Distraction (Westbrook Series Book 1) (29 page)

"I think he might just be my new favorite artist," I say, breaking the silence. When Sam leans into my neck, I can feel him smiling. He is playing with my hair.

"We should go to Tennessee some time. You'd
love
the music and night life," he suggests, while twirling a lock of my long, dark hair around his finger. Normally, the ringlets wrap around his finger with ease. Today, my hair is straight, and it keeps slipping right through his fingers. He doesn’t seem to mind, though.

"That sounds like fun. If only I were
older
. . . ." I want to retract my words as soon as they spill from my loose lips. I hate reminding him of my age. There is still a part of me that worries he will end things with me because I'm still in high school.

"So who
knew
that Sam Woodson is just a hopeless romantic?" I ask as I pull his arms tighter around my waist. "Tell me this much. Is this your standard first date for
all
of your girlfriends?" I tease him, hoping to change the subject.

"Um
yes
, I do have a romantic side to me despite what you might have heard from Kyle, and
absolutely not
. I have never done
anything
like this before."

"And
why
is that?" I ask him.

"Let's just say I've never been . . .
motivated
in the past."

"So, you did all of
this
just to make up for the double date thing?" I ask, with a scowl on my face.

"Do you
really
think I could pull off something like this in
one
day? You overestimate my capabilities, Laila. This was
not
easy to orchestrate."

"I imagine it wasn't. So, are you ready to tell me exactly
how
you managed to do this?" I ask.

"I was lucky. My father personally knows the chef, and he owed my dad a big favor. Ricardo is actually my mother's cousin, believe it or not," he explains.

"You are
related
to Ricardo? Now
that
is surprising."

"He is a real waiter at Venice, but he is also a paid actor. When I asked him what his going rate is, he offered to do it for free. He wanted to play up the whole Italian accent thing, for practice because his Italian is quote un-quote,
very rusty
. So, we made a deal, and I gave him free reign. It was actually pretty freaking funny."

"That was an act? I'd say his Italian is better than rusty, but what do I know?"

Sam laughs and shakes his head. "You may not be the best judge. No offense."

I nod. There isn't much else to say because my attempts to speak the language were just shy of pathetic.

"Anyway, Anthony is really good friends with my dad, and like I said, he kind of owes him. Apparently, my father helped him get his first big break, and it kind of put his new
ristorante
on the map. The whole thing was basically a bunch of favors called in."

"Wow. That's
really
cool. You have
connections
. So, your dad actually helped you set this whole thing up?" I ask.

He simply nods.

"Does he
know
… that this was for
me,
or even about
us
?" I ask nervously.

"
Yes
and
no
. I mean he
knows
that I am crazy about a
girl
, but he doesn't know that the girl is
you
."

I turn my head so I can peer up into his eyes. The flickering lights from the burning Tiki torches that border the landscaping around the patio are reflected in them. He is staring at me intensely, waiting for me to respond even though he hasn’t asked me a question.

"Do you want to go swimming?" I ask suddenly, wanting to think about anything but how, or when we will reveal our relationship to our families.

Sam's eyes get big, and I swear he blushes. It is really cute to see the always secure and confident Sam with a little vulnerability every once in a while. It makes him less intimidating. He nods almost too emphatically. We jump up, dry off our feet, and race back into the house so we can change into our swimming suits and grab towels.

Chapter Twenty-One:
What is With the Two of You?
 

I can't help but stare at my new necklace with the heart pendant and gold L, resting on my chest just above my purple bikini top. The pendant is so small compared to the letter. You wouldn't even know it is inscribed unless you turned it over and looked at it really closely. This is a good thing because I'd have a hard time explaining away the inscription.

The sound of the creaking guest bedroom door startles me. For a moment, I had forgotten that he was just over in the room next to me. I hear his heavy steps thudding down the stairs, and that fluttering in my stomach returns.

When I glance at my phone, I see that it's only nine thirty. I also see a missed text from Avery.

Avery Brookes: Is it ok if Trevor comes over with me to swim later tonight? I figured it would be fine since I am staying over anyway. We'll stay in the pool away from you guys if you want. I'm not sure what is going on between Sam and him, but I take it the two of them are not exactly friendly now, right? You have a LOT of explaining to do later, little lady!!!

My stomach drops as the dread replaces the light fluttering I felt before. I am not ready to see Trevor again so soon. Not to mention, I'm still going to have to get through dinner tomorrow, when he and his parents come over. I wonder when "later" really is. She sent the text a little after eight.

Me: What time???

I am not ready to surrender my precious alone time with Sam, but I can't exactly say
no
to my best friend. I toss my phone onto my bed, and go to the hall linen closet to grab two beach towels. I throw one of Kyle's fraternity t-shirts over my head, and twist my hair up into a messy knot. My phone chimes.

