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“Is everything with you a competition?” she asked as I held my hand out to her to help her inside.
“With you.” I sat next to her, the warm water feeling good on my skin.
It felt like she was too far away, so I pulled her closer. I had a feeling Gia was used to pushing people away. Either men were naturally intimidated by her, and she was protecting herself, or she avoided intimacy.
Whatever the reason, I wouldn’t let her pull away from me. Not tonight.
“What are you doing?” she asked when I set her in my lap.
“Holding you.”
She looked at me with uncertainty before finally asking, “Why?”
“Because I want to.” That was a little surprising for me. I enjoyed sex, but I never cared about the aftermath. I didn’t need to cuddle with a woman or keep her close. But I wanted to with her.
She settled on my leg, in the circle of my arms. “You’re different than I expected.”
I loved the feel of her naked body. She was so free and confident. She didn’t have any insecurities. “How so?”
She laughed, but it sounded a little insecure. “I thought you’d kick me out afterward.”
“Why would you have sex with someone like that?” I asked, turning her so I could see her face.
“I prefer that, actually. I don’t do relationships, remember?”
“Just because you aren’t interested in a relationship doesn’t mean sex has to be cold and unfeeling.”
She didn’t have a response to that.
I suspected I’d thrown her off again. I loved doing that to her.
“Do you live here full time?” Gia finally asked, and I suspected this was her way to move on from a vulnerable topic, and I let it go for now.
“This is just easier when I’m working.”
“I can see that. No commute. Beautiful accommodations.”
“Who wouldn’t want to live in a five-star resort?” I murmured into her hair, breathing her in.
“I wouldn’t.” Her shoulders stiffened.
“You seem like a woman who enjoys luxury.” She wore designer purses and shoes. Her brothers teased her about it over the years, but she said they were her symbols of success.
“Mmm. I do.”
“But not a penthouse?” I turned her slightly so that she was facing me yet still able to enjoy the view of the water.
She pursed her lips. “I prefer a home. I don’t think I’d want to live in a hotel.”
“I feel as if I’m alone. The staff doesn’t intrude when I’m here.”
Gia’s gaze narrowed on me. “I would have expected that you’d have them wait on you hand and foot.”
“I like my privacy. Downstairs, they’re all Mr. Sharpe this and Mr. Sharpe that. Up here, I can just be myself.”
Gia nodded. “That makes sense.”
I traced a path on her arm, content to just be with her. To get to know her better. I knew what her brothers said about her, that she was driven and hardworking.
