The Billionaire’s Marriage Of Deception

Chapter 5

“No kidding,” Amanda muttered, watching as Michael slid the khakis down to reveal a tight little red Speedo that had Amanda squirming in her pink bikini, feeling wetness drip out of her and hoping her bikini bottoms weren’t soaked. Seriously, this was like every fantasy she’d been having over the past week all coming true at once.

Michael noticed the motion, and his grin turned wicked. “I bet this guy’s been thinking about you, too,” he said. “This friend of yours.”

“Uh huh.” Amanda’s gaze was fixed on Michael’s gorgeously long legs as they emerged from the khakis, and it took serious mental effort to drag her eyes back up to Michael’s. “Has he?”

“Yeah.” Michael stood up, tall and muscular and all but naked, and this was unexpectedly shaping up to be one of the best days of Amanda’s entire life.

The look on Michael’s face changed from wicked to mischievous, and before Amanda could say anything, he was taking a few long running strides forward and leaping into the air, arms and legs tucked tightly together, whooping as he cannon-balled into the pool.

Amanda shouted as the impact tipped the float over and dumped her into the water, the novel instantly getting soggy and sinking to the bottom of the pool. She spluttered as she pushed back up to the surface, squinting and shaking the water off her face. “Michael!” she reproached, paddling over to the shallower end so she could get her feet on the ground. Her weave was all wet now and that was just…nasty. She needed to go dry it before it started to resemble a bird’s nest.

Michael suddenly surfaced in front of her, grinning like a loon. He tilted his head forward and shook his head, water droplets spraying in all directions. Amanda indignantly shoved him back and tried to push past him, but Michael was grabbing her around the waist and slinging her around until her back was up against the wall of the pool, feet just brushing the ground.

Amanda opened her mouth to protest, but Michael was pressed up against her, one long hard line of muscle from shoulders to feet, and any words died in Amanda’s throat. Michael’s hand was resting on Amanda’s hip, warm and solid, and he was looking down with a sudden, serious intensity that made Amanda shiver despite the heat of the sun.

A moment passed in silence, and for the first time, Michael looked hesitant. When he spoke, it was quiet, a complete contrast to his earlier exuberance. “This friend,” he said softly. “If he’s been thinking about you an awful lot, like you’re all that he can think about, would that be okay?”

Amanda nodded wordlessly, her heart pounding. She wanted to do something, to reach out and touch Michael, to lick the droplets of water off his neck and chest, but it was like she was frozen in place.

The corner of Michael’s mouth quirked up. His other hand came up to rest on Amanda’s shoulder before sliding down and into the cool water. “I don’t think I’m reading you wrong, Amanda, but if I am, you gotta let me know.”

“Thought you were so good at observing people,” Amanda returned, and before she could talk herself out of being impulsive for once in her life, she was reaching up and pulling Michael’s mouth down to hers.

When she looked up, she got a quick glimpse of Michael’s beaming grin before his hands were cupping Amanda’s face, pulling her in for a long, slow, wet kiss that was absolutely perfect. Amanda hummed happily and slid her arms around Michael’s waist, enjoying the feel of the strong body inside her embrace.

When they broke apart, Michael stroked his thumbs over Amanda’s cheekbones before giving a self-conscious laugh. “I’m sorry, Amanda.”

Amanda blinked, confused. “For what?”

Michael gestured at the pool and then at the two of them. “I wasn’t planning to dive in and jump you like that, I swear.”

“Did it sound like I minded?” Amanda asked incredulously.

Michael’s rich, deep laugh echoed off the garden wall. “No, I suppose you didn’t,” he returned, ducking to give Amanda a kiss.