Page 26 of Forging Caine

“I didn’t have it filled. It’s been empty since you left.”

“Are you certain?” The tilt of his head made it clear my answer should be no. He had cleaners in and out of the condo, people who delivered his groceries for him, and maintenance workers who’d manage the place while he was gone.

“You had them fill it up without telling me?”

He laughed, full of mischief, and waved his hand before wandering off to the oversized closet. “I’ll get the towels.”

I pushed up from the bed and followed him. “I’ll get my bathing—”

“No.” Spinning on his heel, he put up a hand to stop me. “I’ll get the towels, you go upstairs and turn it on.”

Was he serious?

Of course, he was serious.

“I amnotskinny dipping in the middle of town.”

“It’s dark out and this is the tallest building in Brenton. No one will see us.”

I was not considering this as an option. I wasn’t. No way.

He shooed me toward the door and continued his walk into the closet. “Think of what a perfect distraction all your worry about being caught naked on my patio will be?”

I huffed out “Fine” and traipsed off through the hallway, past the niche where he stored his alcohol, past the linen closet and laundry room, and into the kitchen. I climbed the circular metal staircase to the studio and slowed, taking in the studio area, the dozens of paintings stacked against the walls, the ridiculous painting that he’d bought for me in Naples hanging by the desk I normally used when I worked from home.

At the far end of the room, I pushed open the door set into the glass wall which led outside. The patio was fifty feet long and thirty wide, decorated with potted trees which had been covered through the winter, several seating areas, a couple of outdoor fireplaces, and a built-in grill. It was too dark to see most of it, but I’d been out to roam around a few times on days when the sun was out. I’d even done yoga to the sunrise a few times, trying to center my brain in the idea of living in this giant condo.

Large stone tiles covered most of the space, warmer on my feet than I’d expected, with raised planting beds for flowers. A strong floral scent wafted on the cool breeze—had the staff already planted something while I was at work? It was early May. Was that early or late to plant things? By the all-glass wall of his studio, a pergola covered in grapevines protected the hot tub from wind and kept it in shade while the sun was up.

I lifted one side of the hot tub cover but didn’t bother to turn it on. The damn thing was still empty. The universe didn’t seem to think today was a day for distractions.

Antonio would not be impressed when he found that out.

With a sigh, I turned around, prepared to head back to the studio. But my eyes had adjusted to the light of the moon, and I could see the space more clearly.

Things were not like they normally were. The patio heaters were on—that’s why my feet hadn’t been so cold. I hadn’t done that. So who did?

And flowers.

A dozen bouquets of roses, lilies, and others I couldn’t name, sitting on the patio table next to the hot tub, on the tiles, by the base of one of the heaters.

Music—soft and romantic—began streaming through tiny speakers hidden in rocks or furniture or somewhere. Then lights flicked on. Tiny fairy lights woven into the pergola and around the trees nearby.

I rotated slowly, taking it all in. None of this had been here the last time I was outside.

My heart melted in my chest, and a stinging sensation pricked at my eyes.

When I spotted Antonio walking through the studio, I couldn’t help but laugh. He set all this up. For me. A romantic skinny dip and probably mind-blowing sex to follow.

When he came outside, I was still laughing.

“It would appear we can’t catch a break today,” I said. “The hot tub’s empty.”

“I know.” His hands were in his pockets.

Shit. No towels. The stinging fled my eyes, dropping into my stomach to swirl around uneasily. “And you don’t have any towels.”

“Very perceptive, Ms. Caine.” He closed the distance between us and held out his hand, which I took this time. “I changed my mind. I think I’d like to dance with you instead.”

---