Chapter 2
The hot, humid air smacked Delaney’s skin as she walked out of the comfort of the perfectly air-conditioned hotel. She’d never been one for being outside when it was over eighty, and today, with the humidity, it felt like ninety. Perspiration beaded across her hairline, forcing her to pull her hair into a ponytail. So much for spending time styling it.
She plopped herself on the porch steps, wondering if he’d think she were desperate for this date, waiting for him like this. Her heart raced when she glanced at her phone.
The sooner you get him in your bed and get the pictures for proof, the sooner this will be over… The sooner your brother will be released…
She blinked, staring at the text, heat rising from her toes to the pit of her gut. She hadn’t thought about the consequences of sleeping with a stranger when Gray Eyes had shown up at her doorstep with images and video of her brother, tied up, beaten, and begging for her to do whatever was demanded of her.
If you keep texting me, and he sees this, then I won’t be able to seduce him. I’ll get you the pictures in the next 48 hours.
She paused, wondering if she was arrogant to think Josh was that interested. Her fingers hovered over her phone. She added:
I want to speak to my brother.
Then she hit send.
A few cars whizzed by, but so far, no sign of Josh, and it was five minutes after elven.
Your brother is fine…for now. You can talk to him after I have the proof.
“Hello, Delaney,” a smooth, sultry voice said.
She looked toward the lake and dropped her phone, seeing Josh on the bottom step of the Inn’s porch in a pair of jean shorts and a white tank top, his well-defined, tanned shoulders soaked in the sun rays. “Where did you come from?”
He bent over, lifted her cell phone, then handed it to her, thankfully facedown.
“The docks,” he said. “Ready?”
“Where are we going?” The moment she took the hand he offered, the heat from his warm and tender touch hit all the important parts of her body.
He lifted her beach bag in his other hand, then tugged her toward the waterfront. “Bathing suit in here?”
She’d never been one to appreciate surprises. They only added a level of anxiety that she preferred not to have in her life, especially with men. But right now, excitement replaced her apprehension, and that confused her because what she was going to do to Josh shouldn’t excite her on any level. “Why are we going this way?”
“I came by boat,” he said. “You don’t have any place to be today, do you?”
“Well, no.”
“Good.”
With her fingers laced in his strong hand, they walked in silence to the waterfront of The Heritage Inn. As she stepped on the dock, a group of teenagers laughed and splashed each other while sitting on various floating devices. Boats raced by, sending waves rolling into the swimming area created by two large boathouses with sun decks and a rope between them.
“A girl could get used to this,” she said.
“The view? Or being swept off her feet for a picnic on the lake?”
“Both.”
“This is me.” He stopped in front of a sleek red-and-white boat. She didn’t know much about watercraft, but she did know this was called a bow-rider because of the seats in the front. The back—or stern—had a large cushion that she figured was meant for sunning, big enough for two, a thought that sent the butterflies in her stomach roaring in flight.
“Watch your step.”
The boat rocked as she climbed in. “Where should I sit?”
“Right there.” He pointed to the bucket seat next to the driver’s console.
“This is nice.” If this were a real date, she’d be impressed, enjoying herself. Instead, nerves fluttered in the pit of her stomach and fear flooded her thoughts, stifling any budding romance.
“This was my splurge,” he said. “I should have bought a new car, since mine has close to a hundred and fifty thousand miles, but I couldn’t resist. Pointless to live on the lake and not have a boat.”
“Do you get out much on the lake?”
She watched his biceps tighten as he untied the ropes holding the boat to the dock. The sudden tingle and tightening of her nipples warmed her cheeks.
He smiled when he sat down, fiddling with the throttle and key before the engines roared to life. “Almost every day, but some of that time is working Lake George Patrol.”
“What’s that?”
He glanced toward her, lowering his sunglasses, his green eyes peering over the rims. “Troopers patrol the lake.”
“Oh.” She’d been so busy watching him, enjoying his tanned muscles, that she’d hadn’t really been listening. She’d seen various police boats on the Hudson in the city, so it made perfect sense they would be here, too. The boat hit a wave, sending her butt right out of her seat. She gripped the dashboard. “How fast are we going?”
“Maybe thirty miles an hour.” He laughed. “If you anticipate the waves and move your body with them, it won’t be so hard on your ass.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Do you have sunscreen on?”
