He gives a slow nod, then smiles. “Okay, great. I’ll clear the table and get the spa set up,” he says as he starts to gather our plates.
“Why don’t you go ahead and meet me at the spa, and I’ll clean up in here? You’ve already done so much, this is the least I can do.”
“Are you sure? You’re the guest. I should be doing this.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ll just meet you outside.”
He hesitates for a moment, then nods slowly, picking up the bottle of Prosecco and our wine glasses before carrying them outside.
Twenty minutes later, the dining table is cleared, the dishes are rinsed and loaded into the dishwasher, and the kitchen counters are wiped down. After switching on the dishwasher, I grab a couple of towels from the bathroom cupboard, and head out to the deck to join Jason.
As I step outside, the cold, crisp air hits me with a sharp chill, making me momentarily second-guess my decision to venture out here. But then my eyes land on the pool and the person standing beside it. Jason is still in his clothes, scrolling through his phone, looking unfairly handsome while the water bubbles away in the spa.
“How’s the temperature?” I call out, making him jerk his gaze towards me.
He quickly pockets his phone, then crouches down and dips his hand in the water.
“It’s perfect. You ready?”
I nod and stroll towards him, placing our towels on the ground next to the wine glasses and bottle of Prosecco.
“Thanks for bringing those.” He gestures to the towels.
“It’s all good.”
We stand in awkward silence for a brief minute, both unsure what to say, our eyes flicking nervously between each other, until Jason finally speaks.
“Umm… you can go in first and let me know if the water’s okay for you. I’ll turn around while you get undressed.” Without waiting for my response, he spins around, giving me his back and privacy to strip down and step into the spa.
The instant I sink into the water, the heat wraps around me, like a warm blanket, melting away the cold chill and loosening every tense limb and nerve in my body.Oh,I can definitely get used to this.
I find a comfortable spot to sit and glance over at Jason, who’s back is still towards me. “The water is amazing. You can come in now.”
He turns to face me and flashes an irresistible grin. Then like a scene straight out ofMagic Mike, he starts peeling off his clothes, one piece at a time, while I sit there, shamelessly gawking like a creepy pervert.
I should look away. I know I should. Seriously. But then again...nah.
He doesn’t seem the least bit bothered by having a one-person audience while he strips off his clothing; if anything, he appears to be relishing the attention, judging by the way his smouldering gaze keeps flicking back to me.
Once he’s down to just his black boxer briefs, he carefully climbs in, and,oh my God, I think I just lost all my ability to speak or move. Jason Hawkins is, quite frankly, the finest specimen I’ve ever laid eyes on. He’s all broad shoulders, powerful arms and legs, and abs sculpted to perfection. He’s literally built like an Ancient Roman gladiator. Ink scatters across some parts of his skin, mainly on his arms and chest. And then there’s the butterfly tattoo just above his heart, theone Jake once said he got to honour his late mother. It’s almost identical to the one I have.
I quickly avert my gaze before he catches me drooling like a sex-deprived housewife, and to hide the blush creeping up my neck and cheeks, which I’m certain has deepened by at least three shades.
He settles into the spot directly across from me, leaning back with unhurried ease.
When his hands rake through his hair, leaving it damp, my focus snags on the way his biceps bulge and tighten. Not sure what else to do, I follow his lead, scooping handfuls of water and running them through my hair, soaking it.
When I glance back at him, he’s watching me with an intensity that sends a rush straight to my lower abdomen. Heat pools low, and I suddenly feel exposed, acutely aware of how little I’m wearing in front of him.
As if sensing my awkwardness, he reaches for the bottle of wine perched on the edge of the spa and pours our glasses halfway. “Not too cold out here for you?” he asks, holding a glass out to me.
I accept it and take a small sip. “No, it’s not,” I reply, setting my wine glass behind me on the edge. “You were right, a spa is definitely perfect for a night like this.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been able to just relax. When Jake is around, he’s usually always on the go, and when he’s not, I’m in the study catching up on some work. So it feels good to finally unwind a little.”
“Well, I won’t say no if you ask me to join you in the spa again. This seriously feels incredible.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Yeah? You won’t mind?” His voice is low and gravelly.