Avery Brookes: I don't know. Maybe around ten-ish? The movie just let out, but we are going to grab ice cream before heading back . . . .

Me: Ok, it's fine. Sam and I are just getting into the pool now. Maybe, let us finish up our swim before you two come out, ok? (wink, wink) There are drinks in the fridge by the bar downstairs. My parents won't be home until later tomorrow. Not sure what time Kyle will be back from his date, but I don't think he will care.

Avery Brookes: got it (wink, wink:). So, Kyle's on a date? Who's the girl? Is it that same Georgia chic?

Me: Why do you even care? Aren't you on a date with Trevor right now? :)

Avery Brookes
:
(gasp) I was just curious, Lays. Plus, Kyle doesn't have girlfriends! He is supposed to be the world's biggest player, remember??? Isn't that what you are always trying to make me believe? :)

Me: Apparently, I don't know my brother very well anymore. I guess she is a game changer for him. It's about time. He seriously needs to grow up.

Avery Brookes: Oh he's grown up all right, Laila. When I look at his hot bod, I would say he is DEFINITELY all grown up!!!

Me: GROSS! You do know he is my BROTHER, right? Please reserve your comments for your friends that are not sharing the same bloodline, ok?

Avery Brookes: (eye roll) Whatever, Laila. We'll sneak downstairs and give you and Sam some time alone to make out (wink, wink).
:)

I laugh and shake my head.
Avery can be such a trip
. I tuck my phone under the towels in my arms and head outside to join Sam. He is lying on the chase lounge, drinking a beer. I set the towels down and kick my Havanianas under the chair.

Sam's eyes travel down to my necklace. The corners of his mouth sneak up into one of his breathtaking, signature Sammy smiles, the same kind that have been driving me crazy for years. I still can't believe we are finally together.

"I see a purple string, Lis," he says teasingly as his eyebrows arch up playfully.

He sets his beer down onto the side table and scoots himself closer to me. He places his hands down low on my hips, sending a shiver down my legs. When his fingers slowly move down across the fabric of Kyle's t-shirt, his breaths quicken.

I am standing there, unsure what to do. Sam tends to have this effect on me. When I feel the pads of his fingers lightly tickle the bare skin of my thigh, at the hemline of my shirt, I almost collapse. He inches the fabric up until it is scrunched up along my midsection. His hands are wrapped around my waist. I'm having a hard time finding my breath. I'm still unsure where to put my own arms.

He is perched forward, on the edge of the chase with his arms reaching up and around my waist. It feels strange to be standing while he sits, but I can't seem to figure out what to do with myself. I could straddle him and wrap my legs around his waist on the chair. I'm pretty sure we'd never make it into the pool if I did that, though. Plus, I'm not sure I'm ready for where that might lead us.

He pushes the fabric up farther, encouraging me to remove it the rest of the way. I oblige to his silent request without hesitation. He has a way of convincing my body to do things before I can think about them, and it kind of scares me.

Once the t-shirt is completely off, Sam lets out a deep sigh, before standing up. He grabs his beer and takes a big gulp. I take this opportunity to sneak away and dive into the swimming pool. I feel strange standing before him in nothing but my bikini. Also, I need to cool off before my body leads me astray again. It is just way too easy to get carried away with Sam.

It's not long before Sam's shirt is lying on the concrete next to mine, and I feel a rush of water splash against my face.

"And
where
do you think you are going?" he asks, while splashing me playfully.

"Did you forget why we put on our swimsuits?" I ask him in a teasing way as I swim away from him. He catches up with me, grabs my ankle, and pulls me toward him.

"No. I did
not
, but you can't blame me for trying to enjoy the view."

Speaking of views,
I can't help but stare at Sam's glistening, bare chest. He is bigger than I remember him being. Or maybe it's just the fact that I'm able to run my hands along the hard contours of his chest muscles, and that makes me realize just how incredible his body his. I've never been this close to him with so much of our bare skin touching.
This is dangerous
. While being alone with him is liberating, it is also frightening.

He places one of his hands firmly on the small of my back, while gently pressing my body closer to his. His other hand cups the back of my head, as he lowers his head, and slowly moves his lips over mine. Once again, I find my body melting into him. I cannot think clearly. My lips move with his effortlessly, as if they are performing a well-rehearsed dance. My hands find their way around his shoulders as our kisses become more urgent. Sam moves his hands down to my hips, and lifts me up so my legs wrap around his waist. His lips have not strayed once since they first grazed mine.

I can feel the water rushing by as he moves us towards the long staircase that flanks the shallow end of the pool. He spins us around so he is sitting on the ledge of one of the steps with me still cradled around him in his lap. His mouth moves across my cheek, and down my neck to that sensitive area right below my ear. This simple act sends me over the edge. I'm so lost in the moment that I didn't even notice his hand sneaking underneath the string of my suit, just below my shoulder blade.

