Into the Blue
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Total-e-bound
www.total-e-bound.com
Copyright ©2008 by Ann Cory
First published in www.total-e-bound.com, 2008
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NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
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CONTENTS
INTO THE BLUE
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
About the Author
Total-E-Bound Publishing
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A Total-e-bound Publication
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www.total-e-bound.com
Into the Blue
ISBN #978-1-906590-79-6
©Copyright Ann Cory 2008
Cover Art by Lyn Taylor ©Copyright June 2008
Edited by Michele Paulin
Total-e-bound books
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author's imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-e-bound eBooks.
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The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2008 by Total-e-bound eBooks 1 The Corner, Faldingworth Road, Spridlington, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 2DE, UK.
Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.
INTO THE BLUE
Ann Cory
[Back to Table of Contents]
Dedication
For my husband who helped me find my blue.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter One
Samantha Jensen walked to the edge of the diving board. The water in the pool looked impossibly blue. Almost cerulean in colour. It called to her. Begged her to slip into its liquid paradise and escape the record high temperatures of the afternoon. The Santa Ana winds had picked up that morning and, mixed with the mid-summer humidity, made it hotter than usual. Unable to resist, she dove in headfirst. Into the blue.
The surge of water against her breasts gave her instant relief. While far from cool, it offered a momentary respite. She moved her body like a mermaid along the bottom and admired the intricate tile work. Above she watched the water ripple. Gold rays from the sun splashed the surface like splotches of paint. So peaceful. So serene. She'd always felt safe in the blue. It was a place she went in her mind as a child. No one bothered her there. No one made her play favourites. No one else was allowed in.
This place wasn't her scene. But it was the need for change that had brought her here. Aware she couldn't stay under any longer, she pumped her legs.
Samantha came up for air and treaded water. Her arms and legs looked distorted beneath her as they moved in slow motion. She blinked away the water from her eyes and took in the scene around her. Miles of tanned and toned bodies in barely-there swimsuits. Gorgeous men and women who looked ready for a photo shoot rather than a pool party. With a sigh of envy, she eyed one woman in a pristine white bikini, and couldn't help but admire her sleek tummy. Sure, she'd love to look that hot in a two-piece, but if it meant hours of excruciating crunches and giving up margaritas, then the effort hardly seemed worth it.
Her gaze averted to a tall, somewhat interesting blond. Not really her type, but he was easy on the eyes. As he moved out of her view, she was met with the sight of a bronze-skinned hottie in a slim-fitting pair of swim trunks. She sucked in her breath and felt the moisture gather between her thighs. Where had he been all her life?
Before she could fully appreciate his rock-solid bod of sin, her gal pal Chelsea swam up beside her.
"Flirt with anyone yet?” Chelsea asked in her sugary voice.
Samantha smiled at her always perky, always horny copper-haired friend.
"Nope, not yet. I'm checking things out first."
Chelsea slicked back her wet hair and sent a shower of droplets everywhere. “Quite the attractive crowd, don't you think? The guys look like they stepped right off the pages of a swimsuit calendar."
Samantha snickered. “Yeah, I thought the same thing. The ladies, too. I swear none of them eat."
Her friend shrugged. “Cool, more snacks for me."
She laughed. “Looks like you have it all figured out. I have to say, though, I feel a little out of place. I've never been to a party where I didn't know anyone."
Again her friend shrugged. “It makes it easier to do whatever you want. You can be a total lush and not feel guilty."
Somehow she didn't think that possible. Even after years of therapy. “Easier said than done. Besides, I'm still accountable to myself—whatever I decide to do."
Chelsea sighed. “You promised you'd be daring. It's why I agreed to come along. I said if you were going to be your usual boring self, then I wouldn't bother, remember?"
How could she possibly forget those words? “Yes, yes, of course, I remember. In case you haven't noticed, I took off my bikini top before I jumped into the pool."
"Only because you spilled your drink on it."
Heat rushed to her face. Damn, that girl had eyes in the back of her head. “Oh, you saw that."
"You bet your sweet ass I did. I'm observant. Which is why I've cased this joint already and can attest that this is by far the best party I've ever been to."
"As if it could be a party without you,” she joked.
Her friend beamed. “That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me. Thanks. So,” she nudged, “see anyone you'd care to bump uglies with?"
There was an understatement. “See that guy over there.” Samantha gestured with her chin to the lean, mean, dark-haired dream. The sleek veneer of his skin covered in suntan oil sent her into a tizzy. “He looks like my type."
Chelsea's jaw dropped. “Meow wow. Nice choice. Not sure how the hell I missed him. He's ... oh my word!"
Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with both hands.
Samantha gave her a strange look. “What's the matter?"
"Did you check out the size of his package?"
