Summer Surrender (Phases Series, Book Six) (3 page)

“Not true,” Josiah interrupted. “You’ll need your swimsuit. The cookout’s on the beach. Also, I’m pretty sure Danny’ll have the hot tub open. Right?”

Daniel nodded, his eyes never leaving hers.

The last thing she wanted to do was parade her so-not-bikini-ready-body in front of these two, not to mention the rest of the people there, but she could at least go and have a supper with them.

“Not sure about the bathing suit, but how about if I at least bring some wine?”

Josiah shrugged. “Fine by me if you wanna swim naked. In fact, I encourage it. And,” he continued before she could get a word in edgewise, “I’m sure Dan would encourage and appreciate it, as well.”

She couldn’t bring herself to look at Daniel. Ignoring her burning cheeks, she held Josiah’s gaze. “You’re incorrigible.”

He grinned at her unrepentantly. “Yes, I am.”

Daniel shifted next to her, and she turned to look at him. He scowled at his friend then dropped his dark gaze to her. “Bring whatever you’re comfortable with. We’d just like to see you there.”

She nodded. “I’ll be there.” And who knew. Maybe she’d bring her suit. It wasn’t as if she would see any of them after the summer.

“Oh hey, I almost forgot. This came for you,” Josiah said, handing her the box he’d been holding.

She looked at the shipping address. Her research supplies had arrived.

Both men walked toward the door. Josiah grinned and waved. “See you tonight, sweet cheeks.”

Daniel rolled his eyes and paused. “Oh, by the way, I invited Maggie, Lucas and Quinn. They’re friends of ours, too, and I thought you might be more comfortable with them there.”

She smiled gratefully. “Thank you. It’s sweet of you to think of that.”

She sighed as he left. Not only were they gorgeous, but nice, too. Perfect fantasy material. And they would be fantasy only. It made sense to her that Maggie would attract two guys. She was sweet and funny—not to mention gorgeous. Hollis couldn’t imagine a world where guys like Lucas and Quinn would be attracted to someone like her. Well, she could. That’s why it was a fantasy. It was never going to happen. She did her best to push those thoughts away. She had a project to put into action.

A few hours later, she was on her way to the address Daniel had given her. She’d set up the trail cameras that had been delivered. She’d placed one near where she’d seen the huge lynxes, another further down the lakeshore and two more in the woods across the road. Whenever something moved, the habitat cams would record it and send the images back to her computer via a secure wireless system. The recording devices were almost perfectly camouflaged. They’d be difficult for a human who didn’t know they were there to spot. An animal wouldn’t notice them at all. She couldn’t wait to see what kind of images she’d get. Besides setting up the cams, she’d managed to make a fruit salad, chill a couple bottles of wine and get ready for the party—all since she’d gotten home from work.

Her stomach fluttered nervously as she pulled up to Daniel’s house, a modest two-story that sat even closer to the shores of the lake than her home for the summer. He had no neighbors for miles. There were already almost a dozen cars in the driveway and front yard, but she relaxed a little when she saw Maggie’s car. Parking, she slung her tote bag over her shoulder, wincing when the wine bottles clinked together. She should have done a better job wrapping them in her beach blanket.

Daniel shaded his eyes against the evening sun as he noticed Hollis making her way around the side of the house, and he relaxed a little. He’d been worried that she wouldn’t come. And half afraid she would. He glanced at where his brother leaned against the railing of the deck, watching her with a barely civil stare.

Don’t be an asshole,
he projected into Dylan’s head.

Daniel left his spot by the grill and met Hollis halfway down the hill, relieving her of the large bowl she was carrying. “Did you have any trouble finding the place?” he asked, inhaling her sweet, feminine scent. Mixed with the natural perfume of warm woman was sunscreen with a hint of bark and pine needles. She’d been in the woods recently.

“No. Not at all. The directions were perfect.”

