Beyond Friends: Big Flirt Book One Read online

  A large wave crashed over my head, forcing me down into a bed of seashells and sand. I drifted to the surface slowly. Another wave followed before I could scramble to my feet. It pushed me down again. My butt smacked against the packed sand. I inhaled water through my nose, opened my mouth and swallowed more water. My hands and heels sunk into the crushed shells as I pushed with all my strength. I broke through the surface and gasped.

  The waves weren’t stopping. I tried and failed to catch my breath before going under again. This time, I set my feet before pushing off. Rough hands gripped my arms hauling me into an upright position out of the water.

  My eyes flew open and locked onto a broad tanned chest and washboard abs. Beads of water dripped over an endless sea of ridges. My heart raced as I gasped for air and coughed, emptying the water from my lungs. I glanced up towards a familiar face.

  Dean.

  “Are you all right?” His dark eyebrows knitted together as his blue eyes held me captive. With a firm grip, he pulled me closer. Our bodies were only inches apart. Heat radiated off him, almost hotter than the sun. “The waves are intense today. You need to be careful, Arielle.”

  When the coughing fit ended, I wriggled free from his grasp and frowned. “I’m fine. You didn’t need to save me. I had it under control.” My throat ached and my voice sounded like I’d eaten gravel. I patted my chest lightly and coughed again.

  “Didn’t look that way,” he said with a smirk. His full lips called my bluff. “All the same, I’m glad I found you and that you didn’t drown.”

  I narrowed my eyes and planted my hands on my hips. “You’re being dramatic. Did you follow me?”

  He raked his fingers through his short brown hair. “No. Well, kind of.”

  Dean pinched the slight bump across the bridge of his nose while holding my gaze. His eyes were nearly the same aquamarine color as the water. They were hypnotic, but I refused to let his sexy stare defuse my anger.

  “Which is it, no or yes?” I rolled my eyes, breaking contact while crossing my arms over my chest.

  I’d been friends with Dean for years. Since the first day of college when I’d slammed into his classic muscle car with my bicycle. A small dent and big scratch scarred the shiny, black paint. I’d been more concerned about his car than my bleeding knees, but he’d been great about the incident. Most guys would have torn a strip off me, but he’d been nothing but sweet. I liked him instantly and our friendship bloomed from there. We’d both been through a lot over the years.

  Seeing him now, should have made me smile, but it didn’t. He was one of the many people I needed to escape. Standing in front of me, shirtless and radiating masculinity conjured feelings I wasn’t prepared to acknowledge.

  “Are you mad at me for saving your life or for kissing you last night?” He mimicked my stance, crossing his huge biceps across his barrel chest. Every muscle flexed as he moved. Years of sports and hard labor had chiseled every square inch of him. He towered over me, but I wasn’t intimidated.

  “Both.” I stared past him into the sun and instantly regretted that decision. Blinded, I lowered my gaze like I’d lost the fight. “And we never kissed,” I corrected him.

  After hours of dancing, harmless flirting and countless tequila shots, his lips had grazed the edge of my mouth. A mistake. We were drunk, and he’d been no doubt aiming for my cheek. Nothing more than a goodnight peck. Still, I’d overreacted, ran to the bedroom and locked the door.

  “Then why did you—”

  “Why are you here? Can’t you tell I want to be alone?”

  He scrubbed his long-calloused fingers along his strong jaw. “I came looking for you when you skipped breakfast. Just making sure you’re okay.”

  “Okay,” I repeated like the word was foreign to me. “Why wouldn’t I be okay? It’s not like my boyfriend of six years dumped me days before graduation. It’s not like I’m on my engagement trip with you instead of my future husband. I’m swell,” I yelled. “In fact, I’ve never been better. I’m... I’m sorry,” I breathed, losing steam with each word.

  “You have no reason to be sorry,” he said.

  “I do. You’ve been great. Lashing out at you is an asshole move. It’s not your fault I’m an unlovable mess.” I buried my face in my hands. “I’m so selfish. You came here for a good time, and I’m being the worst friend on the planet.”