She nodded. “Oh yeah, I noticed."
"Ding ding ding, jackpot. I wonder if it needs its own passport when he travels? I mean really, the guy is packed tight in those trunks. I'm surprised they don't fling right off him."
Samantha couldn't hold in her laughter. “Stop it, or he's going to catch me staring."
"Big deal. That man should be used to women staring at his crotch. Damn."
Embarrassed, she reached over and covered her friend's mouth. “Okay, enough. You've got me all fixated on it now more than before."
Her friend pushed her hand away. “Good thing I'm in a pool right now, or I'd end up with a puddle of drool all along the pathway. Unreal."
"Hello, change of subject. What about you? Anyone piqued your interest?"
"Are you referring to the men or the ladies?"
"Either, both, all. I don't care. I'm horny as hell, and I plan on getting plenty of action today. How often does one get invited to a pool orgy?"
Samantha held up her pointer finger. “First one for me."
"It's the fifth for me, but who's counting. I'm so glad you asked me along."
Up until five minutes ago, so was she. “Considering I have no idea who gave me the invitation I had no intention of showing up alone."
"I'm flattered. I still think it's someone from work who gave it to you. I mean, where else do you go?"
Nowhere. That was the trouble. “Yeah, I don't know, it's just that no one talks to me at work because I'm always super busy."
"Maybe someone noticed and thought you needed to have some fun for a change."
She shrugged. “Well, they were right. I plan on having a great time, and I'll try not to care what anyone thinks."
Chelsea patted her shoulder. “That's the spirit."
"Though if it is someone from work, then it sort of blows your whole theory on being a total lush."
"I wouldn't worry about it. Just have fun."
She vowed to give it her best shot. “Yeah, you're right. I think I'll start by going up to handsome over there and say hi."
Her friend gripped her wrist.
"Hang on, harlot in training. Don't go and throw yourself at him right off the bat. You should play hard to get."
Puzzled, she frowned. “Wait—I thought you said, or rather threatened, that I better be daring or else."
Her friend's sea green eyes sparkled. “Hey, I'm all for you getting it on with the guy, but make him work for it."
She bit her lip. “But, I don't want to play hard to get. Not with him."
Chelsea flashed her an annoyed look. “I'm not suggesting that you ignore him for the entire time, that wouldn't be any fun. But make it work in your favour. Make him come to you. Trust me. I know what I'm talking about. Remember, I'm the one who writes the dating column."
"You mean the sex column,” she corrected. “Your answer to everyone's problems is to forget about it and have sex."
Her friend blinked innocently. “And? It's sound advice."
Samantha shook her head. “Last week, a woman wrote in that the dog her old boyfriend had given her had died, and you responded by suggesting she snag a younger man and have kinky sex to get over it. How exactly is that supposed to make her feel better?"
"Duh, it would help take her mind off the dog. Anyway, at least I practice what I preach. Come on, you know I wouldn't steer you wrong."
She ignored the odd explanation for grief management and refocused her attention on the stranger's washboard abs. She'd love to smooth her hands over that stomach. Hell, his chest, arms, and ... everywhere, actually. “Yeah, but I want him. If I'm going to have a one-night stand, it's going to be with him."
Chelsea gave her a knowing smile. “Glad to see you have your priorities straight. Here's what you do. Go up and stand near him, but don't be crazy obvious. If he says hi, act uninterested and start talking it up with another guy."
"What if he gets the wrong message?"
"If he's interested, it will drive him nuts, and he won't be able to think about anything else other than getting your attention. It will consume him."
She pursed her lips. “I take it this tactic has worked for you in the past?"
"Sure has. And I have the rug burns on my back to prove it."
Well, there was an image. “Fine, whatever. But if this backfires, you're in big trouble."
"If it backfires, I'll personally send over a male stripper to your apartment. And I'll make sure he's every bit as handsome as that guy."
When she put it that way, why not? “Wow. Sounds like I win either way."
"That's the idea. Except, I can't guarantee the size of the stripper's cock to be the same as his.” Chelsea paused long enough to stare at the guy and then whispered, “I swear that can't be natural. He must have one of those buoys down his trunks."
Samantha splashed her friend in the face and busted up laughing. “Stop it. You're always so over the top."
Her friend beamed. “I just like to live and have fun. You should try it some time. If you keep playing miss safety pants, you're going to be covered in wrinkles and wonder what the hell you did with your life. You owe it to yourself to find some happiness."
"Yeah, you're right."
"And,” her friend continued, “I think happiness is packaged up all nice and neat inside his shorts."
She shook her head at the dramatic statement, but it was the other comment Chelsea made that had her stomach in knots. The last thing she wanted was to end up miserable and alone. “I'm here, aren't I?"