The man was a regular boy scout. “I do. And I brought more.” She kept her focus on the waves, which did nothing to help the heat rippling across her skin that wasn’t being generated by the sun. “When you mentioned a bathing suit, I figured sunscreen would be a logical accessory.”
“That’s my girl,” he said.
In another time and place, she wouldn’t mind being his girl, but right now, she needed to get her shit together and get the job done. She concentrated on the boats whizzing by in all directions, creating clashing groups of waves over the surface of the water.
She noticed Josh did his best to make the impact of the waves less harsh by the way he maneuvered the boat.
“Hey! That’s a Lake George Patrol Boat.” She pointed, then waved at the watercraft that looked more like a fishing boat than a police boat. “Is that what you drive on patrol?”
“It is,” he said as he waved, slowing the boat. “That’s my buddy Tristan.”
“Hey, Josh,” Tristan called as the patrol boat floated just a few feet away. “Busy out there today.”
“When is your shift done?” Josh asked.
“Couple hours. Then I’ve got a hot date with that new waitress, Viv.”
“She’s way out of your league,” Josh said.
“I could say the same thing.” Tristan tipped his hat toward Delaney. She smiled sweetly, but her heart beat frantically. “Weren’t you at the Boardwalk last night?”
“I was,” she said.
“Nice to meet you,” Tristan said. “I best be going. I’ve got a few things to check on.”
“Thanks, man,” Josh said.
The front of the boat rose out of the water, gaining speed. She grabbed the sides of her seat, holding on, trying to calm her nerves and her hormones.
“She decided small talk might help. Don’t you get hot in that uniform out here?”
“Not as hot as the woman sitting next to me.” He flashed a grin.
“You’ve very good with the quick lines,” she said. He could string words together that had no meaning, and it would be better than any original ‘sexy line’ any man could come up with.
“I’m just getting warmed up.”
The sun beat down, casting a bright glow across the crystal-blue water. She’d read about how beautiful Lake George was, but being here, seeing the mountains in the background, smelling the fresh water mixed with humid air, put all those descriptions to shame.
Josh pointed out various tourist spots and other landmarks on their twenty-minute ride. They approached a group of islands, and he slowed down, pointing to each one, naming it and telling a short story. She listened intently, focusing on the timbre of his husky voice, not remembering anything he said about the landmarks.
“Are we going to one of these islands?” she asked, sending her heart fluttering, wondering if he intended to spend the night at one.
“Nope,” he said, pushing the throttle down again as they reached another open area of the lake. “Our final destination is West Dollar Island. It’s for picnics.”
“We’re not going to a restaurant on the lake?”
“We’re going to have a nice picnic over there. ” He pointed. “Hold on.”
“Why?” She watched him push the throttle down, and the boat speed up, forcing her to grab the dashboard again.
“I’ve gotten her up to about fifty,” he said. “In flat waters like this, it’s a nice ride.”
“The subway is a nice ride,” she mumbled.
The next five minutes, all she could feel was the wind slapping against her face with the occasional wet spray from the boat. There was something dangerously exhilarating about the way the boat rocketed across the surface. Being on this boat, in this place, with a man she’d just met, excited her in a way she didn’t think possible.
She forced a smile as he slowed the boat between the shoreline and an island. Laughing, followed by loud splashes, stole her attention. The water swirled as two or three girls emerged from the water at the base of the island’s cliffs.
“Oh, my,” she whispered.
More laughing, and someone yelling at the girls to get out of the way. Delaney looked up, seeing two girls, hand-in-hand, leaping from the cliffs above, and a few seconds later, crashing into the water. “That’s crazy.”
“It’s fun.” With ease, he docked the boat, jumped off, then secured the ropes to the posts. She thought about offering to help, but she wouldn’t know what to do.
“Hand me your bag,” he said.
He took the bag, offering his hand, then hoisting her to the dock before he jumped back in the boat.
“What are you doing?” Her voice trembled.
“Getting our lunch and my bag.”
“Oh.”
His biceps flexed as he carried a small cooler from the boat to shore, where she followed him up a steep trail. She’d never seen so much lush greenery in once place before. The tall trees shaded most of the island, but the way the sun rays danced between the branches took her breath away.
“After lunch, we can jump into the water.”
“I’m not jumping off that cliff.”
“You can swim, can’t you?”
All she had to do was sleep with him, and then she could go back to her normal little life that didn’t include men with hot bodies who happened to be gentlemen. “Not the point.”
