Page 36 of Mr. Romantic (Mister 2)

“What happened back there?”

“Nothing happened. I was mad. That’s all.”

“Because I said I wanted to fuck you? Put my cock in your mouth? Are you really that timid?”

“I’m not used to it.”

He moves closer, his arms wrapping around my waist, and my hands automatically go to his shoulders to keep afloat.

“That’s a step forward.”

“Look—”

“No, you look. Don’t be so uptight. Just relax, for fuck’s sake. Enjoy it. It’s a hot summer night, we’re in the middle of the desert, at a huge resort that has a total of thirteen guests including you. We’re in a secluded pool, total privacy.”

Oh, my God. I think he wants to fuck me in the pool. This is going way too fast for me.

“Your heart is beating so fast. Do I scare you that much? Do you really think I’m a rapist?”

“That’s not what—” But I stop again. Because he’s going to ask me what I’m really worried about if I continue.

“Then what?”

“I mean, yes, of course. You have a very bad reputation, Nolan. It’s something I can’t forget about.”

He looks me in the eyes for a few seconds. “You only see what they want you to see. A bad guy. A player. And yeah, I’ve had my share of fun and most of it has been with women. But I’m not that guy in the news. I’m just Mr. Romantic.”

I make a noise that might be a laugh if I wasn’t so nervous. “I’m not sure that’s any better than Nolan Delaney.”

“It is,” he says. His hands slide over my hips in a very provocative gesture. One even slips over the curve of my ass cheek, his fingers lifting the bathing suit up a few inches. “Trust me, it is.”

I stare at his eyes, the green shimmering with the light reflecting off the water. “You said it was ironic. Like your book.”

“It was meant to be. But if you ever get to know the real me, you’ll see what I mean. I’m not all irony, Ivy. I have a very serious, straight side too.”

“Show me,” I say, surprised by my bravado.

He leans in and kisses me. His hand leaves my hip and grabs the back of my neck, preventing me from pulling away.

I don’t pull away, so it’s a wasted gesture. And as soon as he understands that, he fists it and pushes me closer. I wrap my legs around his waist and feel his hard cock rubbing the sensitive skin near my ass.

I could go all the way tonight. Let him tease me into the adult world of sex, and dirty talk, and midnight fucks in a swimming pool. I could let him just… be him. And tomorrow this will be over. I’ll just be Ivy again, minus one intact cherry. And we’ll talk business.

I could do this and go home feeling new and ready for whatever comes. A new man, a new job, a new life.

“Have you ever done it in a pool, Ivy?” he says into my mouth.

I shake my head no.

“Well.” He reaches one arm out, pulling us through the water towards the shallow end. And when his feet touch the floor, he walks forward. My arms are still holding onto his perfect shoulders, my legs still circling his muscled waist. “It’s not as fun as it sounds.” He carries me up the steps of the pool and walks over to his bungalow. “So we’re going to take this inside.”

Chapter Fifteen - Nolan

She clings to me. And even though that little display back in the restaurant should be nothing but warning bells going off in my head, I ignore them. Something is wrong, but I’m not sure it’s about me. So I’m going to ignore it.

Her heart is beating so fast against my chest, I almost ask her what the fuck. But I figure it’s just a little residual fear over what Claudette told her. I’m dangerous.

I’m mad about that, and I will be confronting Claudette about it later.