Page 199 of Charming Deception

We’re lying out by Jameson’s pool. Daisy is stretched out in the shade beneath my lounge chair, dozing. When we left my mom’s house in Crooks Creek, Jameson picked her up and carried her out to the car with us without even mentioning it to me. She flew home with us on the jet, and that was that.

Jameson himself should be home any minute. When his sister asked him to come down to the Vance Bayshore resort, where she’s working, to have dinner with her tonight, I basically ordered him to go.

Both Jameson and Daisy have been glued to me for the last few days, ever since we got back from Crooks Creek, as if they’re both afraid of losing me.

But I’m not going anywhere.

Because: love.

I’ve never had it like this before.

I’m not about to let it go without a fight.

Nicole drops her head back on her lounger. “Well, I’m happy for you. If you’re sure it’s the real deal…”

“It is. How could I not love a man who comes racing to my hometown, for me, and tries to save me like a damn superhero? He also makes love to me like his very existence depends on getting me off. And he reads my books. And enjoys them. If that’s not love…”

Daisy suddenly gets up, barks happily, stretches, and trots off into the house. I know that means Jameson is home.

“Shit. Are there any more of him?” Nicole moans. “I really need one of those.”

“Well, technically, he’s got three unmarried brothers, so…”

“So you’ll hook me up?” Her eyes go big and pleading.

“Well…” I snicker. “I don’t know. Even if I could. I mean, Harlan just seems… dangerous. And Damian is… intensely intimidating. And possibly perverted. And Graysen is… well, he just seems above the world. He’s engaged, but I don’t know how any mere woman could actually win that man’s attention for life…”

I drift off. Because unfortunately, Nicole’s eyes have glazed over more hotly with each successive description. Which means that my words, meant to deter her, are doing the opposite.

Oops.

“There’s my beautiful wife.” Jameson’s husky voice sends a warm shiver through me.

I glance over my shoulder to find him strolling toward me, Daisy following. His sleeves are rolled up, and he loosens his tie as he approaches.

“He’s calling you that?” Nicole stage-whispers. “Already?”

“Yes. It’s a whole obsession,” I stage-whisper back. To Jameson, I say “Hi, stud. Enjoy dinner?”

He makes a yummy growling sound as his eyes ravage my body in my pink bikini, telling me that I’m more delicious to him than whatever he just ate.

He leans in for a kiss. I make it quick since Nicole is here and all. “It’s still warm out here,” I murmur breathlessly. “Why don’t you take off that suit and put on your swim trunks?”

He kisses me again, then bites my lip. “I was thinking I’d just take everything off. And we can skinny-dip.”

I stare into his blue eyes, hypnotized by that vision. We haven’t done that in his pool yet.

Stupid, really.

“Uh, guys? I’m right here.”

I clear my throat, and Jameson straightens.

“Sorry,” I tell Nicole.

“That’s okay.” She sets her empty glass aside and gets to her feet. “You guys have all your naked fun. I should go anyway. I’m working tonight.”

“I’ll walk you out.” I get up and pull on a robe over my bikini.

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