Usually he found their antics amusing, but ever since he’d warned Claire he intended to make her moan for him again, he’d been distracted and edgy.
In fact, he hadn’t planned to go out at all tonight. He’d intended to stay close to Claire in case she wanted to knock off early and hang out, but she had plans of her own. Since he hadn’t been all that keen on staying home alone, he’d let Knox and Austin drag him out. He’d pretty quickly discovered that being by himself wasn’t the problem—it was being away from Claire. She’d become like a drug in his system. No one but her appealed to him.
It hadn’t helped that he’d caught a glimpse of London having dinner with Harrison Crosby as he headed toward The Lucky Mojo. She’d looked as elegant and unflappable as ever, but something about the way her date smiled at her kicked Linc in the gut. He recognized a man on the hunt. He’d seen the same expression reflected in his mirror over the past several days.
While he didn’t begrudge London her happiness, Linc couldn’t help but experience a small flash of envy that Harrison could wine and dine her to his heart’s content, while Linc was left skulking around in secret with Claire.
Linc didn’t give a damn who knew he was pursuing her, but Claire was sensitive about the situation and worried because she worked for him. Although he didn’t want to add to her concern, Linc sensed that by keeping their budding relationship quiet and acting like being with her was something he was ashamed of, she would never believe their divergent social positions didn’t matter.
As he stepped out of the BMW, the sound of splashing came from the direction of the pool. He headed for the source of the noise. The thick vegetation surrounding the concrete pool deck gave him cover as he lurked and watched Claire make her way from one end of the narrow pool to the other with slow, lazy strokes.
Tonight, she wore a utilitarian black one-piece that did nothing to enhance her slender curves. Even so, Linc found himself mesmerized by the flash of her slender arms and legs as she negotiated a flip turn and resumed her smooth rhythm. She was swimming for pleasure rather than fitness, but there was no missing the precision in her strokes. She moved like a trained swimmer and this showcased yet another example of how little he knew about her.
When she drew close to the end nearest him, Linc stepped out of the shadows and approached the turquoise water. “It’s a little chilly for a night swim, isn’t it?” He figured the air temperature was around sixty.
“You keep the pool at a comfortable eighty-two degrees, so it doesn’t bother me until I get out.” She frog kicked to the edge and looped her arms over the concrete.
The dark smudge of mascara beneath her eyes gave her an edgy look he appreciated. He imagined licking the water from her throat as her legs wrapped around his waist in the weightless environment.
“How long have you been out here?” he asked.
“Fifteen minutes or so.”
“Were you waiting for me to come home?”
The corners of her mouth turned up in an enigmatic smile. “How come you’re home so early? Did all your friends get lucky and ditch you?”
For once, he wasn’t in the mood to flirt. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you,” he said in all seriousness.
She hummed as if considering how to take this. Linc found himself taking off his jacket and reaching for his shirt buttons before he realized his intent.
“What are you doing?” she demanded as he stripped off his shirt, stepped out of his shoes and got to work on his pants.
“Joining you.”
Her eyes widened as his pants fell to his ankles and he kicked out of them.
“Don’t you need a suit?”
In answer, he executed a shallow dive and surfaced ten feet beyond her. The shock of the cool water on his overheated skin diminished none of the desire pulsing through his veins. Three powerful strokes brought him within arm’s reach of her and he wasted no time snagging her around the waist and dragging her flush against his body.
“Linc—” Her protest was cut off as he claimed her mouth in a hard kiss that let her know just how much he needed her.
She tasted like salt from the pool water and fresh peach pie with ice cream. He fed on her deliciousness with a ravenous appetite as she draped her thigh over his hip and gathered his wet hair between her fingers. She rocked her pelvis into him and moaned. Peeling one strap of her bathing suit off her shoulder, he coasted his lips over her silky skin, enjoying the way she trembled.
“We shouldn’t be doing this out here,” she warned, her voice a husky rasp. She pushed weakly against his chest. “What if we’re seen?”
“Stop worrying about that.” He skimmed her bathing suit lower, baring one small breast. “I don’t care if the whole world knows.”
“You should,” she gasped unsteadily.
Dipping his head, he pulled her tight nipple into his mouth and smiled as she shivered. For a long, heady moment, she was all pliant eagerness and he took complete advantage. But then she began shaking her head.
“Damn it, Linc.” Her voice was a breathless moan as he nipped at her neck. “I’m trying to be sensible.”
“There’s no need.”
“There’s every need.”
Hearing the solid conviction in her tone, he released a heartfelt sigh before peeling her hand
