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She couldn’t wait.
“FRAZIER CONNELLY, DON’T YOUdare!”
Ignoring Rylee’s warning, he unceremoniously tossed her in the pool. When she surfaced to the top, spluttering water, he laughed. “That’s what you get for putting ice cubes down my back.”
With that said, he laughed even louder and went back to the grill. Although he’d told her he didn’t like cooking, he was a pro at throwing steaks on the grill, thanks to Striker. His nephew-in-law boasted about his grilling skills--Striker had a right to be proud. His grilled steaks were always melt-in-your-mouth-delicious—so Frazier had asked Striker to show him how he did it. Surprisingly, Striker had done exactly that, and had even shared his special seasonings. Now, whenever Frazier came to the island to relax, he made it a point to grill often. Usually, just for himself. It felt nice having someone share his time here.
After a delicious breakfast prepared by Baylor, they had taken an early morning walk on the beach, then had returned an hour later to grab good walking shoes toexplore the dunes and go hiking. Baylor had prepared lunch for them, and they’d ended up having a picnic in a spot that faced the ocean.
Rylee had told him how much she loved this place and he was glad to hear it. Because he definitely planned to invite her back. He’d had this place for close to four years now and she was the first woman he’d ever invited to join him here. He’d considered the island his private place, but having Rylee here made it even better. In fact, he couldn’t imagine coming back here without her.
As he flipped the steaks, he glanced over at Rylee who was just getting out the pool. She looked good in that bathing suit. She might be in her late thirties, but she had the figure of a woman a lot younger than that.
“I hope you know there will be payback, Frazier.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. But just so you know, turnabout’s fair play,” was his reply.
He was enjoying her company. And what he enjoyed even more was the way she let him know how much she enjoyed their kisses. When he had knocked on her bedroom door to escort her down to breakfast, she had surprised him by opening the door, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.
Of course, he had kissed her back and when it had ended, they’d both been panting for breath. She’d told him she had enjoyed their kiss so much the day before, she’d been anxious to start the day off with another one. He’d told her she could kiss him anytime she felt like it. He smiled. It was just a little past noon and already, they’d shared a lot of kisses. Hot kisses, drugging kisses, need-to-get-to-the-next-level kisses.
He watched as she dried herself off and felt himself getting aroused just from watching her. It was hard to believe she had a daughter who would soon graduate from college. She had told him a lot about Ireland, even the fact the girl knew Rylee was on the island with him and actually thought it was cool.
One of the things they needed to talk about was what would happen when they returned to Charlottesville. He hoped she would agree to continue what they’d started here and wanted her to be comfortable if they did.
She’d admitted to never dating someone who worked within the company and he never had either. But the last thing he wanted was for her to think that was an obstacle. He’d never allowed any of his employees to get into his business and didn’t intend to start now. Okay…there was Mattie. She was in his business all the time, whether he allowed it or not. But even she knew how far she could push him. Most of the time.
“The steaks smell good.”
He glanced up. Rylee had come to stand beside him. “Are we talking now?” he asked her. She’d sworn that if he tossed her in the pool, she would stop talking to him.
She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess so. Besides, if your mouth is off limits, I can’t kiss you whenever I want.”
He couldn’t help but grin at that. “Good point. While the meat finishes cooking, there is something I want to talk to you about.”
“Sounds serious.”
“No, not really,” he said, taking her hand and leading her over to the patio table. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Sure,” she said smiling. “You’ve spoiled me since I’ve been here. I won’t know how to act when we get back to Charlottesville.”
He could not have planned a timelier opening that that. “I hope you won’t act like you don’t know me when we get home.”
She lifted a brow. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that I want things to continue between us, once we’re back in Charlottesville. I don’t want this weekend to be one and done.”
• • •
Rylee glanced at the pool, trying to gather her thoughts. She didn’t want this weekend to be one and done either. She enjoyed Frazier’s company. She enjoyed their conversations, their walks on the beach. The picnic. And their kisses. She definitely liked their kisses.
She glanced back at him. Didn’t she deserve some happiness in her life. After her divorce from Boris, she hadn’t been interested in getting involved with any man. Instead, she’d built her life around her daughter. And, as far as sex went, how could she miss what she’d never had much of anyway?
Rylee thought about all the kisses she’d shared with Frazier. Nowthose, she would miss. “So what’s the game plan, Frazier? How do you think we should handle things when we get back? Because I don’t want this weekend to be one and done either.”
Surprise lit his features and she couldn’t help but smile. “Did I shock you?”
“Yes, to be honest. I expected to have to plead my case.”
