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The way her eyes moved over my body expressed what parts of me she wanted to enjoy.
“How long do you need?”
“I’m ready now. Just need to eat something.”
“We can order food poolside; I’ll reserve a cabana at the rooftop pool.”
“Ohh, I might like this. You’d better be careful about rolling out the red carpet.”
“I think I can handle your demands.”
I left her there, heading to my room to set things up with a feeling of satisfaction swarming in my gut. She had no idea just how little she was requesting of me versus how much I was willing to offer.
An hour later we were in a private cabana enjoying the luxuries of the space with Jhorie next to me in a one piece that might as well have been considered a bikini since the only thing holding it together were two large gold rings on each side. She was stunning and the smooth tangerine color against her skin made her look as edible as the fresh fruit she was enjoying.
“I miss this weather,” Jhorie randomly stated as she tilted her face to the sun. I admired the length of her neck and fought to keep from dragging my tongue over it, down to the curve of her breasts, before engaging. I knew she had recently moved back to Crescent Falls but hadn’t been informed on where she’d been prior.
“Is this where you lived before returning to your old stomping grounds?”
She slowly lowered her face, allowing her eyes to meet mine. “Yes, I went to college out here and stayed after I graduated.”
“Was it just the weather that kept you here?”
“Pretty much. I also have a close friend here.”
“Do you plan on seeing her while we’re here? I don’t mind…”
“Who says it’s a her?” She arched a brow and I held her gaze.
“If it’s not aher, you won’t be seeing whoever that friend is.”
She smiled and lifted her glass, taking a sip of her fruity drink. “I thought about inviting her here for lunch. She would kill me if she knew I was here and didn’t reach out but she’s also busy so...” Something shifted in her expression that had me digging deeper.
“It’s none of my business and if you don’t want to share I won’t push but I have to ask…”
“Ask what?”
“Are you running? Is that why you came back to Crescent Falls? Why you’re not interested in seeing someone you consider a close friend, why you’re choosing to live at The Manor?” I lowered my gaze and placed a hand on her thigh. “If you are, let’s talk about it, I can help.”
The thought of anyone harming Jhorie had my muscles locked tightly and ready for action. She wasn’t mine, but I would defend her like she was. Defending her meant physical harm to anyone who was stupid enough to mistreat her.
“I’m not running,” she rushed out then amended, “At least not in the way you’re assuming. No one is after me or trying to hurt me. I didn’t leave an abusive relationship and I’m not hiding.”
“Then what are you doing? There’s something and I want to know,” I demanded and she looked away before her eyes met mine again.
“My ex…”
“What about him?” I gritted a little more aggressively than I should have. She smiled softly and brushed her fingers over the back of my hand resting on her knee.
“He’s a lot of bad choices and a lot of years wasted.”
“Which means?”
“I was a challenge he wanted to conquer and when he did, he stopped pretending we were in a real relationship. His idea of doing his part was throwing money at me. I quit my job because he wanted all my time. I didn’t mind because I wantedhim, the life he promised and not the money. I won’t say it wasn’t an added bonus. More than anything I wanted the future he’d promised me. For four years he made promises and I believed him until I didn’t. I walked away.”
“And he let you?”
She rolled her eyes. “He thinks this is temporary but he’s too arrogant to chase me so he hasn’t tried. According to my best friend, he knows where I am. She’s engaged to his business partner, so he asks her about me but hasn’t come looking for me.”
