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She glanced at the tub, excitement coursing through her as she pictured a long bubble bath. Goosebumps raced along her spine to think that he might just be two doors away when she took that bath. Naked. Ooh, or maybe he could join her in the bath. It looked big enough for the two of them.
Lucy pulled her bikini on in the bathroom. Her stomach was in knots. This was a lot of stress and nerves to be a relaxing vacation.
Maybe it was the jet lag and the surprise of it all. He'd smelled of coconut sunscreen when he'd kissed her awake. And that kiss...
She stepped out of the bathroom, and her stomach flipped as she walked to the glass door to join him in the pool.
It was like every kiss was better than the one before. She'd thought she'd built up their Christmas encounter as some kind of amazing thing in her head. She'd spent weeks convincing herself that it really wasn't as great as she remembered.
And now, he was sitting on the side of the pool in those bright blue swim trunks, his thighs as thick as—as...well, tree trunks.
She chuckled at herself. This was highly irregular, as she was normally so good with words. She'd spent her entire college life in the library, talking with professors. None of it was with kids her own age and her vocabulary showed that. Normally. Around everyone but him.
Another message from Taylor appeared.
Well? Did you find him yet?
Lucy sighed and replied.
Yeah, he's going to stay here with me.
But he's not after a relationship.
Not even sure if anything else will happen.
I call bullshit on that.
Of course, things are going to happen.
You're a gorgeous boss babe.
He's not a moron, is he?
Lucy chuckled and tossed her phone on the bed. That remained to be seen, but so far, he'd been an overall nice guy. Sure, he'd pulled a gun on her, and then there'd been the drug bust...
She frowned and stared at his profile. He was one of the most handsome men she'd ever met in real life, but his job really was chaotic and dangerous. It was a good thing they weren't in a relationship, because she would worry about him all the time.
She opened the door, and he turned to watch her walk to the pool. Goosebumps spattered her skin, but she lifted her chin and refused to let him see how much he affected her.
How much she hoped for a repeat performance from Christmas. How much she wanted to confirm that it wasn't a fluke, and it was really that good.
She stepped foot on the first stair into the pool and looked away from him.
"The hotel doesn't have any double bedrooms or any roll-away beds." He ran a hand through his hair, causing some to fall onto his forehead like an Elvis cowlick.
Her stomach dropped. He didn't really want to sleep in the bed with her after all. Of course he didn't. She wasn't the kind of girl guys jumped at the chance to be with. Her shoulders hunched as she took another step into the water. Her hand snaked around her waist to hide the curves.
His blue eyes met hers, chilling the fire coursing through her veins. She took a steadying breath and stepped further into the warm water. She had to fake it and act chill.
"Guess you're stuck with me," she said before launching herself into a breaststroke. She was proud of herself for her steady voice and carefree tone. She would not let him see how much that statement hurt her. It wasn't his fault she was built like this after all.
A few strokes and she reached the opposite end of the pool. He hopped off the edge into the water and swam toward her. She pushed off toward him. Neither of them talked until they met in the middle of the pool. Like two ships passing in the night, they both slowed to look at the other, but kept swimming as they passed.
"I don't mind being stuck with you. I just don't want to wake you up if I'm out on a stakeout or come back at odd hours," he said before he cut through the water to the opposite end behind her.
She kept pushing back to the stairs, and the burning in her lungs grew deeper. She hit the wall, turned to look at him, then pushed off to meet him in the middle again.
Taylor was right. She was a boss babe and didn't need him to have fun. She met him in the middle again and said, "That's ok. I'll probably be out dancing or partying or something. There's a whole island to explore."
