The two men nodded, their nonchalant expressions giving nothing away as to their thoughts.
“Where’s Mitch?” she mouthed as she passed Reese.
He pointed to the hallway. “The SEAL went back downstairs for something. He didn’t hear you talking.”
“Thanks.” Walking to her bedroom, she wondered if all the doubts flitting through her mind were nothing but her imagination working overtime. As she started to close her door, footsteps from down the hall made her stop.
“Liz, wait.” Mitch jogged to her door, holding out a bottle of milk and an unopened bag of cookies. “I saw you left yours on the balcony table, so I brought you some fresh from downstairs.”
Their fingers touched as she took the items, and she couldn’t remember ever feeling so special. All she wanted was to fall into his arms, while he whispered in her ear. Didn’t matter what he whispered, as long as he was close.
“About earlier…” She reached for his hand, but he moved away. “I was wrong.”
“Well…I might have been a little out of line, too,” he said, turning to face her. “I’d just gotten off a phone call and…”
“Bad news?”
He paused, eyes narrowed, then he quirked the side of his mouth and grinned. “Time for you to get some rest. Sleep as late as you want.” He gently brushed a lock of hair from her forehead, and his fingers trailed down the side of her cheek. “I think I’ll give you your first swim lesson tomorrow.”
He hadn’t answered her question, but she smiled in return. “I don’t have a swimsuit with me.”
“Check your closet. You might be surprised what you’ll find in there.”
Chapter Twenty
The first thought in Liz’s mind when she woke this morning had beenWhere am I?A quick glance at the bird-of-paradise arrangement had brought her back to reality. Then she’d looked at the clock—almost eleven.
Skipping breakfast, she opted for an early lunch on the deck, which surprisingly, Mitch had even joined. Like her, he’d dressed as if they were on vacation.
He’d seemed more relaxed. Willing to talk about places he’d been. There’d been nothing specific about the assignments, but enough bits and pieces that she had gradually found herself amazed at all he’d willingly done to save his clients.
Even though she’d heard a lot of the same things the day they’d holed up at the wildlife preserve, somehow this time she felt them in a different way. One thing new he’d shared was that he had a cancelled plane ticket to Tahiti in his go-bag.
“I’m sorry I ruined your vacation,” she said.
“Trust me. Tahiti isn’t going anywhere.” He carried their empty plates to the kitchen.
And, in that moment, she realized how much she did trust him. She might have doubts at times, but that was only because she valued her freedom. Valued being able to do what she wanted, when she wanted.
At work, she’d always gotten her articles in by the contract commitment date, but she also made time to enjoy wherever she happened to be, and not only the landmarks. She liked to find where the locals ate, enjoy the people in the community, and drive around looking at Open Houses. Someday, she’d find where she was meant to live. She glanced out at the Gulf. Maybe the beach.
“Besides, if I hadn’t taken the assignment, we’d have never met,” Mitch said as he returned to the deck and opened the connecting door to the pool area. “And, I’d never have gotten the chance to teach you to swim.”
“Swim?” This did not sound like how she’d hoped today would go. “I was thinking more along the lines of a walk on the beach. Maybe lie in the sand for a while.”
He shook his head, motioning her to follow him into the pool atrium. “Not today. I need a little more intel before we venture outside.”
“Will you at least think about it?”
“I will.Afterthe updated intel meets my requirements. Now, take off that little cover-up thing you’ve got on and let’s see what you can do in the pool.” He stripped off his shirt and tossed it on the nearest chaise lounge, leaving only his swim trunks.
Tanned. Tempting. Testosterone. Way too much testosterone. Her insides flashed with heat all the way from her eyes to her lady parts. He. Was. Gorgeous.
She realized she was staring, but she didn’t care. She all out didn’t care.
Somewhere between his chiseled chest, with the dusting of dark hair, and his muscular thighs, her imagination took control of her mind. Slowly she closed her eyes, moistened her lips, bit her lower lip and let the imaginary vision take hold. Blowing out a sigh, she couldn’t stop an all-out blush hot enough to melt hard-packed ice cream.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
