Delicious Do-Over by Debbi Rawlins

because of you.” She laughed softly. “I’m going to see them for the rest of my life. I only get to be with you for a week.” She sighed when he reached over and closed a hand over hers. “Anyway, the dinner isn’t a big deal. Our birthdays are three months in a row, and we’ve always made it a point to do a joint celebration once a year since we were living in different cities.”
    “When’s your birthday?”
    “The end of February. It was three weeks ago.”
    “That’s right. You’d just had a birthday when we met. We’re close. Mine is the beginning of April.”
    “Are you an Aries or a Taurus?”
    “Aries.” He shrugged. “Whatever that means.”
    “I don’t know much about it myself, except my friend Shelby is an Aries, too.”
    “Is that good or bad?” he asked, a teasing note in his voice.
    “Well, Shelby is gorgeous, smart, charming, witty, always the life of the party. Oh, did I say gorgeous?”
    “I think so.” Rick leaned over, closing the short distance between their chairs.
    He didn’t have to touch her, show her what he was after. She leaned in for the kiss, and this time when he lingered, she didn’t resist. In fact, she was sorely tempted to suggest they go to his room.
    She felt the tip of his tongue at the corner of her mouth, and parted her lips in invitation. He didn’t accept right away, but took his time molding his lips to hers, changing the slant of his mouth, using more pressure, then less. When he finally entered her mouth, he swept his tongue inside with a devastating thoroughness that left her hot and prickling with anticipation.
    Then he drew away and smoothed back the fall of her hair, exposing her fevered cheeks. “Later,” he whispered. “After you see your friends, after dinner. Come to my room.”
    “Yes.” She sighed. And caught a glimpse of Mia and Shelby on the other side of the pool.
    Oh, crap. Had they seen her?
    “How about a drink?” Rick squeezed her hand, and then let go to signal the waitress.
    “Sure.” She smiled, while furtively keeping track of Mia and Shelby as they signed out beach towels from the pool attendant. “A cola?”
    “Mai tai.”
    He chuckled. “Man, when the gloves come off—”
    The waitress stopped, tray in hand, and crouched beside Rick to take his order.
    Lindsey saw then that her friends had spotted her. It was Shelby, of course, who clarified that fact by comically ogling Rick and making oh-my-God faces. In spite of herself, Lindsey laughed.
    The waitress had just walked away, and Rick turned to her. “What?”
    “You’re about to meet my friends. Prepare yourself.”
    He followed her gaze. “Am I gonna get the third degree, or what?”
    “Possibly. Mia’s the lawyer, but she won’t do the grilling. Shelby’s wearing the pink bikini and sarong. She’s the one you have to watch out for.” And looking sexy as usual, Lindsey thought grudgingly.
    “This should be good.” Rick touched her face. “You’re already blushing.”
    Lindsey shook her head in resignation, then pushed her sunglasses up, using them as a hair-band. She lifted her brows in warning as they approached.
    Naturally Shelby ignored her. Why had Lindsey foolishly thought she’d do otherwise?
    “So you’re Rick,” Shelby began, blatantly sizing him up, her gaze lingering on the arm tattoo. “Kept our Lindsey out late last night, didn’t you?”
    Rick politely removed his sunglasses. “Late?” he said, frowning thoughtfully, amusement glittering in his hazel eyes. “More like all night.”
    “I like you.” Shelby grinned at Lindsey. “You can keep him.”
    “You’re so kind,” Lindsey said sarcastically, then gestured to Mia. “This is Mia, my more mature friend.”
    In the middle of the introductions, Rick got to his feet. “Here. Take this. I’ll get a couple more chairs.”
    “We aren’t staying,” Mia said, and Lindsey quickly agreed.
    Shelby laughed, and then her gaze went in the direction of the beach and she sobered,