Chapter 8 – Broken Rules
It was only Day Three. My massive screw-up waiting back at the office was still hanging over my head. My focus on work and building clients was still top priority on my mind. And in walked Elaine Merritt like a stealth bomb straight to the heart.
Derek had gone up to shower, and I was supposed to be getting us a table at the restaurant. I gave my name to the hostess and stepped over to the huge aquarium to wait, and just like that, she walked right up to me and introduced herself.
All she had on was a green sundress and flip-flops. I’m pretty sure she wasn’t even wearing makeup, but everything about her hit me hard, from her perky nose to her bright green eyes to her shiny blonde hair. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Still, I fought it. “All work and all work.” That was the plan.
“Are you here for the convention?” It was the same question Barbara had posed, but the words were a thousand times more tempting coming from Elaine’s soft lips.
Her voice was clear and confident, and with the slightest hint of playfulness. Shit. I almost said No. Clearly, I came here to meet you, but I calmed those thoughts.
“Yeah,” I said, finding my control. “Are you?”
“We’re here for the spa.”
The term we, prompted me to look behind her where I noticed a pretty brunette holding back. She was clearly not interested in socializing, but I greeted her anyway. Elaine introduced her as her best friend Melissa, and I tried to be polite, but my focus was drawn back to the glowing nymph in front of me. I asked them to join us for lunch, and I could tell Elaine was interested by the way she looked at me. Melissa blocked it with some excuse, so I went for dinner. Yes.
I handed her my business card, and her eyes briefly moved from my hand to my torso and up my chest. Then she realized I’d caught her checking me out, and the faintest pink touched her cheek. Gorgeous.
A flicker of my first meeting with Kenny crossed my mind—the sweet blush, the curiosity. But again, everything was different with Elaine. For starters, she was closer to my age, and what I was feeling was not brotherly. I knew exactly what I wanted from this woman.
They were gone when Derek finally joined me for lunch. We decided to sit at the long bar that ran in a curvy circle around the center of the restaurant rather than at a table, and I couldn’t help sweeping the room for her before we sat. No luck.
“I almost started without you,” I said as the bartender put large club sandwiches in front of each of us.
Bacon spilled out of mine, which I immediately scooped up with my fingers into my mouth, getting a salty-tangy blast. Then I snagged a thick-cut French fry off my plate and shoved it in my mouth.
“Sorry,” he said. “I was answering emails.”
I nodded, chewing, waiting. “So spill it,” I finally said. “Why are you acting like you just robbed the hotel safe?”
Derek reached for the glass of water sitting on the glossy bar in front of him and took a long sip, not meeting my eyes. For a few moments he didn’t answer. Then he only said, “Something happened.”
“Something like what?” I asked between bites.
“I’ve crossed some pretty significant lines, and I’m not sure how to handle it.”
That stopped me. If I’d learned anything in the last month, it was Derek Alexander did not cross lines. I also noticed he wasn’t eating. Something major must’ve happened, but his tone didn’t match what he was saying. It didn’t add up. His words were serious, but his voice was… happy?
“What have you done?” I asked, preparing to troubleshoot.
“I can’t say. But I’m pretty sure it’s your fault somehow.” He actually smiled, and took a bite of his lunch then.
What the hell? I leaned back on the stool, frowning. “I’m not taking the blame for anything until I know what it is.”
He put the sandwich down and clapping me hard on the shoulder. “Just know it’s a good thing.” Then his voice dropped, and his eyes returned to his drink. “Once I figure it out, I think it’s going to be a very good thing.”
He seemed finished discussing his mysterious problem, and I took another bite, thinking about my not-so-mysterious problem. “So what’s happening back at the office?”
Derek took another sip of the water before answering. “Haven’t caught up with Susan yet,” he said. “I left a message for her to have our new secretary close up shop for the week. Told her we had a pretty big, unexpected case come up and not to worry about coming in. But we’d still pay her for the time.”
“Think that’ll work?”
“With no one there to train her or give her assignments, there’s no reason for her to go in. Try not to worry about it. As soon as I catch up with Sue, we’ll work out some plan for getting a replacement.”
I nodded. “At least the texts have stopped.”
“Hopefully this will just be a somewhat stressful learning experience for you.” He shocked me by smiling again, then he stood and put his napkin on the bar. “I’ve got to do some work. See you later.”
“At eight.” I stopped him. “I made dinner dates for us. Be back here at eight.”
