Lexi smiles, and my heart does this stupid little flip thing I’m so glad no one can see. “Sure. I have time now that I don’t have Miriam’s laser eyes beaming on me.”
I nod, sorry she’s been suffering. It’s quiet between us as I lead her into the walk-in closet where our clothes are hanging on respective sides. I’ve set my laptop up against the far wall. With Lexi this close, the space immediately seems to hug itself tight.Being without WiFi has been weirdly gratifying; I’m getting more done that I anticipated, as I can focus on my work without any distractions. At some point I’ll need to connect and send things off to the producers, but that I’ll be able to do from the office.
I sit down on the hard chair that came with the desk and move my mouse to wake up the screen. I log in with my password, and it opens to a clip I’ve been working on.
“That’s—Whatisthat?” Lexi leans in, and her ponytail swings over my shoulder.
“It’s a sea slug.”
“It’s too cute to be a slug. It’s all pink and orange and pretty.”
“True. DoesCadlinella ornatissimasound better?”
She rolls her eyes and perches a hand on the desk, shrinking the space between us further. She leans closer. “Yes, but still, it’s so tiny for such a big name.”
I smile. “Yes, hardly half of my pinky. Have you ever been snorkeling or diving?”
“No. I—” She breaks off. “Being in the open water… You know it makes me nervous. The boat ride here was enough of a test.”
“You did so well, though.” I run a finger over hers where our hands rest on the desk, needing to touch and reassure her. “We won’t go in deep. You’ll be able to stand all the way. And I’ll be with you and hold your hand.”
Lexi chuckles as she pulls away, just out of reach. “I don’t think we’ll have time.”
I know her. She’s so desperate to prove herself to Beaumont that she’d rather work than make time to go snorkeling in a World Heritage Site. Work is always the perfect excuse, and one she’s been abusing for years.
“We’ll have time. Once you’re comfortable in your role, book a spot. The reefs here are something you need to see, and we can do a walk-in snorkel.”
For a long minute she’s quiet. “Okay.” She bites her lip. “It would be nice, but only if you hold my hand as promised.”
“I won’t let go, babes.” I reach for her hair and move it so I can see her face.
She stills as my hand brushes against her neck, and after a few seconds that feel like an eternity, she straightens and steps away. All I want is to hold her here with my hand on her hip. And I don’t want to stop there. I want to stroke my palm down that sexy little skirt and trail my hand up the inside of her naked thigh to feel how wet she is. For me. Just like she was that one time all those years ago.
Funny thing? I can smell her and it’s driving me freaking nuts. She’s so close that her essence is putting my caveman instinct on full alert.Fuck.
Stop being such a fucking dick, dude. You had your chance and blew it.
“I’ve got to go,” she murmurs.
No, she doesn’t. I can’t stop my stupid single-focus male brain from flitting through these thoughts. It’s after lunch. Everybody knows what happens after lunch. I stand, and she takes another step closer to the closet’s open door. If simply sleeping next to each other does this to us, what would getting it on be like with her?As if I haven’t been wondering that for five long years.
“Are you diving tonight?”
I blink, trying to drag my head out of the gutter. “Yeah.”
“I’ll leave something for you to eat in the fridge.”
“Thanks. You know I appreciate that, right?”
“It’s the least I can do as your fake fiancée.” With a wink, she walks out of the closet, and I follow suit, stopping in the doorwayto lean against it with folded arms. She doesn’t realize it yet, but I’m watching as she rinses her face in the sink. Yep, she’s hot and bothered all right.
Lexi reaches for a towel and pats her face dry. When she notices I’m there, she turns to me with a huff. “What?”
“Nothing.” I uncross my arms and reach up with both hands to hang on the door frame. This move hitches up my T-shirt and will show her more than my six-pack if she dares to look lower. I’m playing dirty but loving it. “Since you’ll be asleep by the time I get to bed, I just wanted to say…sweet dreams, babes.”
Her cheeks turn pink, and her eyes tell me she felt every snap of tension in that closet. Not only that, she wants everything my mind conjured up while she stood next to me—my hand between her legs, sliding closer and closer, until I can finally dip into those panties and circle my finger around her clit.
Now she narrows her eyes, resolve solidifying. I bet she wants to flip me off sooo hard.
