Halle’s breath caught. I think she was surprised because I had never spoken to her this way about other guys. She could tell I was concerned.
“I’m not the notch-making kind of girl, in case you’ve forgotten,” she snapped back.
“I never said you were. We talked about this. I was just surprised when I saw you with him like that. To me, you’re not a girl to buy into the sexual hype around here,” I said by way of explanation. “And I want to help you stay that way. This is Hollywood, where everyone thinks the rules are different. You know Ben’ll take his shot in a heartbeat if you let him.”
“He’ll never have a shot if I’m not interested.”
“You’re interested. You know you are because I’ve seen the way you look at him,” I said, and then put my hand on my face in frustration. “I can’t tell you what to do; you’re your own person. You know he’s with Isabel and isn’t going to leave her. Why set yourself up for heartbreak if you don’t have to, is all I’m saying.”
She looked at me angrily and walked away. Brook came up behind me and grabbed my hand.
“You tried. I just hope she listened this time.”
◊◊◊
There was some fallout from Brook’s and my adrenaline-release activity. Like New Year’s Eve, we weren’t as stealthy as we thought. People figured out what we’d been up to. The Japanese contingent was a little scandalized. I would have to do some damage control when I was back on set.
The Americans were more understanding, but that didn’t mean they didn’t give us shit. I think in some of their cases, they were just jealous they hadn’t thought of it.
When we got home, everyone was worn out. Spending the day out in the sun on the water seemed to do that. The three who had gone shopping seemed to think I needed to see what they bought. I guess there were after-holiday sales for things that had to be purchased.
To my surprise, Pam had bought things for all the little ones. She was right. I did love her best.
◊◊◊
Chapter 26 – I Smell Smoke Tuesday January 3
My eyes blinked open, and I looked over at Brook. She’d managed to kick off the sheets during the night. That would explain why I felt cold. She was gloriously naked, so I took a moment to take in her exquisite body. It reminded me of the fun we’d had last night before falling asleep.
She stretched and smiled coyly at me.
“Tell me how much you love me,” she said.
I laughed.
“Demanding today, are we? I thought you were bossy enough last night,” I replied.
She rolled over and threw her arms around me.
“Tell me, tell me you love me,” she said.
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways,” I said, quoting Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Sometimes my education came in handy.
“Would you climb the highest mountain for me?”
She was in a goofy mood. I nodded my head.
“Of course.”
“Swim the deepest ocean?”
I raised my eyebrows.
“Only for you.”
“Buy me a little sports car?”
“Why don’t I just buy you a sports car and you drive it up the mountain?” I suggested.
She giggled. The way it made her breasts move caught the attention of the sexual beast deep within. And here I was sure she’d slain him last night with her antics.
“Come on, Big Daddy,” she almost purred. “Tell me.”
“Whatev,” I said in my best valley-girl imitation. “I love you.”
“Brat,” she said, then tickled me and gave me a pout. “That the best you can do?”
My eyes got big.
“You asked for it, Missy. There will be no toes wiggling by the end of the day.”
I rolled on top of her, and my hands slid beneath her buttocks. I entered her, slowly, gently, until all of me was consumed in her hotness. Brook made a contented moan. I could already tell it was going to be a good day.
◊◊◊
Brook told me she needed more sleep and kicked me out of bed. Before breakfast, we had more people join us for a morning surf: Tracy, Wolf, and Tim. I helped Tami this morning while Pam and Manaia worked with the newcomers. It didn’t take long before everyone was up and surfing.
When we came in, Tim pointed to a woman lying on the beach.
“Do you think she’s okay?”
We all looked closer. The woman was in a version of the little black dress, and there was a bottle of wine next to her. It looked like she’d had one too many and decided to sleep it off. Tami was ready to go check to make sure she was okay when Wolf stopped her.
“I bet David can pick her up.”
The girls gave Wolf a look that said he was probably right. I was glad they had my back.
“I think it would be funnier if he scared her off,” Tim said.
“Oh, I like that. He has to leave his shirt off, though,” Wolf enthused.
“What’s the bet?” I asked.
“If you pick her up, I have to let Cassidy put makeup on me. If you fail, Wolf lets her,” Tim said.
I shrugged. I was just glad I didn’t have to share the same fate as the loser. Wolf looked at me hopefully because he knew how bad Cassidy had been at applying makeup when they dated. What he didn’t realize was that my mom had taught her how to do it right. I bet Cassidy would enjoy making one of them up.
