Page 59 of Take 2
Chris waves his hand in a flourish and mock bows.
“We’re going to pack up and head back. The camera crew is going to hop around here today to get establishing shots.”
“Sounds good to me.” Chris stands and rolls his neck. “I need a nap.”
“We’ll see you in Monaco,” Rafael says, and they both walk away.
“Back to death trap road?” I ask.
“I think we should still use the hotel room here.” He got us a room in case they had to re-shoot tomorrow morning. It seems like that would be a missed opportunity to kill me on the drive, but what do I know?
“Mid-week day off?”
“Yeah,” he says. “I figure I owe you for the early wake-up.”
I lick my lips where the taste of croissant lingers. “Is giving me another reason to lose sleep really recompense for losing sleep?”
“You are so single-minded.”
“I’m stone-cold sober, which was your requirement if I recall.”
“Sea breezes and sunrises are aphrodisiacs, I take it?”
“And pastries.”
“No, pastries inspire cuddling and sleeping,” he says, “not sex.”
“You need one of those croissants. It was an orgasmic experience.” I consider that a moment. “Actually, you might be right. I’m already satisfied.”
He takes my hand, and I hop down from the wall. “Let’s get into the room and change.”
“For what?”
“Real breakfast and the beach.”
My list of reasons to dislike him may be dwindling, but the repeated attacks on my breakfast habits are a new addition to it.
We stop at the car to get our bags first and go to a room that’s considerably more modest than our Monaco hotel rooms, though still charming and expensive. Also, it’s singular, which is a difference I’m content to accept. I pull out a bikini and dress and slip into the bathroom. An explosion of mosaic tiles appears to have gone off in the small space, but it’s nice, if busy.
When I come back out, Preston’s eyes smolder like I’m in crotchless lingerie.
“I really didn’t expect you to ogle me like that until the dress comes off.” It’s a freaking shirt dress. This reaction is bizarre.
He clears his throat. “You look sexy in anything.”
My cheeks warm. “Thanks. Are you ready?”
He blinks a few times before answering. “Yep, let’s go.”
“I meant for breakfast, but if you had something else in mind?”
“Nope.” He shakes his head like that’ll clear thoughts from it.
“Why are you trying so hard not to have sex with me?”
His chest heaves as his eyes bore into me, but he doesn’t say anything.
“I thought I was supposed to be the one creating barriers.”