“Let’s eat first. Then we can talk about it.” He found an empty picnic table amongst the families, teenagers, young lovers, and set the cooler on the ground. “I packed lots of food,” he said, pulling out a couple of large food containers and a huge bowl of salad.
“You made all this?” She perched herself on the bench across from him.
“I live above a restaurant.” He chuckled. “I just had them make what you ordered last night for dinner and a couple of club sandwiches.”
“That salad was fabulous.” Her stomach growled, remembering she’d been too nervous to eat last night. The same this morning. “Are we splitting?”
“You can have the entire salad,” he said. “Water. Diet Coke. Or Fresca.”
“Fresca.”
She dug into her chicken Caesar salad, forcing herself to glance around to keep from staring at into his bright green eyes. No matter how hard she tried, when she caught their stare, she couldn’t let go, even when that pang of guilt seeped in.
Families sat together laughing, mostly enjoying each other. She chose to watch a toddler throwing a temper tantrum rather than gawk at the young couple sitting on the same side of the table, occasionally shoving their tongues down each other’s throats.
“What does your brother do?” Josh asked out of the blue.
Trying not to choke on the piece of chicken in her mouth, she covered her lips with her hand and swallowed. “He works for my ex-boyfriend.”
“That’s got to be awkward,” Josh said. “Are you and your brother close?”
She dropped her plastic fork in the empty salad bowl, wishing she hadn’t eaten the entire thing. “Not really, but we’re all each other has since our parents died about five years ago.” She took a napkin then toyed with it under the table. The sudden interest in her brother sent a prickle against her skin. Best to deflect the conversation back to him. “What about you? Do you have any siblings?”
He shook his head as his gaze dropped to the ground. “Only child.”
“Sometimes I wish I had been an only child,” she said. “What about your parents?”
“I was raised by a single mother. She passed away a little over two years ago.” The way his mouth pulled into a straight line gave away a vulnerability she hadn’t expected from him.
“I’m sorry. What happened?” Delaney wanted to reach across the table and take his hand, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Everything about this situation was fake, except him, and to offer comfort and solace over the death of his mother would add a new layer of deception.
“She had a heart attack. I didn’t see it coming. She was the picture of health.”
“What about your dad?”
“Never met him,” he said. “He was killed in the line of duty right before I was born.”
“Jesus,” she whispered. “I don’t know what to say. That just sucks.”
“It does, but my mom was pretty spectacular.” The life quickly came back to Josh’s eyes, and he smiled. “She was forty-two when she had me. They’d tried for years to have a baby, but it seemed it wasn’t in the cards for them, so they gave up. Then she found out she was pregnant, and here I am. She always called me her miracle super boy, and she had a way of making my father seem like he was always part of my life. It might sound weird, but, I feel like I had it better than every other kid I know.”
“That’s got to be the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” She bit her lip. These were the little details she didn’t want to know. “I’m sure your parents are looking down, smiling, quite proud.”
“I hope so,” he said. “Ready?”
She titled her head. “For...?”
He pointed toward the cliff where, one by one, kids, parents, and teenagers jumped, some screaming, some laughing, all ending with a big splash.
“No…no…no,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I don’t do things like that.”
“Things like what?”
“Dangerous, daring, thrill-seeking things that have the potential to cause me bodily harm.”
He laughed. “That is none of those things. Let’s go put our suits on, and then we can sit and watch others for a bit.”
“Not going to change my mind,” she said, helping him put the leftovers from their lunch in the cooler before heading down a narrow path.
His strong hand looped over her shoulder, squeezing, then slid slowly down her shoulder and across her spine. She arched into his touch.
“Ticklish?”
“Not at all.”
“This is a good spot,” he said.
They’d stopped in a small grouping of trees not far from the picnic area. “Good for what?”
“To change.”
“What!?” Turning in a circle, she noted they weren’t far from the path as four people walked right past them. Not to mention the boatloads of people just below them, frolicking in the lake. “I think that might be considered indecent exposure.”
“I’ve always found that an odd term. I personally find the human body—well, a woman’s body—to be the most beautiful naked.” He held up his swim trunks while he undid the top of his jeans.
“No.” She quickly turned away, her heart pounding against her ribcage, wondering how she could record this encounter and if it would be enough.
His fingers laced around her arm. “I’m not going to strip,” he said softly. “You’ve never changed under a towel?”
