“What do you think of him?” The timbre of Broderick’s voice issued a bit of a challenge.
“He’s fearless in the boardroom. His devotion to his family has always been without question.”
“He loved my mother, deeply.” Broderick held up a hand. “Sure, I know there are kids who wear rose-colored glasses where their parents are concerned. But he grieved so hard when we lost her and my sister. I don’t believe the company would have survived if Uncle Conrad hadn’t stepped in for a year.”
“Somehow I never knew your uncle did that. He always seemed to have his own side projects going, independent of your father.”
Broderick swirled the water and she felt the small current against her tummy. “The family kept it on the down low to protect the stability of stocks. Uncle Conrad was masterful at reassuring the board. He comes across as such a jokester, but don’t underestimate him. He’s a smart man who doesn’t care about recognition.”
Stars twinkled in crystal brightness across the inky sky.
“Lack of ego in a man.” She laughed softly. “What a novelty.”
“Ouch.” Broderick flicked water at her. “Surely you didn’t mean that for humble me.”
“Of course not.” She crinkled her nose at him, feeling her body drawn toward his. Just like she had been over a decade ago. The laughter between them felt natural, familiar.
And so very enticing.
His hand lifted from the water to point to the beginning of the northern lights. Preternatural greens and purples filled the sky, dancing with no regard for anything besides the present moment.
Somehow, she and Broderick were closer than just a moment ago. She felt his body next to hers, aware and awake. Present.
Her eyes found his. Her own heart felt foreign in her chest, beating hard under his gaze. She wasn’t sure who moved first, or if they perhaps moved at the same time.
Because without question, they were now a breath away from a kiss—a kiss of passion and longing and a promise of so much more.
And she didn’t have the least inclination to stop.
* * *
So much for all his good intentions.
When she looked at him like that, he couldn’t keep his distance. When her shoulder brushed against him, she released the desire he’d tamped down for a decade.
Her mouth parted, ever so slightly, anticipation pulsing in the small gesture. Broderick was filled with the urge to wrap his arm around her. Pull her onto his lap. To let her legs straddle him, for her to open to him, accept him as he plunged deep inside her body as he once had. As he wanted to do again.
This woman had always had the power to bring him to his knees with desire. And yes, the thought of being on his knees in front of her, with her legs parted, ready for him to tease her to completion—
He exhaled long and slow, willing his heartbeat to slow from a gallop to something vaguely close to normal.
The last time he’d surrendered to that temptation, she’d walked away, married another man and ignored him for a decade. Did he have the will to stop if he let himself have a taste of her?
Broderick stroked Glenna’s cheek and plucked at a damp lock of hair clinging to moist skin. The silky softness of her sent a bolt of heat through him far hotter than the bubbling tub. Her pale blue eyes glistened with the reflection of the stars and hints of the northern lights.
Her creamy shoulders peeked above the rolling waters. The thin black ties reminded him she still wore a bikini top, and with one tug he could free those ties, baring her beautiful breasts for his eyes alone. He recalled in vivid detail what she looked like wearing nothing.
Yet there were more mature curves to her now and he ached to explore every inch with his hands and his mouth. To make love to her under the stars with the northern lights streaming through the sky.
He wanted that.
But if he didn’t want another decade of regrets, he needed to bide his time. Take things slow.
For tonight, he needed to relearn the feel and taste of her lips.
Angling forward, he waited a hairbreadth away, giving her the chance to protest. Praying she wouldn’t.
Then she slid closer. All the encouragement he needed to taste her, and for an instant he let himself do that. He brushed his mouth along her cheek, where his fingers had stroked only an instant before. Her skin was creamy soft. Her light gasp enticing as she swayed closer, her knees brushing his underwater.
Her breasts pressed against his chest with a sweet pressure that had him throbbing, longing to sweep aside her swimsuit and his and be inside her. The ache was intense, but the will to win her over for more than an impulsive hookup was stronger.
His mouth skimmed around to capture hers and her arms slid around his neck in a smooth affirmation that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Heat and desire and the fragrant blend of Glenna mixed with the Alaska air threatened to send him over the edge of reason. Of control.