Jackie looked over at Antonio, who had stepped away and was laughing and talking with another couple. He caught her eye and gave her a dimpled smile.
Jackie pulled her phone from her back pocket, grateful it hadn’t slipped out and landed in the river below. “We aren’t a couple,” she typed. The voice of the app was barely audible over the wind and rushing river.
“Really?” Shane seemed genuinely surprised. “You could have fooled me. The sexual auras are very vibrant between the two of you. What’s your sign? Scorpio?”
Jackie held up her hand.Chill out, buddy. Jackie had heard enough about auras in the past year to last a lifetime. Ever since Tanika had gotten a pair of glasses that supposedly helped her see people’s true colors, their Boss Chick lunches had turned way more woo-woo than Jackie was comfortable with. She didn’t want or need to hear aboutvibrant sexual auras, not when it came to her cousin and her best friend, and especially not when it came to her and Antonio.
Jackie watched as Antonio lifted the hem of his shirt to wipe sweat from his eyes, the top of his pelvis just slightly visible, including the happy trail leading into his waistband. She swallowed as memories of the other night flashed in her head. Why hadn’t she licked that spot the other night when she’d had a chance?
“Right, not a couple,” Shane chuckled, then leaned closer to whisper. “Try not to bite a hole in your lip, then.”
Realizing her teeth were furiously gripping her bottom lip, Jackie quickly released it. But it was too late. Antonio was looking right at her intensely, almost like he could read her thoughts. Jackie let out a slow breath. It would have been a lot easier to dislike Antonio if he wasn’t so damn fine. And to make matters worse, he was generally a decent person, the lie of omission about PJ notwithstanding.
Antonio walked over, handing Jackie a bottle of water. “You look like you could use a drink. You look a little…thirsty.”
Oh no he didn’t. Jackie snatched the bottle and took a generous gulp.
Shane whistled, and Locust clapped to get everyone’s attention.
“Today was a great day! We hope you all got a lot out of the trust-based activities,” Locust beamed. “The sun is setting, so we are going to start our way back to the resort.”
Shane looked up at the sky. “A storm may be coming in. We don’t want to get stuck out here in it.”
A storm?Jackie looked up, confused. The sun was indeed setting, but there wasn’t a storm cloud in sight. The weather had been picturesque since they’d arrived. She was sure Shane operated on vibes and was probably wrong about this one.
Jackie and Antonio walked back toward the luxury sprinters that waited to take the group back to the resort.
“You did good back there, Lucky,” Antonio said. “Facing your fears like that. I do think that deserves a reward.”
Jackie raised a brow. She typed, “Unless that reward is something I can spend or something shiny, then I don’t want it.”
“I think it’ll be something much better. And much more…fulfilling.”
Jackie slowly turned to face Antonio, then paused to type a response. “I don’t know if that’s on the table.”
“Is that right?” Antonio leaned down over Jackie, his breath tickling her ear and sending a shiver down her spine. “Because we have that nice, big table in our suite, and I’d love to see your fine ass on it.”
Jackie’s breath hitched as her back hit the side of the van. She looked up at Antonio, who was inches from her face. Was he going to kiss her? She tilted her head up, her lips dangerously close to his. As soon as she did that, Antonio pulled back with a low laugh.
“Nah, Lucky,” Antonio chuckled. “That’s off the table, right? Pun intended.”
Jackie balled up her fist and punched Antonio in his arm.
He winced, grabbing his bicep. “Listen, I can’t help it if you can’t resist me. You know you love it, lil’ mama.”
Jackie fumed, arms folded. Antonio was such an ass.
Antonio moved past her and ducked inside the van. When she didn’t move, he peeked his head outside. “Jackie, you know damn well you aren’t going to walk back to the resort.”
Jackie grunted, shaking her head.
Antonio sighed. “Fine. I’m sorry. I was just kidding. I promise the reward isn’t my dick. Just get in the van, Lucky.”
Jackie huffed, making her way inside the van.
“You’re gonna want this reward, Jackie. Trust me.”
Jackie raised a skeptical brow. She didn’t know what Antonio was up to, but she had a feeling that dick was still probably on the table. If she was being honest with herself, she’d take the dick. Being in his arms and being held all night was cool. But holding him in her hands had reminded her that she knew Antonio Steele could give her infinite amounts of pleasure. The man was blessed with talentandequipment.
