Temperature's Rising
ISBN: #1-4199-0524-4
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre(s): Interracial Romance

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“I can’t believe you own that. I thought the sunlight gave you a headache.” Danner sounded disgruntled as he bent over and opened the ice chest. With a beer in his hand, he sat back up, eyeing her grumpily.

“You can swim at night, you know, and besides, beaches aren’t the only places to wear a swimsuit.”

Danner frowned as he opened up the can. “If Wayne were here…”

“If Wayne were here, I wouldn’t be.” Breanna had grown tired of Danner throwing her brother in her face. “I’m a grown woman Danner. If I want to show the entire world my piercing I will.”

“Piercing!” Beer flew everywhere at Danner’s surprise.

Smiling secretively, Breanna stood up, and walked over to the edge of the pool. She knew her lie would get his attention. “I’m thinking you’re protesting a bit too much. Besides, I think you like the way I look in this. You just don’t want to admit it.”

“I’d have to be dead not to Bree.” The beer can tightening in his hand could be heard clear across the room, and although the gist of the words were what she wanted to hear, Danner’s tone left a lot to be desired. The plan called for him to be overcome with lust, not irritation.

With her back to him, Breanna pondered her next step. There was interest there. That much was obvious. But Breanna had no idea what do next. Short of dropping her bikini and saying ‘take me’, that is. She never thought Danner would fight this hard, but she should have. He was as stubborn as he was handsome.

Breanna peered down into the pool hesitantly. The house had cooled down considerably, but she didn’t want all of Danner’s hard work to be in vain. Bracing herself for the water, Breanna moved to step into the pool.

“It’s going to be cold.” Danner spoke from directly behind her, startling Breanna into her bringing her foot away from the pool. She hadn’t heard him move, but she felt him now.

His warm presence evaporated any hint of chill she might have felt. Breanna knew without a doubt, if she stepped into the pool right then, she wouldn’t even feel the cold water.

“Wasn’t that the idea?”

“Actually it’s more for looks.”

“Like you.”

Danner chuckled hoarsely, his voice wrapping around her like silk. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Breanna turned and faced him, inhaling his masculine scent as she did. Danner still smelled like the outdoors. Sunshine, charcoal, heat from a fire. Everything that was good and earthy of man. “You come over here looking all kinds of good, in your low riding swim trunks and bare chest, and you have the nerve to criticize my outfit.”

“I didn’t criticize. I’m just surprised.” His words were gruff, his manner stiff, yet Breanna could read the underlying tension flowing from him to her.

“About?”

Danner frowned as he ran his hand through his hair. He looked flustered and upset. Not the emotions Breanna had been going for. “That you grew up so fast. Where was I?”

Smiling slowly, Breanna had to fight her need to reach out and touch him. She wouldn’t be the first to give in on this. She couldn’t be. “Right there. You just weren’t looking.”

“I’m looking now Breanna. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Is it what you want?”

“No.” He closed his eyes, tormented. Danner stepped away from her, as if her presence caused him pain. “This isn’t right. You’re like a sister to me.”

“I’m not your sister.”

“Wayne is my best friend.”

Even Breanna could tell he was reaching. Why the hell did he feel the need to fight so hard? “Wayne isn’t here.”

“You’ll hate me once the lights come back on.”

They were so close, yet the distance between them was great.

“I’ll hate you if you don’t touch me. Touch me, Danner. Make me yours.” Breanna moved a step closer, until there was nothing but breath between them. Her words dared him to touch her, and her body begged him for more.

Her words lingered between them like a challenge, yet Breanna wouldn’t have pulled them back to save her life. She was tired of pretending. Tired of playing games. She wanted Danner and finally, she knew he wanted her too.

The humming of the AC suddenly came to a grinding halt, as the lights went out, leaving them staring silently into each other’s eyes. The candlelight flickered, casting shadows on his rigid frame, and although he never moved, there was something about his body’s demeanor that didn’t seem stiff any longer.

Breanna’s heart pounded, as she nervously licked her lips.

It was now or never. “It’s going to get hot in here.”

“It already is.”