Page 39 of Something Borrowed

“I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. But we’re both adults, and we’re on vacation. It may not last. I can live with that. But I know I’d regret not having this moment. Will you?”

With the parting words, she stood, and dropped the wrap on the chaise lounge. “I’m headed to bed. See you in the morning.”

Brigid watched her go, thoughtfully. Grady and the guys were clustered on the other side of the pit, laughing and busting on each other about the golf game. They all seemed loose and relaxed, but only to someone who didn’t know them. Underlying tensions crisscrossed even the guys, and they put on a good front, but their shoulders were tense and mouths tight with strain.

Brigid caught Grady’s eye. She stood and dropped the wrap onto the lounge chair, stretching.

“I’m headed to bed. See you in the morning.”

Maybe Delaney was right. Maybe she should see where this could go with Grady and see what kind of future they could have.

* * *

Grady made up his bed on the floor and tried not to wince at the thought of another night on the hard wood. Not even the cushy comforter was a soft enough bed for his back. What was worse than the back-breaking floor was hearing Brigid all night—her soft sighs, subtle shifts in the bed, her scent wafting in the room. He hardened just thinking about it.

And that was only one night. He had six more nights to go. He’d never survive.

Thinking about the kiss they shared that morning, and the intimacy from the carnival, a wave of desire swamped him. Maybe he should take Brigid up on her offer of stress relief and go for it. He’d get a comfortable bed and a bout of sweaty, hot sex, which would go a long way in relieving the tension that relentlessly pounded at him like the waves smashing into the beach outside the windows. But if he gave in now, he feared he’d never get her to see him as anything more than a sex partner and not as someone who could be more.

The shower shut off, and the curtain jangled across the bar. In his mind, he saw Brigid stepping out, water sluicing off of her creamy naked flesh. He heard her moving around in the bathroom and resisted the urge to open the door and join her. The door opened and Brigid stepped out, framed by the bathroom light, dressed in a cute silky short and top set. He’d seen sexier lingerie but, at this moment, lust slammed into him hard and fierce.

She struck a pose against the jamb, leaning against the door and giving him a come-hither look.

He straightened and faced her, jaw clenched to not beg her to invite him to her bed for one night, for the week, forever.

It was that last word that made him pause. Forever, his ultimate goal with Brigid. He didn’t want her for a night or a week. Not anymore. He would settle for nothing less than everything.

He stepped forward, crowding her against the door. A smile teased about her lips and satisfaction shone in her eyes. She lifted a hand and stroked over his bare chest and he struggled not to grab her and throw her on the bed. Her hand stroked lower and teased around the waistband of his shorts, darting under the band, igniting a fire in his every nerve ending. His cock swelled and strained against his shorts, seeking her.

She tugged on the material and he leaned into her, bracing a hand on the door next to her head.

“You don’t need to sleep on the floor.” Her voice was low, husky with arousal.

“I think I do,” he replied, his own voice rough as if he’d been swallowing sand.

She made a sound of exasperation. “Why? As you’ve said, we’re already in a relationship. Why can’t we do this?”

“You want one night.” His gaze pierced her, willing her to understand his position.

“One night, one week. We don’t have to end it there.” She traced a finger down his bare chest, following the lines of muscle.

“But you only want us together in bed. I want more.” He was almost shaking from the effort not to throw her on the bed and sink into her warm heat. Why was he resisting again?

“What do you want?” Her voice was soft, hesitant, as if afraid of the answer.

He bent his head so his forehead brushed hers. “I want everything.”

She pulled back, a hint of fear in her eyes, and she shook her head, denying his words. “I can’t give you that.”

“You mean you won’t.” He lifted his head. “What are you so afraid of?”

She tried to duck under his arm, but he lowered it, blocking her in, a gentle cage. She looked up at him, fear back in her eyes. “I need to get some sleep.”

“Stop avoiding this, Brigid.” He tilted her head to look at him. “Are you afraid that I don’t really care about you? Because I can answer that question right now.”

She shook her head. “Grady, I’m trying but it really isn’t you. It’s really me. Honestly. Any girl would be lucky to have you. But I’m afraid that we can’t work in the long-run.”

He pulled back. “Why not? We’ve been going round and round and you won’t answer me. Please, just give me an answer.”

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