He glares down at me. “Wouldn’t it bother you if I fucked around? Because it sure as hell would bother me if you did.”
I suck in a breath. Between the hot water and the champagne, I’m feeling extra brave.
Screw it.
I shift to straddle him and wrap my arms around his broad shoulders. “Would it really bother you if I slept with someone else? I thought I was just your friend’s little sister? Why would you care?”
His hands move to my hips, and he drags me closer until I’m pressing against that incredible erection. “Because I do, okay?”
“Did you really not mean our first kiss?” I whisper. “Because it felt real. It felt like it meant something.”
His grip tightens. “It shouldn’t have meant anything, but how can I kiss you and it be meaningless?”
My heart gallops in my chest.
13
PAIGE
Mustering up some courage,I snuggle closer until we’re nose to nose. “Rhett, technically, we’re married. No one’s going to care if we have sex. In fact, half the town expects it.”
He closes his eyes, like he’s battling himself. When he opens them, he almost looks angry. “I don’t wanna hurt you. I never wanted to remarry, and I have no plans to stay married. When this is over, andit will end, I want to have a clear conscience.”
I try not to flinch when he declares that we have a deadline. Of course, I know this—he’s been clear—but deep down, a part of me is hoping he’ll want to stay together.
And that’s just the stupid shit you see in romantic comedies. It’s not real life.
My heart finally settles, finally slows down, and that aloof feeling I always get with men returns, thank God. I shrug. “So let’s just have fun. We’ll fuck this out of our systems, and in six months go our separate ways as friends.”
He stares at my lips like he wants to devour me. “It’s not that simple.”
“Why not? I think we have chemistry. Why not explore that for the time we have together?”
He cups my face. “Paige, I’m ten years older than you. You and I were never meant to happen. This would be wrong.”
“What’s wrong about this?” I turn my face out of his grasp. “I’m almost twenty-three. I can choose what I want to do, and at the moment, I’d like to do you.”
Rhett chuckles, leaning close enough that our lips are only a hair’s breadth away. “Wildflower, you have no idea what you’re signing up for.”
Smirking, I rub against him. “I have a pretty good idea.” He looks like he’s waging an internal battle as his eyes shift between mine. I shrug. “Unless you’re not into me. Maybe I’m not your type. You’re really not my type. You’re far too broody and big… and annoying.”
He lets out a string of curses. “Let the record show I tried to be a good guy here.” Then his hand slides into my hair, gripping it firmly, and tugs my mouth to his.
When his tongue slides against mine, I groan in delight. Holy hell, he feels amazing, so solid and strong. His other hand lands on my ass, and he pulls me closer. Knowing he wants me shoots a wave of excitement through my body. I take the hint and grind against him as I let my fingers drift over his incredible shoulders.
His mouth falls to my neck where he nips me. “You always smell so fucking good. It drives me crazy how good you smell.” He lifts me up on my knees. “Take this off.”
His gruff voice makes me shiver as he motions to my bra. I shift off his lap so I’m standing in the waist-deep water. Reaching between my boobs, I flick open my bra and slowly move it down my shoulders before I shove off my panties and fling them off to the side.
“Did you get a good enough look this morning?” I ask with a smirk. I can be cheeky and sarcastic because I know this won’t mean anything to him. The time will come when Rhett willdivorce me, and I want him to rue that day because every one of our encounters will be seared in his brain.
His eyes grow hot as they travel over me. “Come here.”
I lift an eyebrow. “Or else…?”
“Or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and spank your ass.”
My nipples get tight at the threat in his voice. I chuckle. “You’d have to catch me first.” I turn and try to race away, forgetting all about my ankle. I make it two steps before Rhett has me in his grip.
