Deeper (The Real Fling) by Lyla Bellatas Page B

it? One thing for sure, this was his home, which meant he wasn’t settling down in Manhattan. As if long-term was ever an option. Her insides knotted.
    They took the gondola down and walked around Vail Village, window shopping. Adriana tried to concentrate on the present, and block out the sadness that threatened to drown her, but it kept permeating her thoughts. She’d only known him for a day, but her emotions were overwhelming and each second with him amplified them.
    You’re ridiculous, you can’t even do a fling right.
    Adriana stopped at the window of a gift store. Val hugged her into him. He nibbled her ear while his arms were wrapped around her waist. “What are you doing?” she chided.
    “If you don’t know, I’m not doing it right.” His tongue swept inside of her mouth with slow sweet strokes.
    “You do it too right.” Her nerves crackled as a rush of excitement went through her. What she wouldn’t give to have him secret her around the side of the building and take her right there, though they would surely be discovered. A flutter went through her, clenching her core. Adriana softened into him. Her hand was on his waist, yanking him toward her. His scent was intoxicating. Woodsy and warm with a hint of citrus and the ever-present chocolate. She grinned.
    “What?” Val tilted his head.
    “You smell wickedly sinful. Like I’d gain ten pounds with each sniff and twenty with each taste.” She licked his lips and entered the warm wetness of his insistent mouth. Twining her fingers through his hair, she massaged his scalp enough to elicit a moan from him.
    Val stepped back and squeezed his lips with his thumb and forefinger. “If we do not stop, we will get arrested for indecent exposure.”
    “I like that idea.”
    “I bet you do.” He tugged on his pants leg and arched his brow at her. The bulge was unmistakable.
    Adriana giggled. “You aren’t alone. You just can’t see my frustration as clearly as the world can see yours.”
    “Great.”
    She reached over to a mound of plowed snow, picked up a handful and reached for his waistband. “Put it inside.”
    He backed up and shooed her away. “Do not dare.”
    She doubled over, laughing. “Silly boy, I’m just trying to help.”
    “Help me later.” He wiggled his brows. “Come.” He pulled her into a crowded bar. It was probably jamming because it was Friday. The weekend always brought more people out. Bummer . She preferred being alone with Val. Again they sat outside on the heated deck. Val ordered a couple of drinks, and they relaxed and soaked up the atmosphere.
    The waitress came back with White Russians and jalapeño poppers. Adriana dipped a popper in the sour cream and took a bite. Splat . It burst all over her face. Cheese dripped down her chin.
    Laughing, Val mopped it up with his napkin. His thumb skimmed her lips.
    “Gross. Sorry. Sometimes those things really do pack a plop. Thank you.” She licked her lips. “Try one, they’re delicious. Messy, but good.”
    Val scarfed a couple.
    Loud laughter caught their attention, and they both turned toward the bar. One of the men looked like the dark-haired guy from yesterday, and there was a short blonde in the corner who, from the back, resembled Jackie. Adriana’s pulse suddenly went arrhythmic.
    “You all right?” Val whispered.
    “Just thought…” At second look, the blonde appeared too tall to be Jackie. “It’s nothing.” Adriana tapped his arm.
    Someone waved Val over. “Be right back.” He touched her cheek with his lips before he backed away.
    Adriana sipped her drink and tried to check her mail, but with a one-bar signal she didn’t get too far. Moments later, he came back with four friends and introduced them to her. They looked familiar, maybe they had been sitting with him yesterday at lunch?
    They joined Val and Adriana and helped themselves to the appetizer. They were polite and nice enough, but there was a flash in their eyes and an odd smirk on their