Read Online Low Tide Bikini (A Pleasure Island Romance) by Lyla Dune - Free Book Online

island draws in quite a crowd. I've known people to come from as far as Canada."
    "To participate or watch?”
    “Both.”
    He shook his head in disbelief. "It must be a sight to see."
    "Yes, the floor’s covered with couples of all ages."
    He let go of the trophy. "When is the contest?"
    "The next one’s in three weeks."
    "Good. I don't want to miss it."
    "Are you considering competing?”
    "No. I don't have a current partner. I think I'll just spectate. You're entering, right?"
    "That goes without saying. I'm the reigning champ."

CHAPTER SIX
Band

    The aroma of shrimp scampi made Sam’s stomach growl as she entered Reel to Real Good for her regular gig with Bikini Quartet, thanks to the fact it was owned by their saxophonist Leah and her brother Jack. Break couldn’t come fast enough. Sam was raring to chow down on some of Jack’s delicious food. She’d been so busy, she hadn’t eaten anything other than a burnt piece of toast with peanut butter all day.
    Mazy now wore a black strapless top and white skinny jeans. She assembled her drum set on stage. Kendal bowed her head of honey curls over her fingers and pounded out a series of scales and arpeggios on her electric piano. Sam was surprised to see Kendal wearing a curve hugging, magenta wrap dress and high heeled sandals, instead of a granny dress and flats like she normally wore. Maybe she had a man coming to the gig. If so, he’d be lucky to get the attention of a sweetheart like Kendal.  
    Behind the women, a rhinestone-studded-navy-velvet curtain hung as a backdrop. “Bikini Quartet” was projected onto the curtain by a rotary spotlight, making the words appear to be a watery reflection. Twinkling white lights and iridescent gossamer cascaded from pillars on each side of the stage, creating a waterfall effect.
    A horrendous saxophone honk came from behind Sam, giving her a heart-thumping jolt. Leah’s familiar childlike laughter soon followed. Sam turned around. “You scared the heck out of me.”  
    Leah’s long, dark hair framed her exotic features—high cheekbones, slim nose, and pale green cat-eyes accentuated with winged eyeliner. Her lithe dancer’s body was flattered by a classic white sheath dress that alluded to her flair for fashion and sophistication. Leah grinned and said, “I love to rattle your cage. By the way, I heard you did some moving today.”
    “Mazy already told ya, huh?”
    “Not until I asked her some questions about it. Louise and Myrtle popped in for lunch. They had a folder full of pictures. One of them showed you and Mazy hauling boxes down to the dungeon.”
    “Jeez. Why is Myrtle taking all these pictures of me and my business today?” Sam couldn’t believe what a little busybody Myrtle was being. “Is she spying on me?”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. Myrtle’s always taking pictures of everything. You know she passes your house on her adult tricycle ride to the restaurant for lunch every day. She’s just being her nosy self.” Leah’s eyes surveyed the area like two flies looking for a place to land in tandem. Sam knew she was hiding something.
    “Leah?” She moved her head into Leah’s line of vision. “What’s Myrtle up to?”  
    Leah removed the reed from her sax, popped it in her mouth, and shrugged as she stepped in front of Sam. With a head jerk, she motioned her toward the stage.
    Crap . Leah wasn’t going to tell her anything. Maybe she could pry some information out of Kendal or Mazy instead.
    They wove through an obstacle course of tables draped in white linen and decorated with vases filled with pink roses.
    Pausing to face Sam, Leah’s expression turned serious. “Listen, you gave me quite a scare the last time you spent the night in that dungeon. You’re more than welcome to come stay with me for as long as you need.”  
    Sam appreciated the offer, but she and Leah had been roommates in college. Living together almost put an end to their friendship. Sam was too messy and Leah was too