Page 38 of Passion and Deception

However, now, he had the even larger task of convincing Maggie to give their marriage a proper chance.

With that goal in mind, he walked deeper into the suite, looking for his wife and daughter.

He found them in the courtyard playing in the shallow end of the pool. Maggie wore a floppy hat with a wide rim to protect her delicate, pale skin from the harsh sun. The temperatures would be in the triple digits again today, but right now, it was only in the low eighties.

“Good morning,” he called out softly, not wanting to startle them. “May I join you?”

Maggie looked up at him, those pretty, brown eyes contemplating rejection. Ramit waited, willing her to allow him time with both of them.

“Of course,” she replied, then looked away, splashing more water on Nadia who was wearing an adorable blue bathing suit with ruffles around her chubby legs and arms. Nadia was barely visible under a collection of floating devices, which were probably unnecessary, since she was also lying on an inflatable “swan”.

Ramit paused only long enough to smile at the pair. Nadia obviously loved the water and Maggie looked magnificent in the sleek, black bathing suit. It wasn’t nearly as revealing as he’d like, but it would do. For now.

He hurried into the changing rooms. Five minutes later, he emerged wearing a pair of swimming trunks, praying that he could keep his body’s reaction to Maggie under control.

He walked around to the deeper end and dove into the chilly water, feeling instantly refreshed as he swam towards Maggie and his daughter.

Chapter 26

It took a great deal of concentration to remember to close her mouth as Maggie watched Ramit swim towards them. How had she forgotten all those rippling muscles? Or the power that emanated from him constantly?

Keeping her hand on Nadia, she watched with fascination as Ramit emerged from the water, shaking his head like a puppy to shake off the water from his hair.

Puppy. Maggie mentally snorted at the description. There was nothing puppy-like about Ramit. He was more like a wolf. A predator. He swam closer, then abruptly stood up, the water dripping down over all of those amazing muscles.

He sat down next to them, close enough to feel the heat emanating from him. Was steam coming from his body?

Ridiculous, Maggie told herself and tried to focus on Nadia.

It took her a moment to tamp down on the jealousy when their baby daughter giggled and wiggled with delight at the sight of her daddy. Then Ramit carefully lifted her out of the floating swan, kissing the only part of her belly that was accessible underneath the life preserver.

Nadia’s tiny hands gripped Ramit’s face and he held her close, allowing her to explore. Another wave of jealousy hit Maggie. She wanted to explore. She wanted to rediscover every part of this man that had haunted her dreams almost every night for the past year.

“Maggie?”

Maggie jerked, blinking as she lifted her eyes to his. “Yes?”

“I asked if you and Nadia had eaten breakfast.”

Maggie tried to remember, but her brain had short circuited as soon as he’d emerged from the dressing room clad in the relatively tight bathing shorts.

“Yes,” she replied, not sure if that was true. Then she smiled at their daughter and tickled the bottom of her foot. “Nadia isn’t patient when it comes to breakfast.” She laughed when Nadia jerked away. “Or any meal, for that matter.”

Ramit chuckled as well, then cradled Nadia closer. “Would you mind if I took her into slightly deeper water?”

Maggie swallowed, quietly pleased that he’d ask permission. “Ramit, she’s your daughter, too. You don’t need to ask me for permission to do anything with her.” She grinned. “Especially when it comes to changing her diaper.”

He snorted. “I guarantee that I’ll pass that task off to the nanny,” he told her as they all moved into deeper water. The swirling water fascinated Nadia. It was apparent that she wasn’t certain if she liked it, but Ramit held her closer, giving her the security that she needed in order to enjoy the new sensation.

“And miss out on such a wonderful bonding opportunity?” she teased.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Without any remorse.” He kissed Nadia’s cheek. “Changing my daughter’s diaper isn’t something I’ll ever miss doing.” He twirled her around, smiling at the delight in her eyes. “But I really love moments like this,” he admitted and leaned forward, kissing Maggie lightly before pulling away.

Maggie was so stunned by the sudden caress, she wasn’t sure that it had happened for a long moment. When she looked up at him, it was to find him watching her, gauging her response. Abruptly, she dropped her fingers that had been touching her still-tingling lips.

“It’s still there, isn’t it?” he asked, his voice husky with desire.

“What?” she asked, her voice too breathless.

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