as he hung up the phone with a heavy click.
Just looking at her had everything in him on high alert. He remembered the kiss—the kiss he had been able to steal without a slap that time! It had only taken four hits before she gave in and let him have it. At that rate, he might get to touch her before they hit a baker’s dozen.
But he wouldn’t count on it.
He walked up to her slowly, barefoot on the stone. He was already in his own swimsuit, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his skin. Seeing her dressed like that…so close to being naked and yet all the good bits hidden away, he wanted to snatch her up and lay her down on the lounge next to the pool. He wanted to have his way with her right then and there.
She wasn’t ready. Maybe if he could charm her with the gift of his eye, she’d be on board. But without it, he had to go the long way around.
He trailed his gaze to her cleavage, and he swallowed down an audible groan. I wanna put my face in there and just bounce those things around and—
“What’s wrong?” Hope furrowed her brow. She had sensed him approach and had clearly been concerned that he hadn’t said anything.
He laughed. “Absolutely nothing. You look fantastic, is all. I’m just distracted.” He let his voice drop and grow sultry. “Very distracted.” He nudged closer to her, wanting her to feel him there. Her face went a little pink at his approach and at his words.
“I…well—” She took a step away from him and chewed on her lip. Poor, shy little thing. She was so afraid to give in to him. It was all right. He was honestly kind of enjoying the game. Even if it was leaving him frustrated. And it was only day two. She cleared her throat. “Anyway.”
“Can you get those things wet?”
“Excuse me?” She looked mortified.
He laughed harder. “Your bracers. Can you get them wet?”
“Oh. No, I can’t.” She stammered for a moment before seemingly realizing she would likely have to ask him for help. With a sigh, she visibly resigned herself. “I’ll need you to show me how to get into the pool once I take them off.”
“My pleasure. I promise not to drop you in.” He grinned. “This time.”
She shook her head and chuckled quietly. The girl found him funny. That was a very good sign. If she was laughing at him, she wasn’t running away from him.
She walked over to a lounge and, touching it with her hand, found a small table next to it. She unclicked her bracers and set them down one at a time, then unwrapped the sheer fabric that was hiding her bathing suit from view.
Fates—you gave me Hope, now give me patience.
At least she couldn’t see him staring straight at her ass. It was the first time he’d had a view of it, wearing dresses all the time as she was. And oh, it was marvelous.
“Stop staring, Nero.”
“You can’t—I’m not—How did you know? That’s not fair!”
She laughed. “I can guess, and now I know I was right.”
He groaned in dismay. “It was an easy guess. I mean, the view is spectacular.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“I suppose you’d have to.” He chuckled and walked up to her. “I’d apologize, but…I’m not sorry.”
“I know.” She smiled. A little, anyway. At least she wasn’t upset about it. It was enough of an encouragement that he drifted his hand down her arm. She shivered but didn’t pull away. He took her by the hand and gently led her over to the stairs of the pool. He took a step down into the water, then another. She edged the step with her toe, then carefully stepped down after him. When they were down the stairs and up in the water to their waists, she pulled her hand out of his. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
“How deep does it get?”
“It slopes down to about twelve feet at the far end.”
And with that, she dove under the water to his right, kicking ten feet away or so, and popping back up. She flicked her long hair behind her head, and he watched, agog, as water streamed down her body.
He almost missed the look of contentment on her face. The look of peace. Almost. He was glad he didn’t. It made his heart skip a beat, and almost distracted him from all the blood that was rushing somewhere else in his