” he said as he reached for his shirt. He wiped off his face and glanced at his phone as he combed his wet hair back. He tossed the shirt away and reached for the phone. He kept it hidden behind his leg as he looked at it.

“Anything of interest? It’s been buzzing like crazy.” I decided a little fishing wouldn’t hurt.

He put the phone down. “Nothing too important. What should we do about dinner? I’m fucking starved.”

“Not sure,” I said curtly, even though I hadn’t planned for it to sound that way. I stared out at the water pretending to be interested in the other surfers. I sensed Caden staring at the side of my face.

“You saw the picture, didn’t you?”

I took a deep breath. “O.K. yes, but I wasn’t being nosy. It’s just my eyes sort of drifted that way because, well, because the damn thing was going off like crazy. I thought it might be something important. Which, apparently, it was, because sending a flash shot of boobs is not just an everyday text.”

“It’s not?”

I looked over at him.

His smile returned. “I’m kidding. They belong to Shelly, a woman who I sometimes hang out with. She got a boob job, and she was just showing them off. I’m sure she sent a group text. That’s just the way she is. It’s no big deal, Trinket. Besides, there is only one pair of tits on my mind right now.” He looked pointedly at mine. “I’m thinking we should go inside so you can flash them my direction.”

“Damn, you’re just as smooth as a bowl of cream, Caden Stratton. Here I am sitting stiff and a little pissed at the naked picture on your phone, and you manage to morph it into dirty talk and a suggestion that I strip for you.”

He leaned on one elbow and squinted up at me. “Did it work?”

I sat and stared out at the water for a few seconds, then jumped to my feet. “Fine, but I’m only going to enjoy it a little bit.”

He got to his feet and picked up his board. I swept up the towels and took off at a run. He was behind me the second I stepped inside the beach house. I tossed the towels at him with a scream and ran toward the hallway. He grabbed my hand and stopped me.

“Told you I’m not ever going to have enough of you, Trinket.” He pressed me up against the hallway wall. “Never.” His skin was cool from the ocean as he closed in on me, trapping me between his hard body and the wall.

“Your shorts are wet,” I said between breaths.

He continued to kiss me as he reached down and untied his shorts. They dropped to his feet. His erection found its favorite place between my legs. “Now it’s your turn, baby,” he growled against my mouth.

I reached between us, unbuttoned my shorts and pushed them down to my feet. I stepped out of them and kicked them out of the way. He pressed his forehead against mine. “Trinket, I don’t want that fucking condom between us. I want to feel you, all of you.”

I peered up at him. “I just saw a half naked picture of a woman on your phone. I’m on the pill, but—”

“I always wear a condom. Always. But, with you,