“Can’t say that I’ve ever had any reason to learn.”
“My mother taught me when I was a little boy, and I use it now and again when necessary,” he said. “Watch.”
“I don’t think so.” But she turned and stared, intrigued by how was going to pull this off.
“First, you wrap the towel around you, securing it like this.”
She couldn’t believe where she currently stared, but she watched intently as he reached under his towel, and seconds later, he held his denim shorts in his hand, and a huge grin across his boyish face.
“Then you just pull up your suit.”
“I have two pieces,” she said, watching the towel drop to the ground, his swim trunks hanging low on his hips and riding just above his knees.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you in those two pieces.”
She bit her lower lip.
“I’ll help you.” Before she could protest, he held up her bathing suit. “This will be a bit more challenging than I thought.” He tilted his head, looking over the length of her body. “Okay, so the bottoms will be easy. Let’s start there.” He wrapped the towel around her waist, securing it tightly. “I can remove your shorts if you want.”
“Not going to happen on the first date.”
“Second date, but who’s counting?”
She pursed her lips, taking in a quick, calming breath, shaking out her hands. “Turn around.”
“You’re covered with a…”
She glared at him, and he turned. Quickly, she removed her shorts and thong, stuffing them in her bag, then she hiked up her bottoms, making sure they were secure, covering her ass. “Okay. Now what?”
When he turned around, he paused, staring at her legs. “Wow,” he whispered. “Nice.”
“Thanks. So, that part worked,” she admitted, “but I don’t see how I’m going to get this on without you having to arrest me for flashing everyone on this island.” She blinked a few times, shocked by the things coming out of her mouth. She never behaved this way in front of men. Ever.
He took the bathing suit top in his hand and studied it. “We need to get your bra off.”
“And here I thought you were a gentleman.”
She held her breath when he stepped behind her, wrapping the towel around her upper body. “If you remove your bra, then put your suit over—where it needs to go—I can tie it for you.”
“With my luck,” she said, desperately trying to keep her voice steady, “you’ll tie it in such a way that it will fall off as soon as I get in the water.”
His warm breath tickled her ear as he leaned in. “As much as I’d like to see your breasts, I sure don’t want anyone on this island to see them, so I’ll double knot it, just to make sure.” Heat trickled across her skin as his full lips pressed against her ear lobe. A quiet moan escaped her lips.
“I’m not really wearing a bra,” she said.
His forehead fell to her shoulder. “How did I not notice that?”
“It’s a shelf bra. It’s built into the tank top.”
His lips brushed against her shoulder a few times. “You’re killing me.” He held up her top.
She wiggled behind the towel as his strong arms held the terrycloth across her body, and she slid the two small triangles over her breasts, looping the straps over her shoulders. “You need to tie the bottom first.”
“Hold the towel.” His hands found their way under the thin fabric of her tank top. She tried to keep her breath even, but it came in short, shallow pants, and his fingers gently brushed against her skin. “Tight enough?”
She nodded as his fingers ran across her neck, pulling the top straps tight.
“You can take off your shirt now,” he whispered, but didn’t give her a chance as he lifted the cotton fabric up over her head.
Looking down, she quickly made sure the bathing suit covered everything it should before turning to face him. Every inch of her skin screamed for his deft, soft fingers and warm, luscious lips. She lifted her head to see Josh standing there, lips slightly parted, and his gaze went from her toes to her head at least three times. “Is something wrong?”
He cleared his throat. “I had a picture in my head of what you’d look like in a bikini. Not even close to the real thing.” He closed the gap between them, pressing his hands against her hips, his thumbs rubbing against her bare skin. “I want to cover you back up so no one else can see how beautiful you are.”
“I want to you to take off your shirt so every female on the island will be jealous of me.” Had that just come out of her mouth? The desire to have her body pressed against his, feeling his hard muscles mold to hers as she shoved her tongue deep inside his mouth, had gotten the better of her.
He smiled. “Good line.”
“I’ve been taking lessons from you.” It was way too easy to flirt with him. It felt natural. Real. Something she couldn’t allow this to be. She tugged at the hem of his shirt, but didn’t have to do anything further as he tore it over his head. Taking a step back, she licked her lips, soaking in his six-pack abs until she got to a small, circular scar…and then another one…and more on his arm. She ran a finger over the rippled skin on his shoulder, then the one on his biceps, before gently touching the two on the right side of his abdomen. His stomach twitched as he sucked in a breath.
