Naked Attraction

5

Cassy used a patterned cover-up to hide her orange two-piece bikini. Because of her plump hips, buttocks, and boobs, the bathing suit looked too skimpy on her. Now she was second-guessing whether to remove the cover-up. But really, wouldn’t it be ridiculous to go swimming while still wearing it? Maybe she should just head back to the cottage and wear shorts and a rash guard like Sarah?

But she stood her ground when she caught Nate grinning at her. He better be ready later, she was going to flaunt her body in front of him.

Really? Could she really do that? Up until now, it was only her annoyance toward Nate that gave her courage, which was why her knees weren’t trembling yet.

"You’re frowning again, Cassida," Nate said with a laugh as he approached where she was grilling pork barbecue.

They and their friends had arrived at Pristine Hotel and Beach Resort, waking up early to enjoy the cool seawater. They had breakfast right under the pergola where they were staying, and they would have lunch there as well.

"What’s it to you?" Cassy snapped at Nate.

"Why are you always so grumpy with me?" he shot back.

"Because I don’t like your attitude," she answered bluntly.

"Ah, is that why you didn’t want to partner with me in business?"

Cassy rolled her eyes. Her brilliant father must have already gossiped to Nate about how she turned down his business proposal.

"Not everything is about you, Nataniel."

"My business is growing. Next month, I’m meeting potential buyers from Hong Kong. If you want, I can hire you to be in charge of the office. Your dad just wants to be my consultant."

"Did my dad order you to convince me to work for your mushroom venture?"

Nate laughed. "Mushroom venture?"

"Just so you know, I’m not interested. Besides, your business suits you better."

"What do you mean it suits me better?" He gave her a cheeky smile. "Because I produce mushrooms?"

Cassy shrugged. She must’ve made a dirty remark without meaning to. Nate always brought out the worst in her, which was why she ended up blurting whatever came to mind.

"Yeah, because you’re such a d**k. Suits you well, ain’t it?"

But he didn’t get offended. It seemed like she could never get under Nate’s skin. "Just to set things straight, my d**k is bigger than my mushrooms," he told her with a boyish chuckle. "Way bigger. And, harder. Also tastier—"

"Pervert!" Cassy growled, thrusting a stick of pork barbecue toward his face.

"Hey, you started it!" Nate replied, unfazed by her weapon.

"Are you two fighting again?" Sarah interrupted, rubbing sunblock on her face. "You haven’t changed at all. Since high school, you’ve been like cats and dogs."

"Cats and dogs. I like that," Nate said with a grin, and before Cassy could speak, he pinched her cheek. "You’re like a cat, a very feisty one. Maybe I should call you kitten."

Annoyed, Cassy hit him. "And if you’re a dog, you’d definitely be a stray. The scruffy kind with rabies!"

"Out of all strays, I’m the handsome one," Nate bragged, puffing out his chest.

Cassy grew even more irritated. When would she ever get back at him for all his teasing? This guy’s face might as well be made of stone, totally immune to insults.

Shaking her head, Sarah grabbed two sticks of barbecue and walked back to join the rest of the group. There were eleven of them there—seven staff members from Merger, and four of them had brought along their spouses or partners. Cassy and Sarah were sharing a beach cottage, while each couple had their own. Nate had a cottage to himself. His girlfriend Rada didn’t seem to be with him on this trip. Or maybe he had a new one? Cassy had met that woman last year. Maybe they had broken up. Ugh, why was she even wondering about this guy’s love life? He could date Valak or a baboon-shark hybrid for all she cared.

Cassy just scowled and stayed silent. Nate sat beside her and took over flipping the barbecue she was grilling. Annoyed, instead of moving away, she quickly fanned the charcoal to stir up the ash and made sure the smoky particles blew straight into Nate’s face. She almost laughed when he started coughing and rubbed his eyes.