“Jack. It’s April. I don’t care if we’re in Texas. The water willnotbe warm.” Lexi was wrapped up in nothing but a light blanket, comfortably perched in a white rocking chair as the sun warmed her face and ocean breezes blew back her hair. As far as she was concerned, she was going to finish her cup of coffee, then take Jack back upstairs and let him set her world on fire as many times as humanly possible. Last night had been epic, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t try for more.
He leaned against the railing, facing her and wearing only a pair of board shorts and a smile. It wasn’t fair. He was not only blocking out the sun, he was so spectacular, she could hardly think straight. “We’ll run in for a few minutes. I promise it’ll be exhilarating. Then we can get in the hot tub.”
“There’s a hot tub?”
Jack pushed off from the railing and pointed down to the floor below. “Right there.”
Lexi got up from her seat to check it out for herself. Sure enough, down on the ground level was another deck, with an outdoor kitchen and spa. “How did I not see that?”
“I haven’t given you the full tour.” Jack placed his hand on her hip, tugging her closer. “We’ve been too busy.”
Lexi rose up on to her tiptoes and kissed him. Even the most innocent of kisses felt hot right now. She knew what he was capable of now, and it made her hunger for him all the more. It was as if she’d been asleep her whole life, waiting for Jack’s touch to awaken her. “I was hoping we could go back upstairs to the bedroom.”
“A quick swim first? I promise I’ll make it worth your time in the hot tub.” He bounced his eyebrows up and down.
“Condoms and water don’t mix.”
“There are other things we can do.”
That certainly sounded promising, and there was no denying that every minute with Jack was an adventure. “You’re lucky I brought a bathing suit.”
“I would’ve been fine with you skinny-dipping.”
“Hmm. I hadn’t thought about that.” It wasn’t the worst idea in the world. A tiny number of people were on the island at any time, and there were no permanent residents. But Lexi could also imagine some massive yacht toddling by, possibly owned by someone her parents knew, and her flame red hair would stick out like a neon sign. Probably best not to take that chance. “I think I’ll stick to my bikini, though. It’s too cute to leave in the suitcase.”
“Sounds like I win either way.” Jack smiled, showing her those dimples she was somehow even more entranced by.
“Two minutes and I’ll get changed.”
“Sounds perfect. I’ll grab some beach towels.”
Lexi flitted upstairs and carefully sifted through the contents of her suitcase, pulling out her black bikini. She cast aside the blanket and put it on, stopping in the bathroom to brush her teeth. Glancing in the mirror, she couldn’t help but notice the rosy glow in her cheeks and the way even her eyes looked brighter. Even better, she felt like she looked—like the day was full of possibilities, all because of Jack.
She met him down on the main floor, where the living room, kitchen and several other bedrooms were located. They walked out to the deck where she’d just been occupying the rocking chair and descended a staircase at the far end, taking them to the lower patio area, at the same level as the grass-topped dunes lining the beach. Hand in hand, they padded down the boardwalk and onto the pale gray sand. The wind whipped around them, and seagulls swooped out over the water while wisps of white clouds floated against a gauzy blue sky. Ahead, the deep azure of the Gulf was indeed inviting, but Lexi knew better than to jump right in. Her worries about it being cold were well-warranted. Depending on the currents, the water temperature could be in the sixties, a bit chillier than the air temp, which was in the low seventies at best.
They approached the waterline, where the sand was darker and the tide had revealed countless tiny shells. Looking down the beach in either direction, there wasn’t another soul as far as the eye could see. The closest house, another stunning mansion, had to be at least a fifteen-minute walk away. Jack had been right. She could have skinny-dipped and no one would’ve known. They were all alone in what she saw as paradise.
Lexi squeezed his hand, feeling like she needed to mark the moment. She hadn’t felt so free in a very long time. Possibly ever. Every worry she held so tightly in her head seemed insignificant right now. And it was all because of Jack. “Thank you for bringing me here. I’m sure our stay at the hotel in Houston would’ve been lovely, but this feels really special.”
He turned to her and took her other hand, smiling and squinting at her as the sun hit his handsome face. “I’m so glad you said that. I was thinking the same thing.”
“You’re really serious about going in the water, aren’t you?” Another gust of wind hit them, making goose bumps dot Lexi’s arms and shoulders.
“I’m not going to force you.”
However much she did not enjoy being cold, she wasn’t about to be timid. There was this sense of adventure that followed Jack wherever he went, and she’d be stupid to pass up this chance to have an experience she might always remember. “I’m not a wimp.”
“Of course not.” He inched closer to the lapping waves, with Lexi in tow. “I usually run in up to my knees, dive under to get my head wet, swim out a few strokes and get out of the water.”
Lexi could do that. No problem. And she wanted to show Jack that she could be bold, so she let go of his hand and did exactly what he suggested. The first few strides into the shallow water felt fine, so she went for it and dove in. She felt the cold first in her face, then her stomach, but it wasn’t a shock—it was more of a pleasant jolt into the here and now. Her feet found the sandy bottom and she pushed off to surface, shaking her hair when she came up for air.
Jack was out of sight, and Lexi’s heart was fiercely beating. “Jack?” She frantically looked all around her then screamed when she felt hands around her waist.
Jack rose out of the water like a god, pulling her into his arms and spinning her in the waves. “Well? What do you think?”
Honestly, the only thought that came to mind as he pressed his warm bare stomach against hers and water drops glistened on his face, was that he was perfect and she wasn’t sure what she’d done to deserve this time with such a singular man. “It’s amazing.You’reamazing.” She smashed her lips against his, her arms resting on his shoulders and her fingers digging into his hair. The kiss was just like the water in the bay—unpredictable and untamed, but nothing was forced. Everything felt right.
“Do you want to stay in?” Jack asked when he broke the kiss.
