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“Okay.”
Preston and Gavin had been manning the barbecues and at that moment; they brought huge trays of meat to a table set up on the deck. The table was also covered with a platter of corn on the cob, bowls of potato salad, and various other dishes and vegetables. Reese piled her plate high and took a seat next to Grady at one of the patio tables. He was chatting with Mika, a defenseman on the team. Reese passively listened, and when Mika got up to refill his plate, Grady turned to her.
“Having fun?”
“Yes. Everyone here has been great and so accepting. How about you?”
“I’m meeting some new teammates. So far so good. But what I really want to do is head back to the cottage and spend some quality time with you.”
“And your mom?”
“Maybe we can slip something in her drink?”
She playfully slapped him arm. “We go home tomorrow. You can spend quality time with me then.”
“Or later tonight after we put my mom to bed.”
“You’re insatiable.”
“Can you blame me?”
She thought about this as she ate a forkful of pasta salad. She hated comparing Grady to Jordy, but even during the first few months they’d dated, not once had he given her the impression that he needed to have her. That he wanted to have sex with her every second of the day. In fact, he’d never given her the impression that he’d ever really needed her or that she was important at all. Not like Grady.
“All right, how about this,” Reese said, tracing her finger up and down his forearm. “Let’s stay at least another hour, then quietly slip out. We can head back to the cottage and see if we can sneak back into your room. What happens after that is up to you.”
His gaze moved from her fingers to her eyes, and she could see the desire raging inside his own. “I’m not sure I can wait that long.”
“What if I said I’d make it worth your while?”
“Then one hour it is.”
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Her weekend at Muskoka ended far too soon, and then it was back to reality and to her office. She forwarded pictures to Daria for social media posts, then looked over product samples. John didn’t think it was a good time for her to meet with clients just yet, but she did have input on ad campaigns and product releases. So far, her plus-size line was still on hold, even though stock was piling up.
They worked through lunch. Daria ran to the deli across the street and came back with salad and sandwiches.
“You took some great pictures,” Daria said, scrolling through them on her phone as she took a bite of her BLT.
“It’s pretty easy when the subject of those pictures is gorgeous,” Reese said. “And the Radcliffes’ place in Muskoka is lovely. I had a really good time, and it ended way too soon.”
One of Daria’s eyebrows arched. “Do you have a little crush on him?”
“I do have a pulse,” Reese said, hoping to change the subject. But Daria wasn’t having it.
“Maybe the two of you could make your fake relationship real?”
Reese shrugged.
Daria pointed at her. “A-ha! You’re blushing. Did something happen between the two of you?”
“Nothing serious. If something happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, well, that’s okay too.”
Reese knew she had to be careful. As close as she’d become close to Daria, she was still Daria’s boss, and sharing too much with her was unprofessional. But at the same time, Daria was a trusted confidante.
“I think he’d be a nice change,” Daria said, spearing a chunk of tomato. “He’s also adorable.”
“I know, but after Jordy, I think it’s best I keep things strictly platonic. Besides, I’m still dealing with Jen. Any news on that front?”