"Not without hours of coaxing by me, but yeah, I'll give you a smidgeon of credit."
"Thanks."
"No problem. It's about time you found out what goes on in the real world."
She didn't know whether to be offended or not. “And working in an office to make money isn't part of the real world?"
Chelsea shook her head. “Nope. It's the boring part. Now, I'm going to go booze and schmooze. Remember what I told you."
"Yeah, yeah. I got it. Play hard to get."
"Perfect. I'll check in on you later."
Samantha watched her friend climb out of the pool in all her naked glory and grab a frosty blue drink. Why couldn't she be as nonchalant about everything? Why did she have to agonise over every detail and make herself sick with worry? “This is your time to break out of your shell,” she mumbled to herself. “Don't think, just do."
So far she didn't recognise anyone from work, so that was a plus. The whole finding the invitation thing had been a complete mystery. She remembered the bold words written inside.
You're invited to a pool party. First we'll cool things off with pool games and drinks. Then we'll heat things up with couples, multiple partners, ménages and more! Fire up those desires, and let your inhibitions go. Swimsuit not required. Be prepared to get very, very wet.
She'd mulled it over and called Chelsea, the one person she could count on to talk her into things. Life had gotten way too chaotic, and she needed a day to recharge her batteries. To not think about work, deadlines, or pushy clients. To think about herself for a change, and oh yeah, to get laid. She climbed out of the pool and headed for the table. There was an umbrella drink with her name on it.
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Cole Davidson studied the sultry brunette from across the pool and wondered how long he should wait before he made his move. He couldn't help but stare at the way the water cascaded off her body as she climbed the steps out of the pool. Next to the pin thin women lounging around, she was a welcome sight with her fierce curves. He liked a woman with meat on her bones, and the way those hips of hers swung side to side had him ready to pounce. Never mind the way her wine coloured bikini bottoms hugged those curves or how they accentuated her voluptuous ass. Mmm. He couldn't quite make out the size of her breasts beneath the wet strands of her long hair, but he liked where his imagination took him.
"Hey man, great party,” his friend, Lee, interrupted with a slap to his back. “Top notch drink selection, too."
"Yeah,” he mumbled and returned his focus to the woman he planned to seduce before the night was over. She stood in front of the table and made small talk with the bartender. Her musical laugh made its way to his ears, and he couldn't help but smile. If he didn't make a move now he'd regret it.
Cole strolled up beside her and grabbed a colourful drink with an umbrella. She looked like a margarita kind of girl.
"Pardon me, would you care for a drink?” he asked, trying not to sound like it was a pick-up line.
Their gazes locked long enough for him to get lost in her deep green eyes, then she lowered her lashes. Little black fans all wet and
plump against her cheekbones. She reached out and took the drink from his hands.
"Thanks."
She bent forward and wrapped her full pink lips around the straw. He watched the way her cheeks hollowed as she sucked on it. His cock wrenched.
Before he could continue, she turned her back to him. He clamped his mouth shut. What the hell? Okay, he'd try again. Cole gently tapped her on the shoulder, and she flashed him a “do not disturb” look that did a number on his self-esteem.
"Yes,” she practically hissed.
His thoughts tangled into a mess, and he racked his brain to come up with anything. “Sorry, I don't mean to bother you, but have we met?"
"I doubt it,” she retorted and gave him a smirk that pretty much told him she wasn't interested. “Now if you'll excuse me."
With his mouth open and ego deflated, he watched her walk away to mingle with a blond guy who reminded him of an old surfer friend from Australia.
Unbelievable. She totally gave him the brush off. Nothing like striking out on the first try.
"Ouch, man. That had to hurt."
He narrowed his eyes at Lee. “What?"
"Getting rejected like that. Had to hurt."
His face felt hot, and it wasn't from the sun. “Yeah, it stings a bit."
"You're not going to let that stop you. Right? I mean come on, that would be a first."
Cole frowned and cursed to himself. When had he ever given up on anything worthwhile before? A thought went through his mind, and he couldn't stop the cheesy grin from spreading across his face.
"Uh oh, looks like someone's inspired,” Lee teased.
He nodded. “Yeah, and I'm going to need your help."
His friend's eyes lit up with mischief. “Sure thing. What's up?"
Cole led him to the other side of the pool to share his plan. “Let the games begin."
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Chapter Two
Samantha hated not falling into the handsome stranger's muscular chest. And could she have been any more of a bitch? The coconut smell of his lotion had turned her brain into a pile of mush. Maybe Chelsea was right, though. Had she done what came from instinct, she would have acted like a stupid tart. But damn those blue eyes had taken only one second to penetrate right through her. She could easily find happiness there. Even his rough and tumbled voice had made her feel a sense of security she'd been lacking for as long as she could remember.