“What?” I couldn’t figure this guy out. Now he seemed angry. Whatever. He’d get over it when he saw Melissa. She was pretty hot, if somewhat quiet.
“Two very lovely ladies I met before you came down are joining us for dinner. Trust me, you’ll like them.”
His lips pressed into a frown. “Are they here for the convention?”
“They’re here for the spa.”
Something flickered in his eyes, like vague disbelief. “The spa?” He nodded, saying, “I’ll be here,” before taking off again.
“At eight,” I repeated, my thoughts already skipping ahead to tonight and seeing Elaine again.
* * *
Dinner could not have gone better if I’d planned every second. Elaine and Melissa showed up just minutes after Derek and I’d taken our seats, and after some strange hesitation on Melissa’s part, we all were sitting and sharing glasses of cava. I wouldn’t have ordered the Spanish sparkling wine, but Derek’s choice turned out to be exactly right for the evening. Elaine’s eyes shone along with the crystal and the drinks. Everything about her was radiant and beautiful. She was amazing. Her lips parted, and I wanted to taste those lips. I wanted to hold her in my arms. I wanted her in my bed.
“So what do you do to be so buff?” She asked, touching my bicep.
“We’re private investigators,” I said, catching her hand and holding it. She didn’t pull away. “And we’ve done complete background checks on both of you lovely ladies.”
It was a joke, I didn’t even know her last name, which she was quick to point out.
“Liar!” she cried with a laugh, and if I weren’t already into her, I’d have fallen then.
At that moment, Melissa stood and excused herself. I hadn’t been paying attention to the other end of the table. She’d been talking quietly to Derek, and I couldn’t imagine he’d said anything to upset her.
“Is something wrong?” I asked.
“I’m just not feeling well,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’ll have dinner in the room. Please stay and finish your meal.”
“You don’t have a key!” Elaine was instantly out of her chair, and my stomach dropped. My night with her could not end so soon, but of course, she had to go after her friend. Shit. Melissa hurried out, and we were all on our feet. But Derek saved my night. He touched Elaine’s arm.
“I’ll check on her,” he said. “Stay and enjoy your dinner.”
“But…” Elaine looked at him for a moment and then in the direction her friend went. Her brow pulled together and she studied him a moment. “I don’t know…”
“I’ll make sure she gets back safely.”
She nodded briefly, and he took off faster than I’d ever seen him move. I didn’t care, the only thing I wanted was for Elaine to sit down again and not worry.
“He’s retired Marine,” I said with a grin. “You know how those guys are.”
Her green eyes flickered back to mine, and her face relaxed into that beautiful smile. “Always has to be the first on the scene?”
“That’s the motto,” I said, hoping to ease her mind. “He’ll be sure she’s okay. Trust me, he’s a good guy.”
“And I’ll check on her in a few minutes,” she said, lifting her glass.
We each took another sip of cava, and she rested her cheek on her hand. “How long have you two been partners?”
“Only about a month.” I placed my arm on the back of her chair. “But my older brother was his business partner for years before me.”
She sat up straighter when our waiter appeared. I ordered a steak, and Elaine asked for whatever the spa selection was for dinner. The fellow left, and she turned back to me.
“Were you a Marine, too?” Her eyes traveled to my lips, then to my chest, and finally back to her hand resting on the table.
“National Guard.” Leaning forward, I slid my fingers under hers. “My brother was a major jarhead all during high school. He signed up the minute they let him in, but I only planned to get money for college. Of course, we both were sent overseas.”
Her laugh came as easily as her smile, and my thoughts traveled ahead to when I might have a chance to kiss her.
“What was that like?” she asked.
“It was actually a lot better than I expected. I liked the teamwork, the friendships, the rush. It can be addictive. Stuart keeps going back.”
“Are you here to stay?”
Studying her lovely face, I didn’t say definitely. “When I started with Derek, it was that or going back. But I’m ready to focus on my life here.”
Our dinner arrived, and the server put a plate with leaf salad, couscous, cashews, and what looked like beets in front of Elaine. I had a filet mignon, asparagus, and baked potato, and I caught her eyes drifting longingly to my dish.
Once the waiter was satisfied we didn’t need anything more, I leaned forward. “What the hell did you order?”
Her loud laugh was unexpected and awesome. I fell a little bit more, if that was even possible, as she quickly put her slim hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry!” she said, shaking her head. “I was thinking the same thing!”
I couldn’t help but laugh, too. “What is it?”
