I pull up to the kerb and climb from the car after grabbing my bag from the passenger seat.
“Hey, Ryan! Glad you made it,” Derek calls out from the front porch. He looks good. More than good.
I grin as I make my way over to him. “You bet. I’ve been looking forward to it all week.”
“Come on in.”
I follow him into the house, checking it out in daylight as we make our way down the hall into the large open-plan kitchenand living area. He’s renovated over the last few years and the house is amazing. I tell him so.
“I know I said it last week, but I still can’t believe what you’ve done with this place. It’s hard to imagine it’s the same house you bought.”
He laughs. “It’s been a labour of love.”
Derek’s house is stunning—warm and welcoming, a true reflection of its owner, I can’t help thinking. The room is spacious, light and bright, the furniture modern but comfortable looking. He’s stuck to a neutral palette with light floorboards and lots of indoor plants. The wall to wall windows provide an amazing view of the backyard, bringing more of the green inside. We exit onto the patio and the pool comes into view. It’s crystal clear, sun reflecting off the surface and I can’t wait to get in. An outdoor table sits under a pergola, complete with an impressive barbecue.
“Wow, Derek, this is amazing. Paradise. I feel like I’m at a resort.”
He grins and claps me on the back. “I’m glad you like it. I think it’s pretty special.”
“Trust me, I think so too,” I say. The sun’s warmth on my skin, the sweet scent of the garden, the sound of water gently lapping against the pool’s edge, Derek’s wide smile—definitely special.
“Come on,” he says. “Let’s get changed and hop in the pool for a swim before lunch. The water’s perfect.”
“Sounds good to me,” I agree, stomach fluttering with anticipation as I look forward to the day ahead.
He leads me to a guest bedroom.
“You can get changed and leave your stuff in here. There’s a beach towel on the bed,” he says. He turns to leave, but stops in the doorway. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Sure. That’d be great. I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
As I strip off, I take in the artwork on the walls and the quality furniture that blends comfort with style. The whole house is a testament to Derek’s success, although it’s not surprising he’s done so well for himself as he’s always been driven and ambitious. For a moment I reflect on my own living arrangement—nearly thirty-years old, bunking down in my brother’s apartment—and my chest hitches. You’d think I’d have more to show for myself by now. All I have to show is a failed relationship. I sigh and drag on my speedos.
“Hey, Ryan,” Derek calls out from somewhere down the hall, drawing my attention back to him. “You coming out or what?”
“Sure,” I call in reply. I grab the towel and head back to the kitchen where I find Derek pouring from a bottle into large glasses.
He looks up at my approach. “I…ah… I hope lemonade is okay.”
If I’m not mistaken there’s a flare in his eyes as they rake over my body and I warm at the thought. Iwanthis eyes on me.
“Lemonade is perfect,” I say, draping the towel strategically over my shoulder. “Can I give you a hand?”
Derek nods, and his gaze flicks to mine. He gestures to the drinks. “Grab a glass and those chips, would you?”
We take our drinks and snacks out to the pool area where we settle on sun lounges. A large umbrella provides shade but the sun reflects from the pool regardless. Derek points to the bottle of sunscreen on the small table between us. As I rub sunscreen over my arms, I’m tempted to ask Derek to apply some to my back, but it seems like such an obvious ploy to get his hands on me. The question rests on my tongue, but then Derek utters the words.
“Want me to do your back for you?”
I freeze.
He doesn’t wait for an answer, grabbing the bottle from my hands and stepping closer. My mouth goes dry as I nod and shuffle forward on the sun lounge. He stands beside me and puts a generous amount of the cream on his palm, before rubbing both hands together. It’s so like Derek to take the chill off before putting it on my skin. When his palms touch my shoulders, it takes every ounce of my self-control to hold back the moan. The movement of his hands over my shoulders is everything I thought it would be, sensual and setting every nerve on fire. He works the lotion into my back, running his hands down my traps. I focus my energy on staying perfectly still when all I want to do is luxuriate under his touch, to purr like a cat. Once every inch of my back is covered, his fingers linger for a moment, before slowly slipping away.
It takes a moment for my senses to return. I blink away the dream-like state and raise my head. Derek is standing over me, brows drawn together. I hold his gaze trying to read his emotions, but his face is in shadow. There’s a strange tension between us and not knowing what else to say, I jump to my feet. “C’mon. Are we going in, or what?”
Derek grins. “Last one in has to man the barbecue.”
He turns, takes a few long strides and launches himself into the pool. It’s worth losing the race to watch his dive—for a broad man, he’s elegant as he slices through the water. I watch him swim a lap, his form proving he’s a strong swimmer. He breaks the surface in the shallow end, water sluicing off his body as he shakes his head like a dog. He blinks his eyes open and sees me standing on the edge of the pool. “I guess I won, then,” he says.
