40-Love - Olivia Dade Page 0,101

like gargling soup. Given the occasional insect, chunky soup at that.

She directed a longing glance in the direction of the beach. “How badly do you want to keep doing this?”

He raised his brows. “It was your idea to play tennis the night we arrived, älskling. I wanted to watch you try on all your swimsuits so I could determine which one was most likely to fall off in the water. Then convince you to wear that suit exclusively. Then remove it with my teeth.”

Dammit, she wanted that too. She really did.

Stay focused, Dunn. You have plans to execute.

“I thought it might be nice to return to the scene of the crime.” She walked closer to the net and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth. “So to speak.”

“You did draw blood here, if I remember correctly.” He kissed her back, then wiggled the bridge of his nose, as if checking for damage. “But if you want to go where we first met, we have to head to the ocean. Although you’re basically underwater as it is, what with all that sweat glistening over your—”

She gave him a gentle whack on the shoulder with her racket. “Skank.”

He spread his hands, the picture of outraged innocence. “I was talking about your water bottle. It’s sweating. Covered with condensation. Sexy, sexy condensation.”

His eyes were definitely not on her water bottle.

“Want to go to the beach?” For her purposes, the more private the location, the better. “How about that little sandbar on the adults-only end of the island? I know we didn’t actually meet there, but it’s so peaceful.”

They could both use a little peace. More than a little, to be honest.

Her work life hadn’t slowed over the last two years, and neither had Lucas’s. On a daily basis, he was running his foundation and coordinating the partnership between underprivileged schools and the players’ association—all on top of his part-time duties at the tennis center. Since a chance meeting at the Challenger-level tournament earlier that year, he’d also started consulting regularly with Lilly Tulu, who was recovering from yet another surgery and willing to travel to Marysburg for his guidance.

Despite all that, he still had energy to burn at night. So much energy.

God bless Mr. Perky.

Tess’s own daily schedule was equally packed. Although she’d managed to delegate some of her administrative duties at school, weekdays still teemed with meetings and paperwork. As of that spring, she had regular physical therapy appointments for her knee too. The time those appointments took still rankled her, but even she had to admit it: They helped. A lot.

To his credit, Lucas hadn’t pushed her, and he didn’t say I told you so. Instead, he helped her with the exercises, accompanied her to the doctor when he could, and incessantly discussed which new sexual positions a healthier knee would make possible. Which was the best possible motivation for continuing her appointments, something he definitely understood.

For a European playboy bro, he was awfully clever. Which was one of many reasons they’d moved in together just over a year ago.

Two weeks later, she’d earned her new title at work.

Cressida had delayed her retirement as long as possible. But last August, Tess had officially become principal of Marysburg High.

Her dream. For a long time, her only one.

Not anymore.

“The sandbar it is.” Lucas took her racket and tucked it under his arm. “Why don’t I return everything to the clubhouse while you rest for a minute?”

Lifting her damp hand, he flattened her palm against his cheek and nuzzled his bristles against her tender skin until she shivered at the prickle.

“Am I going to need the rest?” she asked, her voice husky.

His teeth sank into that soft swell of flesh just below her thumb. Not enough to break the skin. Just enough to excite her.

At her gasp, he smiled slowly. “Yes.”

“Why are you bringing your tote bag?” Lucas removed it from her shoulder and swung it over his as they walked to the beach. “I’ve got the towels, I put the room key in my swim trunks, and you don’t need sunscreen at night.”

She didn’t break stride. “I wanted to bring something…special. You’ll see.”

“Ah. I do see.” He sped up, just a little. “Naughty, naughty, Principal Dunn.”

She wasn’t even nervous. Why wasn’t she nervous?

Within minutes, they’d arrived at their destination. The adults-only tip of the island, where the shush of the waves mingled with the flutter of a breeze through palm fronds.

In this spot, it was almost completely dark. Private.

Perfect.

Only feet away, the water