Page 56 of Timelessly Ours
I clear my throat. “Feel free to use it anytime.”
When her eyes open, they flash to my tumbler. “You making your own cocktails now? I’m hurt.”
“Tea. Chamomile. You’re welcome to give it the taste test.”
“You’re out here soaking in your glorious hot tub and sipping tea rather than a good smoked whiskey? Shameful.”
She moves to sit across from me which helps matters for distance but also doesn’t because now it’s hard not to notice all the places her shirt molds to her body.
“Nicole, I meant what I said earlier. You’re good for her. Stop trying to prove you’re not.”
She watches me as though waiting for something more convincing.
“I’m lifting the probation period. It’s not one month, it’s certainly not one week. I knew you were no Mary Poppins when I hired you—but I think you’re doing just fine.”
“Alright,” she says defiantly. “But on one condition.”
I raise a brow. “You have a condition?”
She stands, making a small splash and moves toward me. “I won’t be treated with kid gloves. I’m not your daughter’s friend. I’m your employee. I’m not the sister of one of your players who you’ve been looking out for as a favor to him.”
I have the urge to correct her. To tell her it was no fucking favor. But I don’t.
“I work for you. So if I’m screwing up—handle me like you would anyone else.”
Fuck. Me. Between her sassy mouth right now and the glistening glow of her dripping upper body, I’m in danger of a very showy hard-on; one that I can’t take care of at the moment.
I stand and push her back under the warm water that bubbles around her until it covers her chest.
“I’m not cold.”
“I did that for my sake, not yours. If you’re done—I have a few conditions too.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not going to lie again—”
"Doesn't matter. I can already tell when you’re full of shit.”
She blinks up at me and it’s impossible not to want her. So much so that I can’t help what I’m about to tell her. “I won’t handle you like I handle anyone else. You’re not just anyone and I think you know that.”
She pushes back up. Finding herself facing my chest, she doesn’t bother looking up.
Nope.
Instead, she lifts herself onto the top step of the tub so we’re at eye level. If I wasn’t so intrigued, I’d laugh.
“Could have fooled me,” she remarks, sweat and water dripping down her neck and chest, making me swallow hard.
Before I have a chance to respond, she swooshes out of the water and storms off.
I blink. What the hell? Was there more to that? Do I even dare ask?
Before I know it, I’m behind her as she enters the house, twisting her and pushing her against the wall. Rover’s head popping up from the den watching us.
She doesn’t gasp when I twist her this time. It’s like she expected me to cave. And I am. I’m fucking caving.
“Care to elaborate?” I demand.
“You should be careful. You might burst a pipe running hot and cold as much as you do.”
