While Reno rolls my sleeves up, I start. “I think we can both agree this is temporary, right?”
His eyes flick up to mine as he continues adjusting the sleeves. “Yeah,” he says warily.
“Because neither of us are looking for anything serious.” He nods his agreement, and I continue. “So I was thinking that spending the whole night together might send… mixed signals?” It came out as more of a question than a statement.
He frowns for a second before bobbing his head once. “I understand. For me, sleeping in the same bed is something I’ve only done with a girlfriend.”
I’m struck with an odd sense of jealousy, and I inwardly scold myself.Don’t think of him in bed with Leia, Juli. Just don’t.
“Right,” I say, forcing cheer into my voice. “And that’s not what this is about. We’re just… casual.” I flip my hand over, palm up, to demonstrate exactly hownot-seriousour fling is. And how I absolutelydo notwant to climb on top of Reno and use him as my own personal body pillow all night.
“Riiiight,” he echoes. “So rule one is no sleepovers. What else?”
My sex-sated brain can’t think of anything else, so Ideflect. “Do you have any rules you want to make?”
Reno fingers a strand of my hair almost absently. “Maybe we should limit talking about our personal lives. I mean, besides what we’ve already shared.”
I feel slightly guilty that I haven’t told him I recognize him, but I brush that away. The life of a professional athlete is rigorous and stressful, and if he doesn’t want to talk about it while he’s on vacation, that’s fine with me.
“Agreed. That will be rule two,” I say, andhow did my hand end up on his chest?I rub the hard muscle of his pec. “What about when you leave here in eleven days? Should we stay in contact with each other once we’re both back home?”
Reno’s forehead furrows, his dark brows inching together. “I’d like to know you made it home safely.”
Dammit to hell, why does he have to be so sweet?
“I can text you to let you know when I get home.”
“And after that?” he pushes, those green eyes glued to my face.
I think about the distance between where we live. There are probably a thousand miles between Denver and my hometown in Texas. The last thing I want is another long-distance relationship—especially not with a hockey player.
“I think things could get confusing and complicated if we stay in touch,” I tell him honestly.
His lips twist to the side.Is that disappointment I’m reading there?I think it is because I’m feeling a twinge of it myself. And that’s why continuing to talk to him would be a very bad idea. Reno Swain would be too easy to fall for. Because despite what I try to tell myself, he’s exactly my type.
“You’re saying you don’t want the random guy you met on vacation to keep calling and stringing you along?”
I give his shoulder a playful push. “Maybe I’d be the one stringing you along,” I tease with a flip of my hair. “I’d leave you completely heartbroken, mister.”
Reno laughs and hauls me onto his lap so I’m straddling him. “I have no doubt you would, dream girl.” He toys with the belt holding my robe closed. “So I know we won’t be spending the night together, per rule one, but are there any rules against me giving you a two-fer in one night?”
He looks expectantly at me as he unties the robe and slides his warm hands inside, around my waist. He’s fully hard beneath me, and my body responds in full force with perky nipples and an even perkier vagina.
“I have no problem with that.”
His grin widens and lights up his face before he flips me onto my back and pounces.
Yes, this man could easily become an addiction.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at lunch,” Reno says at my back door. He insisted on walking me “home” after round two, even though my cottage is only a few steps from his.
“Sounds good,” I say, rising up onto my toes to kiss his cheek. “Let me throw on some pajamas right quick so I can give you your robe back.”
“Nah, it’s okay. There’s another one in my closet if I need it.” His hand cradles my face, and he leans in for a long, slow kiss that makes my knees weak.
“Beach tomorrow afternoon?” I ask.
“You in a swimsuit? Yes, please.” He pats me on the butt. “Now get inside before you make me want to break rule one.”
