Across the Music (Across the Ocean Book 2) (10 page)

"There you are! I was worried for a second that you had decided not to come with us, although having to ride in the car with these two drags could potentially make anybody not want to go somewhere." I laugh, because it's almost true, except not because they're drags. It's more like they're too goddamned hot for me to handle.

"I know, they hardly had very interesting conversations going on, but I did learn that Loki is the actor, and Gunnar is the director, apparently." Ari walks into the kitchen as I'm finishing my sentence, and laughs. Coming up to me for a quick hello hug, he nods in agreement with my statement.

"It's true, although I was the actor first. We have so many funny movies from back then. My favorite was when I was a detective who always hid under a blanket, and the bad guys couldn't see me when I was under it. Get it? I was an
under-cover cop
. It was ridiculous and awesome. Anybody who watches them will just laugh and laugh at us." I'm laughing at all of this, what a clever and silly movie it must be, but it also tells me that Gunnar has many talents.

Also, I feel quite a bit of jealousy, or maybe envy for how close all these guys seem to be, and how they have such a great way to remember the past; the movies. Somehow I can't fathom having so many friends that are kinda like family.

"Oh man! Those movies were so much fun! I always got to be the bad guy, and was killing everybody. Now that I think of it, a lot of them were pretty violence oriented, but hey – we were teenagers. That's what guys do." I turn to the voice behind me, seeing Baldvin standing there with a large grin on his face, obviously entertained by these memories.

"They would also put me into terrible situations, or somehow tricked me into doing these strange things like putting me in a cloth diaper, with clothes pins and all! They made me run around the field above our houses, flapping my arms like I was flying! Afterwards, they put Frozen by Madonna over that scene as though it were a dream sequence." I'm laughing so hard that I'm crying by the time he's done; now I
really
want to see those movies.

Brooke comes up beside me and hands me a beer. It's an Icelandic kind, and delicious. I tell her thanks, and head to walk around the rest of the summerhouse to check it out while sipping my drink. I should probably be helping the guys bring our stuff from the car, but I don't think they'll mind if I just hang out a bit. I think I'm still considered a guest, which usually implies less responsibility for bitch work. The living room area is very large; with several couches and plenty of chairs to house quite a lot of people. The kitchen is open; it's piece-of-piss to get to and updated and shiny. Tons of windows let in plenty of natural light, and it's bright and cheery in every room. The whole place seems to be made out of wood. The fenced-in wrap-around porch is really lovely, and holds the large hot tub and a huge gas grill. Icelandic people really know how to set up a summerhouse for people to party!

I find that there are two restrooms, one inside, and one around the outside of the house with a shower for those coming in from the hot tub. There are 3 other bedrooms, most of them with multiple beds and bunks inside of them like ours is. Only one has one bed, and I am betting that it's for Brooke and Ari, since they're getting married.

The fact that this is how everyone seems to be celebrating the union of these two great people is humbling to me. They are surrounded by so much love, and as much as I love to see it, I feel a painful pang in my heart for what I no longer have, and will probably never have again. Well, hopefully someday I'll have it again.

By the time I'm finished with my tour around the house, I stop in the middle of the porch near the hot tub, soaking up some sun and contemplating whether or not I want to go inside right now, or later. Gunnar comes out the front door and up to me, wearing a sexy forest green V-neck shirt (this style seems to be fairly popular here in Iceland) and a pair of black swim shorts that go down to his knees. A fine pair of man-sandals adorns his feet, and I'm surprised to find that I'm even attracted to his man-ankles. There is a beer in each hand, and I'm sure one of them is for me. Proving me right, he extends one of them my way, a sexy lopsided smile on his lips. I grab it, touched by his thoughtfulness.

"I thought you might be a little thirsty after that extensive tour of the house," he lifts his own bottle up to his lips and taking a long swig. I nod in agreement, taking a drink of my own as well.

"Good on ya, mate! You're so thoughtful. A true gentleman, making sure his lady never goes without a beer." I hope he gets my teasing, oh shit, I said
his
lady. Maybe he'll gloss right over that part.

