Truth or Dare: A Sweet Romantic Comedy Collection by Laura Burton (free ebook reader for ipad txt) 📗

Watching Michelle undress in these circumstances feels wrong. So I avert my eyes and focus on getting ready. As we awkwardly go about stripping down to our swimwear, Jameela watches us, unabashed.

Now I'm sitting in my black swim shorts. I do my best to relax and swallow the wad of spit that's suddenly gathered in my mouth. The Hawaiian heat and the burning incense bring sweat to the surface of my skin and I'm almost breathless, looking at Michelle.

Her dress falls to her waist, revealing a black and white polka dot bikini top. I’ve seen Michelle in her swimwear before, more times than I can count.

But never like this.

The candlelight dances across her shiny skin and the slow rise and fall of her chest sends my mind into a frenzy. And we’re supposed to touch each other? I worry if I allow myself to touch her skin, my body will take over and I won't be able to make myself stop.

But we’re just two friends pretending to be a couple, right? Nothing can happen between us. Otherwise, we’ll soon be skinny dipping in the Hudson river like Holly and Cameron. Which Cameron said was not as pleasant as it sounds.

This is a cruel joke.

“I’ll massage you first,” Michelle says, shuffling out of her dress. I nod. My mouth is totally dry now and I'm trying my best to keep down a cough.

“Excellent, now... Jonah is it?” Jameela says. I nod. Her face breaks into a smile again and she nods back at me. “If you turn away from your wife––”

“We’re not married,” Michelle and I say in unison. I almost add, “We’re just friends.” But I remember we’re playing make-believe here. If I'd said that, I'd have let the cat out of the bag. Michelle appears to follow my train of thought.

“Yet,” she says.

Nice save. I swivel around and sit with my back to her.

“Now, move up nice and close,” Jameela instructs Michelle. A wave of heat washes over my back as she edges up to me. She's hovering two inches away from my skin, but it’s like I can sense her and our energy fields are touching or something. There’s a magnetic force pulsing between us. Drips of sweat run down my temples as I think about it.

“Come on, don’t be shy. You’re not strangers here,” Jameela says with a chuckle. Michelle shuffles forward again. Now she's lingering less than an inch from my back and everything is zinging. Every time she brushes against my skin, a little zap jolts straight to my heart.

Jameela gives Michelle instructions and she follows with an air of confidence. Perhaps the fact that I can't see her has given her courage. Or maybe she’s come to her senses and remembered that we’re just a couple of friends having some fun.

Her hands move over my tight shoulders and within seconds I forget about the odd-smelling incense, and how nauseated I am by the heat.

Instead, my muscles begin to loosen up and I sigh heavily with relief. The dull ache magically disappears as she carefully runs her thumbs over every nodule of my spine.

I had no idea Michelle had healing hands. She digs her fingers in at just the right places and my body reacts, like a dog obeying his master. I roll my head from side to side as my neck cracks and loosens up.

“That feels awesome,” I say with another sigh. And it’s true. I could sit here all day with Michelle gripping my shoulders and running her hands down my back. But before long, she pulls away. I open my eyes with a start. My body is in agony again. Only now, there's something extra––a need to feel her touch.

“Well done, very nice job,” Jameela says, unaware of my inner turmoil. I swivel around, sensing my turn is over. Michelle begins shuffling her back to me but stops mid-way as the woman holds up her hand. “Wait a moment,” she looks at me pointedly. “Aren’t you going to thank your girlfriend?”

I give Jameela a sheepish grin, then nod to Michelle. “Thanks.”

“No, no, no.” Jameela waves her hands and shakes her head. “I meant a kiss.”

Her words hang in the air and tighten around my neck like a noose. The last time I thought about kissing Michelle, she left me alone on the dancefloor at prom––dripping in punch. Dozens of eyes were staring at me.

I shake the memory away. That was a long time ago.

Now, I’m dripping in my own sweat with a racing heart, looking at the most gorgeous creature on earth. She gives me a sweet smile, the corners of her mouth picking up softly, and it pulls me in.

On impulse, I lean forward and give her a quick peck on the lips. It’s the kind of kiss I’ve seen old married couples give each other on the spur of the moment.

“Thank you, darling,” I murmur, smiling warmly at her. Michelle’s smile widens and it’s like sunshine. She's glowing. For a split second, I forget we’re just acting and my heart squeezes. It hasn’t done that in a long time.

Suddenly, the door opens a crack and Malcolm pokes his head in. “Jameela, can I borrow you? We’ve got some latecomers and there’s no one to get them started.”

Jameela rises to her feet and gives the young man a nod. Then she turns to me. “Are you two alright to keep going alone?”

She doesn’t wait for an answer before she hustles out of the room. Now alone, Michelle and I exhale as if we had both been holding our breath the entire time. Then Michelle drops a hand on my forearm, looking at me with eyes as wide as saucers.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know this would be so…"

“Sticky?” I ask with a laugh, gesturing to our glistening bodies. “This room is like a sauna.” Michelle’s responding laugh makes my heart squeeze again. What is happening to me?

“Well, come on, turn around,” I say, circling my thumb in the air. Michelle pulls her hair back into