Page 112 of Never With You
The fact that Nate agreed so easily scares me a little.
“Just keep your hands to yourself and your swimsuit on,” I tease as I twist the knob. A weak stream of cold water sputters out, causing my body to shiver.
“No promises.” Nate smirks, brushing wet hair off his forehead.
I dip my head under the shower as the water around my feet turns a murky brown. “No promises that you’ll keep your hands to yourself or that you’ll keep your swimsuit on?”
“Both.” His devilish grin tells me he’s joking.
The water pounds against my body, loosening the mud, but not enough to wash it away. I rub at my stomach, legs, and arms, but before I can make much progress, Nate’s soapy hands are on my shoulders, sliding down my skin with slow, deliberate pressure. His fingers move over my arms then up to my neck, where he brushes mud from the curve of my jaw.
I swallow hard, lifting my eyes to meet his. The entire mood changes. What was once a quick rinse-off has become the hottest moment of my life—at an elephant sanctuary, of all places.
Nate’s touch lingers, fingertips trailing lightly as he works the mud away. My breath turns shaky when he shifts closer, the warmth of his body almost distracting me from the cool water. My hands go to his chest on instinct, wiping away the mud he hadn’t gotten to yet.
Heat follows his touch as his fingers move to my back. He’s literally burning me from the inside out. His eyes flick to my mouth. My lips part. He leans in just enough that I can feel the space between us disappearing with each quick heartbeat.
The door to the shower next door slams, shaking everything.
I jump back.
Nate exhales a short laugh. “I think you’re clean now.”
I can’t think of anything else to say except, “Thanks.”
He snickers before facing the water and runs his fingers through his hair.
I let out a breath.
That was a close call.
After a better showerback at the villa (betteris subjective here), I put on my white dress and head down to the beach, where the hotel staff is setting up for the farewell white-out party.
Isaac is there, shouting out orders.
“What are you doing?”
He glances over his shoulder, raking me up and down with his gaze before actually looking me in the eye. “Since I’ll be in charge of the next event like this, I thought I’d come down here and check how things are going.”
“Thank you, but your assistance isn't needed, especially since you aren't familiar with the specifics of this particular party.”
“It’s not my first rodeo.” He gives me an arrogant smirk. “Or did you forget I was the one who taught you how to run an event?”
I wish I could forget.
I have too much to do right now to engage in this power struggle.
“Fine,” I say, realizing there’s no way to get rid of him. “I just need to find Samorn and get the weather forecast before they set anything else up.” I glance around, looking for my hotel client service manager.
“I already did the weather sign-off with Samorn.”
“When?”
“About an hour ago, when we returned from the elephant sanctuary.”
My brows crease. “Why would you do that? It’s not your call.”
“Relax,” Isaac sneers. “The forecast was fine. It showed rain beginning at eleven p.m., well after the farewell party ends.”
