Splash Read online

  Splash

  By Kristen Kelly

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  What have you got to lose?

  Chapter One

  Elizabeth

  My mouth dropped open in shock, eyes bulging. If I weren’t already laying in a chair by the pool, I would have fallen over when I saw…him.

  Who the hell, was that?

  I pushed back my wide-brimmed hat, pulled my sunglasses down the bridge of my nose, peered over the gold rims, and just stared across the water. I stayed like that for a full six minutes simply watching, holding myself up on my elbows, head lowered as I studied the most beautiful man I’d ever seen in my life. He wasn’t just movie star gorgeous. He was…breathtaking. Simply breathtaking.

  Like Superman or King Neptune or some other—otherworldly being stroking furiously across the pool.

  Where the hell did he come from? Atlantis?

  Nope. He was swimming in the Olympic sized pool of the prestigious and exclusive Delaney Club.

  I didn’t think he fit the mold. Too tanned. Too muscular. Too…something, to for a man who worked all day in a stuffy old office. Too fit and too young as well. But not too yummy. Nope. I could eat this guy up. I licked my lips, sudden heat warming my inner thighs, which had nothing to do with the weather.

  I watched Superman do laps. Lucky for me he was the only one in the pool and I the only spectator. I sighed, enjoying my private little the show. It was like my own personal Olympics. I inhaled a sharp breath and then gasped when his chest rose above the water, my throat nearly constricting.

  He was that beautiful.

  Long.

  Lean.

  A mountain of rolling muscle slicing air and water in one fluid motion. Fuck. No man should be that pretty.

  Picking up a glass of lemonade by my feet, I sat upright in order to get a better look. I took a full drink. I nearly choked to death when I forgot there was real lemon in the glass. When I finally regained my composure, I leaned forward. Watching.

  The water was like silk, the only movement from Superman’s graceful strokes as he skimmed along the water.

  His body was magnificent. Broad shouldered with a mop of dark hair. Arms that rippled and flexed, looking as if they could break a tree in two. When he reached the opposite side of the pool, he tumbled beneath the water, turning and pushing off the side, affording me a glimpse of that round perfect ass. In that split second of timing, my nipples grew erect, my mouth dry. I imagined that ass contracting right below me. Pushing upward. Holding my body by the hips. While he buried himself deep inside me. Harsh. Desperate. Taking me into his world. I took another drink of lemonade, my eyes never wavering from the lovely sight before me. I wondered how I could meet Mr. Wonderful.

  I moved my chair closer to the edge of the pool, scraping the cement, heat pulsing through my veins. As he passed me on one of his laps, the water hit the book in my lap.

  Thick roped biceps swelled over his head, and then drove back down, cutting the water’s surface in sharp angular thrusts.

  Damn, he was fast. Within minutes he reached my side of the pool again. And again. And again.

  His long sleek body curled into a ball, did a sort of somersault and flipped around, shooting his body forward in an seemingly effortless glide. God, it was like watching ballet.

  I was mesmerized.

  He was so…. rhythmic.

  And hot. Definitely hot!

  I thought I had seen it all until he pulled himself up the ladder to climb out of the pool.

  Holy shit!

  Little droplets clung to his perfect body and his chest practically glowed under the July sun. All I could think of was a shower. This is how he looks coming out of a shower. Naked. Shit! It was like watching a man stepping out of a romance novel. Was this guy for real?

  He grabbed a towel on a chair beside me. He dabbed himself off. He was grinning at me like I was some kind of groupie. Probably used to a lot of attention I thought.

  “All that splashing hit my book,” I said tilting back my hat.

  “Sorry,” he said in deep whiskey voice. “If I’d known you were here, I would have come the other way.”

  My jaw just about hit the floor and my eyes—big and bulging, popped. I closed my mouth and tried to swallow. Did he just say…come? One of us needed to explain, or I was going to pass out. Mouth to mouth resuscitation, anyone?

  “Oh, right,” I said trying to get some oxygen to my brain.

