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  She nodded. She wanted him to be that friend, too. Because she knew she could depend on him. And she wasn’t kidding herself at all about the fact that she’d love to have a wild, passionate fling with him. The sex this afternoon had been stupendous, and she wanted more of the same.

  Was that selfish of her? To want this man to put his feelings on hold to satisfy her whim?

  He smiled and kissed the back of her hand. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense. Am I being invited or what?”

  “Evan, I can’t promise anything. Somehow it doesn’t seem fair to—”

  Suddenly she found herself in his arms, his lips moving on hers. His tongue swept into her mouth and seared her with his passion. Then he gazed down at her, his green eyes warm.

  “Life is rarely fair.” He grinned. “But I must say, in this instance, the benefits far outweigh any negatives. And I think taking a vacation with you can only work in my favor. Because, gorgeous, with two weeks to work my magic on you, I think you might just be a convert by the end.”

  Her heart thumped in her chest and she sucked in air. He was probably right.

  “I can’t make any promises.”

  The elevator stopped and the doors opened.

  “The only promise I’d like you to make is that you’ll keep an open mind,” he said. “Deal?”

  She nodded and he captured her lips again.

  “Great. Now, let’s go get ready for the honeymoon.”

  * * *

  Brent opened his eyes to sunlight glaring in his face. He sat up, and his head felt as if it was cracking open. Some God-damned bird twittered outside, sending the pain up several notches. He shoved back the hair hanging in his eyes and stood up.

  Damn. His knees felt rubbery, and his head throbbed even more. He dropped back onto the bed again, wondering just how many drinks he’d had last night. He raked his hand through his hair. Clearly, too damn many.

  He gritted his teeth as the bird continued to sing. How could anybody or anything be so freaking happy on a miserable day like today?

  Sure, the sun shone brightly and the sky was clear of clouds, but … damn it, right now he should be on his honeymoon with the woman he loved, not alone in a hotel along the highway suffering from a mega-hangover.

  His heart compressed at the memory of Crystal in Evan’s arms, the two locked in a passionate kiss. God damn, how could his best friend steal away the woman he loved? And in the final hour before the wedding. And Crystal … how could she just fall into his arms like that?

  It didn’t make any sense.

  It would never make any sense to him.

  With every drink last night, he’d hoped to understand. He stood up, slowly this time.

  That wasn’t exactly true. He’d been trying to ease the stinging pain. To wash away the agony in his heart.

  But it hadn’t worked. Of course it hadn’t.

  The scene at the lake still remained burned into his memory. As he’d stepped past the trees into the clearing near Crystal’s favorite spot, he had seen Crystal and Evan kissing passionately. He’d frozen on the spot, not believing what he was seeing. But he knew he must have been misreading the situation, convincing himself it was just a congratulatory kiss. From his vantage point, he hadn’t been able to see Crystal’s face, but he’d heard Evan’s words, and those words still rang through his mind.

  Crystal, you obviously share my feelings. Call off the wedding. It’s not too late.

  Don’t get married just because the plans are in place. You and I are in love. We deserve to be happy.

  At that point, Crystal had fallen into Evan’s arms again, kissing him with so much passion, it shocked Brent to the core.

  The sight of the woman he loved kissing his best friend, obviously ready to run away with him, had destroyed him. He’d turned around and gone straight back to the house where he’d stayed the night before, grabbed his overnight bag, and leaped in the car. His sister, Lily, had still been in the shower. He hadn’t taken time to write a note, and he sure hadn’t wanted to face her. He’d just started driving. Generally heading toward home. He’d been too tired and distraught to make the whole thirteen-hour drive back to San Diego, so he’d pulled off the highway at a hotel partway. Only when he’d walked into his room had he remembered it was the same hotel he, Crystal, and Evan had stayed at on the way to Crystal’s parents’ place a week ago. At that realization, he’d headed straight to the bar.

  And now he was suffering the aftereffects.