“I think this is what they call raw foods,” she said, finally regaining some control. “Isn’t it the worst? We’ve been getting it all week.”
“Are you on a diet?” I cut a thick slice of steak and studied her trim waist before putting it in my mouth. It was perfectly cooked, slightly salty, and had the texture of velvet.
She shook her head and stirred the couscous with her fork. “It’s part of the spa regimen. Cleansing or something.”
I put my fork down. “You’re not going to eat that.”
Her guilty expression told me she just might. “I had a hamburger and fries for lunch,” she whispered. “Melissa and I sneaked out.”
Picking up my knife, I cut another thick portion of steak and slipped it onto her platter of rabbit food. “Have some of this. They’ll never know.”
“You’re a bad influence.” She bit her bottom lip before forking the steak and putting it in her mouth. Then she leaned back and groaned. “That’s amazing!”
“I might enjoy watching you eat my steak more than having it myself.”
“I’ll help you decide.” She scooted closer, and I was ready to pass my plate to her.
“We’ll split it,” I said.
Her soft blonde hair spilled around her shoulders, which were bare in the strapless dress she wore, and I thought of a half-dozen other ways to get that groan from her again. Fun ways.
The rest of dinner was spent discussing her work as a middle school English teacher, a profession I still couldn’t envision her doing.
“Sixth graders are the best,” she said, her eyes drifting thoughtfully. “Seventh is the most challenging.”
“More than eighth?”
“Yes. Eighth graders are getting ready for high school, they’re nervous and sentimental… Seventh is like the middle-child years. Lots of attention-grabbing.”
We finished my steak in half the time, and I sat back, enjoying the wine and lightly touching the skin on her upper arm as my hand rested on the back of her chair. She leaned toward my touch, and I was ready to ditch the bright, white dining room for something more intimate.
“Let’s take a walk,” I said, signing the bill.
“Oh, you didn’t have to pay for dinner!” She reached for me, but I caught her hand, lacing our fingers. “I’m not letting you pay for that plate of… whatever it was.”
“Raw foods.” She picked up a peppermint as we stood.
Our hands parted as she led the way through the restaurant, and all I could think of was touching her again. I hadn’t been able to stop finding ways to touch her the entire meal, but she didn’t seem to mind. Actually, I’d noticed her touching me the few times my hand left her.
When we were finally outside the restaurant in the wide hall leading to the conference center, she stepped toward me, catching the crook of my arm. I pulled her close and led us out the side door into the warm night. A wide path ran around the perimeter of the golf course near the hotel, and I knew from my first night here it led past a series of fire pits down to one of the smaller pools.
We stopped at a first that was unoccupied and watched the flames a moment. Like all the others, chairs and a loveseat were situated around it, and Elaine slid her hand down to mine, gently pulling me to take a seat.
The small orange coals were warm, and she turned so that her back was against my chest on the loveseat. My arm was over her shoulders, and I lifted a golden lock of her hair, sliding it back and forth.
“So what took you from military man to private eye?” She asked, watching the glow.
“I used to know the answer to that question,” I said. “Now I think I’m changing my mind.”
Her brow lined. “Why?”
“In the past it was about the excitement, the adventure. Then it became more about nailing bad guys and bringing them to justice.”
She reached up and threaded her fingers in mine. “And now?”
I exhaled, thinking about how the past year had been, how fragmented I’d felt. “Now I haven’t quite decided.” I didn’t want to talk about my shitty year. I wanted to know everything about her. “So did you always want to teach?”
I felt her laugh as she shook her head. “Actually, no. The truth is, I was going through a rebellious phase.”
My brow lined. “What does that mean?”
“My dad wanted me to be a lawyer, just like him and my brothers, and everyone else in my family.” Her tone changed, and for the first time, she was not so cheerful. “It was my way of taking control over my life.”
“Sounds like you have a problem with the law.” I gently poked her ribs.
She relaxed again. “I just have a problem with being ordered around.”
“A sign of latent criminal tendencies.” Her elbow came back sharply into my side and I grunted, “Violent criminal tendencies.”
“Patrick!” she cried, and I laughed.
“No, I understand. It was your life, your future.” She was still leaning against me, and my hand was on the bare skin of her upper arm. “Trust me, I’ve never responded well to taking orders.”
“That from a guard?”
“There are different types of orders. And different sources delivering them.”
“I couldn’t have said it better.” She sat forward and turned to me, reaching for my hands. “Let’s walk some more.”
