His hands were still on the desk.
Rowan cupped his rough cheeks and kissed him. It was a mating of care and banked heat; of give and take; of a deepening emotion that refused to stay in the neat bounds they’d ordered it. For that moment, they let go and kissed like they wanted; like two people who loved each other.
She eased away. Rowan plucked a tissue from the box on the edge of the desk and cleaned him up, wiping away traces of lipstick. Her fingers neatly combed his hair back in place.
She pressed her forehead to his and smiled.
Everett lifted his hands and settled them on her hips.
“What are we going to do?”
An ache pressed deep inside. “Not sure. For now, though, Tino said he can give you a lesson at five. Should I move it or see what happens with that potential meeting?”
His gaze locked on hers and dove deep. She waited to see if he’d push for more answers but he only smiled. “I’ll be there. Can I take you to lunch?”
Rowan drew back in mock surprise. “Lunch, too? Oh, no, I’m not dragging you away twice when you’re so close to the finish line.”
“Think I crossed the finish line,” he said with a straight face.
The laugh broke loose and free. She’d never expected to have fun with him, too. “That you did. But I’ve gotta get back to the shop.”
“Rain check.” He pressed a kiss to her lips, took her hand, and led her out the door. “Jessica, I need five p.m. blocked out to about seven.”
His assistant expertly masked her face but Rowan caught the surprise flickering in her hazel eyes. “Of course, sir.”
“I’m going surfing.”
Rowan’s jaw dropped. Jessica managed to recover quicker, probably used to all sorts of high-level crises. The woman glanced between them, something sly dancing behind her professional mask. “Sounds wonderful. I’ll move that meeting to eight a.m. tomorrow and make sure you’re not disturbed,” she said smoothly.
“Thank you.”
They moved toward the elevator. Rowan grasped his arm. “You told the truth?”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “I always try to tell the truth. Jessica’s dedicated to the opening but has been bugging me to take a break. You’re going to be her ultimate hero.”
“You keep surprising me, Suit.”
He touched her hair. The gesture was tender against the heat in his eyes. “Good.”
“Thanks for showing me Purity. I’ll see you at the beach.”
Rowan stepped into the elevator and pressed the button. Their gazes held until the doors swooshed closed.
When she was alone, she lifted her shaky hand to press against her mouth. Seeing him in his element gave her the missing piece she’d wondered about. He wasn’t a cold, unemotional businessman barking orders. He cared about the hotel and his employees. He was trying his best to fit Purity into the landscape with the least amount of friction. When he shared the memories of his father, she only wanted to comfort and hold the space. His past had been just as hard as hers. For two people so different, Rowan realized they were more alike than she’d originally believed.
There were only four weeks left before he returned to New York.
Twenty-eight days.
She could pull way back and try to save herself from the coming fall. She’d done it this past year, tucking in to protect herself from the rogue waves and brutal loss of everything she’d held dear.
Or she could go with her gut and take the ride.
A few hours later, Rowan tried.
The beautiful board called to her, whispering with a seduction almost as powerful as Everett’s heavy-lidded gaze when he reached for her. Rowan ran her hand over the sleek lines, tracing the familiar words her father had always repeated.
Find your line.