She snapped her hand back. “Sorry,” she said.
“Don’t be.” He took her hand then placed it on his shoulder, covering a couple of the scars. “Sometimes these come with the job.”
“What happened?”
“I was shot.”
“Who?” Her hand trembled. “Why?”
Cupping her chin with his thumb and forefinger, he kissed her lips gently. “It doesn’t matter. I survived. The person who shot me didn’t.”
Her chest heaved in deep breaths against his strong frame. He held her gaze in a warm, exotic dance.
“Let’s go jump off that cliff before I ravish you right here.”
“I’m not jumping off that cliff,” she said, grateful he broke their trance, but deep down the idea of taking that leap with him sent her pulse soaring, much like when he’d kissed her earlobe. When she was with him, she wanted to do things she’d never done before. Take risks. Be wild. Do everything she’d ever dreamed of, but had been too scared to ruin her carefully crafted, safe life.
He spread out one of their towels on a rock near the area everyone jumped from. She settled herself between his legs, leaning her back against his strong chest, her arms draped over his powerful thighs. The hardest part about this entire situation was she was honestly attracted to Josh. There was a comfort level with him she hadn’t had with anyone in a long time, if ever.
But Liam was blood, and while her brother could be a bit of an asshole, he didn’t deserve to be beaten up, held at gun point, or to die.
“Look.” Josh pointed to a family standing at the edge of the cliff. “That little girl can’t be more than ten. If she can do it, so can you.” He kissed her cheek, his hot breath causing her to shiver.
“It does sort of look like fun,” she said.
“So?”
She nodded. “What the hell? You only live once.” She jumped to her feet, pulling him up with her. “You’re jumping with me, right?”
“Won’t leave your side.”
Her pulse echoed between her ears as they stood in a short line, Josh whispering in her ear the best way to jump.
She swallowed, easing her toes to the very edge of the rocks, staring down at the water where the sun rays tore through it, piercing at least twenty feet down, and she still couldn’t see the bottom. That had to be a good thing. “Did I mention I’m afraid of heights?” She held his hand in a death grip. “On three?” she asked.
“You’re trembling,” he said. “We don’t have to, if you really don’t want to.”
“I’m not backing out now.” Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath. “One…two…three…” Her feet left the cold rock, running in midair as she opened her eyes. She screamed, turning to look at Josh, who smiled at her, squeezing her hand. Seconds before her feet hit the water, he winked.
The cool water roared in her ears as her body catapulted down while bubbles rose up. She kicked her legs frantically, wanting to surface, panic about to set in. Josh’s strong hands wrapped around her waist as he pulled her to the top.
She gasped, sucking in as much air as she could when her head surfaced.
“You okay?” he asked, brushing her hair from her face as he pulled her toward the docks.
“That was amazing.”
“Want to do it again?”
“God, no. Once is enough.”
He held her with one arm around her waist, caressing her skin under the water. The other hand held onto the ladder at the end of the dock.
Without thinking, she melded her lips against his, darting her tongue inside his mouth. Her heart beat so fast, he had to feel it against his chest. Her body still trembled from the excitement of the jump. Her skin warmed with the thrill of life.
“Slow down,” he whispered, cupping her face. He kissed her nose, then patted her bottom, encouraging her to climb the ladder. She did so, reluctantly, her mind and body still reeling from the thrill of conquering the cliffs and the agony of his kiss. She’d been so demanding of him, controlling the kiss, something she’d never done before, always following the lead of the few boyfriends she’d had.
“Why don’t you take a seat in the boat while I go collect our stuff?” he asked.
“I can help.”
He looped his arms around her waist, running his callused hands up and down her back as he pulled her tight against his body. “I don't want you to.” His lips brushed hers. “So beautiful,” he murmured. “Wait for me in the boat.”
She watched him for a few moments as he hiked back up the trail to the picnic area before she laid down on the back cushion, soaking in the sun as she took in slow, shallow breaths, desperately trying to calm her breathing.
The more the sun’s heat reminded her of his tender touch, the tighter her nipples became, and the more she throbbed for him. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She wasn’t supposed to want to make love with him.
The boat swayed as a loud thud vibrated her seat. “You can stay right there,” he said, so I can enjoy looking at you sunning yourself on the engine cover.”
