Page 97 of Just This Once

“Youtriedto miss me,” I accused, even though I knew she hadn’t.

She gasped indignantly. “I did not!” When she beaned another at me, definitely hoping to hit me—probably in the eye—I zipped my face to the side and caught it in my mouth.

“Oh…” Outrage steamed through her glare. “You?—”

I gripped her ankle and dragged her across the blanket toward me, upsetting the bowl of strawberries along the way. “Me what?” I asked huskily as I rolled onto my back and pulled her onto my lap to straddle my waist.

Her eyes glazed, lips parting when she settled against my hardening cock. Shoving at my shoulder, she groused, “You’re such a pain in the ass.”

“But I feel so good between your legs,” I coaxed, shifting under her to rub my erection against her clit. “Don’t I?”

Pressing her hands against my chest to brace herself, she snapped her mouth shut and swallowed thickly, her throat working as she tried to pull herself together and resist the draw. Then she gave a vigorous shake of her head. “Parker, we can’t. The night’sover.”

“Just this weekend,” I wheedled, lifting myself upright so I could bury my fingers into her hair and grip the back of her head with one hand while I pressed my brow to hers. “The room’s already paid up through tonight.” I hovered my mouth rightthere in front of hers so that all she had to do was strain an inch forward to give in and kiss me.

But she shook her head, resisting. “We gotta draw the line somewhere.”

Around us, Chris Stapleton was singing “Tennessee Whiskey,” while in front of me, Hope’s eyes flooded with temptation.

“Just this weekend,” I whispered.

She was going to submit. I could see it on her face, but a sound against the glass walls that led out to the balcony had us both glancing over.

“Holy shit, it’s raining,” she said as if she’d never seen rain before.

“Yeah. Fascinating.” I turned back to her, but she was already shoving my hand out of her way and popping to her feet.

“Hey!” I lifted my arms, gesturing in question as to where she was going.

“My bucket list,” she answered, racing toward the sliding door.

“Huh?” I blinked dumbfounded as she whipped open the sliding door and hurried out onto the balcony barefoot and wearing nothing but a hotel bathrobe. “What the fuck?”

I’d been trying to fulfill her damn bucket list right here.

Not about to miss out on whatever this was, however, I pushed my way to my feet and wandered to the entrance of the balcony. Staying inside the threshold, I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the doorframe.

It was a gentle rain, hard enough to soak her to the bone but calm enough to walk around in without any consequences.

With a laugh, she opened her arms and tipped her face back, sticking out her tongue to catch raindrops on it as she whirled in a circle and enjoyed the shower.

Speakers must’ve been installed out here too because the same song playing inside was filling the balcony too.

“Parker,” she called, finally noticing me in the dry interior. Blinking through her wet lashes, she reached out a hand and smiled. “Join me.”

I swallowed, feeling her pull from the very center of my chest. And the pure power of it scared me enough to make me shake my head in resistance. “Sorry, darlin’,” I refused. “Pieces of shit melt in the rain.”

She scowled. “You’re not a piece of shit. Besides, it’s my bucket list. Number five was to dance with someone in the rain. You can’t deny me a bucket list item.”

I arched my eyebrows. “Thought I was only good for number four.”

Her hands slapped against her hips. “Get your ass out here, dammit.”

I huffed out a breath and stepped into the rain. “You never give up, do you?”

A smug smile spread across her lips. “Why should I when all it might take is justonemore attempt to get what I want?”

“Well, you got me,” I groused, still holding onto my towel with one hand. “What now?”

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