Summer Escape with the Tycoon

CHAPTER NINE

MOLLY ROLLED OVER and discovered Eric still sleeping; he’d stayed the night, despite how they’d talked about him going back to his room before morning in an effort to keep things private within the group. But then they’d been talking while basking in some serious afterglow and must have drifted off. He was facing her right now, his long lashes resting on his cheeks, the night’s stubble darkening his jaw and the lines around his eyes relaxed. She slowly stretched, feeling delightfully limber. Last night’s massage, bath, wine and after-hours activity had made her muscles very, very happy.

She smiled and let out a sigh. Not just her muscles. She was happy, too. This living-in-the-moment thing was darn nice. She knew it couldn’t last forever, and a slight sense of unease slid through her as she realized that soon they would have to say goodbye. It wouldn’t be as easy as going their separate ways with a wave and a smile. At least it wouldn’t be for her. She didn’t just fall into bed with anyone, and Eric was not truly the boorish grump who’d walked into her hotel room on day one. He was caring and patient and fun. He’d held her hand during her panic attack, talked her into smashing her phone and sat with her in the night when she had nightmares. An ordinary, selfish guy didn’t do those things.

He’d described himself as a workaholic, but she hadn’t seen that part of him at all. And he’d admitted that he hadn’t paid enough attention to his marriage. She liked him a lot, and it was hard to reconcile the man she was coming to know with the man

who lived for work and was emotionally unavailable. His words, not hers.

Maybe this wasn’t the real him. Or maybe it was...

He snuffled and shifted beneath the sheets, and she frowned. He could probably say the same about her. She was usually far more self-assured and confident, but the last few days in particular she’d allowed herself to be vulnerable. Which person was the real her? Which did she want to be?

His lashes fluttered open and he gave her a soft and sexy smile. “Good morning.”

His deep voice slid over her nerve endings like chocolate, rich and decadent. He reached out and snagged her by the waist, dragging her closer. Then he dipped his head into the curve of her neck and kissed it softly.

He was such a good lover. Her heart stuttered. And a friend, too. How unusual to find both in the same person.

“You should probably get back to your room. It’s nearly seven.”

He nodded. “I know. There’s hanging out together and then there’s staying in each other’s rooms. I understand not wanting to inspire that kind of chatter in the group.”

She relaxed in relief, but he added, “Not that it’s anyone’s business. We’re adults and we’re not with anyone else.” A startled look came over his face. “At least I’m not. Are you?”

She shook her head wildly. “No, of course not! I would never—”

“I didn’t think you would. But I wanted to make sure.”

They really didn’t know that much about each other. The fact that she wanted to know everything scared her to death. This couldn’t go on past their trip, and now she was getting in too deep.

He reached out and tipped up her chin with a finger. “Hey. You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”

Was she? No. She was just having other thoughts that were unsettling, to put it mildly. “No, of course not,” she answered, pasting on a smile. “Last night was...amazing. I’m just trying to regain my balance. This is kind of unlike me, you know?”

“And you have some things to sort through.” He nodded as if he understood, confusing her even more. Was he really as good as he seemed?

“I do.”

“Well, if it helps, this isn’t my usual speed, either.” He let his finger trace along her jaw. “I mean, I’d been with Murielle for a long time. I never cheated, and since the split, I haven’t... Well.” His full lips twitched a little and his eyes twinkled. “You’re my first fling.”

It was flattering and frustrating all at the same time. She hated the word first. It presumed there would be others after her, and she didn’t like that picture in her head.

Then there was the term fling. It was very clear that this was a short-term, vacation-only affair. It couldn’t be anything else. So why did it bug her so much to be a first fling?

She rolled over to her back and kept the covers pulled up under her armpits, even though her peach nightie was back on. “We really should get up. Today we have the morning hike and then on to Tofino. I don’t want to keep the group waiting.”

His eyes darkened. “Well, you’re probably right. I should go shower and pack.” He leaned over and dropped a kiss on her nose. “But will you meet me for breakfast?”

She nodded. “Sure. In an hour?”

“Sounds good.”

Then there was the moment when he crawled out of bed and she got a tempting glimpse of the rear view as he stood to slip into his shorts and then jeans. He left his shirt untucked, just like last night, only now it was a mess of wrinkles from being on her floor.

She seriously couldn’t be sorry. She liked him so much. If circumstances were different, she might even find herself falling for him.

But, circumstances being what they were, that was out of the question.