Ian's Ultimate Gamble - Brenda Jackson [13]
He watched as she stood up, emerging from the water like a sex goddess as she tossed her wet hair back from her face. But it wasn't her hair that was holding his attention. Have mercy! She had a body that made men drool, curves in all the right places— and he was familiar with those curves, every delectable inch. And that bikini, wet and clinging to her, looked good on her. Too good. He could only imagine the reaction she would have gotten from other men. But just the thought that he had once touched her all over, licked her all over, made love to that body in more ways than he could count, sent blood surging through his veins. "Damn."
"Hey, man. Talk to me. What's going on'?"
Storm's words reminded Ian he was still holding the phone in his hand, and it was taking every ounce of strength he had to continue to do so. He suddenly felt weak, physically drained.
"Brooke," he finally said, whispering her name softly, drawing out the sound deep from within his throat on a husky sigh. "She's here."
"What do you mean she's there?"
Ian rolled his eyes upward. "Just what I said, Storm. She checked into the Rolling Cascade for two weeks for some R and R. But at this moment she happens to be in my penthouse, using my pool. We're trying to put the past behind us."
"Brilliant. That's just brilliant, Ian," Storm chuckled. "Don't tell me, let me guess. You and Brooke are trying to put the past behind you and become friends. Come on, Ian. Think about it. Do you actually believe you can be just friends with the only woman who's ever had your heart?"
Ian frowned. "Yes, since the key word here is had. I stopped loving Brooke years ago."
"So you say."
"So I mean. Good night, Storm."
Ian stood and walked across the room to the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling window that gave a breathtaking view of Lake Tahoe.
When he had reopened the casino after extensive remodeling, he'd given it more than just a new name and a new face. He had given the place a new attitude. He had painstakingly combined the charm of the Nevada landscape with the grandeur of a world-class casino, then added an upscale nightlife whose unique ambiance appealed to a sophisticated clientele.
His penthouse had the best view of the lake. Strategically set on the west side of the casino and covering portions of both the eighth and ninth floors, his domain was away from the villas, the various shops and restaurants, the golf courses with cascading waterfalls and the tennis courts. He considered his personal quarters as his very own private hot spot, although between the hours he'd spent making sure things were perfect for the grand opening nine months ago. His time had been too consumed in business matters to pursue any intimate pleasures, and he had not yet invited a woman up to his lair, other than members of his family and now Brooke.
Brooke.
He cocked his head, and a smile touched his lips when he heard the sound of her splashing around in the pool. For some reason, he liked knowing she was there, and regardless of what Storm thought, he and Brooke held no emotional ties. The most they could ever be again was friends.
Brooke swam back and forth through the calming water as she did another lap around Ian's pool. After several more laps she pulled herself up on the ledge thinking that she'd had a wonderful workout. She felt rejuvenated in one sense and exhausted in another. Beside the pool was a long padded bench that looked absolutely inviting, and she decided to rest a while.
She lay flat on her back and stared up at the ceiling. All she could think about was Ian's dark eyes and the way they had looked at her moments before he'd left her alone. Swim or no swim, she'd been fantasizing about him ever since. She was trying to keep a part of herself distanced; especially knowing how quickly she could be consumed by desire for him. Though she hadn't been completely honest with him about the real reason