One to Keep (One to Hold 2)

“I honestly thought something was wrong with me.”

Catching her cheeks, I tilted her face up, covering her mouth with mine in a deep kiss. “There is nothing wrong with you,” I breathed against her lips before kissing her again. “I want you in my bed.”

&n

bsp; Her arms tightened over my shoulders. “Let’s go.”

But in that instant, I realized. My eyes moved around the space. “We might have a problem.”

Her green eyes rolled. “No towels!”

“Hang on.” I slid out and away, going to the side and pushing my body out of the water. I picked up the thin white undershirt I’d worn beneath my pinstriped oxford and held it up. “It probably won’t help much, but you can use this to dry off.

She was beside me in an instant, taking it and rubbing it over her wet body. The sight of that almost did me in.

“That’ll do,” she whispered. “I mean, my dress is strapless anyway.”

I watched as she stepped in and pulled it over her bare breasts until I couldn’t resist. I scooped her up against me. “You are so damned sexy.”

“Patrick!” she shrieked a laugh. “Why did I even dry off?”

Releasing her quickly, I stepped back. “Sorry.”

But she threw her arms around my neck, hugging against me again. “Don’t ever stop doing that.” Her lips brushed mine. “Ever.”

My arms were back around her in an instant. “I promise I won’t.”

Chapter 9 – Best Day Ever

Dawn pierced through the crack I’d tried not to leave in the curtains, but I didn’t mind. With the growing light, I was able to see her better as she slept next to me, her arm loosely across my waist, her silky blonde hair streaming over my pillow. I had to force myself to keep still and not slide my hand down the smooth skin of her back.

Last night, I’d made love to her every way I could before we were both falling asleep, still holding each other. Something was happening here—not alcohol, not escape. Being with Elaine Was like… nothing I’d ever had. I wanted to tell her I could fall in love with her as I watched her eyes drift closed and her breathing soften, but it was way too soon. And I had all that shit to deal with back home.

Still, nothing had prepared me for Elaine. Nothing in my past had this intensity. No relationship, no job, nothing had ever felt the way I did when we talked, when we touched, when her body wrapped around mine. For the first time in a year, I could honestly say what happened with Stacy was for the best. It truly felt like everything had conspired to draw me to this place specifically to meet this woman.

She stirred and rolled onto her side, her green eyes blinking open slowly. When she saw me, she smiled, and my heart warmed.

“Patrick,” she said, moving her cheek to my chest, her soft blonde hair spilling over my arm. I smoothed it back. “Did you get enough sleep?”

I didn’t say I couldn’t be bothered with sleep with her in my bed. All I wanted was to make her happy. “Yes,” I answered.

She made a contented sound before rolling onto her back to stretch. I was right beside her, kissing her stomach that flattened as her back arched, working my way higher. Instantly she curled together with a laugh.

I pulled her to me. “What do you think about touring Scottsdale with me?”

Her arms snaked around my waist. “I thought you had to be in meetings all morning.”

“Fuck meetings, I’m spending my time with you.”

I felt her laugh more. “Then yes, I would love to tour Scottsdale with you!”

Standing, I took her hand. “Let me walk you back so we can get changed. If this is your first visit, there are some places you’ve got to see.” I had the whole day planned out already.

* * *

Derek didn’t hassle me about skipping the day’s meetings, which was surprising. “You’ve landed some good clients on this trip,” he said, and his voice was so changed, I almost didn’t recognize it. “I’m taking the afternoon off as well.”

“Okay.” What was going on with him? Then I remembered to ask, “Did you find Melissa? Elaine tried to call her at one point, but she didn’t answer.”