Reno laughs and shakes his head. “I’m always surprised by your answers. I never know what the hell you’re going to say.”
“I like to keep you on your toes,” I tell him, backing up and allowing him into my cottage. He closes the door behind him. After taking a sniff of the flowers, I set them on the small dining table and turn, leaning my butt against the surface. “So, it was the swinging lifestyle you were talking about yesterday?”
He rubs a hand over the top of his messy dark hair. “Yeah. It’s just not something I’m into.”
“Then can I ask what you’re doing here at this resort?”
A low chuckle rumbles from his mouth. “I guess I’m like you and ended up here accidentally. It’s kind of a long story, but I’ll tell you if you’ll have dinner with me.” His green eyes shine with something that looks like hope.
To my credit, I wait an entire five seconds before saying, “Yes. I’d like that.”
Reno steps closer, trapping me against the table. Not that I’m complaining. He smells fantastic, a mixture of the ocean, flowers, and man.
Taking my face in both hands, he lays a soft, slow kiss on my lips, his tongue toying with mine briefly before pulling back. It’s a seductive promise, his eyes blazing with hunger. And not for dinner.
“One hour. Wear something pink.”
Then he brushes his thumb along my lower lip before turning and walking out the door. I stare dumbly, my entire face tingling like someone dumped a bottle of champagne over my head.
A smile pulls the corners of my lips up as I realize… It’s Wednesday, and he was wearing a pink shirt.
Chapter 13
Life is too short to eat lemon Starbursts.
Oncebackinmycottage, I shower again and shave before changing into black pants and actually adding some product to my hair, which I normally don’t do. Then I brush my teeth and make a call to the dining room to arrange for sommelier service. It’s not included in the resort fee, but I give zero fucks about how much it costs.
Fifty-nine minutes after I’d left, I knock on the door of cottage four. I’m fully expecting Juliette to call out that she’s not ready and to give her five more minutes. Which would mean thirty. At least that was always my experience with Leia.
All the air seizes in my lungs when Juliette opens the door dressed in a bright pink… thing. I’m ninety-nine percent sure it’s called a romper, a one-piece outfit with shorts that show off legs that seem to go all the way up to her ears. The short ruffled sleeves cling to her upper arms, leaving her tanned shoulders bare and supremely lickable. A sheer pink skirt drapes from the back, and she’s paired it with silver jewelry and heels, giving the ensemble a slightly fancier look.
Struggling to get my mouth to actually form intelligible words, I finally say, “You look absolutely gorgeous, Juliette.” Okay, not the most poetic statement ever, but it’s the truth, and she seems pleased with the compliment. She dips her chin and gazes up at me through her lashes.
“Thank you. You look really handsome.” She fingers the collar of my shirt, the backs of her knuckles brushing against my throat. “I like you in pink.”
I like you in everything. Though I’d like to see you in nothing.
Instead of voicing my dirty thoughts, I ask, “Are you ready to go?”
She grabs a small silver clutch from the table and turns back to me. “Ready.”
I step back and let her exit onto the porch before I close her door and check to make sure it’s securely locked. Her hand is warm and soft when she takes my elbow, and I guide us down the path to the lodge.
When we arrive, I give my name to the hostess, and she smiles. “Right this way, sir.” As we follow her, I place my hand on the small of Juliette’s back, gently stroking the long, blonde hair that feels like silk beneath my fingers.
“Your hair looks really pretty like this,” I tell her, my mouth close to her ear as I hold out her chair for her. I don’t miss the slight hitch of her breath.
“Thank you,” she says as I round the ivory quartz table and take my seat across from her. It’s a quiet, intimate spot near a window with a stunning ocean view. “I always wanted curls when I was growing up, but my hair has always been straight as a board.”
“I was the opposite. I hated my curly hair as a kid and made my mom keep it short.” Running a hand over the top of my head, I say, “Until high school when I realized girls like curls.”
Juliette laughs. “Gave you a whole new outlook, huh?”
“Guess it did.”
She looks around at the room with its hardwood floors and muted chandelier lighting. Candles and small pastel floral arrangements dot each table. “This is so nice. It’s the first time I’ve eaten here.”
“The food is good too. Are you hungry?”
