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“It’s open,” I called out, knowing there was only one person likely to be standing on my doorstep at this time of the day.

I shuffled into one of the other seats and watched as Tillie let herself in. Fuck me, she was beautiful. Tonight she wore her hair down, the waves cascading around her shoulders, making my fingers itch to be tangled in the silky strands. Her dark-washed denim jeans hugged her thighs, thighs I was sure I’d never forget being wrapped around my head, and she wore a simple light blue button-down shirt. She was effortlessly casual, yet somehow still stunning.

“Hello?” she called out as her head swiveled back and forth.

“I’m out on the back deck,” I replied.

With purposeful strides, she crossed the living area, depositing an overnight bag and another bag on the kitchen counter before stepping out onto the deck.

“Well, don’t you look comfortable?” Tillie greeted with a smile so bright that not even the stars overhead could compare.

“Hey,” I replied, feeling the butterflies in my stomach take flight. “Wanna join me?”

“In there?” Tillie asked, her voice hitching as she pointed to the spa.

“Why not? The water’s warm and the jets do amazing things for tired muscles.”

“I don’t have my suit.” Tillie shrugged.

“Who said you need one?” I tossed back at her.

“You can’t mean …”

Damn, she was adorable when she was embarrassed. Her cheeks turned this incredible shade of pink, and her doe eyes went wide. “Why not? Besides, it’s not like you’ve got anything I haven’t seen before,” I reminded her, reaching down to adjust myself at the memory.

“I brought dinner. I wasn’t sure if you would’ve eaten or not,” Tillie deflected, pointing at the kitchen counter.

“Thanks. I haven’t.”

“Well, there’s some meatloaf and mac ‘n’ cheese in there.”

“Can it be reheated?” I questioned.

Her brows knitted together, and her head was lined with wrinkles. “Why would you want to reheat it?”

I smirked. I wasn’t above playing dirty to get what I wanted, and I wanted my girl in the hot tub wearing nothing more than a satisfied smile. “Because, right now, I want you to climb in here and tell me about your day.”

“My day? You want to hear about my day?” The surprise in her voice caught me off-guard. Why wouldn’t I want to hear about her day?

“Absolutely. Now go pour yourself a glass of wine, get naked, and get in. I invited again, splashing the water beside me.

I could read the hesitation on her face, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she turned around, went into the kitchen, took a wine glass from the cupboard, and filled it generously.

When Tillie stepped back out onto the deck, she took a sip of her wine, closing her eyes as it touched her tongue.

“Well, are you going to join me?” I pushed.

“I can’t. I don’t have my suit,” she repeated.

I didn’t say anything. Instead, I reached under the water and untied the drawstring holding up my boardshorts. As soon as it was loose, I shoved them down my legs, leaving me wearing nothing but my birthday suit and a smile. When I pulled them off, dropping them on the deck beside the hot tub with a wet thunk, Tillie’s eyes went wide.

“Problem solved. I don’t have one on either.”

“Cody!” she hissed with her eyes wide. “What if someone comes?”

“Who’s gonna come out here tonight? We’re at the end of a dirt road. We’ve got a better chance of a bear stopping by than we do someone knocking on the door asking to borrow a cup of sugar. Now, are you going to strip or am I going to have to help you? ’Cause I’m more than willing to do that,” I assured her.

“I’m sure you are,” she deadpanned as she set her wine glass down on the side of the hot tub and reached for the button on her jeans.