However, as she rested her head against his shoulder, she couldn’t find the strength to tell him no. Besides, he was stalking forward with such purpose and intensity that she didn’t have the heart to dampen his enthusiasm.
The other truth, which she didn’t want to admit even to herself, was that she liked the feel of his sculpted body, the hardness of his chest, and the heat of his arms. His breathing echoed near her ear and against her cheek, tickling her in the best possible way and sending tingles down her arms.
When he stepped off the wooded trail and into a clearing, he came to a halt.
She glanced around to find what looked like a gated pool area and an elegant pool house. From the sulfur scent lingering in the air, she knew where they were. The hot springs.
16
Tyler didn’t want to put Kinsey down, but he had to in order to open the locked gate that led to the hot springs. Besides, now that the paths were paved and smooth and kept perfectly clean, he had no excuse for holding her.
Reluctantly, he lowered her to the ground.
She stepped forward and peered through the gate. “I didn’t realize the hot springs were open at night.”
“Technically, the area is closed.”
“Then what are we doing here?”
“We’re using the pools anyway.” He pulled out his master key card. “One of the perks of being the owner.”
“I take it this isn’t the first time you’ve snuck in here.”
“Definitely not.” He swiped his card, and the gate clicked open. He stepped aside and waved her ahead of him.
She hesitated. “Is this where you take all your women at the end of your dates?”
Was there a note of jealousy in her voice? “I thought you said this wasn’t a date.”
“It’s not. Absolutely not.”
“Then does it matter?”
“I just don’t want you thinking you can bring me here and…you know.”
“No, I don’t know. Illuminate me.”
She snorted, then moved past him, her pretty silver gown shimmering in the moonlight and reflecting against her hair,which was loose, the brown soft with highlights. He hadn’t been able to stop admiring the long strands since she’d met him in the restaurant dining room after changing clothing.
He closed the gate and stood beside her as she took it all in. The solar-powered ground lights around the hot spring and other pools glowed all night. The underwater lights in the pools illuminated the crystal-clear water along with the stone interiors. The paths that wound through the various levels of pools were also made of stone, the same color and patterns as those inside the pools, but larger. Everything, including the landscaping, was elegant and intended to wow the guests.
Was it wowing her? He hoped so.
“So,” he probed. “What is it you think I do with my dates when I bring them to the hot spring at the end of the night?”
“Tyler McQuaid.” Her voice sounded scandalized, and she padded quickly down a path—the wrong path.
He lunged forward and grasped her arm, bringing her to a halt.
With a hitch of her breath, she swung around, her eyes wide and luminous and her lips parted. What had given her the impression he was a womanizer?
His gaze dropped to her mouth, to those open lips, so pretty, so sassy, so perfect. Suddenly the thought of kissing Kinsey was right there at the front of his mind.
“Did you bring Nettie out here last night?” Kinsey whispered.
He couldn’t keep a smile from creeping out. “You’re jealous.”
She clamped her lips closed, glared at him, then spun and started walking again. “No, I’m not.”