"Ah, I see my smooth moves worked. Now you consider yourself my lady. I call that a success." He gives me a little wink before turning to head back inside. I stay out a little longer, enjoying the breeze on my suddenly heated and flushed cheeks. Looking to my left, I see Loki walk towards the gas grill, arms laden with a large tray covered in assorted food items for grilling. I'm pretty hungry, but my appetite for something a little dirtier kicks up a notch at the sight of him in his bright blue swim trunks and no shirt. His tattoos are on full display, and boy is he beautiful. When I saw him last time like this, there wasn't a huge amount of light. Now, the sun is glancing of his gorgeously tan limbs, and reflecting off his muscles and tattoos, sending my knickers into a state of distress.

"There you are, I thought you had disappeared," he says as he begins to set up the grill. I see it was previously heating up, and lunch will probably be ready in a short time.

"Did you see our rooming situation? Have any idea which bunk you're interested in? You can share the big one with me, if you want. I wouldn't mind one bit." I smile at his flirting, but I also feel quivers in my belly from it. I know he's teasing, but he's partially serious, right? That's how all of this works. He's telling me, in a teasing way just in case I don't want to, in hopes that I'll want to, too? Dating and hooking up can be far too complicated, I think.

"We'll see how you behave, as to whether or not there's any chance of sharing," That'll tell him there's a possibility, right? It's thrilling to be flirting with two men at the same time. I'm not cheating on anyone, since I'm not dating either of them, and for now it's just a fun game. I do feel as though I am almost cheating on Gunnar, which is ridiculous. Repeat to yourself Sophie, you are not dating anyone.

Several people come outside onto the porch with us; Baldvin, Helgi (who I hadn't seen arrive yet), Brooke and Ari, as well as two women I haven't met yet. Brooke comes towards me, propelling the two women towards me with her.

"Sophie, I want you to meet some of my friends. This is Emilía, and this is Sóley. I knew Em back in high school, and she's the reason I came to Iceland to begin with. Sóley is one of our good friends. This is Sophie, the girl I was telling you about. Sophie's going to sing at the wedding!" Brooke engulfs me in a tight hug, and the two women smile warmly at me. Emilía is quite a stunning female, with long blonde hair similar to mine, but a little more yellow. She has large blue eyes that almost remind me of a beautiful owl. Sóley reminds me of a fairy, with her super curly hair, and great taste in fashion.

Extending my hand to first one girl, then the other, we exchange "It's nice to meet you," all around, and begin our easygoing conversation about what it has been like coming to Iceland as a foreigner. Unfortunately, Sóley doesn't have my experience with it, since she's Icelandic, but she's pitching into the conversation with a smile on her face. I think she knows a lot of foreigners.

Every so often, I look over towards the grill, and see Loki looking in my general direction. With his dark sunglasses, it's hard to tell if he's checking me out or not, but I'm more than happy telling myself that he is. How could he not? I'm awesome. I can also feel the effects of my second beer traveling down my limbs and into my feet. It's a good feeling. The sun on my back is warming me, while the breeze on my face keeps me cool.

Gunnar surprises me by coming up next to me with another beer. I didn't realize I had finished mine, but he seems to be keeping an eye on me (just like I hope Loki is doing). Or, he wants to get me drunk. Either way, he's a good guy for keeping an eye out for me. I like getting a bit sloshed, so kudos to him. I like Gunnar, too. And that Loki guy. He's not getting any less sexy over there manning the grill.

"Thought you could use another," he says, interrupting my thoughts as he takes the empty one from me.

"I should keep you around, to bring me beers and look hot for my constant viewing pleasure," I say, and internally roll my eyes at myself. Now the beer is talking a little, and it's usually a lot funnier than I am. Also quite a bit more uninhibited. Gunnar lets out a big laugh, and I think he even blushes a bit. At least he now knows I think he's hot. That's a step in the right direction for a no-pants dance.

