Dane makes his way over to me. “You look gorgeous laid out like that.”
“We can connect to each other and chat while we soak up the sun. And hope I don’t fall off.” I laugh and roll my eyes at myself. I’m sure it was comical and video-worthy.
He swims to grab the turtle float. Watching him leap onto it, I stare at his back muscles that flex as he effortlessly lifts himself onto it.
Lying on his back, his body is a fine piece of art. I’m gawking.
“Do you like what you see?” Ah, he definitely caught me—everything about him is irresistible. I actually don’t know why I haven’t ripped off my swimsuit and thrown myself at him. Oh, I know we’d have an audience. Although I highly doubt they would mind watching us in the pool. It would be entertaining for them.
Get your head out of the gutter.
“Always.” I toss back at him.
There are already beads of sweat on my forehead. To cool off, I roll off into the pool. When I finally bounce up to the surface, Dane is on top of me. Picking me up and twirling me. My body relaxes in his arms as I arch my back and throw my arms up while he continues to twirl me.
I lean into him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He whispers in my ear, “I love seeing you like this. A smile on your face and your spirit free. That’s what I remember about you. Itwas you who hooked me all those weeks ago, and I wouldn’t change it.”
This afternoon with Dane sounds like we may have a carefree afternoon. He even seems relaxed. “Hey, what about work?”
“It will be there when I get back later. Logan and one of our associates are taking on the big case without me. So I can wrap up some of these smaller cases.”
“Well, you look a hell of a lot less stressed than when I saw you this morning.”
As he grabs my ass and lifts me up, I wrap my legs around him. He moves with steady purpose, the gentle resistance of the water parting around us as we drift toward the wall.
“Taking care of things relieves stress, and being with you makes me happy.”
His vulnerability. I know it’s written all over my face—my cheeks hurt. “I don’t hide much, so you probably already know this, but when you walked onto the deck, I was thrilled to see you. You know how much I like a good surprise.”
That mischievous grin has me a little concerned, in a good way. He is taking mental notes right now, but I don’t mind. His fingers reach up and pull on a few strands of my hair. I can’t help but lick my lips.
“Can I tell you something?” he says, dragging his thumb over my bottom lip. It’s so light—my eyes close.
THIRTY-FOUR
Dane
“Look at me.” It comes out as a demand.
Her eyes open wide. “Okay.” She sinks deeper into my lap.
Thinking back to the events that led us here, it’s nothing but a miracle that we are holding each other. Protecting her, while enjoying her, all of her.
“We’ve been so caught up in the Jake bullshit. Could you tell me more about how you came up with the idea for the salon and spa? We didn’t talk about it over the weekend. So tell me…”
“It will take a few hours. Are you available for that?”
“I’m available for all of it, sweetheart.” I mean every word. I’m not leaving—she’s mine. My heart is filled and about to explode. She makes me feel things, things I haven’t felt before—ever.
“Buckle up, babe,” she says to me with a playful shake of my shoulder. She called me babe. I like the ring of that. I nod for her to continue.
“After college, I worked a research job and hated every minute. Corporate was not my jam at all. I thought I’d get used to it, especially making the kind of money I did. I’d be set in afew years. But a year in, it was awful. Some men in leadership took advantage of the younger women on staff—it was hard to stomach. I knew I needed to get out. But I stayed another year, mostly to buy time while I figured out my next move.”
I interject, “Were you taken advantage of?”
She massages my temples, and my shoulders relax. “No, I wasn’t, but it was exhausting trying to console all the women affected.”
My body is catching up with what she said. It wasn’t her. This woman has me wrapped around her finger, and I like it that way. “Thankfully.”
