Once he saw what she was wearing, he wished she had. He’d said pajamas. He specifically had said pajamas. What she was wearing…well he wouldn’t call it pajamas. Scrap of lace around her top, swirls of silk ending right below her hips, maybe. Pajamas, no. He should have specified flannel, with feet.
He attempted to pull his gaze away, not easy when a sex goddess was standing in front of him. Finally he managed, pointing to the beds. “Take whichever one you want. I’m uh, just…going to…um…”
“Use the bathroom?” She smirked. Damn it. She was enjoying his discomfort. And why should he be uncomfortable? He saw her in a bathing suit every day. Heck he’d kissed and caressed her while wearing it. The bathing suit was for swimming though. This scrap of lace sure as heck wasn’t for sleeping. The thoughts of what it was for seared through him.
Forcing a smile he mumbled, “Good night, Meg. Happy birthday.”
He quickly ducked into the bathroom thinking he should take a cold shower. Settling for splashing cold water on his face and neck, he took his time hoping she’d be completely under the covers when he came out. Luck was with him, she was.
She’d chosen the bed by the sliding glass door to the balcony. Moonlight crept in bathing her in a dusky blue glow. Her bare shoulders gleamed in the muted shadows drawing his attention back to what that nightgown was made for. He pulled all the resolve he could muster and slid into the other bed.
“Chris.” Her sweet voice floated the few feet to reach him. “Thanks again for today. You have no idea how much it meant to me. The spa, clothes, and dinner, they were great. The best thing though, was that I had someone to share it with. Thank you.”
There was a catch in her voice as she said the last words. What he’d actually love to give her was the last two years of her life back. That wasn’t possible though. He’d made her life a little easier recently and for that he was grateful. “You’re welcome, Meg. I was happy to share it with you. Good night.”
“Good night.”
He stared at her silhouette as she adjusted in the bed, longing to hold her and let her know it would all work out. A few other things he’d like to do crossed his mind. But he wouldn’t. He’d already given himself the lecture. Facing away from her he closed his eyes wishing for sleep to come quickly, knowing it wouldn’t.
Chapter 15
Meg woke to sunlight warming her face though she knew it wasn’t the cause. Noise was coming from the bathroom, Chris must be up. She glanced at the clock, it was only eight. They had three hours until check out. Did he want to leave this early or would they be able to stick around a little longer? She had tonight off too. If she didn’t have to go back to Miami yet, she’d be happy. The resort was nice but it still reminded her of her mistakes.
“Oh, sorry, did I wake you? I was trying to be quiet.” Chris exited the bathroom wearing lightweight drawstring pants and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. It was unbuttoned and she stole a quick glance at his chest. Not that she didn’t see it during the days they hung out by the pool, but she could never get tired of looking.
“It’s amazing how early I can wake up if I haven’t been schlepping drinks until three in the morning.”
Slipping out of bed, she moved toward him. He turned to fuss with something on the dresser but kept his eyes on her in the mirror. When she stepped closer his breath hitched. Apparently the nightgown was having an effect on him. She looked down to see what he was playing with, a napkin with writing on it.
“What’s that?”
He picked it up showing her. “It’s some information I got yesterday from an informant while you were getting primped and pampered. There’s a small building down here that we suspect is housing some of Moreno’s merchandise. I was thinking I might take a walk along the beach to check it out. From the road it’s only accessible by a long private drive.”
“And you were going to leave me here while you did this?” She crossed her arms over her chest. Was this why he’d brought her here? He’d said no talking about work or the case but maybe that only applied to her. Was her birthday an excuse to gather more information?
“I thought you might still be sleeping at this time.” He looked apologetic but she now began to wonder about his reasons for coming here. “If you want to sleep a little longer or soak up the sun, you can while I check this out.”
“So a single guy walking along the beach is going to looklesssuspicious than a couple?”
He glared at her. “I don’t know anything about this place other than the possibility of it being used by Moreno. There could be nothing there or it could be crawling with his men. I don’t want to put you in any danger.”
“Right,” she snapped. “Like I’m in no danger every night dealing with Moreno. You know it will look less suspicious if a pair of lovers stroll the beach looking for a private spot than a single guy checking out a building. Admit it.”
He sighed and she knew she had him. She smirked. “Don’t be that way. You know I’m always right.”
“Fine, put something appropriate on for a morning stroll and let’s get going.”
Digging through the bag she’d gotten from the boutique, she pulled out a light peasant-style dress. As she headed to the bathroom she turned back saying, “I better get a good breakfast out of this.”
He laughed. “We can grab some pastry from the continental breakfast on our way.”
They did and thirty minutes later were strolling arm in arm along a deserted stretch of beach, the surf washing over their ankles. He’d filled her in on what the informant, apparently the hot dog vendor from yesterday, had told him. She wouldn’t admit to jealousy that she wasn’t his only informant.
“Up there.” His head tilted to the left. “It doesn’t look like more than a small fishing shack but I can see a few vehicles around it. You were right, having you along makes it far less suspicious.”
She cleared her throat. “Um, always right. Told you.”
He pulled her closer into his arms and she reveled in his touch. Another thing that would never get old. He leaned down nuzzling his lips near her ear.
