Can a man die from anticipation? I think there’s a strong likelihood.
As she slides into the water like a mermaid, I pop open the champagne because I need a drink.
Full confession: I’m not a hundred percent sure Maggie is into me.
Maybe she has a wild side I’ve never known about, and taking a dip in the middle of the night in her underwear is not a play to hook up.
Maybe she’s had a stressful week and just wants to relax in the jacuzzi.
Maybe she didn’t know I was flirting with her on the dance floor. It’s possible. Hell, most of the men at the reception did double-takes when she walked by. There’s no good reason I’d catch her attention.
After the cork goes flying, I chug a few sips.
“Are you nervous?” she asks quietly, and I finally turn to look at her. Her thick hair bubbles up in the hot water and floats around her like mist.
I always try to be truthful, so even though I’d love to play it cool right now, I go with honesty. “Yes, I’m nervous. I don’t want to do anything that ruins our truce.” I take her hand and pull her closer. She surprises me when she straddles my lap. My hands land on her waist. Her arms drape over my shoulders.
Dark, serious eyes study mine. “Maybe we should seal our truce with something,” she says softly.
“A handshake?” I tease as I brush her nose with mine before I tuck my face against her shoulder. Fuck, she smells so good. Like ripe strawberries and temptation.
She snuggles closer and presses her hips to mine. My erection nestles against her stomach, and I close my eyes, hoping I’m not moving too fast.
“I mean, we could shake hands,” she whispers in my ear as she presses her beautiful tits against my chest.
I let my hands slide down her hips to rest on her ass, which gloriously fills both of my hands. “Or…”
“Or… maybe we could try something sweeter.”
My mind instantly goes to what’s behind that thin strip of fabric between her thighs. That seems pretty sweet to me. “Mags, everything about you is sweet. Gonna need you to be a bit more specific.”
She grazes her teeth on my neck. Swipes my skin with her tongue.
For the love of God. I don’t think I’ve ever been this turned on before.
“Maybe we seal our truce with a kiss,” she says in my ear.
It must be the champagne, because I throw caution to the wind. “Can I choose where to place that kiss?”
We’re nose to nose, the dark night drowning out the rest of the world, and I’m about to kiss the Magnolia Morales when a flashlight beams in our faces.
“Kids, the pool area closed two hours ago,” a stern voice says. “Gonna need y’all to get out.”
11
MAGGIE
Laughing, we run hand in hand through the hotel. We’re both wet, so we’re slipping and sliding on the tile as we cling to our towels and bottle of champagne and each other.
“Oh, my God, watch your knee!”
“Ten-four.” Michael pauses. “But it doesn’t hurt.”
“Okay, then hurry up!”
My heart races when I hear the magical sound of the keycard unlocking his door. We’re barely inside his room when he pushes me against the wall and kisses me.
The world stops spinning on its axis while my heart pounds. It’s finally happening. I’m finally kissing Michael Oliver.