I love the way his hand feels pressed firmly against my upper back. It's almost possessive, as if he is claiming me as his own.
There is nothing I want more than to be Sam Woodson's girl
. Even after everything he has done for me tonight to convince me of it, I still find it hard to believe. It all feels so much like a dream, the kind that I don't ever want to wake up from.

His other hand is still lower on my waist near the small of my back. The tips of his fingers dip curiously underneath the top of my bikini bottoms every once in a while. That familiar rush of raw need returns. I want him to be closer,
so damned close
. I'm not sure how much closer we can be with my legs already wrapped around him tightly. Our chests are already practically glued to each other.

I feel my bikini top suddenly loosen and fall slack. How he managed to untie the string without me knowing is beyond me. Now, it dangles loosely down my back, lightly tickling me. Sam pulls away from our kiss, and stares directly into my eyes, as if to silently ask me if what he has done is okay.

A rush of heat floods my cheeks, making it even harder for me to think clearly. My body knows
exactly
what it wants to do, but I can't figure out where my head is. I take a deep breath, and answer him in the only way I know how. I lean my head up towards him, and pull his head down so our lips meet.
My body always seems to win when it comes to Sam
.

He moans, as our kiss deepens, and his hands wander around to my stomach. The wet fabric is still clinging to my chest, but my back is completely naked, now. Sam works his way down my neck, kissing and nibbling the tender skin, making my insides explode. He slides his fingers across my rib cage, and gently pushes the wet fabric of my bikini top up.

I squeeze my eyelids shut, not wanting to see Sam's reaction to seeing me. I feel the wet fabric being peeled completely away from my skin. The night air is slightly cool, causing my nipples to take notice. I feel completely exposed with my bare chest on display for Sam, even though it is too dark for him to fully see me. Sam tilts my chin up, forcing me to look at him.

"Laila, is this
okay?
" he asks, his eyes full of concern. I nod and try my best to give him a reassuring smile, knowing what my cheeks must look like to him.

My face is always betraying me, revealing the truth behind the mask I try so hard to keep in place. My lack of experience is making me feel vulnerable. I am completely terrified. Yet at the same time, I am exhilarated to discover all of these new sensations. I was hoping he wouldn't notice this, but Sam is far too in tune with me not to.

He stands up and moves us deeper into the pool so the water covers my chest. He remains still, holding me tightly up against his hard chest. I love the way it feels to have our bodies pressed together so closely. Heat seems to be radiating from his skin, warming the water around us.

I realize the ball is in my court. Sam is patiently waiting for me to either return it or end the game. Even though the game absolutely scares the hell out of me, the need to continue wins.
Once again my body takes control
.

I unwrap my legs from around him, allowing my body to drift away so my legs are floating freely in the water. The water is deeper than I had thought it would be. My feet do not touch without my head sinking under. I tug at his hand, pulling him along with me to a place where I can stand comfortably. I press my lips against his chest lightly, and slowly run my fingers down his hard stomach, appreciating each ripple.

His body is like a work of art. If it wasn't for the loud, clanging of his heart against his chest, I might question whether any of this is real. The truth is everything feels way too intense for it not to be real.
Plus, how could I dream up something that I've never actually experienced?

I can almost feel him smiling by the way his arms suddenly tighten around me. He leans down and kisses the top of my head, as I explore his chest further with my fingertips. Satisfied with my response, Sam leans down, and tilts my chin up so he can kiss me.

His hands find my bare chest, but I don't pull away or freeze up this time. I lean into his hand, and arch my back, as a bolt of electricity charges through my body. Sam moves us towards the shallow end again. He pushes me back so the edge of my bottom is flush with the edge of the middle step, and my elbows are propped up on the top step. His body is practically on top of me, as hands once again begin to explore.

I can feel the way his body is responding to me as he pushes himself up against me harder. The fire exchanged between our bodies is almost unbearable even in the water. Moving closer to each other seems to be the only way to tame it. Then again the closer we get, the hotter it burns. I can't fight the pull he seems to have on me, even if I had wanted to.

"Laila, what in the
hell
are you guys
doing
out there?" My brother's accusing voice startles us.

Panic quickly sets in, as Sam slowly peels himself away from me. I quickly cover my chest with my arms as my eyes frantically search for my bikini top. I try my best to conceal Sam by moving in front of him. I am practically kneeling to be sure the water is above my shoulders. Sam sinks down into the water behind me, keeping his back turned away from the deck railing, where Kyle is peering down. It's really dark and Kyle is far enough away that he may not be able to tell that it is Sam.
We can only hope.

"We were just, uh . . .
swimming
."

I look at my brother to gauge his reaction, but it is too dark. He is too far away for me to see his face clearly. I take a deep breath.