Summer Temptations:Dual Flames of Desire

Chapter 4 An Unexpected Encounter

'Oh... what is he doing?' Rachel froze completely.

In this position, she could unmistakably feel Leslie's... huge bulge pressing insistently against her backside.

But Leslie didn't seem to notice what was happening. He was focused, explaining the techniques of playing water volleyball, his eyes fixed on the ball, never once glancing at her.

'It must just be my imagination,' Rachel told herself, taking a deep breath. 'He's here to teach me water volleyball, after all.'

She tried to shift her body, but suddenly felt Leslie's arms tighten around her. His strong chest was pressed firmly against her, and even through the water, she could feel the heat radiating from him.

'Oh my God...'

Rachel's ears began to burn uncontrollably, her feet awkwardly stirring the water as she found it harder and harder to focus on his words.

'If this is intentional, he's certainly doing a great job.'

*****

"Are you paying attention?" Leslie asked again.

A wave of tingling sensation surged through her lower body, and Rachel bit her lip. She raised her hand, slowly trailing it up his muscular arm until it rested on the back of his veined hand. Feigning innocence, she asked, "Is it like this? Is this how you serve?"

Her hand was much smaller than his, her cold, slick fingers contrasting sharply with his warmth.

Leslie seemed taken aback by her touch. His Adam's apple bobbed, and a low, husky groan escaped him. "Oh, yes... Rachel... smart girl, always."

Rachel smirked, leaning back slightly and raising the volleyball. In this position, her back pressed fully against his chest, and her firm backside nestled right against his hard length.

Leslie's face turned bright red. "Rachel, you..." he stammered, unable to complete a sentence.

'So flustered, yet... kind of fun?' Rachel couldn't help but laugh. She playfully swatted the ball away, escaping from his arms, and splashed water at him. "Haha, you're a great coach, Leslie. I think I've got it!"

Her sudden burst of energy seemed to lift Leslie's spirits as well.

He laughed with her, water dripping down his face as he gazed at her earnestly.

"I'm glad to see you happy again, Rachel. Promise me you'll forget about all the things that have been bothering you, okay?"

So that was what this was about—he just wanted to cheer her up. Rachel felt touched by his kindness.

She had to admit that Leslie was like a ray of sunshine, always managing to brighten her mood. She found herself reevaluating the boy next door. He was more mature and more comforting than she had expected.

*****

Unfortunately, Leslie didn't visit for the next several days. The national college football tournament was about to start, and as the team captain, he was swamped with responsibilities.

'Alright, I swear I'm not missing him at all,' Rachel told herself, though she did find the days a bit duller without his company.

Maybe it was the exhaustion from her previous work, but during her time back in Seabreeze Bay, Rachel slept like the dead whenever there were no visitors. There were even times when Molly brought breakfast to her room, and she didn't wake up.

Without her ray of sunshine and stress-reliever, Rachel's mood began to spiral downward again. She felt as if she were constantly falling, unable to find a direction for her future.

If it weren't for a sudden pang of stomach pain, she probably would have slept until the afternoon.

Clutching her stomach in discomfort, Rachel hurriedly poured herself a glass of water and searched the cabinet for some painkillers.

Molly watched her with concern. "Rachel, look at yourself. If you keep this up, I won't even recognize you anymore."

"I'm fine, Mom," Rachel said, trying to sound upbeat.

But Molly wasn't convinced, her worry evident. "You came home just to sleep the days away? That's not like you at all. Can you tell me what's really going on?"

"I'm okay," Rachel insisted, not wanting to worry her.

Molly's eyes remained full of concern, and Rachel sighed. "Really, I'm fine. It's just... just some issues at work. Mom, I might not be a fashion designer anymore."

"Being a fashion designer was your dream. Rachel, something must have happened." Molly hugged her tightly, pained by her daughter's reluctance to share her troubles.

Rachel couldn't bring herself to say it. It felt as if all her past glory had been tied to Trevor, and Trevor was like a thorn buried deep in her heart, still bleeding.

Unable to get more out of her, Molly's brow furrowed deeply. "If you don't want to talk about it, I won't push you. But promise me, honey, you can't just sleep your days away. I'm busy preparing for an art exhibition and can't get away. Could you help me take my portfolio to Mr. Burns at Mitchell Aesthetic Gallery? He's the one reviewing the pieces for the exhibition."

She thought it might be good for Rachel to get out of the house.

Seeing the concern in Molly's eyes, Rachel knew she couldn't refuse without hurting her mother.

"Of course, I'd be happy to," she agreed, albeit reluctantly.

*****

Thanks to Molly's influence, Rachel had always had a deep love for art, but she had never had time to help her mother with anything before. Seeing Molly's career flourish genuinely made Rachel happy.

After packing up the portfolio, Rachel drove to the gallery to meet with Burns.

To her surprise, a crowd of people was already lined up outside the gallery, all waiting to submit their work for the exhibition. They were all dressed fashionably, radiating an air of pride. When they saw Rachel in her simple T-shirt and jeans, they couldn't resist rolling their eyes.

'Oh...'

Rachel thought to herself, 'If they knew I graduated from Northbrook University's art program, would they still look at me like that?'

The crowd was overwhelming, and Rachel, holding the portfolio, felt out of place. In her distraction, she accidentally stepped on the foot of a man in his thirties.

Before she could apologize, he looked her up and down and sneered, "Miss, if you think you can get Mr. Burns' favor just by flaunting your looks, I suggest you go home now!"

'What?' Rachel was taken aback. 'How could someone be so rude to a complete stranger?'

She almost laughed. "I get why you're so grumpy. If Mr. Burns really judges entries based on looks, you're out of luck."

"You..." The man's brows furrowed in anger, his pride wounded. "Careful, or you'll regret those words."

"Maybe you should've thought of that before you spoke," Rachel replied calmly, refusing to back down.

The man raised his fist, roaring, "You b***h!"

But before his fist could come down, a strong hand grabbed his arm, and a deep voice warned, "Sir, if you didn't notice the 'No Disturbing' sign, I'd be happy to remind you."

Rachel turned, surprised to find Leslie there, and felt a wave of relief.

She was about to greet him when she realized something seemed off. He was dressed in a sharp suit and tie, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses he didn't usually wear. His green eyes, usually so bright, were now hidden behind the lenses, making him look far more serious and intense.

"Connor?" Rachel asked, stunned.