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“They’re watching!” Briana hissed.
Her fists hammered into my back, making me wish I could throw her down and dominate her in the most primal way.All in good time,I promised myself, pushing through the double doors and out into the blistering heat. It was an easy trot down to the pool, where I paused at the water’s edge. “Apologize, Bri.”
She struggled, wriggling and squirming. I knew the moment she saw the water because she began bucking in earnest. “You wouldn’t?” she seethed.
Laughing, I bounced my shoulder. “That wasn’t very apologetic, suits.”
“Viktor! Please!” she squealed.
I tsked. I thought I had a firm grasp on her, but as I moved to toss her into the pool, Briana clutched wildly at my head. The result was me tipping into the water.
The cool water sluiced over my body, gravity pulling me down. My eyes burned with salt as I searched for Bri. I found her struggling in the water, her blouse plastered to her torso. Cursing inwardly, I kicked hard and caught her.
Her fist cracked into my temple. Pain sparked, but I ignored it. Teeth grit tight, I struggled to the surface with the raging hellion in my arms.
As soon as we broke the surface, Briana’s sharp tongue began to rattle off. At the wordphone, I realized my own cellular device was now drenched, along with my gun. Adjusting my grip on Briana, I felt for the weapon first. It remained secure at my waist in the tactical belt, and my phone was still in my jeans.
A deep, masculine laugh barked from across the pool. I relaxed when I saw a familiar face. Michael Pelto had been at the celebratory graduation dinner three years ago. Time hadn’t done much to change that bright, cheerful face, but whatever was growing over his upper lip was a joke.
“You have something on your face,” I called out. “Dirt or something worse.”
Michael reached up to pat his cheeks. “Where?” he boomed.
“He means your mustache, Mikey,” Briana grumbled, pushing away from me.
I let her go, not wanting to be too much of a Tarzan. She needed doses of dominance, not a constant barrage.
With swift, elegant strokes, Briana swam across the long pool to where her brother crouched. He offered her a hand and helped pull her out.
I watched like a hawk. When she was safe on the pool’s deck, I turned around and pulled myself out of the water. Briana was getting a towel from an attendant, and I snatched one and rubbed my head.
“Viktor, good to see you, man.” Michael stuck out his hand. “I hear you’re escorting my sister these days.” He slid a protective look toward Briana, but she was too busy drying off to notice.
I shook the kid’s hand. He was a good man, even if he looked stupid with the blonde pubes on his lip. “Yeah, I don’t know what she was thinking when she agreed to date me,” I mused.
Briana snapped her head up and glared at me. “I wasn’t thinking I’d be tossed into a pool!”
“I bet you deserved it, sis,” Michael teased.
He had no idea what he was saying. I laughed.
“Come on, I’ll buy you both a drink. They make this bomb coconut mix. I had three last night.” Michael playfully tugged his sister’s elbow, taking a step toward the bar.
Bri pulled herself away. “Thanks, but I’ll pass,” she said frostily. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go change before we’re required to gather for dinner.”
Without giving me a second glance, Briana stormed away.She looks like a damn queen....
“You want to change too?” Michael asked me.
“Nah, let’s check out that coconut mix,” I said, and followed him to the outdoor bar. One end of it was inside the swimming pool, offering those floating on loungers the chance to grab a drink.
“So, you and my sister?” Michael pressed after the orders were placed.
“It was fate,” I said simply.
“Cheesy, dude. Too cheesy.” Michael drummed his fingers into the counter. “And how’s your sister? Did she settle into a computer career?”
At the casual change of subject, the hackles rose on my neck. “She’s good. Working for our family.”