  We’d been in paradise for days and I’d been a walking disaster the entire time. Part of me had thought my ex would come to his senses when I’d transferred the name on the ticket. When that didn’t happen, I hoped he’d show up at the airport and surprise me. Nothing happened. He no longer wanted me. My carefully planned future was gone. No amount of booze or tranquility had eased my pain.

  I’d promised Dean we’d have fun. I’d promised lots of things I hadn’t delivered on. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I hated crying in public. Coming to a romantic retreat was a mistake.

  He pulled me against his chest and wrapped his strong arms around me. His grip tightened as I tried to wriggle away. “You’re not the worst. And you’re completely loveable. He’s an idiot. Don’t push me away. Like it or not, I’m worried about you. You weren’t trying to...”

  I inhaled sharply and swatted his chest. It was like hitting a wall. My hand stung, and he barely registered the impact.

  “I wasn’t trying to kill myself. The wave caught me off guard. Dean, I’m not suicidal,” I explained, tilting my face towards his. “Maybe a little depressed, but I’ll snap out of it in time.”

  He nodded, accepting my excuse. “Good. Well, not good, but you know what I mean.” He scratched the stubble on his chin. “I miss my happy-go-lucky girl. It’s been six weeks. Maybe it’s time to get back on the horse. You know?”

  I hugged him close, enjoying the feel of his skin against mine. Dean’s rugged exterior didn’t match his sweet heart. He was such a good man and a great friend. I cuddled closer because I missed being in a man’s arms. It had nothing to do with the fact that the almost kiss made me wish he hadn’t missed my mouth. Never had I looked at him as anything more than a friend. Dean wasn’t someone I’d consider good dating material. He was the kind of guy who’d give the shirt off his back to someone in need, but he would be a crap boyfriend. A big flirt and a commitment-phobe incapable of change.

  “I’m allergic to horses,” I replied.

  He chuckled and cleared his throat. “Save a horse; ride a—”

  “Shut-up.”

  His smile knocked me off my feet. It was a good thing we were floating in the ocean and he didn’t notice. “I meant a man. It’s time to move on.”

  I knew what he meant. I wasn’t sure if I was scared or thrilled at the thought, but either way I hugged him tighter and focused on not hyperventilating. Big breaths out and then in. Repeat.

  Chapter 3

  DEAN

  Our bodies bobbed in the waves, hugging like lovers. If only it were true. Her scent surrounded me, and I breathed her in. Arielle smelled so good. A familiar mix of strawberries, coconut and everything good in the world. From the second she drove her bicycle into my car and cared more about the scratched paint than her own wellbeing, I knew I loved her. Too bad she’d belonged to another man from day one.

  Not many girls knew the difference between a V6 and a Hemi engine. None adored classic Chevy muscle as much as me. Except her. Arielle loved getting under the hood. She was smart, gorgeous with sexy curves, and had the sweetest smile. She wore her heart on her sleeve and her laugh could wake the dead. Not that I’d heard much of that lately. All because of that pompous, arrogant, good-for-nothing ex of hers. If she hadn’t loved Richard Wellington junior with every fiber of her being, I would have run him down with my car long before he broke her heart. The guy never deserved her. Besides book smarts and a massive bank account, I had no idea what she saw in the guy. I could snap his lanky limbs in two with one hand.

  Arielle was too damn good for him and me, but that wouldn’t stop me from trying to win
her heart. We belonged together. Only I had my work cut out in order to convince her.

  “I’ll take the silence as your willingness to explore the possibility of new adventures,” I said, running my fingertips down her spine and stopping just above her ass. What I wouldn’t give to grip those big, round globes as she wrapped her legs around me. Even imagining her thighs spread made me hard. I twisted my body under the water, hiding the evidence of my arousal.

  “You think screwing some random guy will help me feel better. Have you lost your mind?” She dropped her arms by her side but didn’t step away or take her head off my chest. “Too much tequila has impaired your judgment,” she added.

