Maybelle couldn’t tell if it was the steam from the hot tub or embarrassment that clouded her cheeks with heat. She covered her face and peeked through her fingers.
“Actually I’m not sure if I do.”
Michael grinned and lifted his foot, shucking off his shoe. “I could lie if it makes you feel better.”
“Yes, do that.”
He pulled off the other shoe and pointed with it. “I just got here. Didn’t hear you talking to a ghost at all.”
She kicked up a splash that didn’t reach him in the slightest. “I feel so much better,” she teased, ignoring the wave of bees going through her stomach as he reached for the button on his jeans. Her gaze darted to the water and she examined her toes and planned on painting them a bright shade of blue when she got home. No… pink.
His warmth fuzzed up her arm as he sat next to her in boxer shorts and an undershirt, his clothes crumpled lazily on the floor next to his shoes. His long legs splashed into the water, sending droplets against her face. She swiped at her cheek, heart beating wildly at how close he was, how comfortable he seemed to be.
“Was he a good listener?” he asked, nudging her with his massive bicep. Maybelle looked up, admiring his muscular frame and knee-melting smile.
“Eros?” She cleared her throat and shrugged. “I sure hope so.”
“He isn’t very good on the advice, though.”
“I ain’t lookin’ for advice.”
He chuckled, slowly kicking his legs in the water. Sweet potato pie, his calves could rival The Rock’s. “Good. He’s not much of a talker.”
A laugh bubbled in her throat, and she boldly nudged him back, liking the way his skin felt against hers, zapping like a joker’s buzzer. “Well, I normally talk enough for two, so I don’t mind.”
“Ha. Sounds like me.” He slipped into the water and floated out a few feet, swiveling to face her. She gulped, tempted to join him, but also a little scared to. “But hey, if you wanna keep talking, I can try to shut up long enough to listen.”
“Oh, I was pretty much done.”
“Really?” A half-smile slid onto his pink lips, his teeth white against his dark skin. A rush of excitement bubbled in her belly. “I was kinda hoping to hear more about how amazing you think you are.”
She faux gasped and kicked a wave at him, this time covering his head. He swiped the water from his face with a laugh, shaking out his short black and gray hair.
“I was only pleadin’ my case with the guy. I’m a catch, ya know, and I figured Cupid should be aware.”
“I think all you had to do was speak,” he said, cupping his hands on the surface of the water and shooting a stream across the pool. “That accent of yours is enough to drive a man crazy.”
“Crazy in a good way, right?”
“Oh, a very good way.”
Her heart stuttered. Was this it? Was this what a spark was? What flirting truly felt like? She thought she’d known, but her body was wild with new sensations, electricity zapping her skin enough that she was surprised there wasn’t a current running along the pool’s surface.
Apprehension lay in the wake, however, and she gripped the edge of the pool. “You always such a smooth talker?”
He laughed. “I try my best, I suppose. The benefit of working at Frostville is you get really good at talking with strangers.”
“Or poking fun at them,” she quipped.
“Only the attractive ones.”
She shook her head, biting away a grin. “There ya go again.”
A sly smile touched his lips, and he slowly swam his way back toward her. She tensed as he closed the gap between them, her heart pounding warm and fierce when he placed his hands on either side of her hips, holding himself at arms’ length with the edge of the pool. She froze, her breathing heavy and uneven. Her cool, calm persona had fallen wayside to the playful and passionate look in his midnight eyes.
“Does it make you feel better if I said you weren’t the first?”
Confusion kicked her out of her daze. “Excuse me?”
He circled a finger to the ceiling. “Eros. He’s the most popular guy around here. A lot of people talk to him.”
Relief fell from her lips. “Is that how so many guests find their soul mates? Their desperation is overheard by nosy staff members?”
He tilted his head. “Not nosy. Overly curious, maybe.”
The warmth surrounding her body left when he swiveled away, leaning against the pool edge next to her. She took a much needed breath of fresh air.
“Gotta say,” he said, “I’m surprised to see someone like you here.”
“Why’s that?”
“You seem bold, outgoing. You’re gorgeous and got that accent.” He gazed up at her, and she prayed her face wasn’t as red as it felt. “Most people stumbling through this place are a bit… reserved. Or picky.”
She snorted. She was far from either of those things. Heck, she’d wrangled her brother into coming so he’d keep her from snagging up just any guy who paid her any mind. Hmm… she wondered what he’d think of Michael.
Was Garreth picky? He was definitely reserved. Did she even stand a chance with him? Her eyes drifted over Michael and his muscles and smooth, relaxed manner.
Did she even want a chance with Garreth?
She straightened her shoulders and pushed into the pool, her splash sending water into Michael’s face which was more satisfying than she’d anticipated.
“What’s your story?” she asked. “Not Michael the scorned ex-lover and pretty obvious suspect in the murder mystery, but Michael the actor. Is that your real name?”
He raised a brow and circled her like a vulture with his prey. “You did your research. And yeah, that is my name.”
“Are you single?”
“Yep.” He smiled, seemingly impressed with her continued boldness. She decided to embrace that side of her while she was with him. “Never saw the need to be tied down.”
She frowned. “I hate that turn of phrase. Honestly I feel more tied down being single.”
He stopped his circling. “How so?”
“Seems I’m stuck. Nothing changing, nothing moving. Just lonely meals and an empty side of the bed.” She dragged her nails along the water, flicking a stream at him. “Falling in love sounds much more freeing.”
He flicked water back at her. “Seems we’ll have to agree to disagree on that one.”
Well, that was disappointing. The first time she thought she’d felt an actual spark and it was diminished in one conversation.
“You ever been in love?” she asked, hoping to recharge the flame.
He shook his head and pointed a finger. “I see what you’re doing. Trying to tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about because I’ve never been in love. Don’t worry, I’ve been told. Millions of times.”
“Family pressure to get married?”
“Understatement of the year.” He started circling again, and she circled with him. “You don’t get to forty years old without hearing you’re a disappointment for not providing grandchildren before someone’s dead.”
“And always told someone knows a co-worker’s brother’s cousin who would be perfect for you.”
“I’ve had many ‘meant-to-be’ dates. Believe me, embracing the single life has made me much happier.”
“Until you find ‘the one.’”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Ah, the elusive ‘one.’ At one point in my life, I wished she would show up already. But hey, I think I’m okay now. If she never does.”
“That’s sad.”
“Is it?” He cocked a brow. “Or is it… what was the word you used? Freeing?”
She stuck her tongue out at him, a surefire sign of defeat. But a smile rested on her face, and hope was a bright red flame in her chest. There was something to be said about open and easy conversation between near strangers, and she was sure that when she finally got to sleep, she wouldn’t be dreaming of anyone other than Michael and his beautiful, deep laugh.