He looked up from his slicing and nearly took off a finger.
Her dark hair was still wet and sleeked back from her face, leaving it unframed. Her skin glowed pink from the heat of her shower, her mouth soft and full. She’d put on some kind of oversized tunic that fell to the floor in swirling shades of blue, with long, wide sleeves and a narrow V-neck. It shimmered and slithered as she walked, her bare toes playing peekaboo with the trailing hem. It was big as a tent and should’ve been the least sexy garment on the planet, but the silky material clung to her skin and made it obvious that she wore nothing underneath, and he was happy to once again be standing behind the counter.
At this rate, by the time his ‘relaxing vacation’ was over, he was going to have a permanent case of blue balls.
To keep himself from drooling, he shoved a piece of mango in his mouth.
She sent him a tentative smile. “The coffee smells great. Thanks for making it.”
He grunted around the chunk of mango and slid the mug he’d already filled across the counter.
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Thanks. Um. Do we have any milk?”
He swallowed the fruit and shook his head. “There’s some of that non-dairy creamer crap.”
“That’s okay.” She took a sip, those gold-flecked eyes watching him over the rim.
He shoved the bowl across the counter. “Fruit.”
“Thanks.” She plucked out a slice of mango and popped it into her mouth. “You didn’t have to cut it up, I could’ve just eaten a banana.”
Yeah, and made my head explode, he thought. Out loud, he said, “No problem,” and turned to set the knife in the sink and wash his hands.
“I’m going to move my stuff out today,” he told her.
“What? Why?”
He kept his eyes on his hands. “Because you’re sleeping in the hammock.”
“I didn’t sleep in the hammock on purpose,” she said, and he could hear the eye roll in her tone. “I was watching the stars and I fell asleep.”
He concentrated on the suds swirling down the drain. “You’re uncomfortable.”
“I’m not,” she protested, and he shut off the water and turned to look at her with blatant disbelief.
“Okay,” she conceded, the pink on her cheeks deepening. “I’m a little uncomfortable. But that’s not because of anything you’ve done, and I really did just fall asleep in the hammock last night.”
He dried his hands on the dishtowel and laid it carefully over the handle of the dishwasher to dry. “Still.”
“You know, if you want to make me more comfortable, you can take the bed.”
That surprised him into smiling. “Funny. No.”
“Then it’s ridiculous for you to move out,” she began, then frowned. “Unless...wait. Am I making you uncomfortable?”
“No,” he said with conviction while his penis scoffed and his balls turned a deeper shade of blue. “You’re not.”
“Great. Then neither one of us is uncomfortable and you’re staying.”
He frowned. “Are you sure? I can call the hotel, get a room up there.”
She shook her head. “They’re fully booked. That’s why we got upgraded to the cottage. And yes, I’m sure.”
Her voice was rock solid, but she was nibbling on her lower lip. “You don’t seem sure.”
“No, I am. I just had a question, but it’s not important.”
“What is it?”