tight against my chest, and that’s definitely not less distracting. “Whoops,” she breathes.
I smooth a hand over her back. Had that been nervous laughter? “Truly unintentional,” I say. “I can close my eyes while you cover back up.”
Another chuckle, more genuine this time. “Nothing you haven’t seen before.”
“At quite some distance,” I point out.
“That’s true.” Her lips briefly touch my shoulder. “But I did notice that you put a window in the treehouse facing this way.”
I grip her tightly and wade toward the edge of the pool. “A construction error,” I say. “I’ll make sure it has shutters.”
Another laugh. “Don’t worry. I’ve started covering up.”
“Practically a crime,” I tease, and she relaxes entirely in my arms, leaning back again. I don’t look down at her chest again. It takes willpower, and probably gives me a few new gray hairs, but somehow I manage.
“So,” she says, knotting her fingers behind my neck. If the kisses hadn’t already, the look in her eyes alone would break down my resolve. It’s soft and shy and kind, all at once, as she gazes at me like I’m a man without baggage and burdens, a man she likes.
“So,” I echo. “Clearly, I want to spend time with you, despite not having much time at all. Do you think I can manufacture some? Invent a machine for that?”
“You’d make a fortune,” she says, “but I think we’ll manage without it, too.”
“Somehow,” I say. “Because I do want to eat a proper dinner with you. Just the two of us. Though God knows when we’ll manage that.”
“Tonight?” she asks, glancing toward my side of the hedge. “Your mother still has the girls, right?”
I frown. “She does. But I promised to have dinner with my brother.” Could I cancel? Liam never came to town, the bastard, but Bella is warm and half-naked in my arms…
“Oh, of course you should do that. I’ll be here.”
“That doesn’t incentivize me to go,” I say, releasing my hold on her. I close my eyes and keep them that way.
Bella laughs. “You can look, you know.”
“Not if we’re going to get out of this pool and go our separate ways I can’t.”
“Right,” she says. “As if I’m irresistible.”
“You have no idea.” Complete honesty fills my voice. “Can I open my eyes now?”
“Yes.” She’s flushed and wet and gorgeous, all covered up again. “When are you meeting him?”
“Far too soon, probably.”
She chuckles. “Poor brother. You seem so excited about it.”
I kiss her again, taking my time. It’s a kiss to savor, now that I know there’s more of this to come. I can’t wait. “I’d better go,” I say. “Want to help me set up the inside of the treehouse tomorrow? I have about forty-five minutes of kid-free time.”
Bella laughs, waving me away. “Go. And yes, I’ll help. I can’t wait.”
And judging by the tone of her voice, she means it, too.
9
Bella
I knock on Ethan’s door the next day, right on time. I’m not the least bit nervous, nor has the memory of yesterday been playing on repeat—of being in his arms, our bodies pressed together underwater, his warm, demanding mouth on mine…
No, I’m unaffected. And if I could only tell myself that enough times, it might become true.
I’d said I had no expectations, but after he kissed me, well… That’s not entirely true now, not when I know what he’s capable of. And if he only had time for me every other week, that would be okay, if only he’d kiss me like that. Like he wanted me more than he wanted air, his hands gripping me like I was desire itself.
I press the heels of my hands against my burning cheeks. Until a few months ago, I’d been six years into a relationship with my ex and content. He was still the only man I’d ever slept with. Who was this new me who made out in pools with attractive older men?
Ethan’s front door opens. “Sorry for the wait,” he says. “I was on the phone. Come on in.”
“Thanks.” Our arms brush as I step past him inside. There’s a hint of him, of soap and linen and man, in the air between us.
“No, thank you,” he says, shutting the door firmly behind me. “For helping me with the treehouse. For coming over whenever we need you. Brownies, interior decorating… you know everything.”
“That’s me, at your service.”
Ethan’s eyes lighten. He reaches out and braces a hand against the wall on either side of me. “At my service?”
I’m not sure if I’m breathing.