Page 45 of Betrayed

“You’ve seen me in much less,” she replied with a small laugh, her eyes twinkling down at him.

“Yes, but not slick with tanning oil and wet from a swim.”

“I’m pale as a ghost, sir. I wear SPF 50, not oil, and a big goofy floppy hat or I burn.”

“Then I will look forward to slathering sun block all over your body, liberally, thoroughly, and often.” He punctuated each word with a kiss on her parted lips. Then he rolled them again, this time to the edge of the bed where he sat up and reluctantly set her on her feet.

With a pat on her rosy behind, he sent her off to the living room to get her things while he pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Her phone rang in the other room.

As he gathered his keys and wallet, and finger-combed his hair, her voice was a low feminine murmur. When he joined her in the other room in search of his shoes, her eyes met his, a smile lighting her face.

“I’m glad she’s doing better, Adri.” She paused a moment, listening to the caller. “Yes, the shop has been extremely busy. I’ll be glad for a break. Since you’ll be back, I can accept an invitation to the beach this weekend.”

He grinned as he slipped his feet into his loafers sockless, pleased she’d taken the fortuitous phone call.

“What? No. There haven’t been calls. Nothing out of the ordinary, at least.” She halted briefly then replied, her voice full of concern. “If you’re short on money, honey, I can give you an advance.”

Listening, she bent and picked up her dress and panties, leaning against the wall to slip her feet in one at a time.

While she was occupied, he pulled his own phone out and sent a quick text.

Arturo:Are you getting this?

Jonas:Tracking it now.

Arturo:Full report on caller first thing in the morning.

Jonas:Will do.

“Okay, honey. I’ll see you tomorrow at noon.”Mari swiped the screen and looked up.

“Problems?”

“No. The opposite. As you heard, I’ll be able to go to the beach with you this weekend. That was my manager. She’s coming back to work tomorrow.”

“Bright blue would be my preference.”

“Pardon?”

“For your bikini.”

She offered him a slow, shy smile. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Much obliged,” he teased in a passable Texas drawl. He moved to her side as she stepped into her dress. “Turn around. I’ll zip you.”

As he eased up her zipper, concealing the long, seductive line of her back, he felt a stirring in his groin again. He hoped like hell this new lead would pan out. The more time he spent with her, intimate time in particular, the deeper they got, which was what he wanted. But it added to the inevitable hurt and long list of apologies and explanations he would have to give.

Begging wasn’t something he relished or had succumbed to in the past, but in Mari’s case...

Patting her hip to signal he was done, while she slipped into her shoes and searched for her purse, he walked to the windows, staring out at the skyline. He bit back a curse, wanting this shit over and done with yesterday so they could start forging a relationship based on honesty and trust, not these unavoidable deceptions.

He didn’t notice she was ready until she came up behind him and rested her hand on his back.

“Is everything okay?”

He turned with a tight smile. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I don’t know. You’re suddenly quiet.”

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