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That was all right. She’d wipe any concern away and show him they were meant to be together. And soon, she’d hear him say ‘Kiera.’ Her name on his lips would be almost as delicious as her lips on his.
Kiera barely resisted leaping into the air, swinging from the light fixture, and executing a perfect double backflip.
ChapterFive
Cooking was fabulous—teasingwith Mason about his lack of cooking ability, taking every opportunity to get close to him, brush his hand, flirt—but dinner was a little more stilted.
Sarah and Kiera worked to draw out Sergeant Josiah Naples, beginning with dropping to his first name only, and he finally seemed to relax. Sergeant Mueller ate with them, but nobody could draw him out. Private Silva ate while they cleaned up and then the four of them packed small bags with their swimsuits, flip-flops, and coverups. Mason teased Kiera that a princess shouldn’t clean up. She teased back that this princess had talents he’d never seen, earning her a smoldering look that made her heart race.
Finally, they made it to the Arenas Resort. Kiera loved this hotel’s spa area, and she gave them a quick tour. There was a separate, secluded area with a sauna, cold plunge, and hot baths. There was a sign in the ‘therapy spa’ section that instructed bathers to remove swimsuits. They’d all laughed a bit awkwardly about that. The main pool was huge, the perfect warm temperature, and had a whirlpool area and various jets to target every sore muscle from head to toe. Up on the rooftop, there were more hot tubs to take in the magnificent view.
After Mason swept the women’s locker room and a guard was stationed at each exit, Kiera and Sarah changed into their suits. Hers was from Lady Fit’s new swimwear line—a pale-blue one piece. She slid into her flip-flops, fashioned her long, dark hair into a ponytail, and hurried out to meet Sarah, who was in a red two-piece that showed off her curves.
“Why didn’t you wear the bikini I brought for you?” Sarah asked. She was a Christian, but she liked to push Kiera to reveal a little more skin.
Kiera got more than enough attention. Her friend didn’t understand, but a clothing malfunction because a skirt was too short or a neckline too daring would go viral if it happened to Augustine’s princess. The few times she’d naively done acrobatics in a skirt had confirmed that.
“I like this suit,” Kiera answered with a smile.
“You’re exquisitely gorgeous no matter what you wear. Let’s go. This place is off the charts!” Sarah grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the entrance that led into the pool areas. “And don’t worry. I’ll distract Josiah—he’s a cutie—and give you time alone with Mason. He’s miles and miles past cute … insanely hot. What a man.”
“You’re the best friend ever.” Kiera didn’t remind her friend she’d already said Mason was ‘insanely hot.’
They walked into the pool area and both stopped in their tracks. Kiera knew Sergeant Naples was standing right next to Mason and the other guards would be patrolling the area, but all she could see was Mason. She didn’t know that she’d ever seen him in a swimming suit. She tried to swallow and couldn’t.
His upper body was defined and lean, and his height gave his muscles a sinewy look that she absolutely favored. His abdomen was slightly hollowed out, making his chest muscles appear even more prominent and his shoulder muscles even broader. Every muscle was shredded. He could be on any poster and women would pay outrageous money for it. The fact that he wasn’t on posters or modeling somewhere, that she’d never glimpsed him without a shirt on and this show was for her and her alone, made her love him even more.
Her gaze traveled slowly to his face. His handsome, sculpted, irresistible face. She expected those blue eyes to be twinkling at her and his mouth lopsided in his smirky smile. Instead, his mouth and jaw were slack and his eyes were simply fastened on her, not blinking, not laughing, just staring.
For the second time today, she found her smile was … shy. Kiera was never shy but as she stood there with the man she’d long loved openly admiring her, she was shy and full of hope. Her plan was genius. She would finally get Mason to fall in love with her.
Sarah slapped her on the butt and made her jump and laugh. Her friend hurried over to Josiah and grabbed his muscular arm. “Can we try out the steam room first?”
Josiah smiled at her, but he looked to Mason. His superior. Mason nodded. His eyes glinted with humor. “Sure. We’ll come with you to make certain the swimsuits stay on in the therapy spa section.”
Kiera wished he’d let the two of them go off alone, and then they could switch and have some time alone, but she was shocked he’d referenced swimsuits staying on. Just teasing like he always was. There was no way her dream man would ever …
Kiera swallowed hard, and her stomach turned over. Was Mason a true player? She’d never asked, hadn’t wanted to know about who he was dating, but she knew he dated a lot of different women.
“Oh, sir, I would never …” Josiah appeared embarrassed.
“Be careful saying never, Sergeant.” Mason focused on Kiera. “Sometimes that word can bite you.”
Kiera glanced at Sarah in confusion, but her friend couldn’t seem to muddle that one out either.
“Let’s go.” Kiera grabbed Mason’s hand, pushing away the uncomfortable moment and any doubts about him. He was as full of integrity and purity as she had always believed. He’d been teasing. He was always teasing.
Mason startled, but settled quickly.
“We’re supposed to look like a couple, remember?” She winked at him and gestured to the floor to ceiling windows surrounding the main pool area. Anyone walking by could see in and take pictures.
“I doubt I could forget that if I tried.”
Did he want to forget it?
“I’m sure you’ve done the spa therapy at the castle,” she said. “This is similar.”
They walked hand in hand down the steps into the isolated and quiet spa area. It felt so right to have her hand in his. Kiera had a wonderful family, a busy, fulfilling life, and many and various experiences, but it somehow felt like she’d been waiting for this moment all her life. Mason by her side, their hands clasped, happiness and shared experiences waiting for them.
