Page 9 of Jilted

Ten minutes later, they walked toward the area of the island that was designated for swimming.

Brett was having a hard time keeping his eyes off Amy and his erection concealed.

That thing she called a bathing suit was nothing more than a few scraps of material held together by a couple pieces of string.

Don’t get him wrong, she looked fantastic, but therein was the problem.

He wasn’t the only one noticing her. Brett frowned.

“What’s wrong?” Amy asked.

“The beach is packed.” He thought this island was small, allowing only a certain number of guests at a time. That was the primary reason he’d chosen to come here. “Let’s go back to that place near our bungalow.”

“We’re not allowed to swim there. Won’t we get in trouble?”

“Only if we get caught.” He smiled. “Do you really want to swim there with all those people?” He nodded toward the beach.

“You’re right. Okay, let’s go.”

As they turned to walk back the way they came, Brett wondered why he had really suggested they go somewhere else to swim.

Was it truly for the reason he gave her?

Or was it because he didn’t want other men staring at her?

Who the hell was he kidding? He wanted her all to himself.

Just knowing other men were looking at her irritated the shit out of him.

“I can’t get over how beautiful it is here,” Amy said as they stopped at a secluded spot of beach.

She kicked off her sandals and headed toward the water. He was right behind her. The water was warm and crystal clear. He dove underwater and swam a few feet out before surfacing. Amy was still standing near the shore.

“Are you coming?” he shouted.

“Do you see any jellyfish?”

He smiled and shook his head. “No. Now get your ass in here before I have to drag you in.” His cock jerked at the thought of grabbing her ass and forcing her into the water with him. He mentally groaned. Get a grip!

“If you’re lying to me, I’m going to kill you.” She slowly made her way farther into the water until it was up to her belly button, and then she went under, swimming toward him.

When she surfaced, he said, “See? No jellyfish. No sharks. Just you and me.” Those words, just you and me , sent his stomach into a flutter. He shook it off and tried to focus on what she was saying. “What?”

“I asked if you were ready to talk about Vanessa yet. You haven’t said one word about her or what happened.”

“What’s there to talk about? She left me.” Talking about Vanessa would lead to Brett confessing the truth about how he felt about Amy, and neither of them were ready for that yet.

Amy sighed. “Okay, you’re not ready. I get it.” Then she smiled. “I’m here when you are.”

“Thanks.” He really had no idea what he’d do without her. And he couldn’t believe he’d been so willing to give her up to marry a woman who obviously didn’t love him. Vanessa leaving him was a blessing. “So now that you’re in the ocean and haven’t been eaten by fish, will you consider scuba diving?”

“Maybe, but if I do, you cannot leave my side while we’re down there. I mean it, Brett.” She pointed her finger at him.

He laughed. “You can tie a rope to my waist if you’d like.”

“Yeah, you’re laughing now, but I’m seriously going to do that.”

His laughter died, and his expression turned serious. “Um, Amy,” he reached for her arm, “don’t move.”

Her body tensed, and her eyes widened with fear. “Why?” she whispered.

“There’s something behind you.”

“What?” Her voice cracked, and she sounded like she was ready to cry.

He was so going to hell for this, he thought as he fought to keep his smile hidden. “I think it’s a jellyfish.”

Amy screamed and swam in the opposite direction. Brett clutched his stomach and laughed hysterically.

“I’m kidding,” he choked out the words in between bouts of laughter. “Amy, come back!”

He swam after her, and when he caught up to her, she splashed him in the face and smacked him on the chest.

“That was not funny,” she screamed.

Brett noticed she was shaking. “You’re right, I’m sorry.” He hugged her, and to his surprise, she wrapped her arms around his back and buried her face in his chest.

“I hate you,” she mumbled.

Her lips tickled his chest as she spoke, and he had that same feeling from this morning – the one where his body felt like it was on fire, and he had an indescribable need to be closer to her.

He put a finger under her chin and tilted her head back so that he could look at her. His gaze lowered to her trembling lips and lingered there for far too long. What the hell was he doing?

He certainly wasn’t standing there thinking about what it would feel like to kiss Amy. Just like he wasn’t thinking about how great her breasts felt pressed against his chest. Or how he desperately wished she’d wrap her legs around his waist so he could sink his cock into her warm body.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing.” He shook the thoughts from his mind. “I’m sorry I scared you like that.”

“Yeah, well, don’t?—”

“Hey! You two! You can’t swim here. You swim over there,” said an employee from the resort.

“Looks like we’re busted,” Brett said, releasing his hold on Amy. “Play dumb, it always works.” They made their way out of the water and onto the beach. “Sorry, we didn’t realize we couldn’t swim here,” Brett said to the man.

“You swim over there,” the man repeated, pointing toward the opposite side of the island.

“Yes sir,” Amy replied with a smile. She slipped her feet into her sandals and giggled when Brett took her arm and led her back toward their bungalow. “Play dumb? That was real smooth, Brett.”

“Hey, it worked, didn’t it?”

“I think the guy took pity on me because I have to put up with you.”

“Put up with me? Is that what you’re doing?” He grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her over his shoulder.

“Brett!” she squealed. “Put me down.”

“Uh-uh. I’m going to show you what it’s like to have to put up with me,” he said, laughter in his voice.

“You forget I’ve known you a long time. I already know what it’s like to put up with you.”

“That’s what you think.” With one hand, Brett opened the door to their bungalow, carried Amy inside, up the stairs, and dropped her onto the bed. Then he proceeded to tickle her.