  He gazed in the mirror and saw his dark brown hair sticking out in all directions. He ran his fingers through it, smoothing it down a little. He still wore his tuxedo, at least the shirt and pants. The rumpled jacket lay strewn on the floor, having slipped from the back of the chair he’d tossed it on last night. The tie wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

  He picked up the jacket and hung it on a hanger, then unzipped his overnight bag and pulled out his jeans and a cotton shirt, then tossed them on the bed. He pulled off the rumpled tuxedo pants and shirt and tossed them on the bed, then shed his boxers.

  In the bathroom, he turned on the shower and waited until the water ran hot, then stepped under it. He scrubbed his skin with soap and washed his hair, then rinsed off. Where was Crystal right now? Somewhere in Evan’s arms?

  After towel drying himself, he combed his hair and brushed his teeth, then glared at the sap staring back at him in the mirror.

  How could Crystal turn her back on him and everything they meant to each other to take off with Evan less than an hour before their wedding? How could she just walk away? And why then? With all their family and friends waiting for them?

  He strode back into the bedroom and pulled on a clean pair of boxers, then his jeans and shirt. The more he thought about it in the sober light of day, the more he wondered at what had actually happened. Could he have misinterpreted what he’d seen?

  Brent’s gut twisted as he remembered seeing Crystal in Evan’s embrace, her arms gliding around his neck, her body melting against his. He couldn’t believe his so-called best friend had made a move on Crystal.

  Damn, he and Evan had been through so much together over the past twenty years. His heart ached as he remembered when Evan had sat up with him all night after his father had died four years ago, helping him through the pain. How Evan had loaned him money when he’d lost his job and started falling behind on bills and rent.

  And when Brent had had his heart broken for the first time when he was nineteen, Evan had been the one to pick up the pieces and assure him there would be other women in his life. That he would eventually find the woman of his heart. The woman he was meant to be with.

  That woman was Crystal, and now …

  His hands clenched into fists. How could Evan steal her away from him?

  Damn, he had always counted his blessings to have a friend like Evan. Until now. God damn it, how could Evan betray him like this?

  And how could Crystal?

  He raked his hand through his hair. Despite all of it, though, maybe Brent shouldn’t have walked away. At the very least, he should have confronted her. Made her tell him face-to-face that she wanted to end it.

  His chest constricted and he slumped into the armchair. But he didn’t want it to end. He loved her. God help him, he loved her more than life itself.

  His hands clenched around the armrests. So what the hell was wrong with him? Why didn’t he fight for her? If she’d given her heart to Evan, Brent would win it back again. He loved her. He would convince her all over again that he was the man she wanted to spend her life with.

  He glanced at the clock and realized the flight they’d booked to the Cayman Islands for their honeymoon would be leaving in less than an hour and it was pretty likely Crystal would be on it. She’d been talking about the trip for months. He was sure she wouldn’t give it up.

  Would she talk Renee into going with her? His chest tightened. Or would she take Evan?

  He picked up the phone and, since Crystal probably wouldn’t ta
lk to him, he dialed Renee’s cell number.

  Six

  As Evan closed the door of his private vacation villa, Crystal dropped her purse on the plush carpet and let go of the handle on her carry-on, then slid off her sandals.

  “According to the brochures, there’s a private pool out back,” she said.

  He watched as she shrugged her short-sleeved jacket from her shoulders and let it fall to the carpet as she walked into the living room. The aching tiredness from the long night of travel melted away at the sight of her unzipping her dress and shedding it, too. He plunked down the luggage and followed her, enjoying the sway of her nearly naked behind as she sauntered through the house in only her bra and panties. He followed her into a large, bright kitchen with ceramic tiled floors. Off the kitchen was a large sunroom that overlooked the huge, beautifully landscaped, and very private backyard. Bushes surrounded the yard, and tropical flowers added bright color to the setting. A swimming pool glimmered in the sunlight. Beyond that, the yard descended and the ocean could be seen over the lush green foliage.

