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Fifteen
The surface of the pool sparkled in the sunshine. They were on the rooftop, overlooking the lake, trees and mountains. Plenty of boats were out today, their passengers sunbathing on decks or following behind on water skis.
“Rather be boating?” Bran asked from beside her. His tanned body was stretched out on a lounge chair, arm thrown over his head, sunglasses hiding his closed eyes, a pair of yellow swim trunks covering her favorite part of him. Although, to be fair she had a lot of favorite parts of him. Starting with his hair, followed closely by the sharp straight nose, contoured perfect mouth, the column of his throat leading down to his wide chest. Her eyes traveled down to the bumps of his abs, a perfect “innie” belly button and long strong legs. He even had nice feet.
“I can feel you staring at me.” One of those eyes peeked open and he turned to face her. His white, sharklike grin was cunning and reminded her of every yummy thing they’d done last night. If there was anything that made her want to leave the pool or the precious sunshine, it was the promise of more Brannon Knox.
“I’m not staring,” she lied. “I’m thinking and happened to zone out on you.”
He pulled off his sunglasses and sat up. And no, she did not miss when his abs contracted with movement. “Thinking about what? The hours of foreplay thing? I meant that. Say the word. Our rooms are a short elevator’s ride away.”
She couldn’t hide her smile, and his answering one told her he’d read her mind.
Early this morning, she’d woken and rolled to her side to admire him asleep next to her. She’d realized with a gut-wrenching certainty that keeping her heart out of the bedroom was more challenging than she’d previously imagined.
By leaving his bed and climbing into her own, she’d hoped to pull herself up from the emotional tailspin she saw coming. She worried if she’d stayed there awake next to him, she would’ve watched him sleep, counting his thick, numerous lashes, or tracing the outline of his amazing body under the sheet so that the night would forever torment her memory.
And she thought she needed to forget about him. Because last night wasn’t supposed to happen—and sure as hell wasn’t supposed to happen again.
Now she’d agreed to stay another night with him for one reason and one reason only: she still wanted him. She’d had a hard time compartmentalizing. The memories of the time they spent together followed her from bed to breakfast. By the time he admitted he wanted her again she’d been powerless to resist.
“I was serious before,” she started.
“About?”
“About stopping by Pestle & Pepper on the way back. Since you’ve never been there.” It was likely her only chance to take him. P&P was technically in River Grove, but she reasoned that driving by the exit counted as part of this trip. “Would you like to stop?”
“Heck, yes.” With that, he slid his sunglasses back onto his perfect nose and closed his eyes to soak up some more sun.
It must be nice to not worry about the future. Then again, he’d worried plenty earlier this year. She remembered him taut with frustration when Royce had been named CEO. Bran had come a long way. She understood why he didn’t want to think any more. Why he wanted to indulge in the present.
The difference was, his indulgence was a fun sex-filled weekend. Hers risked her very heart and soul.
Drama queen, Joe’s voice whispered in her ear.
Am not, she argued back, but he was sort of right. Indulging in Bran didn’t mean she had to be emotionally crippled once she arrived home. She should give herself some credit.
That’s better, Joe encouraged.
“Look who it is,” a familiar voice said—a real one this time. She shielded her eyes as her mother approached, Addi’s father behind her. “I thought we’d missed you.”
“Nope, just grabbing some sun before we, uh, check out.” No way was she telling her mom and dad about staying another night.
“We were on our way out, but we can stay for a drink. Brannon, darling, would you like a drink?” her mother sang.
“He’s sleeping,” Addi said at the same time Bran said, “Sure.”
So agreeable.
“Let’s move to the café, dear.” Her mother lowered her voice but not low enough when she said, “Much as I like admiring his chest, he should dress before discussing business.”
“I’ll hand it to her,” Bran told Addi as they strolled inside. “Your mom has some balls.”
She groaned. Her mother had been an embarrassing disaster. She’d grilled him about everything but his banking information, and even then, Addi had half expected her to ask.
“I’m sorry. They’re completely embarrassing.”
“It’s fine. I was the one who agreed to a drink. Nothing I couldn’t handle.” His hand in hers, he towed her in for a quick kiss. She was going to miss that when they arrived back home.