"Maybe you should," and with a wink, he walks to help Loki with the food. Maybe I should indeed.

Lunch was wonderful, with Icelandic hot dogs, hamburgers, and grilled chicken breast. We had a few different sides that included a bright and delicious green salad, some chips and dips, as well as a potato salad that I really liked and some fizzy drinks. I ate two hamburgers smothered in Béarnaise sauce and I'm so stuffed, I think the likelihood of exploding is high. I am so glad people are talking about heading into the hot tub. I love lying like a lazy person in a pool of hot water with a beer in one hand. It's literally the best thing ever.

Walking into our designated room and closing the door behind me, I grope through my bag in order to find my bathing suit. Pulling it out, I speculate the two-piece red string bikini. I grip the bottom of my blouse and pull it over my head, tossing it on top of my bag. I just want to get into the pools and relax. I know I look good in a bathing suit, and I'm feeling as though now is a good time to make Gunnar or Loki take a good look (or two or three) at what I have to offer.

Sliding my pants and knickers down at the same time, I bend down to pull them off my feet. At the very moment I bend over, the door to the bedroom opens and Loki comes inside, running into my butt with his crotch, as I didn't move that far away from the door. Or lock it, apparently. Oh god, the mortification at this moment is almost blinding, but Loki is a deviant. His hands reach forward quickly and grab the sides of my naked hips, preventing me from not only falling over, but of moving away as well.

"I seem to have the very best timing, concerning you," Loki chuckles as I try to stand completely up, even though against him. It's no hardship really, but I'm still quite a bit ruffled at what just happened. And embarrassed. And turned on.

"Is that right, mate?" I'm breathless and hyper-aware of the texture of his swim shorts rubbing up against my ass.

"Oh,
já
. You see, ever since I've laid eyes on you, all I've wanted is to get you naked and bent over; ready for me to take you, so this is all going great for me," the fingers on his left hand grip my hip more firmly, while his other hand slides up the middle of my back, leaving a trail of goose bumps and dampness between my legs. His crotch is pressed firmly against my ass; I think I can feel him getting hard.

My feet and ankles are still trapped in my pants and knickers, and the thought that he has been thinking about fucking me turns me on. I kind of can't really go anywhere (okay, I could. I just don't
want
to go anywhere at this moment) and I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing what he has in mind.

My own mind takes a trip down the not-so-distant memory lane of watching that woman suck him off in the loo, and it doesn't help my state of arousal at all.

"After that girl blew me in front of you, later that night when I went to bed, I had to jerk off again because I was still so turned on wishing and imagining that it had been your mouth on my cock," I'm glad to see his train of thought is echoing mine, and the low, sexy voice rumbling in my ear, blowing his hot breath all over the side of my neck is really making it hard to pay attention to anything that doesn't involve my loins.

The hand on my back slides down to my hip; reaching around to my front and further down still, fingertips light as a feather. At the same time, his right hand heads very leisurely up my waist, meandering towards my ribs, unbearably slow and light. My body is trembling from the goose bumps and tension, the anticipation is making me burn up.

"Well, now that you've got me where you want me, what are you going to do to me?" I let out a loud, surprised hiss when his teeth clamp down on the bottom of my earlobe in a small nibble. His left hand is getting closer to the happy place between my legs, and I'm really hoping he's going to make me a whole lot happier. His right hand is cupping my right breast through the fabric of my brown lace demi-cup bra.

Glancing down at his long fingers holding my breast, I admire at how beautiful the artwork on his fingers is, how good they look while touching me, and how much I want those fingers inside of me, finger-fucking me to a wicked orgasm. I'm extremely wet between my legs now, as I can feel the edge of his fingertips reach the lips of my pussy as well. I let out a soft whimper, my head falling back to rest on his shoulder.

"Show me where you want me to touch you." His demand sends a thrill through me. I'm ready to play. The tip of his tongue takes one long journey from the base of my neck, up to my ear, lightly tracing the lobe and outer shell of my ear and drawing another whimper from my lips.