As if summoned by my thoughts, Melissa appears in the doorway.
My pulse kicks up at the sight of her sleep-tousled hair and long, bare legs. She’s wearing nothing but a tiny pair of panties and a thin white tank top that clings to her curves. I can see the dark outline of her nipples through the fabric.
Fuck, this woman is going to be the death of me.
“Morning, beautiful,” I say, holding out a mug to her. “I made you coffee just how you like it.”
Melissa takes the mug with a soft smile. “You remembered.” She takes a sip and lets out a little moan of pleasure that goes straight to my dick. “Mmm, perfect. You’re spoiling me.”
“That’s the plan, sweetheart.” I pull her into my arms and give her a quick kiss. “How’d you sleep?”
“Best sleep I’ve had in ages,” she purrs, running her hand over my chest. “Someone really tired me out last night.”
“Is that a complaint I hear?” I tease, nipping playfully at her lower lip.
“Definitely not.” She grins wickedly at me. In fact, I could really use a repeat performance.”
I set down my mug and cage her against the counter, my arms braced on either side of her. “Careful what you wish for, Counselor,” I growl. “Keep looking at me like that, and we won’t leave this house all day.”
Melissa throws her head back and lets out a throaty laugh. “I think I created a monster.”
“Baby, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
She shivers deliciously at my words, and it takes all my willpower not to carry her back to bed and show her just what kind of monster she’s unleashed. But I have other plans for today.
“As much as I’d love to spend all day worshipping this sexy body,” I say, running my hands over her curves, “I thought we could get out of the city for a bit. Head down to my place in Barton Beach. You could probably use a change of scenery after the week you’ve had.”
Melissa blinks up at me in surprise. “You want me to come to Barton Beach with you?”
“Why not? Sun, surf, a secluded stretch of beach all to ourselves...” I trail off suggestively. “Plus, I need a date for the gala. What do you say, Counselor? Be my plus one?”
“The softball gala?” Melissa asks, sounding uncertain. “I don’t know, Bash. Those kinds of events aren’t really my scene anymore.”
My heart sinks at the hesitation in her voice.
Is she having second thoughts about us already? Or is this about more than just a party?
I study her face, remembering the shy, bookish girl she was back in high school before she transformed into the powerful, polished woman she is today.
The girl I was too stupid to appreciate back then.
“Melissa,” I say seriously, tipping her chin up to meet my gaze. “I know I was an asshole to you in high school. I was a dumb jock who didn’t know what he had. But I’m not that guy anymore. You’re not just some fling to me. I want you by my side, in Barton Beach and everywhere else. I want the whole damn world to know how lucky I am to be with you.”
Her eyes search mine, and I pray she can see the truth in them—the regret for my past actions and the sincere desire to be the man she deserves now.
“Okay,” she says softly. “Let’s go to Barton Beach.”
I grin and kiss her again, quick and hard. “You’re not going to regret this, baby. I promise you that.”
She smiles up at me, radiant and carefree, and in that moment, I swear I fall a little bit more in love with her.
A few hours later, we pull up to my condo building in Barton Beach.
The sun is high in the cloudless sky, glinting off the sleek lines of my black Porsche 911 as I pull into my reserved parking spot.
I glance over at Melissa in the passenger seat. She’s been quiet for most of the drive, just staring out the window with a small smile playing on her lips. But now, as she takes in the modern beachfront condos and the sparkling expanse of the Gulf beyond, her eyes widen.
“Wow,” she breathes. “Bash, this is incredible.”