  Crystal grinned over her shoulder as she tossed aside her bra, then shimmied out of her panties. She grabbed the handle of the patio door and slid it open. Evan’s gaze lingered on her delightful ass as it swayed back and forth. He followed her into the backyard, shedding his own clothes as he went.

  Stark naked, she dove into the water. A moment later, her head broke through the surface and she wiped the water from her eyes.

  “The water’s beautiful. Come on in.” She grinned.

  He could see her bare breasts bobbing in the water just below the surface. He tossed aside his boxers and dove in after her. The water was warm, probably about eighty-five degrees. She swam toward him, then tangled her arms around his neck and kissed him. His groin ached at the feel of her delicate lips on his and her soft breasts crushed against his chest. They both sank as they kissed passionately. He wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her to the side of the pool where he could hold on.

  Joy careened through him at the feel of her naked body pressed to his and the knowledge that the two of them would be here, alone, for two glorious weeks together.

  She grinned, then pushed herself below the water. Her hand wrapped around his swelling cock, then he felt her mouth cover him. The feel of his cockhead nestled in her hot mouth made him groan. God, she was a sexy, exciting woman. Her fingers found his testicles and she stroked as she began to suck on him. His groin tightened and he stroked her hair as she devoured him with her mouth. Finally, she drew away and came up for air.

  “Maybe this will be easier.” He pushed himself onto the side of the pool, his legs dangling in the water.

  She pushed herself up and hooked her arms over his knees.

  “Mmm. Yes, this is perfect.” She took his cock in her mouth again and teased the tip with her tongue. Then she licked downward until she reached the base. Her hand stroked his balls and she nipped one with her lips, then licked it. A second later, it disappeared into her mouth.

  “Oh, baby, that feels so good.”

  She prodded it with her tongue, teasing and stroking, then sucked lightly. He stroked her hair, reveling in the delightful sensations. His ball slipped free and she licked his cock again. Licking and kissing, she moved up and down its length. One hand wrapped around him while the other caressed his testicles, then she stroked up and down his cock. He felt so full and ready to burst. She covered his cock and swallowed him deep, opening her throat until he filled her to the base. He twitched at the feel of her hot mouth and throat surrounding him.

  “Baby, I’m going to come any minute.”

  She bobbed up and down, her hand wrapped around his base. He swelled even more and his groin tightened. Just before he burst, she withdrew but continued stroking his shaft with her hand. A white fountain burst forward and arced into the pool. Crystal laughed in delight while he rode the wave of pleasure.

  When he finished, he sighed and smiled at her. “You are great at that.” He leaned forward and kissed her. “Now it’s your turn.”

  He pulled her from the water and set her down beside him, then he slipped into the pool and positioned himself in front of her, resting his elbows on the stone deck. He pressed her knees wide, then smiled at the sight of her slick, clean-shaven pussy. He leaned forward and licked it. She sighed and lay back. He pressed the folds open with his thumbs, then stroked his fingertip over the little button nestled in the flesh.

  “Ohhh.” She stroked her breasts, which set his cock twitching.

  He licked her slit, then teased her clitoris with the tip of his tongue. She moaned. He licked and sucked, watching her stroke her breasts, delighting in the sight. She pinched her hard nipples. He reached upward and cupped one breast, then teased her hard nipple, squeezing it between his thumb and index finger.

  She arched her pelvis upward and he pushed his tongue against her button, then he sucked deeply. She moaned. Her accelerated breathing told him she was close. He tweaked her nipple again as he licked and sucked. She gasped, then moaned loudly as she came. His cock grew with need.

  Finally, she dropped back and sighed. “That was great.” She pushed herself up on her elbows, then sat up. “But it’s not enough.” She pushed herself into the water and grabbed his cock in her hand. She leaned her face close to his. “Now fuck me.”

