He had the nerve to snag my fingers within his and lead me to the tiki bar. I planned to yank back from his touch, but he was so warm and strong, I decided to let it slide this once. Now I was beginning to like him, which was much worse. A player with a sense of humor was disastrous.
Unless...
I dove into the deep end and went for it. I’d have to see how the rest of the encounter went, but this was the reason I came for spring break. Sex. Sun. Sand. Relaxation. Maybe this was a sign.
James pounded his palm on the wood top. The guy playing bartender gave him a high five and winked at me. “Sex on the Beach, Rich.”
“Niiice.” Rich grabbed a glass and began working the bottles. “I finally get to do something creative. This is a beer crowd.”
I watched him pour and mix with deft motions. Nothing funny got dropped in there, and when he slid it over, I took a sip and sighed. Perfect. My new fave drink. Mackenzie got me hooked on them the first night, and I had no desire to break my new habit. At least, not this week. “Thanks. I’m surprised there’s a real bartender here and not just some kegs and wine set up.”
Rich laughed. “Nah, we do things right, don’t we, James?”
James gave him a weird look. “Guess this rich kid runs a top class show.”
As if they had spoken in code, Rich nodded and moved to the end of the bar. I was suspicious, but then James swung his full attention toward me, and I blanked out the rest of my thoughts. I finally understood what happens when sheer lust overcomes your brain.
You become an idiot.
“So, Quinn Harmon, any big plans for your break?”
“No. Just hanging with my friends and resting by the pool. School and work have been a bit intense lately. How about you? What school do you go to?”
He waved a hand in the air like his story wasn’t important. “Schools are all the same. What are you studying?”
“Counseling. I’m specializing in alcohol rehabilitation but also have experience with senior care. That’s where one of my jobs is.”
“Ah, that’s what you mean about being the helper in the group. The field pays crap, you know.”
I gave a little laugh. Like I didn’t know that. “Yeah, that’s why there are so many job openings. Money isn’t everything. That’s not my goal in life.”
His stare intensified. I’d never had the feeling of a man’s focus on me full power. Like he wanted to delve inside and explore me completely. It must be one of the ways he maneuvered himself into a girl’s bed. Goosebumps broke out on my skin even though the sun was hot. “What is?” he asked softly.
I blinked. “Making a difference.”
He pulled back, as if my answer surprised him. Maybe he thought I was some weird do-gooder nerd and not worthy of his coolness. Whatever. I wasn’t about to change who I was just to score a hot guy. If so, I would’ve made that move in high school, but I was past such nonsense. “What do you do?” I challenged.
A shadow passed over his face. He stiffened, and I knew my question bothered him. Before I could delve further, he flashed a grin so blinding and white I got distracted. “Everything. I don’t believe in being tied down to a job so I can die a slow death in some cubicle. Don’t you want a broad range of experiences?”
I snorted. “Sure. I’d just need someone to finance it first.”
“Get creative. Take a risk. You’re young, live a little.”
“You sound like my friend Mac. She’s always telling me to loosen up and go for it.” How many times have I longed to do something outside my comfort zone? I was always left behind on adventures to take care of my dad. To make sure I covered that extra shift and didn’t let anyone down. To confirm I was able to save enough money to get through another semester of tuition. I was a twenty-one-year-old stress case. But I had accepted my fate a long time ago, and I despised whiners. I learned to take what I had and make it work for me. Cassie called me an old soul trapped in a hot young body. Many times I agreed. Except for the “hot” part.
Still, talking with James made those feelings stir again. Forget about rational decisions or how things would work out. How sweet to grab the moment and let it take you wherever you wanted. Was it possible for me?
Damn, I wanted to find out.
As if he knew exactly what I was thinking, he leaned forward. His breath struck my lips, and I was transfixed by the shimmering heat in those baby blues. “Maybe we should run away together,” he murmured. His hand reached out and he touched a lock of my hair. He rubbed it between his fingers as if he liked the texture and feel. “Do something crazy.”
My heart beat and a tight ache throbbed between my legs. Wowza, it was like my body woke up after being Sleeping Beauty and was suddenly horny as hell. “Like what?” I whispered back.
“Ditch the party. Find somewhere private. See what happens.”
Oh yeah, that was all code for sleeping together. Usually, I despised lines and playboy guys, but I’d never been so tempted before. It was spring break. A vacation from myself. There was no tomorrow or commitment or any of those issues to work out. Just fun. I heard Mackenzie’s silent whoop in the background, telling me to go for it, and I opened my mouth to say—
I was suddenly pushed from behind. I jerked around. The pretty blonde from the pool laughed wildly. Her bikini top gaped loosely open to show half a bare breast. “Oops! Need anotha drink,” she slurred, toppling onto the bar countertop, those impressive boobs distracting most of the guys gathered around. Her boyfriend or whatever was laughing, and ordered another shot of tequila for her. I frowned as I looked at her beautiful face, kind of twisted up, her green eyes halfway vacant. She was past drunk and into danger territory.
I knew I should mind my own business and get back to Mr. Steamy and his lovely offer. Instead, I grabbed the guy’s arm. “No, she shouldn’t have any more alcohol. She’s had too much.”
The guy laughed. “No worries, sweetheart. She’s fine. She’s with me.”
That made me even more nervous. Did she really know what was going on? He put his arm around her like she belonged to him, but she obviously had no idea what was happening, clutching the end of the glass counter like she hoped the spinning would stop. I spoke louder. “No, she’s not fine. She could be on her way to alcohol poisoning. Look, let’s get her up to a room so she can lay down for a bit.”