  The words random guy never left my lips, but I didn’t correct her. She needed someone smart enough to recognize they’d struck the jackpot with her. Someone who would make her their top priority. A man who could blow her socks off and show her what she’d been missing by dating that older, yuppie prick for all those years. She needed to be with me. But saying that would freak her the fuck out. I had to tread carefully.

  “My judgment is rock solid.” Just like my cock. “Hear me out before you dismiss the idea completely.” I wrapped her wet strands around my fist and pull her head back, forcing her sad, brown eyes to meet mine. I’d been too gentle these past few days, but I was done pussyfooting around.

  A puff of air left her pink lips. “What idea?”

  “Let me take care of you.” I sensed her hesitation and continued before she cut me off. “Tell me what your perfect man is like. Don’t even try describing shit-for-brains because he wasn’t your ideal man.”

  “Dean…”

  “Come on. Tell me what you want in your next partner. I have your best interest at heart.”

  She blinked away her tears. It killed me to see her hurting. My girl had a zest for life like no one else I’d ever met. But since that rich prick dumped her, she’d been a shell of her former self. When I saw her go under the water and not come up, I’d panicked. I couldn’t lose her.

  “I trust you, but I’ve never been with anyone else. Rich…” Her voice caught, and she struggled to finish his name. “He’s the only man I’ve ever wanted. He’s great to my parents and has done so much for us. I planned my life around his… work and… it’s all over.”

  The sting of her words made me wince, but I hid it behind a big smile. She’d been brainwashed. Society had conditioned her to want boring men like him. On paper, Richard was a smart choice. He had money, owned a penthouse in the city, and he worked hard to look perfect. I admired his work ethic but only because it gave me more time with Arielle. She had nothing in common with him other than business.

  It was my job to help her heal. She deserved love, happiness and a life filled with passion. I’d be damned if she wasted another moment pining over a loser just because her parents loved the social climber.

  “He might have been your first love, but he won’t be your last. Give me a chance.” I released her hair, stepped back and splashed her. “Keep an open mind.”

  She sputtered water. “You didn’t.” After wiping her face, I caught the corner of her lip lift. The closest thing to a smile I’d seen in a long while.

  “I did, and I’ll do it again if you don’t start talking.”

  “I want a man who can make me laugh, be spontaneous and I need to be attracted to him.”

  “Boring. You can do better,” I challenged, splashed her again and watched the water glide over the swell of her breasts. She had a smoking hot body. I tore my eyes from her rack before she caught me staring. “Give me something I can work with.”

  We were less than a foot away from each other. The sun glistened off her wet tanned skin. Damn she was beautiful. While that thought struck me, she pounced from the water. Her hands landed on my shoulders and she tried to force me down.

  “I’ll give you something all right!” She grunted and thrashed in the water, doubling her efforts when her first attempt failed.

  Having her hands on me felt right, but I wouldn’t let her win. I flipped her over and slammed her into the next wave. “We’re not getting out of the water until you think about what you want. Who you want?” I swam circles around her, taunting her like a shark.

  Arielle slicked her hair away from her face and laughed. A genuine belly laugh that made me laugh along with her. She patted the surface like a mini drumroll.

  “Fine. I like men who are chivalrous without being forced to do it. A guy who likes to get his hands dirty and fix things would be a nice change. Rich hated working on cars with me. Sharing hobbies with my next boyfriend would be a bonus.” She swam towards me and stopped only an inch away. Her eyes locked with mine. “I want someone I can talk to about anything. Someone who likes my imperfections and doesn’t want to change me. I know I’m crazy, but I want a man who will stick around and love me like I’m the only woman in the world. Because that’s how much I’ll love him back.”

  I’d swear she was describing me. She placed her hands on my shoulders. Hope bloomed in my chest as my hands landed on her hips. “You’re not crazy. What does he look like?”

  “Got a mirror? Just kidding,” she added, crushing me. “I’m attracted to tall, dark and handsome men. Getting any more specific would mean I have a mental picture in my head which I don’t. Don’t get a big head just because you’re all the above, Dean.”

