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“I can’t un-love you,” I answered.
“Neither can I.”
I took an expansive breath. “And if I don’t accept your offer?” I searched his eyes.
“I won’t ask a second time.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Thanksgiving had never been my favorite holiday. It always felt as if it were an exaggerated Sunday. Too much football. Everything in the South was closed. It was a day my parents were forced to stay in the house together and celebrate the family they had created. My grandparents would drive over for the day.
Inevitably something would burn. Whether it was the crust on the pumpkin pie or the gravy my mother forgot was on the stove. And who knew how Garrett would handle the day.
When we were kids he would rather be outside on the swing set than inside with the bickering and wafting smells of turkey. I would wander out to find him. If I could sneak it, I’d play too, but I had to be careful not to let one of the monogrammed dresses my mother had bought get dirty. That was always a problem.
I didn’t think this year would be any different. Everything was planned. Garrett was bringing Morgan. My grandparents would drive for the afternoon. And at some point my father would call and ask if Garrett and I wanted to come over for a cocktail. I would take pity on him and confiscate leftovers to take to him. My mother had so many plastic containers she wouldn’t notice if a few were missing. It didn’t seem right that he didn’t have turkey and gravy on Thanksgiving.
But this year was different.
Unprecedented.
I looked up from my book at the waves lapping the shore of the speckled white and brown beach. They made a gentle rippling sound.
My jaw dropped when Vaughn emerged from one of the waves. His body dripped with salt water. He held snorkeling flippers in one hand as he shoved the mask to the top of his head. He grinned.
“How’s the book?”
He shook his head, spraying water over my hot skin.
“Hey,” I squealed. “You’re getting me all wet.”
“Always the plan.” He sat next to me, dropping his gear in the sand. “Is it any good?” He pointed to the paperback in my hands.
“Do you know the last time I read a book that wasn’t full of legal briefs?” I mused.
“So that means it’s good?”
I nodded, laughing. “Yes. It’s very good.”
“Good.” He planted a kiss on my lips. I moaned, tasting the salt on his lips.
“Do that again,” I purred.
“Like this?” He pressed his mouth against mine, dipping his tongue inside, twisting and flicking until I was coming undone in the chaise. I wanted more.
“Yes, like that,” I answered breathily. “Want to know what it’s about?”
“Maybe I’ll read it when you are done. Tell me.” His eyes raked over the string bikini I wore. It was new. Vaughn had bought it for me at a boutique in the village.
“It’s about this man who moves to Africa to go into the diamond business, but ends up falling in love with this woman and they become diamond thieves.”
His eyebrows rose. “That’s what you’re reading.”
“From legal reviews to diamond heists.” I dragged my teeth across my lip.
He leaned down for another earth-shattering kiss. “I could see you as a sexy diamond burglar.”
I laughed. “I don’t think so.” I eyed him cautiously.