  She pulled his cockhead to her opening. He wrapped his hands around her hips and pulled her against him, driving his hard cock into her. She hung on to the side so they wouldn’t sink. He pushed forward, trying to drive into her again, but it didn’t really work. He pressed her into the corner, then grabbed the sides of the pool with both hands and drove forward, gliding deep inside her.

  “Oh, yeah.” Her eyes were bright as she gazed at him.

  He couldn’t believe he was here, in this tropical paradise, making love to Crystal, the woman of his dreams. Not two days ago, he was sure his chances with her were virtually zero.

  He drove in again, and again. She clung to him.

  “Oh, God, I’m coming.” She moaned as she hung on to his shoulders. Her passage squeezed tight around him.

  He watched her face contort in ecstasy, loving every second of it. Loving the fact that he could bring her such pleasure.

  When she finished, she flopped her head onto his chest. “Mmm. That was incredible.” She gazed up at him. “But you didn’t come.”

  He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Well, it was a little too soon after the last time.”

  “So that means you’re just giving up?” She nuzzled his neck and his cock twitched inside her. Her hand stroked across his chest and she tweaked his nipple. “After all, your gigantic cock is still deep inside me.” Her vagina tightened around his cock, sending pleasure pulsing through him. “It’s so long and hard.”

  She wrapped her legs around him, pulling his erection deeper inside her. She tightened her passage again as she drew back a little, then pushed forward again.

  God, the little imp knew how to keep a man turned on. She pulsed forward and back until he felt his groin tighten. She caressed her breast and tweaked the nipple. Her head fell back and she moaned.

  “Oh, God, you feel so good inside me. You’re so big and hard. So incredibly long.” She arched forward, taking him deep. “Oh,” she whimpered. Then she moaned.

  He quivered inside, then he pulled her tight against him as his cock erupted inside her. The pleasure of his sweet release washed through him. He held her close, his fingers tangled in her long hair. She sighed, then smiled up at him.

  “That was fun.”

  He laughed, then captured her lips in a passionate kiss.

  This was going to be one hell of a vacation.

  * * *

  Brent pulled up in front of the villa beside the white car sitting in the driveway and turned off the engine, glad to finally end his journey. The sun had already set a while ago, and it was dark. He hadn’t been able to get a flight until seven this morning, so he’d driven
back to San Diego to pack a bag rather than flying out of Sacramento, then he’d traveled for over twelve hours to get here. After getting his luggage, then the rental car, and finding his way here, it was past nine. Damn, he was exhausted. All he wanted to do was climb into bed and sleep, but before he could do that, he had to talk to Crystal.

  He raked his hand through his hair. What was she going to say when he showed up unannounced? And as much as he wanted her in his life, his heart still ached at the fact that she’d betrayed him for Evan.

  Part of him shouted that this was a lousy idea and that he should drive back to the airport and fly home right now. But in his heart, he knew he couldn’t do that. He loved Crystal, and he had to find a way to make things right between them.

  Ah, damn. He stared at the front door, lit by a light on either side of the entryway. Whatever awaited him behind that door, he had to face it head-on. He had to convince Crystal that she was meant to be with him.

  He got out of the car and strode to the door, then knocked. After a few moments of waiting, he knocked again. He heard someone on the other side of the door, then the door pulled open. Crystal stood before him in a turquoise bathing suit, a sheer floral sarong wrapped around her hips, her long dark brown hair damp and cascading over her shoulders.

  Her blue eyes widened, but the surprise immediately flashed to anger.

  “Brent, what are you doing here?”

  “May I come in?”

  She hesitated but finally stepped aside to let him in.

  “Crystal, who is it?” Evan walked into the room, then stopped dead when he saw Brent. “Oh.”

  Pain and anger surged through Brent, and he had to resist the rush of adrenaline urging him to stride across the room and punch his ex–best friend in the face. He turned back to Crystal.

  “I had to talk to you. I realize I shouldn’t have just walked away the way I did.”