  “Too late. You think I’m handsome.”

  My gloating was short lived. A second later, her nails dug into my shoulders as she pushed me under the water. I hugged her closer and pulled her with me. We rolled around, separated and came up laughing.

  “Thanks for being here. I know you had to beg your dad for the time away from the garage. I promise we’ll have fun from here on out.”

  My dad owned our town’s only automotive repair shop. After he suffered a heart attack my freshman year of college, I’d quit school to help. This was my first time out of the country. If the ticket hadn’t been free, I’m not sure I’d have been able to afford it. But I’d have sold my car for a chance to be alone for a week with Arielle.

  “I’m glad to be here.”

  “Good. Because I do appreciate you, but you’re going down again,” she said, diving towards me.

  After we enjoyed the waves for another hour, we came out to dry off and eat. A waiter at the poolside restaurant showed us to a vacant table and took our drink orders. She sat facing the pool and I helped tuck her chair under the table. Rather than sit across from her, I took the plastic chair next to hers.

  I steepled my hands, leaving my elbows on the glass tabletop. It was time to move my plan along. “You know there are more fish and men in the sea, right?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “This again.”

  “Yes, this again.”

  “I’m not like you,” she said, avoiding eye contact. “No offense, but I don’t think casual flings are my thing.”

  I arched my brow. “I’ve had relationships,” I protested.

  Okay, they hadn’t been long ones, but I dated. None of the women were even half as amazing as Arielle. After a few weeks, I’d refuse to settle for less and move on. In her eyes, I was a massive player. I never considered what my efforts to find love might look like from her point of view. Shit. Getting her to consider me would be even tougher than I imagined.

  “If those women mattered to you at all, you never would have moved on to the next so quickly. I’m not saying it’s wrong or a bad thing, but I’m not wired like that.”

  “Everyone has rebounds.” I leaned closer and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “They help us grow and feel alive again. Take my advice and you’ll feel better.”

  “Sex in general makes you feel better,” she joked.

  “Sex does feel pretty amazing, but I didn’t have sex with every woman I’ve dated.” I mostly waited until after a handful of dates before getting intimate. My numbers weren’t that high.

  The waiter returned with menus and dropped off our drinks. He told
us the lunch specials as I pushed the lime inside my Corona. We both ordered the Chef’s fish special, and the waiter took off.

  The sound of the waterfall and couples laughing filled the silence. It was a busy resort. Arielle looked at the pool as she played with the straw and stirred her Pina colada. Her eyebrows furrowed as she chewed her lip. She was concentrating hard on something.

  “Still thinking about sex?” I teased and nudged her shoulder with mine.

  “You change partners with the seasons. I don’t think I should listen to your relationship advice,” she said and sipped her cocktail.

  “Ouch,” I mocked being insulted and placed my hand over my heart.

  Her eyes dipped towards my chest and lingered. She licked her lips. “Don’t pretend I hurt your feelings.”

  We’d met when we were eighteen and settling down was the furthest thing from my mind. Then the more we hung out, the more I realized I’d found the right woman. Except, she loved someone else. But he was gone.

  “No hard feelings. But you can make it up to me all the same. There’s a guy out there ready to help you move on.”

  “I doubt it. There’s something wrong with me.”

  There was absolutely nothing wrong with Arielle. She was perfect. Only her taste in men sucked.

  “You’re perfect.” I hadn’t meant to say that aloud.

  Our eyes met and something passed between us. Something electric and hot. A shiver raced up my arm. I hoped she felt it too. She stayed silent and broke eye contact first.

  “You’re kinda perfect too,” she whispered and chugged the last of her drink. “The perfect best friend. I can’t believe I’m saying this… what’s your plan?” Arielle set her empty glass down as a drop of Pina colada dripped down her chin.

  I shuffled my chair closer and draped my arm over her shoulder. My lips neared hers. I wanted to lick every drop from her lips and suck on her tongue.