Upon entering, Emily found the home to be shockingly warm and welcoming. At first sight, standing in the two-story foyer with a cascade of staircases on either side, her eyes took in the breathtaking view of the ocean. Sunlight spilled in effortlessly through floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding the back end of the home. A double-sided stone fireplace was the center of attention in the living room. Gleaming, dark cherry hardwood floors led into a gourmet eat-in kitchen that dripped with black granite in every direction. Deep earthy tones scattered throughout a library, billiard room, and dining room.
The amazement in Emily's eyes was evident.
Olivia squeezed Emily's arm, her smile wide. "I told you it's spectacular. And you have yet to see the media room, the second level, or the backyard fucking oasis, chick. "
Feeling almost breathless by her surroundings, Emily nodded to Olivia and followed Dillon up to the room they would share for the weekend. Olivia was right. The upstairs was no less amazing. The same flow of furnishings with warm accents and hues was sprinkled throughout the upper level. Emily felt like she was in a spa when she walked into the bathroom connected to their room. European fixtures and a marble shower encased in floor-to-ceiling glass made her want to skip the pool all together and opt for the hot steam instead.
With a wet bar in the room, Dillon prepared himself a drink and told Emily he would meet her out back. She nodded to him as she rummaged through her belongings. After applying a good bit of suntan lotion, she threw on her black bikini, slipped a sarong around her waist, and made her way into the hall.
Gavin halted midstride, grabbing for his sunglasses on the kitchen island. He spotted Emily coming down the stairs and felt a dizzying force plummet through him. Something inside him twisted, burning in his stomach to the very core of his being.
So much for trying to rid her from his mind.
Feeling depleted of air, he couldn't concentrate on any one particular thing about her. His eyes passed over her slowly, pausing to regard her beautiful figure. He was sure the sight of her auburn hair draping over her bikini top could send him to his deathbed a happy man. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to breathe. When they snapped back open, his eyes found hers, but she looked away.
He smiled, undeterred, and moved across the foyer to the edge of the stairs.
Standing two steps above him, Emily stared down to him, his eyes alone swallowing her whole. They were vivid, mesmerizing, and surrounded by thick dark lashes.
A timid smile crept across her face. "Hey," she let out, more breathlessly than she had intended.
The energy flowing between them was palpable. Gavin could feel it, and he was pretty sure she could, too.
He wet his lips and stared at her for a moment. "Hey. "
The overt intensity of his gaze rendered her speechless. Her eyes flew to the ocean beyond the windows as she waited for him to move out of her way.
Gavin could tell he made her nervous and that wasn't his intention. Sucking his bottom lip between his teeth, he tentatively placed his hand on the banister. "I know this whole thing's a little crazy," he whispered. He then paused for a second and smiled. "Well, more than a little, but I just wanted you to know that I'm just as freaked out about it as you are. " His face softened into concern as his gaze became more intent. "But, more importantly, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable at all while you're here. I want you to have a nice, relaxing weekend. "
Inwardly, knowing his statement was near impossible, Emily bit her lip as she held steady eye contact with him. She needed something to distract herself from the blazing blue of his eyes.
She moved down the stairs, trying with every bit of her voice and body movements to appear as nonchalant about the whole matter. "I appreciate your concern - and thank you - but honestly, I'm good. "
Gavin placed his hands at the back of his neck and smiled at her. "Are you sure?"
"One hundred percent," she replied, noticeably glancing around for an exit to the pool.
"Oh, it's over here. " Gavin motioned with his hand. "I'll actually follow you out. Some friends of mine are out back that I'd like to introduce you to. "
After retrieving the sunglasses Gavin initially came in the house for, he and Emily strolled outside.
Again inhaling as much as her lungs could hold, Emily let the salty smell of the ocean tickle her nose. An in-ground pool and hot tub overlooked the shores of the Atlantic. The views were spectacular from the hill where the home stood. An outdoor fireplace, a cabana with a built-in bar, and a guesthouse were part of the open-air paradise. Emily followed Gavin over to where Olivia and Dillon were chatting with two men.
Widening his eyes on Emily, Dillon excused himself from the group, letting her know he wanted to talk with her. Cocking her head to the side in confusion, Emily opened her mouth to speak, but then stopped when she saw the look on his face.
He appeared angry.
Looking at Dillon, Olivia rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Emily smiled at the two men, whom she had yet to meet, and followed Dillon across the yard.
"Are you kidding me, Em?" Dillon asked, eyeing her up and down when they were far enough away from everyone. "What the fuck are you wearing?"
Her brows knitted together as she tried to keep her voice under control. "Are you kidding me, Dillon?"
"Fuck no, I'm not kidding. We just talked about this the other night. Don't you have a one-piece?"
"No, I don't have a one-piece. I have a bikini that's covered by a sarong. "
Puffing out a breath, he scrubbed at his face with his hands. "At least go the fuck back upstairs and put on a pair of shorts then. "
"I'll do no such thing," she scoffed, placing her hands on her hips. "You're overreacting. It's blazing hot, there's a pool that I plan on going in, and I want to tan. "
"What a fucking joke, Emily. You're going to put me in a bad spot here if I catch any of these guys looking at you. "
Tilting her head to the side, she studied his demeanor. His voice left no room for argument, and the last thing she wanted was for him to get drunk and start a fight. She walked away without a backward glance in his direction and headed upstairs to do as he asked. Beyond pissed by his reaction, she made sure she slipped herself into the shortest pair of booty jean shorts she owned. To top it off, she left her bikini top on - uncovered.
By the time she made her way back outside, Olivia was lying on a plush beach chair, talking on the phon
e. Emily walked over to the four men, shot Dillon a wry smile, and politely asked him to make her a Captain and Diet Coke. He didn't look too happy with her new ensemble, but it was obvious he saw the look in her eyes this time, telling him to deal with it.
He honored her request and went to make her drink.
Gavin glared at Dillon as he walked away, and then flicked his eyes down to Emily's shorts. Knowing how overly possessive his friend was, he knew Dillon made her change. He gritted his teeth, not understanding why his friend couldn't be proud of what he had in his grasp.
Nevertheless, a charming smile ran across his mouth as he gazed into Emily's eyes. "I'd like to introduce you to my buddies, Chris and Joe. Guys, this is Dillon's girlfriend, Emily. "
She smiled and shook their hands. Seeing that they could pass for brothers - with eyes, hair, and features that were strikingly similar - she asked, "Are you two related?"
Chris spoke up first, his hazel eyes wide as he laughed. "Very good observation on your part; we're actually cousins," he remarked, tossing a hand through his almond-colored hair.
Joe smirked. "Yes, unfortunately, our mothers are sisters," he joked, patting Chris on his back.
Emily laughed with them. She learned that both men went to high school with Gavin and Trevor. They relocated to Florida and opened a landscaping business together after graduating college. When Dillon brought her drink over, she excused herself from the group of men and got comfortable on one of the poolside beach chairs with Olivia.
"Em, he's really starting to become - "
Emily held up a silencing finger. "Please. Just let it go for now, Liv. "
She propped herself up on her elbow and flashed a frown. "Let it go?"
"Yes, please. I don't want to talk about it, okay?"