I let her pull me up and we started down the path again. After a few moments, her hand moved to my arm, which I bent to hold it. “So what’s so bad about being a lawyer?” I asked.
She sighed. “Nothing. It just wasn’t what I wanted to do.”
“You wanted to teach.”
“I didn’t at first, it was the only thing I knew to do. Then the more I did it, the more I loved it.” She shrugged as we continued. “Every year, I had a new group of kids I fell in love with, that I watched grow and learn and become more confident. I wish some people understood that.” Her tone was irritated again. “It’s not about the money or the recognition, it’s about making a difference. Insisting you’re right all the time and bullying people won’t change anything. You have to do something, be a part of the solution.”
I stopped, and she stopped as well. Her green eyes met mine before she blinked down quickly. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize! It’s impressive how much you love your work. It sounds like you’re the best kind of teacher, and I’m sure whoever you’re thinking about probably knows it.”
She stepped forward and kissed my cheek. “Thank you,” she said. “Now I want to know more about you! You have an older brother?”
“Stuart, yes,” I nodded. “And he’s exactly what you’d expect.”
She laughed. “My older brothers all spoiled me.”
“That is not the kind of relationship we have. If you ever encounter the big brother versus little brother stereotype, Stuart is the model for it.”
Her hand was back in the crook of my arm as we walked. “But it was character-building, right?”
“No.”
She laughed again, and it made me laugh, too. “See?” She cried. “You’re laughing. You know I’m right.”
All I knew was the sound of her voice made everything that was wrong with me feel right. The calm was back, and I felt like I could talk to her and listen to her speak and hear her thoughts all night. We walked some more, then we took a place by the fire again. She told me about her brothers and her favorite aunt—her dad’s younger sister who had moved in with them after her mom left. She talked about growing up with Melissa and about living on the coast.
We sat with our bodies touching, and we sat apart, with her feet in my lap. But that never lasted long before we were back to bodies touching again. Finally, I looked around at the deserted patio and realized how late it was. I could see she was tired, and I stood, holding out my hand to help her up.
“I’ll walk you back to the spa.”
She nodded slowly. We didn’t speak the entire way, and all I could think about were her lips and covering them with mine. I’d been thinking about it all night, but I wanted to handle this one differently—right for a change.
Stopping at the entrance, I paused, lightly cupping her cheeks. Her green eyes met mine, and she smiled. In a flash I kissed her, opening her mouth, finding her tongue for the first time. My arms moved to her waist, pulling her closer. Our bodies molded together and a little noise escaped her throat. The sound sent a blaze of desire racing through me, focusing directly below my belt. But I wasn’t rushing that. Not this time.
“Goodnight.” My words should have parted us, but I held her closer.
Her arms held me tightly as well, and I knew this was different from anything I’d experienced before. All of this was tectonically different.
Forcing myself to let her go, I stepped back. I couldn’t look in her eyes or I’d never do what I had to do right now.
“I hope I’ll see you tomorrow.” An ache was in my throat.
“I’ll call you.” Her voice was quiet.
I turned away, and my heart, my soul, everything stayed behind as I took the first step and then the second back to the main hotel where I was staying. I’d only made it three feet when I heard her rushing up to me.
“Patrick?” It was a high whisper, and I immediately stopped, turning to face her.
She was gorgeous standing in the moonlight, the dry breeze pushing her silky hair off her shoulders. I wanted to cover those shoulders with kisses, wrap my fingers in that hair. She reached out, and I caught both her hands in mine.
“Yes?”
“I don’t want you to leave me.” She was breathless. “I know this is fast. It seems crazy, but… I want to spend the night in your arms.”
Her delicate pink tongue touched her bottom lip, and she didn’t have to ask me twice. Two steps was all it took to have her body secure against mine again. I caught her cheeks and lowered my mouth to cover her soft, beautiful lips.
Our kisses came fast, hungry, and she held my neck, my face, her hands quickly dropping to my waist, making their way under my shirt to the skin beneath. I loved her touching me. I kissed her jaw, and another noise came from her mouth. The sound killed any hesitation on my part. Breaking away, I looked around for somewhere close I could take her.
“Come with me,” I said, holding her hand and leading her back the way we came. We weren’t far from the smaller pool, and while it was dark and locked, I’d noticed a break in the bushes when we’d strolled past it the first time.