“I won’t fall off?”
“I won’t drive fast enough for that to happen.”
She heard the engine roar to life. Keeping her eyes closed, she focused on the humming of the motor and the rocking of the boat. She was sure she dozed off, exhausted and jubilant from the day’s events.
* * *
At least ten times, Josh wanted to stop the boat in some private nook and seduce the woman who’d given him the most erotic afternoon of his life. He didn’t want to screw her. No. He wanted to touch every inch of her. Take his time with her. Taste her. Make love to her. No woman had ever made him feel like that. Not even Nicki, and if he was being honest with himself, part of him had been in love with the woman who had not only tried to kill him, but had been playing him from the very start.
He held open the door to The Heritage Inn, carrying Delaney’s bag.
“I’m on the second floor,” she said.
“Lead the way.”
Patty, one of the hotel owners and one of his confidants since he’d first moved here, stood behind the desk giving Josh an inquisitive stare as she greeted them. He could have just handed Delaney the bag and said his goodbye at the dock. But no. He had to walk her all the way to her room. And she didn’t protest. Not even a little.
“I had a really great time today,” she said, sticking the key into the lock. “I love how they use old-fashioned keys. Not those plastic things.”
“I’ve never been in here before. I mean, I lived in one of the cabins for a month, but I’ve never seen these rooms.”
She turned as she pushed open the door. “Is that a line to get into my room?”
“No.” He cleared his throat, crossing the threshold. “But since you invited me.”
“I did no such thing.”
The door clicked closed behind him, and his heart beat a little faster as he rested her bag on the neatly made king-sized bed with white-and-red quilt. A small wooden desk sat to the right of the bed, just underneath the window. “Lucky you. You’ve got a view of the lake.”
She stood next to him in her bikini top and denim shorts, her body drenched with the scent of a warm summers day. “Thank you,” she whispered. Her hand gripped his biceps as his muscle flexed.
He palmed her cheek, and she rewarded him with the fluttering of her eyelashes. Her body trembled as he wrapped his other arm around her waist. “Are you cold?” he whispered, holding her against his chest.
“No.” Her hot, moist lips rubbed against his neck. “But I’m confused.”
“About...?”
“Why I want you so badly.”
“I want you, too.” He cupped her face, holding her head steady, searching her eyes for any reason to back away. Her fingers dug into his back. Something in the way she blinked indicated fear, but he didn’t think she was afraid of him based on the way she pressed her hips against him.
She rose up on tiptoe, slipping her tongue between his lips, then swirling it against his. Anything she wanted, he’d give her—without hesitation. He cupped her firm ass with one hand while the other glided across her soft, milky skin in search of the small piece of triangular fabric that covered her perky breast. He told himself he just wanted a single feel. To pinch her nipple once, hear her moan…once. Then he’d be done. He could walk away.
But he knew that would be impossible as he pushed the flimsy fabric away, brushing his thumb across her tiny, tight nipple, swallowing her deep, guttural moan. He guided her down to the bed, kissing her lips, his finger still toying with her breast when he abruptly pulled away. “Protection,” he whispered. “I don’t have any.”
Her big, blue eyes, laden with lust, stared up at him.
“Do you?” He shouldn’t have asked, because this needed to stop. He wanted to keep her close, in case she was an enemy, but it was never a good idea to take potential threats to bed.
She shook her head, biting down on her lower lip. “I wasn’t planning on meeting anyone. I was just going to lock myself up in my room and write.”
“It’s a nice room to do that in.” Carefully, he covered her breast, adjusting the bathing suit so as much of her soft swell was covered as possible, but he wasn’t prepared to get off her just yet, enjoying the softness of her flesh against his thigh. “I have to work tomorrow until around five. Want to have dinner with me?”
“I’d like that.” She bit down on her lip.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m not… I don’t… This isn’t like me. I don’t…”
“Shhhh,” he whispered. “I don’t, either.” Rolling to his side, he propped himself on his elbow, pressing his hand firmly against her lean, taut stomach. “I’ve been mentally scolding myself all day for my thoughts. You’re so beautiful, but it’s more than that. I like spending time with you.”
