After we playa few rounds of Uno, we decide to switch things up.
“Wanna play chess?” Rhett asks as he studies the games tucked into the small bookcase.
“Sure, but I’m probably a little rusty. It’s been a while.”
He gives me a sad smile. “Your brother always kicked my ass at this game.”
“Same.” Danny taught me how to play during those long hospital nights.
We sit in companionable silence as we take turns. I finally get Rhett cornered. “Checkmate.”
“What the fuck? No.” He studies the board, then looks at me. “I don’t think I’ve ever been whooped this fast before, not even by Danny.”
I smile. “He taught me well, I guess.”
When I realized we didn’t have a TV set, I was worried about how we’d spend the weekend. My ex, Marcus, couldn’t deal if he had to unplug from his PlayStation that long, but Rhett just rolls with it.
When he gets up off the couch to grab us drinks, I shamelessly ogle him. Clothes don’t do him justice because his body is a work of freaking art. My breath catches in my chest as I remember him tugging off every stitch of clothing.
If all I get out of this marriage are those thirty seconds of Rhett stark naked, it was one hundred percent worth it.
He’s freaking huge. Everywhere.
A minute later he returns with two glasses of champagne and some strawberries. I give him a look, and he shrugs. “Seems a shame to let this go to waste.” He holds out his glass. “Here’s to being married to a fine woman.”
I smile and clink his glass with mine. “And here’s to being married to a fine man.” After I take a sip, I chuckle. “I didn’t even have to give up my left tit.”
He snorts. “I had no idea you were so funny.”
Hell, I didn’t know either, but now that I finally get to spend time with Rhett, I want to make him laugh all the time. I buff my nails. “It’s part of my charm.”
He chuckles and wraps his arm around my shoulders and hugs me. “I owe you big, Lewis.”
It feels so good to be so close to him, but I pretend like I’m unaffected. “We’re even. Beau said he’ll make sure I get on your health insurance this week, and then I can book my therapy sessions.”
“How’s your ankle feeling?”
“It’s a little achy, but that dip in the lake helped. I think I’m going to soak in the hot tub.”
“There’s a hot tub?”
I nod. “Out back.”
He’s quiet a minute. “Gonna skinny-dip again? Or can I join you?”
“You can join me. I’ll wear my underwear. It’ll be like a bathing suit.”
We enjoy the strawberries and champagne, and by the time I’m done, I’m feeling a little tipsy. The booze gives me extra courage.
“Come on. Let’s go soak in the hot tub.” I pull off my shirt, which leaves me in my bra, and head for the front door. He takes off after me.
Once I reach the hot tub deck, I tug off my shorts. A giddy shock of excitement surges over my skin as I feel his eyes travel over me.Finally, the little voice in the back of my head whispers. And since I have no shame, I bend slightly at my hips to jut my thong-clad ass back towards him.
When I turn around, Rhett’s eyes dart up, and he clears his throat. “Here.” He holds out his hand, and I take it to steady myself.
I groan as I sink into the warm water. “This is awesome. Get in.”
Sitting, I watch him shrug out of his t-shirt. In the low light, his muscles stand out in stark relief. The sexy tattoos on his arms and shoulders make an ache start low in my belly. Damn, he’s hot.
