Page 103 of Dex

I shouldn’t encourage him.I should keep this line between us clear, and sharp, but I’m feeling flirty and in the mood for fun.“I’m having the time of my life.You should join me.”I try to feign nonchalance as I reach for my champagne flute again and bring it to my lips.

He steps closer, into my personal space, his fingers grazing the towel draped around his neck.“Don’t mind if I do.”

My mouth fills with sand as Dexter approaches.Now he’s so close I can see the slight tent in his shorts.I sip more champagne to moisten my mouth enough to quip.To show him that I’m unaffected.“We’re on our honeymoon, darling.”But my insides are in turmoil.

His lips curl.“That, we are.”

To my utter shock, he grips the hem of his shirt and peels it off.My breath catches as he stands there.Just as I thought.This man likes the gym.He’s all carved muscle, with dustings of dark hair on his chest, and his stomach a landscape of ridges and valleys.This man was sculpted like he was born to make women’s jaws drop.When the corners of his lips curve into a lazy smile, fireworks go off in the base of my belly and I press my thighs together, trying to rein in my arousal.

“I’ll take a shower first.Wouldn’t want to get in there with a layer of dirt all over me.”He scrapes his hand across his jaw, the movement causing his bicep to flex in a way that makes my heart miss a few beats.I’m in dangerous territory, my defenses splintering like glass.

“How thoughtful of you.”I try to take a casual sip as my heart hammers in my chest.

Dark eyes,dangerouseyes, feast on me.My breasts turn heavy and I’m pretty sure he can see that I’m aroused.

His gaze dips to my bikini.“Someone’s happy to see me.”His voice is pure silk as I sink lower in the water, so that only my face is above water.“Don’t do that, sweetheart.I’m your doting husband, remember?”

“How could I forget, darling.”I stay submerged, with only my neck upwards visible.

“Wait for me.”He heads for the bathroom and I shiver.Not from cold.But because my skin is flushed, my breath is shallow, my body heated.

Everything inside me is burning.Because I want him.And if he comes back … I don’t know if I’ll have clarity of thought to stop him.I lift the glass to my lips again but set it back down without taking a sip.

I need a clear head.

I need to think carefully.

To him, this is a game.

To me, it’s about surviving the year.

Dexter will have the upper hand in New York.I’ll be in his territory.His kingdom.His world.Away from my friends, my family, everything I hold dear.I have to stay strong.Why did I stupidly ask him to join me in the hot tub?

I didn’t think he’d call my bluff.

I thought he’d still be the distant husband and turn me down, but instead, no.The man’s coming in.

It’s not long before he strides back into view, and my stomach bottoms out.Charcoal-gray lounge shorts hang low on his hips.They’re loose, but not loose enough.The fabric clings to him, outlining every sharp line of muscle, every inch of hardness.

He’s a tease.

And I am …gone.

I swallow.

He steps in, thick thighs slicing through the water, the powerful curves of his calf flexing as he sits down with slow, deliberate ease.My eyes betrayed me, moving to where his shorts cling tight, the fabric tented, and leaving nothing to the imagination.The faint scent of lemon wafts over me, crisp and clean, mingling with the humid air.

He doesn’t sit next to me.Instead, he settles at the opposite end of the tub, his muscles flexing as he leans back like he owns this moment.His gaze is dark and unreadable and when he splays his arms out on the ledge, my attention settles on his flexed biceps.

This isn’t going to be easy.“You didn’t get a glass.”I try to keep my voice neutral.“Don’t you want some champagne?”

“If I did, I’d drink from your glass.”His lips curve, and his voice dips lower.Heat coils deep in my belly.I decide to wait ten minutes.No, five.Five minutes before I tell him my skin is wrinkling, that I need to get out.

Because I already know.Idoneed to get out.I need to get away.I’m in dangerous waters as Dexter’s lingering gaze rakes over me.I sink lower, the water dancing just under my chin, using the bubbles to shield me.

“Good gym session?”I ask, needing to fill the silence.

“Great.”His voice is rough.“Managed to vent my frustration.”

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