Page 90 of Designs on You

He held his hand up. “I wasn’t done. Or, we could take the kids with us somewhere. I’m sure they’d enjoy a nice vacation, too.”

“Oh, and you can take all this time off?”

“Geez, you’re a buzzkill,” Eugene said with a wink.

She laughed. “I’m a parent. It’s my job to be a realist.”

He leaned over and trailed his finger up her arm. “It’s okay to live a little, too, Natalie. Have some fun. Figure out a way to inject some joy into the daily drudge, ya know?”

“I suppose you’re right.” She stared out over the water, and he’d give anything to know what was going on in her head. Hopefully all good things, but he couldn’t project his feelings onto Natalie. She was right in that they didn’t live the same kind of lives. She had responsibilities that he didn’t. He could come and go as he pleased, whereas she couldn’t. He needed to keep reminding himself of that.

They were different in a lot of ways as far as lifestyle.

But she was here with him now, and that made him feel good. All he could do was try and show her a good time.

And maybe forget about real life for a little while.

• • •

Natalie was admittedly slightly buzzed and extremely relaxed. Who wouldn’t be, sitting under the shade of her oversize umbrella, enjoying the pool and that spectacular view of the ocean?

She could get used to this. Ocean breezes, cocktails at the wave of her hand, and a gorgeous man asleep on the lounge chair next to her. She rolled over to give herself a better look at Eugene.

He lay on his stomach, his board shorts riding low on his back, sweat pooling there. She let her gaze roam along his upper back and broad shoulders, wanting to reach out and trace all that lean muscle, but she didn’t want to disturb him while he was sleeping. Instead, she continued her visual appraisal of him, moving up to his strong jaw, straight nose, and wow, it was really too bad she couldn’t see his amazing eyes, currently hidden behind his sunglasses. But at least she could watch the way his dark, thick hair blew in the breeze.

“You’re ogling,” he said, not even moving.

Taking a deep breath, she sighed. “I was.”

He rose up and swung his legs over the chaise, drawing his sunglasses off. “Ready for a walk and a dip in the ocean?”

“Absolutely.”

When he stood, his shorts rode low on his hips, showcasing that dip that she’d love to explore further—with her tongue.Instead, she put on her hat and took his hand. They strolled along the water’s edge, the waves lapping at their feet.

“Makes you want to live in a place like this, doesn’t it?” he asked.

“Miami? It’s very nice. And the ocean breeze is unparalleled. But Orlando is my home, where my kids were born. I’ve spent my whole life there.”

He stopped, turned to face her. “Haven’t you ever thought about living somewhere else?”

“Honestly? No, I haven’t. I like where I live, Eugene.”

“Hmm. Okay.”

They resumed walking, and thoughts of that conversation stuck. Did he think she was boring because she never wanted to live anywhere else?

“What about you?” she asked. “I know your family lives in the San Francisco area, so that’s your home. You plan to stay there?”

He shrugged. “Home is wherever I decide to make it, and family is always just a plane ride away. I mean, Linc’s made his home here, and he’s happy about it. My other brother, Warren, and his husband, Joe, are settled in California and don’t intend to leave. But me? I don’t know. I think I could live anywhere.”

“Of course. That makes sense.” It suddenly felt like a rock had settled in her stomach, though she didn’t know why. Where Eugene lived shouldn’t make any difference to her. It wasn’t like they were in a long-term relationship. This was nothing more than a temporary hookup.

He slipped his arm around her waist. “But I do like Orlando. Icould see sticking around there awhile. I did buy a house, you know.”

She smiled at him. “Yes, I’m aware.”

He backed her toward the waves, the water slowly climbing up her legs. “And this incredible designer is making it kick-ass awesome.”

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