“Twice today, I’ve thrown myself at you,” she said, covering her eyes with the crook of her elbow.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” he said. “Look at me.” While she’d initiated both intense kisses, he would have devoured her mouth anyway. He wanted to believe he was just following her lead, but both times, her body trembled. The first kiss, he assumed was from the adrenaline rush of cliff jumping. He felt bad, standing on the side of that cliff, knowing how scared she’d been. He didn’t think anyone could fake that kind of anxiety. But she overcame it for one moment. Conquer once, so you know you can.
She groaned, tossing her arm to the side, but kept her eyes closed.
Cupping her chin, he turned her head and those baby blues fluttered open. “We both got wrapped up on what, at least for me, was the best second date ever had, and I just didn’t want it to end.”
“It was pretty awesome.”
Her smile sent heat to places he’d been trying to calm down.
“Not sure how you’re going to top it tomorrow night,” she said.
“No pressure there.” He couldn’t stand being on this bed for one more second as his mind pictured all the things they could do without protection that would satisfy at least part of his ache. “Do you ever sit outside and write?”
“I’ve been known to bring my laptop outside. Why?”
“If you go down to the waterfront tomorrow, will you text me?” he asked.
“If I had your number, sure.”
Pulling his cell phone from his back pocket, he unlocked it, then handed it to her. “Put your number in there, and then call yourself so you have mine.”
He swallowed a grown as she rolled to her stomach, facing him. She propped up on her elbows, feet in the air behind her, ankles crossed, seemingly oblivious to her flirtatious posture.
“Can I take your picture for my caller ID?” she asked, handing back his phone while she dug through her bag.
“I guess.”
“Smile.” She held up her oversized pink phone then tapped. “Nice.”
“Then I get one of you.”
“Do you know how to set a picture to a number?”
“No idea.”
“Unlock your phone,” she said. “then give it to me. I’ll take a selfie and then set it to my number.”
In awe, he watched her take three or four selfies before she found one she liked, then she fiddled with his phone a little more before handing it back.
“I should go,” he said softly. “Pick you up at seven for dinner?”
“Sure.”
He bent and kissed her cheek, letting his fingers trace a path down the side of her neck to her shoulder. “I’ll see you then.” He didn’t wait for her to get up before he headed toward the door. Stopping there, he turned. She sat on the edge of the bed, legs crossed. “You’re going to be impossible to resist,” he said.
“You are impossible to resist.”
Josh took the steps to the lobby two at a time. He didn’t trust his instincts when it came to women. Not after what happened with Nicki. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to trust a woman intimately again. Even when Craypo had been in jail, he couldn’t bring himself to date, or even hook up. He always worried there was a hidden agenda.
When he stepped into the lobby, Patty’s husband, Reese, had joined her.
“What are you doing here?” Reese asked, jutting his chin toward the stairs.
“Walking a friend home,” Josh said.
“He came in with one of our new guests,” Patty said. “One of the pretty, young ones.”
“You don’t say,” Reese chided. “The woman at the Boardwalk last night?”
“That’s the one,” Josh said.
“He didn’t stay up there very long, though.” Patty had been one of the first people he talked to about Nicki. She’d been a good listener, never judging him or telling him he should have done something differently. She’d just been there for him. And so had Reese.
“I just met her.” Josh shook his head. “Can you check on something for me?”
“Depends,” Reese said.
“Can you tell me when she made her hotel reservation?”
“Why do you want to know?” Reese asked.
Josh glanced over his shoulder, hoping Delaney wasn’t going to come bouncing down the stairs anytime soon. “She’s from downstate and I’m probably being paranoid, but—”
“Say no more.” Reese tapped away on the keyboard behind the lobby desk.“She made the reservation two weeks ago. She was lucky we even had a room.”
“Was there a cancellation?” Josh asked.
Reese shook his head. “Does that help?”
“Just makes me more paranoid,” Josh said. “Thanks. Appreciate the intel.”
“We can keep an eye on her,” Patty said. “I could friend her. Chat her up.”
“No, you won’t,” Reese barked. “I’m sure Josh doesn't need you to play detective while playing matchmaker at the same time.”
“You’re no fun.” Patty swatted her husband’s arm. “And it’s about time Josh started dating. She’s very pretty, but on the quiet side. I bet—”
“I’m sure Josh doesn’t want you meddling.” Reese looped his arm over Patty’s shoulder. “If there is anything you need, let me know.”
“Will do,” Josh said. “And feel free to chat her up.”
“Don’t encourage my wife.” Reese playfully kissed Patty’s cheek. “She’ll have you married by the end of the month.”