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She leads us to an elaborate bedroom with a four-poster bed, a private deck with a table, and an ocean view.
As soon as she closes the door, I check out the ginormous bathroom. It’s almost the size of my bedroom with a huge whirlpool tub for two and a walk-in shower.
“Why don’t I sleep here?” I say, motioning toward the giant tub.
“I’m not going to let you sleep in a bathtub,” Lucas insists. “I’ll take the floor.”
I glance at the hard Mexican tile. “That’s going to be torture on your back.”
“It’s one night.” He checks his watch. “We have an hour until we need to start dinner prep. What are you going to do?”
I pull a book from my purse. “Find a spot to read.”
“Do you mind if I take a nap here?” Lucas says, sitting on the bed.
“Be my guest.”
There’s an uncomfortable silence as I figure out how to make this awkward situation less weird.
Lucas turns his back and pulls off his t-shirt. I sneak a glance at his bare back and notice the roping tendons and defined muscles. I always knew he had a great body, but this is ridiculous.
When he turns around, I pretend to be staring at my book. Which is still closed in my lap.
He climbs onto the bed and lies down, closing his eyes.
“Wake me in an hour?” he asks.
“Sure,” I say, pretending to look at the fresh flowers on my nightstand, while sneaking glances at Lucas’s six-pack. He’s not just fit, he’s a freaking rock star. The man must work out like a beast.
He opens one eye and catches me staring.
I glance back to my still closed book, my face flushing. It’s obvious I haven’t cracked it open.
“Did you need something?” he asks.
“No, no. I’m just going…” I stand and point to the door while backing up, like I’ve totally lost my ability to speak coherently. Seeing Lucas on the bed makes me want to curl up next to him. That’s his superpower. Attracting any girl he wants.
“You don’t have to leave,” he says. “If you want, you can read in here. I won’t bother you.”
Oh, you are bothering me. In so many ways.
“I guess,” I say, and sit on the edge of the bed. As far away as I can from Lucas’s body.
I lean against the headboard, book in hand, pretending to read. I can’t concentrate on one sentence. Not with Lucas sleeping next to me.
He nestles his head into the pillow. “Maybe later tonight, we can hang out,” he says sleepily.
I swallow, my eyes frozen on the page. “Okay. If you remember this when you wake up.”
“Oh, I’ll remember,” he says in a muffled voice.
His breathing falls into a rhythmic pattern, and he’s gone.
Which means I can stare at him all I want.
My eyes trace over his taut muscles. But I don’t want to get my hopes up. To wish for something I can’t have.
No man has ever appreciated my weird qualities like Lucas has. He’s made me feel seen for the first time.