She smiled, but he could tell she was nervous. He followed her gaze to where Dylan watched them. Daniel put a hand on the small of her back and led her toward his brother. Might as well get the worst of it over. “Never mind my brother,” he muttered. “He’s perpetually in a bad mood, so don’t take it personally, okay?”

She murmured her understanding as they approached. Holding out her hand to Dylan, she said, “Hi, I’m Hollis Chambers. I work with your brother.”

For several long seconds, Dylan stared at her outstretched hand before finally engulfing it in his own. His eyes widened almost imperceptivity at her touch, but Daniel noticed.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Dylan finally managed to grate out.

Before the moment could become more awkward, Josiah appeared at her side and pulled her into a quick hug. “You made it. Ready to go skinny dipping?”

A startled laugh escaped her, but Daniel didn’t miss the relief in her eyes.

“Uh, not so much.”

Dylan’s eyes never left her.

Just leave her alone,
Daniel said silently to his brother.

Just don’t do anything stupid,
Dylan responded.
Go ahead and fuck her if that’s what you two are determined to do, but don’t be stupid.
Dylan left his half-empty beer bottle on the rail and stalked up the hill. Josiah followed. Daniel wasn’t surprised to hear the engine of Dylan’s bike roar to life.

A small, warm hand gripped his forearm. Hollis.

“Did I do something to offend him?”

Daniel turned to her with what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “No. He’s just…moody.”

Her eyes clouded, and her teeth sank into her bottom lip. He had all he could do not to bend down and kiss her.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Trust me. I know him better than anyone.” He set the bowl of fruit down on the picnic table with the rest of the food.

Still looking unconvinced, she pulled the wine out of her bag. “Where should I put this?”

He grinned at her. “I don’t know about you, but after this week, I could definitely use a glass. Why don’t we open it?”

“Sounds good to me.” She watched, seemingly mesmerized by the sight of his fingers wrapping around the neck of the bottle and carefully working the cork free of the neck. It released with a pop, startling her. Her eyes widened and darted to his.

Daniel grinned. “A little jumpy today?”

“Apparently.” She laughed, shaking her head. “I guess I need that glass of wine more than I thought I did.” She watched as he filled a couple glasses then handed her one.

“Go relax. I’ll bring you a burger as soon as they’re done.”

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?”

“Nope. All you need to do is let me know how you want your burger cooked then drink your wine.”

“Well done.” Her forehead furrowed as she stared at him as if she were about to say something else.

“Yes, I’m positive,” he said before she could speak. “Now, go sit down.”

“Yes, sir.” She grinned.

“Finally. Someone who treats me with the respect I deserve.”

She was laughing as she walked toward a group of fellow teachers sitting in the evening shade. It was impossible not to admire the gentle swing of her full hips and the sway of her skirt around her calves as she walked.

Wow,
Josiah’s voice sounded in his head from across the yard.
Could you be any more obvious?

Fuck off,
Daniel responded.

Believe me. I’d like to.

Yeah, wouldn’t they both.

While he flipped burgers on the grill, Daniel surreptitiously watched Hollis as she sat and chatted with their co-workers. Noticing some latecomers in the group, he wandered over to gather their burger orders and was just in time to see Kathy, the head of the math department, gesture down the beach to where Maggie, Quinn and Lucas walked along the water’s edge holding hands.

“Disgusting. I can’t believe they’re behaving like that in public,” Kathy muttered.

Hollis followed the other woman’s gaze. “They’re just holding hands.”

Kathy’s head swiveled toward Hollis, looking like a particularly disdainful owl. “You find that arrangement acceptable?”

Hollis bristled, and Daniel held his breath wondering what she would say.

“Look, they’re consenting adults. It’s not like they’re underage or being coerced. I think it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks as long they’re happy.”

Kathy scowled at Hollis but didn’t respond.

One of the other teachers nudged Hollis. “Would you do it? Be in a threesome, I mean.”

