get so involved that we forget why we’re here. Once I deal with my past, I can focus on our future.”
Our future. Words I’d longed to hear. I turned toward her.
“As long as it takes, I’ll wait. I’m not going anywhere.”
She smiled and wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me. The feel of her comforting me brought back a measure of control. But, a catch in her breathing had me pulling back slightly to study her face. She had that vacant look in her eyes again.
“Another vision?” I asked as she blinked and focused on me.
“Yeah. There’s an angry redhead out there somewhere who I wouldn’t want to run into. I just wish I knew what I was supposed to do with this information.”
“We’ll figure it out.” My stomach grumbled.
“Go shower,” she said, “and then let’s get something to eat.”
I hesitated, and she grinned at me. Was it so obvious I didn’t want to leave her? If she tried putting distance between us after that good morning kiss, it would be a long day.
* * * *
After a companionable breakfast where we talked about what we both wanted to do once Blake was no longer an issue, we went back to our room.
Michelle paced around restlessly and stopped by her bag. She opened it and pulled out her bikini. I hadn’t really thought about what I’d packed when we’d left the house. I’d jammed everything I could into her bag. Now, seeing it, I was so glad I had.
“Did you pack a suit, too?”
“I have something that’ll work.”
“Good. I’ll change in the bathroom. Let me know when you’re ready,” she said, closing herself in the room. I pulled a pair of loose athletic shorts out of my bag and was changed in seconds.
“Ready,” I called.
She laughed and the door remained closed for a few more minutes. When she opened it, she stood there in almost all her glory.
“I love that suit.”
She grinned and blushed slightly.
“Come on. Let’s go find the pool.”
I followed my nose. The burn of chlorine grew stronger as we got closer. Inside the glass doors, my eyes watered, and I tried breathing through my mouth. Hanging back while trying to adjust to the smell, I watched Michelle gingerly test the water with her toe.
Didn’t she know? Slow was never the way to enter the water.
I took two quick steps toward the pool, hooking my arm around her as I jumped over the edge. She squealed as I twisted midair and pulled her close to me. Water enveloped us, but I used a strong kick to keep us from going all the way under.
Michelle wrapped her arms around me and laughed. Under the cool water, we were pressed together, skin to skin. She read the direction of my thoughts, kissed my cheek, and told me to behave. Then, she slipped out of my arms and swam away from me. I dove under the water and came up a few feet in front of her.
“Going somewhere?”
She splashed me in the face and started a small war.
We played in the water and soaked in the hot tub before heading back to the room. I was starving. While Michelle showered, I ordered room service again. Two half-pound burgers and fries.
When she was done in the bathroom, I stepped in for a quick rinse. The stink of chlorine clung to my skin, messing with my sense of smell. It was probably why I was more interested in food than Michelle at the moment. The chlorine completely overpowered her scent.
She was sitting on the bed, flipping through channels, when I left the bathroom.
“What are we watching?”
“This movie looks interesting,” she said, showing me the description. “But it’s not on for another twenty minutes.”
I sat next to her and almost groaned when she turned on a cooking show. They were making steaks. My mouth watered, and my stomach cramped. Traveling away from home meant human-sized portions. While in the Army, it hadn’t been too much of a problem. The mess halls fed me, and I could grab food elsewhere. As long as my weight stayed within their standards, no one questioned how much or how often I ate as long as it was on my time.
My stomach continued to beg for food for the next twelve minutes. That was exactly how long it took before I heard someone moving outside our door. Michelle made an amused noise as I rushed to the door and yanked it open. I didn’t care. I wanted food.