Page 70 of Take 2
It’s not a big deal, and it’s only because we’re on this trip together, but I picture having a real day—a hard day—and getting a message like that. It’s kind of been my badge of honor that I’ve gotten where I am on my own, but is that a sad prize to win?
Me: I suppose sunbathing is pretty nice.
Did we have to remove ourselves from reality because this can only exist outside of reality?
I Wish I Was Fucking Preston Greene: Are you topless without me?
See! That wouldn’t have happened in Cali.
Me: Not yet, but I’m about to turn over. Wish you were here.
Fun flirting. This is nothing new. I’ve done this plenty of times—not with this level of chemistry, but sex is sex.
When I’ve had enough sun, I head back in for a shower. My hair is cold on my back and shoulders, and I come out of the bathroom in a towel to find Preston sitting at the desk. He looks up at me and smiles. “Is it really safe for you to shower by yourself?”
“I think not being alone was what made yesterday’s shower dangerous.”
“I’ll have to keep cookies or chocolates around to make sure we don’t have a repeat of that.”
I sit on his lap and wrap an arm around him. “Mmm, no. I’ll end up like Pavlov’s dog. Every time I eat a cookie, I’ll get aroused.”
“This is exactly the kind of scientific experiment I’d love to try. I’ll go get cookies right now.”
“Right now isn’t necessary. I already showered for dinner.”
“No rush for that. It’s just the two of us tonight.”
I lean back so I can face him fully. “Was the whole thing a ruse? Am I ever going to get more than ninety seconds with Rafael?”
“No and yes. Tomorrow night. Look.” He shows me his phone and the reservation Rafael sent him a calendar invite for.
“Fine,” I say with a sigh. “Still not having sex with you until after dinner, so you don’t negate the purpose of my shower.”
“Can you really wait that long?”
As if it’s been months rather than hours—but that’s not the argument I make. “Maybe I played while you were working.”
His eyes narrow. “Did you pack a vibrator?”
“Of course I did. I’m a woman with needs.”
“Didn’t you think”—he kisses my neck slowly—“I’d satisfy those needs for you?”
My heart picks up. “This was supposed to be a business trip.”
“You knew better.”
“Maybe I was trying to avoid the obvious truth of it.”
He squeezes my thigh. “So stubborn. Have you used it to get past being turned on by me?”
“Perhaps.”
“Have you thought about me when you use it?”
I swallow past a lump in my throat.
Preston’s hand slides up under my towel slowly, his thumb rubbing circles along the inside of my thigh. “You have.” He kisses my neck, and my back arches to push the growing ache between my legs closer to his hand. “I want to see that.”
