I can’t help the slight quirk of my lips.
She picks up on it. “You’re laughing at me!”
“You have to admit, it was a bit hilarious.”
“Not for me, it wasn’t. I was mortified.”
“And now?”
She presses slender fingers to her cheeks, blowing out a breath. “I am less so. Just don’t tell anyone.”
“Who would I tell?” I shrug.
“Well, for one. It’ll make a good joke for your colleagues in your meetings.” She sits up, face straight. “Guys, you won’t believe this?” Her voice is a tad deeper. “This lady’s dress got stuck in an elevator and she flashed me.”
I frown. “Is that me? My voice?”
“Yeah, yeah. That’s you telling my story and getting a kick out of it.”
“I don’t sound like that.”
“Yeah, you do.”
“And I don’t talk that way.”
“Ever heard yourself speak?”
“Every day.”
“Like once or twice a day, because you don’t speak much.”
“No, just three times.”
Her eyes glow with held-back laughter. “I could have sworn it was only two and a half times.”
“Frankly, tops is two and three quarters.”
She bursts into laughter, pressing her hand to her lips.
The sound is fresh and hearty and just what I need. The bar’s getting busy. I want her all to myself.
“Want to take a walk?”
“Sure.” She’s off the barstool the next moment, but then her heel catches on the footrest.
She falls into me and I catch her easily. Her soft body melds into mine. I swallow a groan and in the same breath, get a whiff of her flowery fragrance. I want to pull her closer and smell her more but she pulls away, cheeks red.
“Um, sorry. I slipped.”
“I saw.” I nod to the bartender. He knows to put the drinks on my tab. “You okay?” I grab her elbow in a bid to steady her. But I leave my hand there because her skin is soft and smooth. I haven’t felt anything this nice in a long time.
“Yes, I am.”
I drift my hand to the curve of her lower back and guide her out of the hotel.
It’s the biggest on the island, surrounded by gardens and backed by the ocean. Even from the entrance, the sound of the waves hitting the beach is discernible. It’s a sight to behold at night, but for tonight, I want us to walk through the lit-up gardens.
The night sky is clear of clouds and spattered with stars and the air is cool and crisp.
