A Quickie On The Beach
I leaned back, sipping my drink, the private beach quiet compared to public ones.
The D'Amanos kept it exclusive, allowing only a select few each day.
My gaze drifted to the shore, where Nikki chased Luca, giggling, while Mia and Joanna bickered relentlessly.
Bianco scooped Nikki up and plunged into the water with her. "Mamá!" her tiny voice squealed.
Mia spun around, glaring. "Bianco Montez, if anything happens to my daughter, I'll chop your balls off!"
He and Nikki just laughed, splashing her.
I chuckled, shaking my head at their chaos, when a voice slithered over.
"What's a damsel like you doing alone? Need company?"
I ignored the guy, hoping he'd take the hint, but no luck.
"Talking to you, pretty girl," he pressed, his tone slimy.
"That means I don't want your fucking company," I snapped, finally glancing at him.
He smirked, running a hand through his hair, his eyes raking over me with blatant lust.
"The hard type, huh? No woman I can't tame."
I cringed, standing to leave, but he grabbed my waist, pulling me close.
"Don't play hard to get, babe. One night, and I'll show you pleasure."
"Let go, you jerk!" I snarled, elbowing him hard in the stomach. As he doubled over, I spun and drove my knee straight into his groin. He gasped.
I grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked it, not caring about the onlookers gathering around.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Luca's head snap toward the scene. His expression darkened instantly, and he stormed over like a human missile.
"When a woman says no, you back the hell off. I hissed, shoving the creep into the blistering sand. "Next time, you might not walk away."
Without sparing him another glance, I turned and stalked toward the shore, shaking off the heat of all the attention—I was used to it, thanks to LA.
"Want me to finish him?" Luca was at my side in seconds, fists clenched, eyes locked on the groaning man still curled on the sand.
He looked one second away from committing a felony, but I gently tugged his arm.
"It's handled," I said coolly.
"Wow, she's fierce!" Joanna exclaimed, clapping dramatically. "I'm your number-one fan, Angel!"
"Damn, how'd that idiot meet you before me?" Bianco muttered.
Luca shot him a deadly glare. "Say that in front of Icy, and see what happens."
Bianco scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Right—because the sea would turn to blood instead of water." He mocked dramatically, making me chuckle.
"Are all the men in your life this protective?" Mia asked, eyeing my shorts with a grin. "If I were a guy, I'd never let you out in that outfit. Surprised Raul did."
"Where is he?" I asked, noticing his absence.
"He went to get—oh, wait, he's here."
I turned just in time to see him walking toward us, and God, my stomach clenched at the clit-throbbing sight.
His white shirt hung open, revealing those sculpted abs and that gorgeous tattoo etched across his toned chest.
His curls were loose and bouncing with each step, and a pair of designer shades shielded those eyes that knew exactly how to undo me.
I couldn't help the way my eyes trailed down to his waistline. Or the way my bottom lip caught between my teeth.
"Careful, Angel," Joanna whispered into my ear, nudging me lightly. "You might catch a heart attack."
The breeze blew, lifting his shirt like a slow-motion fantasy scene. And of course, all the women nearby were eating him up with their eyes. But he didn't even glance their way—his eyes were on us. On me.
My jealousy eased.
When he finally reached us, Luca lunged dramatically. "Marry me, Icy, and make me the happiest man alive."
Raul just pulled off his glasses and shoved him away. "Angel, we really need to get your brother evaluated. There's no way that boy's normal."
Luca pouted before straddling Raul's shoulders like a child. "You're right, Icy—I'm mad. Madly in love with only you."
Typical Luca. No psychiatrist could ever help him.
"Get off," Raul growled, but Luca clung tighter.
"Nope. Not until you agree to be my husband," he said stubbornly.
Raul rolled his eyes and pushed him off again, then he shifted his attention to me.
"Why aren't you wet, tesoro? Scared of the water?" His smirk said he already knew the answer he wanted.
I shook my head smugly. "Not scared, Raul. I was keeping your mom company."
His eyes softened, a small smile tugging at his lips.
The look on his face said it all—he loved the bond I was building with his mom. And honestly, so did I.
"Isn't she wet already, Raul?" Joanna quipped, studying her nails with mock innocence.
Our eyes widened.
"You—" Raul lunged, but Joanna bolted, squealing.
He caught her in seconds, tossing her into the waves with a splash.
"You jerk!" she sputtered, surfacing.
"Serves her right," Mia mumbled. "How'd you catch her so fast? I've been chasing her for hours."
Raul smirked, slinging an arm around her. "I'm young and strong, sis."
"I'm not old!" Mia snapped, smacking his chest. "I'm only thirty-three!"
"What's the difference between your age and Aunt Jazira's?" Bianco teased.
"Bianco!" Mia shrieked, chasing him as he darted off.
"And she claims to be agile," Raul muttered, shaking his head.
"Come on, tesoro," he said, taking my hand with a secretive smile. "I've got a surprise for you."
He pulled me away, leaving Nikki with Luca and Joanna splashing in the water.