So Much More by Elizabeth Adams Page B

suddenly he’s noticed you. Don’t think I haven’t seen the looks you two have shared. And don’t think I’m stupid enough to believe he came to our room last night wondering about a guy I met. What did he do, ask for a quickie before I got out of the shower? Hit you up for a fun romp as an end to the vacation? I really hope you didn’t fall for it.”
    Well, at least part of their secret was safe. She did fall for it, for him, but not just one night of sex. It was days and nights full of raw, erotic, fulfilling sex that would forever be seared in her mind.
    “No, it was nothing like that.” She lied, hoping Stella couldn’t see it written all over her face. “I won’t say I haven’t always had a thing for him. But I’ve known he was out of bounds and I wouldn’t jeopardize our friendship for sex.” Oops, she already had!
    Stella thumbed through her magazine, thankfully not staring Angie in the eyes otherwise she would never have been able to lie so smoothly. “Well just remember that he thinks he’s a playboy and won’t settle down until he’s fifty. By that time he’ll be lucky if he doesn’t have a venereal disease.”
    Angie lay back on her towel and closed her eyes. She wanted the conversation done with. She wanted to mourn her loss in silence and not be called to the carpet for her transgressions. “I’m going for a swim.” She sat abruptly, anxious to be alone.
    The water was warm and the fish swam around her but today she didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as that first day. It was as if she had destroyed all avenues of pleasure by sleeping with Dean. Would she ever be able to get back to normal? Maybe going back to work and her old life was the ointment for the pain she was feeling. She rolled to her back and floated, squinting up at the brilliantly blue sky. She wouldn’t mope anymore. She would go back to the beach and soak up the last hours she had in paradise without another thought of Dean. At least, that’s what she told herself, but it wasn’t as easy as that.
     
    Dean sat at the bar and watched the dot in the ocean that was Angie. He wanted to swim out to her, kiss her, possibly molest her a bit under the water, snorkelers be damned.  But he didn’t. He just watched from afar, wishing to be with her but not taking the step to actually do it.
    “Another beer?” The bartender asked. Dean nodded, swallowing the last bit left in his plastic cup.
    “Hey stranger! I didn’t think I’d see you again.” Jasmine, the model with the white bikini sat on the barstool next to him.
    “Jasmine, right?” She smiled brilliantly. She really was beautiful, creamy clear skin, wide eyed, and tall and thin. But it did nothing for him. “How was your shoot the other day?”
    “Good. Thanks for asking. Can I buy you a drink?” Dean shook his head, ready to be away from her, from the world.
    “No thanks. I was just heading back to my friends. It was good seeing you again though.” The bartender set the refilled cup on the bar and Dean laid a ten dollar bill on the counter for him before walking away.
    His sister lounged beneath a huge umbrella, reading a magazine and doing her best to ignore the group of guys down the beach ogling her. “Hey sis.” He sank down onto Angie’s towel and looked for her in the water. He caught sight of her and held on tight to the image she made.
    “She’s off limits, Dean. Didn’t you learn anything from dating my friend Shasta? It doesn’t ever last with you because you’re only out for a good time and my friends are always out for the real thing. I don’t want to see Angie hurt.”
    What could he say to that? Nothing so he didn’t.
    “I’m serious. Walk away before you break her heart. I’m not sure how far you took things and I don’t want to know. But I do know that Angie is soft and easily hurt. She can’t handle a guy like you.”
    Well, Stella was wrong about that. She handled him just fine. Better than fine. “Don’t worry Stella. She