Hollis snorted depreciatively and gestured loosely at herself. “Somehow, I don’t imagine that’s a choice I’ll ever be faced with.”

Displeasure simmered in Daniel’s veins. He hated that she thought so little of herself. That was definitely going to change. And soon.

“But if it came up,” the other teacher pressed. “Would you?”

Hollis stared out over the lake for a few seconds before nodding. “Sure. If I was attracted to both of them and they were attracted to me too, why not?”

A flutter of hope wavered through him. She wasn’t completely opposed to the idea.

Kathy huffed and pushed to her feet. “I suppose you support gay marriage, too, don’t you?”

Hollis smiled sweetly at the other woman. “Damn straight, I do.”

Kathy stalked toward the other side of the yard.

“Everything okay here?” he asked as Hollis noticed him standing there.

“Just a difference of opinion.”

“Kathy’s just being a judgmental bitch, again” the other woman volunteered.

“What else is new?” someone muttered. “Seriously, if I had two hot guys after me, you can bet I’d be all over that.”

“Good to know,” her husband said drily.

Daniel laughed and took the rest of the orders before moving back to the grill. And Hollis’ opinion was definitely good to know, as well. Despite her opinion that she’d never be faced with a ménage, she was about to find out she was very wrong.

Chapter Three

Draping her towel around her shoulders, Hollis moved closer to the warmth of the crackling bonfire. The dancing flames reflected on the water, and tiny embers floated upward toward the star-laden sky. The full moon had taken on a yellowish cast and hung low in the sky, its light shimmering on the water. She’d pointed it out to Daniel earlier, and he’d told her that some of the native people in the area called it the Sun Moon due to its color and the fact that it usually started to get relatively warm in June. There were other names for it too, but she liked Sun Moon the best.

She watched until the bright yellow faded to a soft butter color and climbed higher in the sky. The sand under her feet had grown cold, but she didn’t feel particularly inclined to move. At least, not yet, anyway. There was something about this place that just made her want to sit back and relax and take it all in.

There was also something about this place that made her aroused as hell. It could have been the playful flirting with Josiah or the lingering touches from Daniel. Or the melting stare of his drop-dead gorgeous brother, Dylan. The guy had seemed like nothing but hard edges and prickly bits—but she couldn’t help being attracted to him. Maybe it was just the suggestion of sex in the air. Or maybe she simply couldn’t control her thoughts. God knew she couldn’t stop thinking about what a threesome would be like.

She supposed she should gather her things and go home soon. Most of the other guests had left already, and the few that hadn’t were packing up their belongings. A loud screech followed by a splash and quiet laughter drew her attention to the shoreline where she could make out three dark figures at the water’s edge. Though the details had faded with the light, she could tell by the silhouettes that it was Maggie, Lucas and Quinn. The laughter faded, too, becoming soft whispers and hushed groans.

Hollis knew she shouldn’t be watching this private moment between them, but she couldn’t seem to tear her gaze away, either. One man pressed to Maggie’s back cupping her breasts, and the other pressed to her front, kissing her. Needy arousal threaded through Hollis’ body, and she couldn’t help but wish she was the one pressed between two hard and hungry men. Her breasts were heavy and aching to be touched, and her pussy was quickly becoming wet with want. There was no way she’d be able to sleep tonight—not without the aid of a toy. She really hoped she had batteries. There were no all-night convenience stores this far north.

She turned toward the fire, away from them. It wasn’t right to watch someone else’s private moment—even if it did end up being somewhat public. Thank goodness Kathy, the bitchy math teacher, was long gone.

Hollis considered going home, but she’d left her bag of clothes and her blanket a little too close to the three who were in the water, and she wasn’t about to interrupt their intimate moment to gather up her belongings. A guttural moan had her head whipping around toward them again, but the sound of a masculine chuckle and clinking glasses had her whirling back toward the fire just as quickly, her face flaming with embarrassment.