  I giggled at my foolishness. This dream-of-a-god man with crystal blue eyes just said the word ‘come’ and I was immediately aroused. God, I was pathetic. I needed to get laid. And soon.

  Superman looked a little peaked. “I uh…hold on.” Was he wheezing? Gods don’t wheeze. He held up a finger, and then ran about twenty feet to the right. He picked something up off a table and practically swallowed it. I watched in fascination as his chest inflated and deflated. An inhaler. Of course.

  A few minutes later, he ambled back over to my beach chair, being bold enough to perch himself down on the end of it. The force of his weight, bounced me a few inches. “Have a seat,” I said.

  “Sorry.” He inhaled from the inhaler hidden in his hand.

  “You all right?”

  “Yeah. I am now.”

  His smile was dazzling. Straight white teeth with full kissable lips. The kind of lips a woman could kiss forever, lose her damn soul inside of them if she chose to, not that I was that kind of woman anymore.

  I was so busy looking at Superman, that I jumped when a group of businessmen strolled by. For a minute I forgot where we were—in one of the most exclusive, posh health clubs in Washington DC—a club simply oozing with wealthy men and women, some recovering from Botox, plastic surgery, and yes, what I called a fat farm. But mostly the men came here to relax. Or so I’d been told.

  I scanned Superman tip to toe. He couldn’t possibly need anything done like that and he didn’t look overweight—unless you considered that tight package between his legs. His saturated blue Speedo hugged him like a sack. He looked about thirty or thirty-five. So what was this guy doing here?

  Most of the men in the Club were much older with pot bellies and double chins. A few actually walked with canes. Rich tycoons that sat around huge mahogany desks with nothing more to do but work or go to the Country Club, which also was a place of work. I suspected the men were dragged here by wives and girlfriends.

  Nope, Superman didn’t belong here.

  “You could have just asked for my help,” I muttered, reaching into my beach bag on the side of my lounge chair. I pulled out an inhaler and thrust it forward, thus receiving the most beautiful shy smile.

  Superman chuckled. “Ah, a fellow asthmatic eh? What are the chances?”

  “Not really,” I said. “I carry it for someone else.”

  “Oh.” His face flattened a little, but then his eyes lifted, scanning behind me, as if watching for that ‘someone else’ to show up any minute.

  “My brother,” I provided, wanting to put him at ease. I’d never seen a man blush before. I found it adorable.

  One brow arched. “Brother?”

  “I carry an extra inhaler for my brother, Jason. We came here together.”

  “Just the two of you?”

  “Just us.” I felt a bit pathetic telling him this, as if it were a hundred years ago, and he needed my brother’s permission to even talk to me. “It’s a sort of brother sister bonding thing.” I shrugged. “I guess.”

  I didn’t know why I said it, because it really was none of his business, plus I had zero intention of dating anyone, until I healed from my divorce, but he seemed so sweet, and had impeccable manners. I found
myself grinning almost to the point of laughing. Smiling was good for me, right?

  “You don’t mind me here, do you?” sliding over to the empty beach chair beside me.

  “Not at all.”

  Thanks.” As he sat across from me, his massive thighs spread, giving me an inkling of what lay between them.

  Oh my.

  His legs were so long, his knees jutting up toward his massive chiseled chest, making him look bigger, stronger, and definitely more dangerous—like an animal crouched. I felt hot as hell all of a sudden. Instinctively, I leaned back.

  What was it about being near a handsome man that made the blood in my head race south? I just couldn’t resist them. Apparently, neither could any other woman with the men I dated. That had always been my problem in picking men. I needed to break that habit. But how? How do I shut off my raging…out-of-control…lust for the wrong men…libido?

  Superman leaned in close. “May I?”

  I nodded as he moved a strand of hair caught in the side of my mouth, giving me a closer look at those soft sultry lips. It was all I could do not to kiss him.

  Warning, warning, warning. I took a deep breath, squeezing my legs together.

