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Dustin wrinkled his nose. “Whatever you say.”
She laughed from the bedroom, a husky sound that went straight to his dick. “I don’t mind ebooks. I have an app on my phone for when I get stuck places and forget a paperback, but staring at a screen isn’t the same.”
Dustin preferred reading on his iPad, but to each their own.
He clapped his hands, then rubbed them together, speaking loudly, “Well, if you don’t need any help in here getting settled, I was going to take a swim. Do you care to join me?”
The rustling in the back room stopped, and he wondered what her expression was at this moment. Was she disgusted, thinking he was asking her with nefarious plans in mind?
“No thanks, I’m really tired. I think I’m going to just get in my pjs and start a new book.”
Probably best. He didn’t know if he could handle seeing Rylie in a bathing suit, soaking wet and…
Shit, I need to just stop thinking. “Okay, well, feel free to use the pool anytime.”
She walked out into the hallway wearing a T-shirt and sweats. Her hair was sweaty and pulled up in a haphazard bun, and she still had that little streak of dust he’d noticed hours ago.
Somehow, he found this look just as attractive.
She smiled shyly, clutching a book in her hand. “I really appreciate you letting me stay here, and I promise I won’t bother you.”
Dustin frowned, the urge to tell her he wanted her to bother him strong.
He really needed that swim.
* * * *
Rylie finished washing her face and brushing her teeth ten minutes later, embarrassed when she’d seen how dirty and disgusting she was. Now, feeling at least halfway human, she sat down in the big, comfy chair in the living room, pushing her glasses up her nose. She wore contacts outside the house but at home, it was nice to give her eyes a rest.
Besides, if she started crying, she didn’t want to deal with her contact lenses getting all funky.
It still hadn’t really hit her that three years of her life with someone was over. She didn’t regret leaving, but the ache was still there. She should have left sooner, when it started to get bad, but it was hard to let go of her first love and after losing her dad… Well, it was tough saying good-bye.
Rylie wiped at her cheek as she opened her new T.J. Kline romance, being careful not to break the spine. She’d just reached the part where the heroine was stuck hanging over the front seat of her car with her butt in the air when she heard a splash and looked up.
Outside the glass doors, she watched Dustin pop up over the side of the pool, and climb out, the solar lights illuminating what she’d already thought was underneath all his snappy suits.
Dustin was built. Like washboard abs, broad shoulders that nipped down into narrow hips, and firm, muscular legs built.
Rylie swallowed hard as he walked by her door to the end of the pool and dove in, disappearing from sight.
She shook herself, her cheeks heating as she realized that she’d been ogling him. She was supposed to be immune to men, completely swearing off the entire lot.
She was obviously one sick individual.
Trying to concentrate on her book again, she was distracted by every splash outside and when she read the same line three times, she finally gave up, slid her bookmark into place, and stood. She picked up her cell phone from the counter and dialed Marley, turning her back to the glass door.
“Hey, I was just about to call you. Are you doing okay?” Marley asked after the second ring.
“Yeah, I’m good. Swearing off men, of course.”
“I don’t blame you. I want to kick his ass—”
“Don’t please? It’s over now, and despite how it ended, it wasn’t all bad. I just want to move on with no regrets.”
“Good for you. So, where did you end up? Are you at the Love Shack Hotel?”
Rylie bit her lip. Marley was her friend and she loved her, but if she told her she was staying in Dustin’s pool house, she would blow a gasket. Probably call Rylie crazy.
