Page 35 of On His Knees

“This is going to be cold for a second,” he warns, and then gives me a wink. “But it’s so worth it.” He slides the door open, and an angry gust of wind whips through the suite. “Wait here for a second.” Stark naked, he steps outside, and I stare at his beautiful ass as he removes the cover from the hot tub. It has a privacy fence, but on the back side of my corner suite, we’re facing mountain terrain. The only one he’s going to flash is nature’s animals. I chuckle but have no idea why I find that so funny. Maybe I’m just giddy because I’m having the time of my life with this man.

He slides the door back open and takes the drinks from me. He sets them in the drink holders then takes my hand. “Careful, the deck is a bit slippery.” Strong arms hold me as I walk outside, and I’m grateful. I so do not need to do a face-plant in front of him—with only a towel on. I release the knot holding the cotton together and toss it over one of the Adirondack chairs before I climb into the tub. Warm heat seeps into my bones, pushing back the cold.

“This is heavenly,” I murmur, and let my head fall back onto the cushioned rest.

Tate climbs in beside me, and I slowly turn my head to see his beautiful body before he submerges. “Now, this is more like it,” he says, then moves closer to me. “Thank you.”

My heart misses a little beat at the sincerity in his tone. “For what?”

“I’m glad you made me do the plunge. It was for a good cause and the kids really seemed to enjoy it. My granddad would have liked that. He’s geriatric, so...” he says, and lets his words fall off.

I think of my patient James Carson and smile. He would have liked it, too. I can’t wait to tell him all about it when I return. I know it will bring a smile to his face to know I had a great time. Of course, I’ll probably leave out the part where I slept with the donkey.

Tate hands me the brandy, and I take a sip. The amber liquid burns down my throat and relaxes me even more. I gaze at the rock-hard, handsome man next to me, and admire his new haircut. He now has a young, professional look about him. In fact, he resembles James when he was younger. I think back to the old pictures James showed me. His hair was always short, clean-cut, with a suit that fit him to perfection. I grin when I think about the Polaroid he used to take a selfie of us during one of my visits.

Tate puts his hand on my thigh, and when a soft kiss lands on my forehead, my thoughts shift.

“Warm?” he asks.

“Very.” I close my hand over his and our fingers automatically link together, like we’ve held hands for years.

“Have you signed me up for anything else I should know about?” he asks, his mood as mellow as mine.

“As a matter of fact, I have.” I take another sip of brandy as he shifts and brushes his thumb over my temple, pushing my hair back.

“Are you going to tell me?” he asks quietly.

“Not right now,” I say, and stretch out, the warm water making me sleepy...aroused.

“I’m an expert negotiator, you know. I can probably find a way to make you talk.” His hand slides up my thigh, and slips between my legs. They instantly fall open for him. I swear to God, the man could do anything he wants to me right about now, and I’d happily let him.

“Toboggan races?”

“No, but that sounds like fun,” I say, and move in my seat, trying to force him to touch me.

“Chili cook-off?”

“No, I’m not a great cook, but I like the idea of eating the chili.”

“Speed skating?”

“No,” I say, my breath coming a bit faster. “Tate...” I murmur as he toys with me.

“Tell me, Summer, and I’ll give you what you want.”

“You don’t play fair.”

“All is fair in love and war, right?”

My lids open, take in the strained look on his face. Why do I get the feeling that statement is about something else entirely? He strokes my clit, and my thoughts fall off.

“You want more of this?” he asks.

“Yes, please...”

“Then I suggest you tell me what you have planned for me.”

“If you really want to know, I was going to throw a blanket and pillow onto the floor in front of the fire and stretch out on it, stomach down.”

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