Page 148 of Sin City Lights

“Take off your shirt,” she said.

He hesitated for a moment, making her think he might refuse. Then, reaching back, he lifted the swim shirt, muscles flexing as he pulled it over his head and tossed it to the deck chair beside him. He raked a hand through his bright hair.

There, in the moonlight, he stood, motionless and bare-chested, studying her face as her eyes roamed over his sculpted pecs and abs.

She held her arms out.“Get over here, already.”

He smiled then. Throwing a leg over the edge, he eased in, scooting close and draping an arm around her.

She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder, heaving a deep sigh. It was so good to have him close.

He reached for his old fashioned and took a sizable swallow.

For a while, she said nothing, content to sink chest-deep into the water and relax against him, feeling the tension slowly leave his body. They munched on cheese and crackers. He fed her grapes.

But the connection still seemed broken.

He finished his old fashioned and stared at the remnant of the ice cube in the glass. “I should have asked him to make two.”

She knew by now that one was his limit unless something was wrong.

“Trevor could bring another.”

He seemed to consider.“Never mind.”

He put the glass back on the tray.

She kissed his shoulder.“Ready to get out?”

“Yeah.”

With a huge rush of water, he stood. She watched the rivulets stream down over his rippled torso and ached to trace each one. Her body thrummed with need. So did her heart. Whatever she had to do to get back to that place with him, she’d do it. She only wished she knew exactly what that was.

By bedtime, she was a mess of nerves. She’d thought to put on the lingerie she’d worn to the office but changed her mind, opting instead for nothing but a sheer cream nightgown.

Sliding between the sheets, she listened to him brush his teeth, her heart pounding. She took slow breaths to calm herself.

Switching off the lights, he slipped in beside her, bringing with him the scent of mint and soap. As always, he reached and pulled her close. She waited a few more beats, then, when he only held her, she could no longer hold back.

“Did I make a mistake by telling you?” She hated that her voice was shaky.

He went utterly still. Releasing her, he reached up and flicked the reading light switch.

She blinked with the sudden brightness on her face, looking up to find Adam propped on his elbow, blue eyes full of dismay.

“What?”

She held his gaze.“Ever since Orlando, you’ve been different.”

“Have I?”

“Yes!”

His lashes lowered. He stared down at the sheets, jaw taut.

She licked her lips.“The only reason I can think of, the last thing that happened, is that I told you about the…” She couldn’t make her mouth spit out the heinous word. “…about what happened to me.” Her throat closed, making her voice raspy.“Did it put you off?”

“Eve.” His voice was pained.

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