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She nodded, reminding herself she would be seeing him again soon—though it would be different when they were surrounded by other people rather than alone here together. “I should get ready, too. BiBi would strangle me if I’m late.”
He chuckled. “None of us have the nerve to annoy BiBi, especially this weekend.”
“Ah. So you know the bride as well as the groom,” she teased.
He nodded. “I’ve known them both for years.”
It would be tempting for her to grill BiBi later for more information about Jason, but that seemed rather impolite. Besides, BiBi would want to know all the details and would probably make more of Madison’s interest than was justified, not to mention that BiBi had picked out someone else to keep Madison company this weekend. All in all, it was better—and definitely more fun—to just keep this flirtation a little secret between herself and Jason.
She turned toward the steps. “I’ll see you at the ranch, then, if not before.”
He caught her arm, and though he was barely touching her, she was still as affected as she’d imagined by the flesh-to-flesh contact. Honestly, Madison, get a grip, she scolded mentally. One would think she’d never had an instant connection with a handsome man before. Okay, maybe she hadn’t experienced anything quite like this, but still, there was no need to get so carried away.
“Was there something else you wanted to say, Dr. Jones?” she asked, keeping it light.
His gaze focused on her smile. Was he, too, remembering last night’s kisses in the moonlight-bathed, aromatic garden, wondering if they would be just as powerful here in this brightly lit, chlorine-scented room?
Something beeped from a small table near the end of the pool, and Jason released her arm. Madison told herself it was just as well they’d been interrupted. She could only imagine the gossip that would ensue if she were seen kissing Jason in the pool after meeting him only last night.
“That’s the alarm I set on my phone to remind me of the calls I have to make.”
“I’ll see you later, then.”
He reached out to trail a wet fingertip down her cheek. “I look forward to it,” he murmured.
Her body temperature rose another few degrees. She swallowed a sigh as she watched him climb the steps out of the pool, water streaming from his lean, toned body, his trunks molded over a very tight butt.
The laughing glance he gave her over his shoulder let her know he was fully aware she was watching him. She grinned and dove back into the pool.
When she left the pool room a short time later, her limbs were pleasantly tired, and her tummy reminded her that she should have breakfast soon. The day ahead seemed especially inviting now. She’d thought the ranch excursion sounded like fun, anyway, but the anticipation of spending time there with Jason was especially appealing. She couldn’t wait to see him on horseback.
Hannah stepped out of the workout room at almost the same time Madison entered the hallway. Exchanging cheery good-mornings, they moved together toward the elevator.
“Have you eaten breakfast yet?” Hannah asked.
Madison glanced at her watch. A quarter to eight. Plenty of time yet before the nine o’clock departure. “No. I’m going to shower and dress, then head down to the breakfast buffet before we leave for the ranch.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll meet you down there.”
Madison pushed the call button. “I can be ready in half an hour.”
“Same here.” Hannah pushed back a strand of hair that had escaped her red braid during her exercise session. “I thought I saw Jason D’Alessandro leaving the pool room a little while ago. Did you meet him?”
Though this was the first time she’d heard Jason’s last name, Ma
dison nodded. “I met him at the party last night.”
“I met him last night, too. BiBi introduced us. I think you were dancing with Carl’s cousin at the time. Jason seems like a nice guy. Good-looking, too.”
“Yes, he is.”
“I can see why Corinna is so hooked on him.”
Madison almost stumbled stepping into the elevator. She righted herself quickly, punching her floor button with a little more force than necessary. “Umm, Corinna?”
“Yeah. He’s the guy she and BiBi were talking about last night. Didn’t you know? Apparently, Corinna’s had a thing for him for ages. From what I’ve gathered, their families have known each other for, like, generations, and everyone thinks Jason and Corinna would be a perfect match. You know, both living here in Dallas, him being a doctor and her a pharmacist, both from big Italian families.”
Madison stared hard at the numbers flashing above the elevator door. Jason was a doctor? “Hmm.”
