ANDREW
Stop flirting with your boss and watching his every move.
I repeated that mantra to myself as I walked with Dylan down to the water’s edge, while Rowan was back in the cabana. The sea was bathwater warm and calm, perfect for swimming. I glanced around, hyperaware that Dylan and Rowan could attract unwanted attention, but I didn’t see anyone paying us particular mind. I turned to head back up the beach and noticed a fair-haired man in tight pink shorts talking to Rowan. Judging by how close the man stood, in Rowan’s personal space, I assumed this was a friend or a lover. Probably the latter, given the smile on the man’s face. Rowan said something, and the man erupted in fits of laughter.Great.
Bad enough I had to sit with an erection on the car ride over here thanks to that little exchange with Rowan. All I could think about was testing out Rowan’s driving skills and riding his cock, but I’d buried that fantasy quick.I had to watch what I said around the boss in private and especially out here in public. I glanced around the beach and decided it was time I focused on finding a sexy distraction of my own. I needed to let go of this stupid fixation on Rowan before it gained momentum, like a runaway train headed for disaster.
With that mindset firmly in place, I slowly walked back up the beach to the cabana and walked around Rowan, who was still deep in conversation with Mr. Chuckles. I pulled off my shorts and tank top, leaving me in my black speedo. Even though I wasn’t as ripped as some of the guys on the beach, I was still in good shape from regular running and yoga, and I was comfortable in my skin. Searching my backpack, I located my bottle of sunscreen. Before I could make my escape, Rowan walked in with Chuckles following closely behind.
“Andrew, I’d like you to meet Leo Dunbar. Leo owns several hotels in the US. Leo, Andrew Slater, my assistant.”
“A pleasure, Andrew,” Leo said with a smile that was all teeth, like a barracuda about to pounce on his next meal. “I wish I had a handsome assistant that would accompany me to the beach and parade around in a tiny bathing suit. Are you for hire?”
Who was this douchebag? Anger sizzled along my skin, burning me hotter than the tropical sun. But before I could open my mouth, Rowan stepped in.
“It’s Andrew’s day off, so he can wear what he wants.”
“You’re spending the day together?” Leo asked, pushing his sunglasses down his nose and giving me a patronizing sneer. I gently steered the conversation in another direction before we totally veered off course.
“I’m friends with Dylan.” I nodded to the shore where Dylan was still standing. Good thing I was used to improvising in my job. I really should have thought about the implications of inviting Rowan today before I did it.
Leo turned back to Rowan. “How about more company? I haven’t seen you for ages, Ro, and we could catch up, hang out with my friends, maybe head back to our villa? I always perform at my best in a group. Remember?” Leo gave Rowan a knowing smile, and I was ready to push him face-first into the hot sand.
“It was nice to catch up with you Leo, but Dylan needs a quiet afternoon, and my friend comes first. You understand.” Rowan’s cold tone said it all. Get lost, Leo.
“Right. Well, he’s probably a bore given he can’t drink. I’ll get back to my friends,” Leo replied, crossing his arms, his gaze bouncing between Rowan and me. “It was nice to meet you, Andrew, but be mindful of the sun. Most people think they can handle it, but they get badly burned. One day of fun isn’t worth it. Trust me, I know.”
It was laughable that this ass was warning me off Rowan. Message received and ignored.
“Enjoy the beach, Leo, and the privacy this club affords. I don’t need to remind you about privacy, do I?” Rowan warned, and Leo nodded in return. I finally breathed a sigh of relief when Leo walked away.
“Thank God he’s gone,” I remarked as I slid my sunglasses off and opened the bottle of sunscreen. “What did you see in that guy?”
“Who says I was seeing him?” Rowan bit back.
I raised my eyebrows. “I’m not stupid, Rowan. If you want to join Leo and his friends, it’s no problem. I’m more than happy to spend the day with Dylan.”
Rowan looked out at the water and then back at me. “I had sex with Leo a few times, once with another guy as he hinted. That was six months ago. He wanted more, but I have no interest in him other than business. He turned out to be another sycophant who wanted to get in my pants to line the pockets of his,” Rowan replied tersely as he threw off his t-shirt and toed off his running shoes. Soft blue eyes met mine, and my breath caught. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore. Lie down on the lounger.”
“What?” I growled, arousal slamming through my body at Rowan’s demand until I saw his smirk and his finger pointed at the bottle of sunscreen in my hand.
“Leo’s right, the sun is very intense. You don’t want to damage that smooth skin of yours.”
Rowan flashed his biggest smile, and those killer dimples popped out, ruining me for anyone else. My pulse pounded, and my cock twitched as I slowly did as I was told, noting the way Rowan’s pupils dilated and his breath hitched. No one could see us in here, save for the few people facing us in the water, but they were far enough away.
Once I was stretched out, I turned my head over my shoulder to find Rowan’s hungry gaze zeroed in on my ass and all traces of humor gone from his face. Oh, shit. I glanced further down, over Rowan’s furred chest and his taut stomach until I reached a pair of tight navy swim shorts that outlined a package I was hungering to explore. It seemed Rowan was having no issues with his sex drive today.
“Maybe I can get one of Leo’s friends to lather me up. You look like you need to cool down.” I teased, my mouth running ahead of my mind again.
Rowan shook his head and squirted a huge glob of sunscreen on my shoulder.
“Yikes, that’s still cold.” I tensed, suddenly regretting keeping my sunscreen in the fridge.
“Sorry, not sorry,” Rowan murmured. “Besides, I’m a big boy, and I can handle you. I mean myself. Not you. I wouldn’t handle you. I can handle myself around you … Christ, I think I’ve got sunstroke.”
It finally hit me that the sophisticated billionaire was nervous. Around me? I had a mind to tell Rowan just how adorable I found his verbal fumbling but figured I’d get a glare and a one-way ticket home in return. I used my forearm to muffle my laughter. But as soon as Rowan’s hand touched my back, I knew I’d made a very big mistake. Getting a sunburn was a far less risky option than being touched by Rowan Carter.
There was no way in hell I could lie still when those warm, firm hands were massaging my skin, in between my shoulder blades, and down my lower back until they reached the top of my ass. It was exquisite, electric, and my body burned hotter, despite the shade of the cabana. I bit my lip in an effort not to thrust my hips into the padded lounger and moan out loud like a needy porn star.