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7
Poppy entered the hot tub, and let a long winded sigh fill the air.
Not a bad way to end to the day, she thought, peering up at the stars filling the dark sky. The cool breeze contrasted against the warm water, and she pressed on the button to activate the jets.
She didn’t see any lights on but in Ethan’s room. Thirty minutes after he’d started making bracelets with them, she bid goodnight and went to her room, but heard him talk to his daughter, and the chuckles from Willow brought a silly sense of joy to her. They shared a special bond, and had a good time together—father and daughter.
She’d unpacked her suit case, to find the very same bikini that she didn’t buy at the bottom of her things. Billie, she thought with a smile. Just in case you want to feel like a goddess.
Billie must have gone through the trouble of buying it without Poppy, and slipping into her suitcase when she was packing in their shared apartment.
She’d picked up the bikini and studied it. The conservative one piece she’d worn earlier was still damp from the pool. The kids were sound asleep. Before she lost her edge, she changed into the bikini and wrapped herself with a robe.
And now, she felt naughty.
The robe was within grabbing distance, so if she heard any noise she could take it and slap it on.
The only sound came from the steady waves at the beach, the lazy way they hit the shore, sometimes spilling over rocks. She closed her eyes and felt the moment.
The jet kept kneading her back, which brought memories from her intense physical therapy sessions and treatment. Her skin felt warmer, looser, relaxed.
Months earlier, when she’d been recovering from a car crash that left her hurting for weeks, she’d never imagined one day she’d be here, living it up in Hawaii, staying in this gorgeous home, working for an even more gorgeous man.
“Got room for one more?” said a deep male voice, startling her.
She snapped her eyes open to find Ethan wearing his board shorts, standing next to the hot tub. Shirtless.
She did a double take, her heart hammering its way out of her chest. “Yes,” she said, pretty sure she’d say yes to robbing a bank if he asked. Or join him in a sketchy multi-marketing level scheme.
As he moved, she didn’t miss the ridges and planes of his body. It was powerful, chiseled, and perfect.
He entered the tub, and sat across from her. If she stretched out, her feet would brush his. That thought alone sent a shiver down her back. Oh, the possibilities…
“Did you have a good day?” she asked, keeping it light. The tension around them crackled in the steamy air. The jets kept coming, and she should feel more relaxed, yet her core contracted. Her body was one stiff knot, her sex humming with need.
“Yes, you?”
“Good.”
“Good,” he repeated, eyes on hers.
Damn. Talk about something before you throw yourself in his arms. “You know… I never asked, why is this deal so important to you? The two months? I mean, aren’t you always busy?”
“Why, are you interested in applying for a permanent position?”
She chuckled. She wasn’t delusional enough to think she’d be able to have a permanent position and not fall in love with him. “No. I was just wondering how you think you’ll be able to spend more time with the kids,” she said, and meant it. She’d seen the progress in Willow’s attitude, when she spent time with her dad earlier. Little by little, she became more open, and Poppy would hate for that to go away once she left. Not because Willow would close up because of her, but because his hectic schedule would result in less time spent with his kids. More heartache.
“You’re worried about them?” he asked, with the undertone of an emotion she couldn’t quite place.
“Yes, I mean, Willow has been doing much better the last few days. I really think she needs more time with you.”
“I know,” he whispered, then a flicker of uncertainty crossed his eyes. He ran his fingers down his face. “The kids don’t know what I’m about to say, so I need your word it won’t get back to them,” he said, his voice serious.
“Of course.”
“Last time Darcy showed up, we tried to make it work for the third or fourth time. I was overwhelmed, and hopeful. Stupid. Didn’t love her anymore, but wanted the kids to have a mom. She, of course, had other plans.”
“Oh.”