Leaning down, I carefully stepped through, and it took me right into the dark courtyard. Going back, Elaine was waiting and when our eyes met, she smiled. My chest rose at the sight of her, and all I could think of was sliding that dress off her body, tasting her, being inside her.
I pulled her into the small pool area and into my arms again. Our mouths collided, and I only broke contact to whip my shirt over my head. Pulling her back to me, I eased the top of her dress down, allowing her bare breasts to meet my skin, and we both sighed.
“Mmm,” she breathed, moving her hands to my back and pulling me closer. The little noises coming from her with every breath had my cock straining against my zipper. I wanted to lift her against the tiled column and sink inside her right then, but I stepped back, guiding her to the cushioned lounge chair hidden in the back corner. She held the top of her dress, as if trying to pull it back up.
“No,” I whispered, taking her hand away and replacing it with mine. Her breasts were heavy in my palms, and I circled my thumbs over her taut nipples. Her eyes closed and she lowered her forehead to my shoulder with a little moan. “I want these out,” I said, kissing her jaw, her lips, leaning down to pull a nipple into my mouth.
Another little noise, and she kissed my neck. “What if someone sees us?”
I looked around quickly, making sure we were well hidden in the locked courtyard. “Don’t worry, we’re safe here.”
Laying her back on the cushions, my hands slid down the smooth skin of her legs. I kissed the top of her foot, and she sighed. Traveling higher, I lifted the hem of her dress and my breath disappeared. No panties, and her skin was completely bare.
“Gorgeous,” I murmured, leaning forward and kissing the inside of her thigh before sinking my tongue between her folds.
“Oh, god!” Her back arched and she cried out, clutching the sides of my head as I tasted her sweetness. I pulled her up to me, her ass in my hands, and I sucked, nipping her clit then plunging two fingers inside.
“Patrick!” she moaned as her thighs jumped. Her noises grew louder the more I kissed and sucked her. She was sweet and swollen, a juicy peach I slid my tongue through, circling as she gasped and whimpered my name. My tongue explored every opening and crease, teasing and tasting, until I felt her coming hard against me. Her hips bucked, and I lowered her fast, condom in place. One last kiss and I plunged inside.
“Fuck me,” I groaned. She was hot and tight and so slippery.
Her arms wrapped around my neck as her hips continued to rock, and I thrust again, harder. Inner muscles tensed, pulling and massaging my dick so beautifully.
“Elaine,” I breathed as I kissed her shoulder, holding her body, trying to slow my pace. I didn’t want it to end too fast, but I was powerless against my desire for her. My stomach clenched as need took over and my thrusting grew faster.
Her body surrounded me, tightened on me, and had me shooting over the edge. My ass tensed with each push and the sound of her moans filled my senses. Everything had gone dark, and my sole focus was the mind-blowing pleasure of my cock shooting off deep between her thighs, over and over.
“Jesus,” I groaned as my orgasm slowed. My lips were on her neck and her hips moved against me. Her insides spasmed, drawing me out as she held me close, bonding me to her. I couldn’t imagine letting her go.
I kissed her neck, cupping her bottom in my hands. “You are so fucking amazing,” I murmured, and she started to giggle.
I leaned up to cover her mouth, smiling as I kissed her, tasting her peppermint kisses as she sighed happily and giggled again.
“Stop laughing and kiss me,” I murmured against her cheek.
“Oh, god, I can’t help it,” she gasped, a smile in her voice. “That was fucking incredible.”
I kissed her again. “Have I told you it’s very sexy when you swear?”
She leaned forward to kiss me hard, quickly curling her tongue with mine before moving her lips to my ear as she whispered, “As sexy as your groans when you come inside me?”
My cock was stiffening again. “Damn, woman,” I said with a grin, and she hugged me, her breasts pressing against my chest. “Keep that up, and I’ll have to fuck you again.”
“Mmm,” she purred. “Please do.”
I leaned back to remove her dress completely, but she slipped to the side. I disposed of the condom, and she took my arm.
“I want you in the pool with me.” Her lips grazed mine. “Now.”
I watched her skip over to the edge, quietly lowering her body as I admired her legs, her beautiful ass, her lined stomach, then her perfect breasts disappearing into the dark waters.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said as she waited, submerged to her neck. I followed her, rolling a fresh condom on before lowering myself in after her.
“Mmm,” she sighed as I pulled her close, her back against my chest, and slipped inside her again.
“I know it’s too soon.” My arms were around her waist as I kissed her ear, making my way down to her shoulder. “But I wasn’t sure how I’d get it on me and into you otherwise.”
