Page 20 of Billionaire in Disguise

“Let’s go.”

Somehow she managed not to run into a car. She did run intohimwhen he paused at an intersection. Then again when he stopped to let someone pass. And once more when he halted to drink water.

Okay, so maybe she did it on purpose.

But who could blame her? He was always attractive, but now he was sizzling hot, literally and metaphorically, his muscles straining and sheening in the sun. The clothing stuck to him like a second skin, outlining corded definition and firm muscles. He was as hard as steel.

He didn’t comment as she repeatedly bumped into him, just like she didn’t comment when his hands lingered a tad longer than necessary to steady her when she paused at the intersection. Then again when she let someone pass and again when she drank water.

Yeah, two were definitely playing this game.

Finally, they made it back to her parents’ home, where her mother emerged with two tall glasses of lemonade. “Did you have fun?”

Oh yes.Inappropriate, unwise, all-too-tempting fun. As if she understood her wayward thoughts, her mother winked. She handed them the glasses. “You guys look hot. I can’t believe it’s eighty degrees in December.”

While he sipped his drink, Adrianna gulped the sweet liquid. Nick reached out and stilled her hand. “Be careful. You’ll give yourself a stomachache.” She swallowed slower, yet her heart beat faster. It was almost like he was a real boyfriend, taking care of the woman he loved.

Her mother beamed. “I know what will cool you off.”

Oh. No.There could be only one activity her mother meant, and it involved even less clothing than jogging. “Mother–”

“Swimming.” Her mother clapped her hands. “With this warm weather, the pool is delightful.”

Running next to a shirtless Nick: a challenge. Swimming with even less clothing? A very bad idea.

Or a very good idea, her traitorous body protested.And while they were at it, why wear clothing at all?

“I can’t go! I– I didn’t pack a swimsuit!” Thank goodness for her forgetfulness. “I mean, it’s too bad, but I can’t swim in this.”

Was that disappointment in Nick’s eyes? Her mother pursed her lips, undoubtedly calculating every possible solution with the tenacity of a soldier. “You can just take it off.”

Well, that was unexpected.

She had nothing to respond to that, and neither did Nick, who was gazing at her with the look of a man who’d been attacked by a lion and won the same lottery at the same time. Or perhaps he was the lion, the powerful predator. Was she the prey? “Mother!”

“I didn’t mean you should swim in your undergarments.” Her mother waved her hand. “I’m sure we can find something. What about you, Nick?”

Nick ran a hand through his hair, tightening his biceps. Perhaps swimming in the nude wasn’t such a bad idea. Of course, if she was going to be naked, it would only be fair that he–

No.This was exactly why this was a bad idea. She was one muscle flex away from plopping down a lawn chair, grabbing some popcorn and drooling.

“A swim sounds great.” He rubbed his hands together. “I don’t have a suit, but I can just wear these shorts.”

“I’d be happy to wash them for you afterwards,” her mother offered helpfully. She nodded to Adrianna. “You can use one of your old swimsuits.”

“That’s not a good ide–”

“It’s the perfect solution.” Her mother happily ignored her. “I saw one of your suits in your room.”

The clothing in her childhood room was ten years, four thousand tacos and ten thousand ice cream sundaes ago. There was a reason she’d left them behind. “It probably doesn’t fit.”

“Of course, it fits.” Her mother propelled her towards her room. “Now run off and get dressed.”

And just like that, she found herself in her room, staring at a pale pink dresser with unicorn-shaped handles. She opened the drawer…

“Oh crap.”

* * *

---