He took a step toward her and she backed away.
“You want to play, do you?”
Before she could move another inch he caught her wrist and pulled her up against his hard body. She was pressed so close that she could feel the ripples of his stomach muscles against her chest.
When he dipped his head she jerked back and clamped her lips shut. What in the world? Was he trying to kiss her? Was he crazy?
Suddenly Erin felt herself falling backward and as she hit the water she shrieked. It was cut short when she went under but in seconds she was up, coughing and spluttering, glaring at the now laughing man who stood before her.
“You beast,” she yelled. “What are you trying to do? Kill me?”
“Two can play, my dear.”
His smug expression, his laughing mouth, the amusement in his eyes so incensed Erin that, before she knew what she was doing, her hand flew up to shove him in the chest.
But he was quick, too quick for her. As it went up he grabbed her wrist. Then, staring deep into her eyes, he turned her hand slowly and bent his head to plant a searing kiss in the middle of her palm.
The touch of his lips sent an electric jolt shooting up her arm and through her body.
She snatched her hand from his. With all the haughtiness she could muster she held her head high, turned and pushed through the water and away from the laughing man.
“I’m leaving,” she said to the girls, her voice clipped and cold.
To her surprise and relief they followed her out of the pool without protest, saving her the indignity of listening to the man’s mocking laughter.
***
Dare watched the curvy brunette leave the pool, her posse of giggling friends in tow. She’d looked very young but she was obviously in charge. Although the smallest in the group, she held herself like a queen and the three girls tripped after her.
“You’re getting old, man.” His attorney, Ed, slapped him on the back, still laughing. “Normally you don’t let them get away that easily. Are you losing your touch?”
He shook his head, still watching the girl’s delectable tush in her hot pink bikini as it disappeared around the corner of the pool hut and out of his view. Only then did he turn to Ed.
“No, still on the ball, but you’ve got to know how far to go with girls like her.”
“Girls like her?” Ed raised his eyebrows. “You know her?”
“Don’t need to. I know those kinds of girls and that’s all that counts.”
“Meaning?”
“Didn’t you see that was a set up? That was no accident. That girl and her friends were after something.”
“Meaning…you.”
“I’ve had enough of them throwing themselves at me to know when there’s just another groupie around.”
“Somehow she didn’t seem that way to me.” It was the first time Roger had spoken. He’d done his share of laughing but had made no comment throughout the whole episode. Now Dare’s accountant sounded amused but mildly protective.
“Hold up.” Dare gave him a hard look. “Don’t tell me you’re falling for that game. Don’t you see it was all a ruse to get my attention?”
“What makes you think-”
Dare held up his hand, effectively silencing the balding man. “I don’t think. I know. I heard them giggling back there long before she attacked. I knew they were up to something. I just didn’t expect a near drowning.”
“I think you have it wrong, senor.”
All three men turned back to the counter to a smiling bartender. He was busy wiping glasses but it was obvious he'd been listening and had formed his own opinion, one he was more than willing to share.
“How’s that, Danny?” Dare had to hear this one.
“Been observing those girls for the last couple of days and that tiny one who jumped you is as harmless as a kitten.”
Dare stared at Danny’s wide smile, incredulous. “That kitten almost drowned me.”
“Nah, she just tripped. I think she was trying to flirt with you.”
“And is that any better, trying to come on to me? I’m sick of being stalked.”
“Aw, senor, I should have your problem.”
All the men at the bar laughed at Danny’s comment and he laughed too, but he was not done.
“It’s those other girls you should worry about. For the last two days they’ve been in the pool daring one another to do all kinds of crazy things.” He slid a fresh martini in front of Dare. “Today is the first time I saw the little one get involved. I guess they must have goaded her into it.”
Dare was silent for a moment, thinking. He delayed his response by sipping at the drink. Somehow he was not convinced by Danny’s defense. But still, he was intrigued.
He could still feel the petite girl’s luscious br**sts pressed into his chest even though he’d held her for less than two seconds. She was appealing, no doubt about that, and there was something about her that made him want to see her again. But he’d better let go of that feeling, and fast. He wouldn’t fall for that trick – again.
“Danny boy, you have a lot to learn.” He laughed good-naturedly at the bartender. “Gold-diggers come in all shapes and sizes.”
“Dare, I am shocked. This is not like you,” Ed said, imitating the voice of an elderly schoolmarm.
Dare couldn’t help laughing out loud. But then he got serious. “I have lots of reasons to be like this and it comes from not so pleasant experiences.” One in particular, but he wasn’t going to go into that with them.
“Let’s forget about them and get back to a more interesting topic. Like basketball.”
The men got back to their previous conversation and in no time were engrossed in Roger’s account of the most exciting basketball final of all time – the Chicago Bulls against Utah Jazz in 1998 when Michael Jordon scored the winning basket in the last minute of the game, locking Utah out and winning 87-86. He’d been there and never tired of recounting his experience.
Dare joined in the conversation at all the appropriate moments but his mind was far away, wondering if he would see that pixie again. After the way his body had reacted to her it would be best if he never did.