  He picked up my book which I’d laid on the top of my beach bag. “I didn’t mean to get your book wet,” he said frowning at the wet pages. “I get a little carried away sometimes.”

  “Oh. Don’t worry about that,” I said. “It wasn’t that great a book, just one of those smutty romances where all they do is f….” Oh my god. I almost dropped the F bomb! My face heated.

  Too late. He gave me a wicked grin.“You like to read the juicy stuff.”

  Heat crawled up my neck and suddenly I felt I was in—a romance novel. My face grew hotter.

  “You like romance novels?”

  “I like romance, but I prefer a good adventure or maybe a romantic suspense. Something other than just straight….sex. I need a plot, you know?” I looked away then, but not before I saw his hand stroke his chin and his eyes widen. When I looked back, he excused himself, walked back to his own chair and reappeared with a large cranberry colored hardcover book. Smiling, he handed it to me.

  “What’s this?”

  “Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. If you like romance and suspense plus lots of history thrown in, you’re in for a treat. I’ve already finished it, but you’re welcome to borrow. Read a few chapters before you decide if you want to buy your own copy.”

  “Oh no, I couldn’t.”

  “Sure you can. How long are you here for?”

  “Two weeks.”

  “Perfect. You’ll probably finish it before you leave.”

  I stared down at the book and then lifted it several times as if weighing its contents. Then I flipped through it. “Feels like some heavy reading,” I said. “I don’t….”

  “Believe me, it goes fast.” He smiled broadly, warming me from the inside out, and I bit my lip. I tried to hand it back to him but he gently pushed it toward me saying, “don’t worry, I’ll be around if you decide you want to give it back. Just try a few chapters.”

  “Okay. Thanks…?”

  “Damon. Damon Donovan. I work here.”

  I extended my hand. “Elizabeth Doyle.” Sparks zinged up my arm the moment his fingers clasped around mine and for a moment I was speechless. That had never happened to me before. I pulled away sharply.

  “You okay?”

  “Um yeah. I just...” I pretended to be looking for something in my purse. “I need my glasses.

  He handed me said glasses, which I’d forgotten I’d placed on the top of my straw hat. “Oh. Oh, thanks,” I said like an idiot. I shifted my attention back to the book. Or tried to. “This is long,” I said and then realized I was starting at his crotch as I spoke. Damn, my face must be redder than Rudolph’s nose! “The book. I don’t know if I can finish it.”

  His lips parted and at first I thought he hadn’t heard me. I glanced down, following his gaze. I’d almost forgotten the burn I’d acquired yesterday. Not wanting anything constrictive against my sunburned skin, I’d not worn a bra or even a bathing suit top beneath the light lavender T-shirt. I realized with a shock, my nipples were erect, poking through the fabric as if shouting, ‘I’m here! I’m here!’ I raised the book quickly and held it against my chest. Christ, could I be any more braze with this guy?

  “Trust me. You’ll love it.” Damon’s mouth quirked into a sexy smile that dove into my chest and snatched out my heart.

  “The book I mean.,” he said, the smile spreading.

  We were mere inches away from each other. I could smell the chlorine mixed with coconut and something spicy. I wondered what it would feel like to drop to my knees, slip between those powerhouse legs of his, snuggle my face inside his chest hairs, sniff his male erotic scent.

  “So where is your brother now?”

  “I’m guessing he’s in the gym. He’s very committed, or he should be for everything he’s done for me since…” I let the words trail off looking away. What man would want to hear about my sordid past? And the last thing I wanted to explain to a total stranger was that Jason was my rock. “Anyway, my brother is very…kind. He actually paid for my time here.”

  “I think your brother has very good taste.” His gorgeous teal eyes locked on my own and my breath hitched. I had the feeling we weren’t talking about the club anymore.

  He made a sweeping motion with his hand. “You couldn’t have picked a better spot. They have absolutely everything, and if they don’t, I’ll…. we’ll get it for you.”