She started to laugh, and I kissed her neck. One hand slid down her flat stomach between her legs, and I lightly massaged her clit. Her head dropped back on my shoulder, and she moaned softly. Leaning forwards, I scooped up her mouth, kissing her, exploring her as I held her firmly against me. I was buried in her, hard and deep, and it felt insanely good. The only way I managed to take it slow was because we’d just been this way.
The water was still heated from the day, and our bodies slid easily against each other’s. Cupping her breast with my free hand, I rolled one nipple between my fingers, as another sigh escaped her lips. My hand between her legs never stopped working, gently massaging as my hips rocked slowly.
“You’re so beautiful,” I whispered against her ear.
Her face turned, and she said my name, a soft moan I felt all the way to my core. “I’ve never been like this,” she whispered. “Everything in me wants you.”
I moved us to where I could stand in the pool, holding her against me in the shallower water. My fingers worked her and her body heated in response. She groaned, and my legs went weak at the sound.
“I want to give you everything.” I whispered before kissing her neck.
She kissed my cheek, lifting her leg and turning so that once again, we were facing each other. I couldn’t hold back, and my thrusting became more rapid. Her green eyes held mine before wrinkling closed, a line piercing her forehead as she cried out a long “Ooh!”
Her thighs tightened around my waist, and everything inside her tightened. It was the most amazing sensation, a gripping from base to tip, pulling me into a frenzy. My mouth was against her temple, and I held the side of the pool as I pushed faster. Our bodies were completely entwined, waves splashing over the tiles as we moved. All sounds and motions disappeared, and I only felt her. We rocked, eyes closed and moaning, until she was pushing up against the pool wall. “Oh, god,” she gasped, legs shaking hard.
She tensed and released, going from tight around me to almost pushing away, but I held her, staying with her until we finished. Until we were both spent, slowly coming down again, the quivers gradually subsiding from her limbs, calm returning.
I softly traced a line with my lips down her cheek to her jaw. She leaned her head to the side, easing my progress. “Oh my god,” she sighed.
I smiled in response and kissed her. “Why aren’t you with anyone?” My mouth moved to her jaw.
“I could say the same to you,” she breathed. Her voice was lazy, happy.
I kissed her again, and looked at her lovely face. “Not a single man in Wilmington caught you?”
Her eyes moved away, and she shrugged. “One did.”
Jealousy blazed in my stomach. Had she loved him? Did she still have feelings for him? “But you’re not together anymore?”
“No,” she said, hugging me close, and pressing her cheek to mine. “It’s a little embarrassing.”
My hands slid over the soft skin of her back as I held her, my lips touching her ear as I quietly spoke. “You don’t have to be embarrassed with me.” She also didn’t have to tell me. But she did.
“We were together so long… I don’t know why. By the end we were more like siblings than lovers.” Then she turned her face away. “Why am I telling you this? How did we get on this subject?”
I moved around to kiss her lips. “I asked, and I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.”
Her nose wrinkled in response. It was adorable. “I don’t think you asked for that much information.”
“I’m glad you trust me that much. And I’m sorry some dickhead didn’t realize how sexy you are.”
“I honestly thought something was wrong with me.”
Catching her cheeks, I tilted her face up, covering her mouth with mine in a deep kiss. “There is nothing wrong with you,” I breathed against her lips before kissing her again. “I want you in my bed.”
Her arms tightened over my shoulders. “Let’s go.”
But in that instant, I realized. My eyes moved around the space. “We might have a problem.”
Her green eyes rolled. “No towels!”
“Hang on.” I slid out and away, going to the side and pushing my body out of the water. I picked up the thin white undershirt I’d worn beneath my pinstriped oxford and held it up. “It probably won’t help much, but you can use this to dry off.
She was beside me in an instant, taking it and rubbing it over her wet body. The sight of that almost did me in.
“That’ll do,” she whispered. “I mean, my dress is strapless anyway.”
I watched as she stepped in and pulled it over her bare breasts until I couldn’t resist. I scooped her up against me. “You are so damned sexy.”
“Patrick!” she shrieked a laugh. “Why did I even dry off?”
Releasing her quickly, I stepped back. “Sorry.”
But she threw her arms around my neck, hugging against me again. “Don’t ever stop doing that.” Her lips brushed mine. “Ever.”
My arms were back around her in an instant. “I promise I won’t.”