  “We?” I tried not to smile so much, but it bubbled out of me like a fountain. He laughed too, and his blue eyes twinkled.

  “I’m glad you came, Elizabeth.” I loved how my name rolled off his tongue, like he was savoring it on his lips. I took in a deep heated breath that sent shivers all along my arms.

  Chapter Two

  Elizabeth

  “What do you mean, you already met someone?”

  We were sitting at the bar, having drinks. “Just, I met someone. It doesn’t mean anything.”

  Jason was staring at me with such a horrid expression, I immediately felt guilty, and I hated that. I wasn’t a child, for god’s sake. I wanted to tell him I was lieing, but I couldn’t.

  He let out a long breath through his nose, lips tight. “Liz, we’ve gone over this a million times.”

  “I know. I know.”

  “So what part of ‘you don’t want to get fucked over again by some pretty boy’ do you not understand? Jesus, Liz. We’ve been over this. You’re not a good judge of men. You know that. You jump when you should crawl. Leap when you should run in the opposite direction. Have I not taught you anything?”

  “We were just…talking. Don’t get your jockeys in a twirl.” I hung my head, swirling the ice around in my glass with a straw.

  Jason was right though. He was usually right, so why hadn’t I taken his advice? He’d been right about the guys I dated in high school. He’d been right about the ones in college, and I had to admit he was also right about the last one I actually married. If only I’d listened to his pearls of wisdom, as he called them, I could have avoided the stomping all over my heart. “Jason, I…”

  “Yup. I know. This one is different, and how do you know that?”

  I bit my lip. “Um.”

  “You just do, right?”

  “Sorta.”

  “Anyway, we just got here, so just take off your hotsey totsey pants and enjoy yourself for a change. Christ, Liz. Can you not go without a man in your life for two fucking weeks? That’s all I ask. Two weeks.”

  “Easy for you to say. You met the love of your life years ago. How is Tom, anyhow?”

  “He’s…fine.” Was that a frown I detected in Mr. Perfect’s face? “Anyway, this isn’t about me or Tom. These two weeks are about you. And you promised to let me pick the next man you date. Or, did you forget that promise you made me?”

  “No. I didn’t forget, but if you would
just meet…”

  “That’s not how it works, Liz. You date the guy I pick for you this time. Not the other way around.” He ran a hand over the back of his head and ordered himself another beer. “Besides, I’m not even sure anyone in this joint is worthy of my baby sister. We may have to put the whole thing off until we get…”

  “What! I thought you said… Damn it, Jason. I’ve been divorced for six months. I’m kinda…you know…foaming at the mouth here. If I don’t see some action…I’m a little lonely. Know what I mean?”

  His eyes widened and he hung his head. “Oh my god. I did not want to hear that.”

  “Oh please! Spare me the dramatics. Don’t tell me you won’t be missing Tom during these two weeks.”

  “I’m perfectly capable of being celibate for a lot longer than you are. Apparently.”

  “Well, you’re lucky. Not only do you have a great guy that you don’t have to worry about cheating on you when you’re away, but you both have your freedom too. What did he say when you said you were taking me here?”

  He chuckled. “He said, find her a guy who’s not an asshole.”

  “Ah hah! I knew he was on my side.”

  “Right. Anyway, promise me, you won’t hook up with anyone until you at least try the guy I pick out for you.”

  “So, I take it you’re already looking at a few candidates?” I asked hopefully.

  “If you must know. Yes.”

  “And you’ll find someone nice…here in the club? In the next few days, maybe? I really don’t think I can go without…companionship much longer than that..”

  Jason rolled his eyes, and I giggled.

  “He doesn’t have to be too handsome,” I said. “Nor too available. It’s okay if he’s divorced I guess, and its okay if he’s a little rough around the edges. I’m not looking for marriage or anything like that, just someone who will take me from here to there and is nice enough. You know, an average Joe.”

  “Crap. That sounds like a used car, Liz. You really need to set your sights a little higher.”

  “Hey, you’re the one that said looks and money will get me nowhere.”