She’d decided this weekend was all about having fun with Eric, and if something more happened between them, which was likely, given their explosive chemistry, she’d just have to keep her emotions in check and her heart to herself. Simple enough, she told herself. Not that she really believed it.
A half an hour later, she was rolling her small suitcase out to the entry area of her apartment when her doorbell rang. Even though she was fairly certain it was Eric picking her up for their four-hour trip to Santa Barbara—he’d insisted on driving and she appreciated the offer because his car was far more luxurious than hers—she checked the peephole, just to be sure. He stood on the other side on her little porch, grinning at her, then waggled his brows lasciviously. She laughed, just as he’d no doubt intended, and opened the door. He was certainly amusing and unpredictable, but that playfulness was something she enjoyed about him. She felt like she’d smiled more with Eric in the short time that she’d known him than in all the time she’d been with her ex.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, making her blush at the greeting while his gaze took in the summer dress and sandals she was wearing.
She wanted to tell him that compliments weren’t necessary, but he didn’t look like he was paying lip service for the sake of being her pretend boyfriend, and since there was no one else around, he clearly meant what he said. The genuine appreciation in his sexy green eyes was honest and real, and it felt good to be the object of a man’s desire.
He stepped inside, and without giving her the chance to close the door, he framed her face in his hands, tipped her head back, and kissed her . . . deliciously soft, incredibly slow, and arousingly deep. With a low moan of pleasure, she placed her hands on his chest and fell headlong into the delightful bliss of his lips sliding against hers and his tongue teasing and cajoling her to play.
It was the best kind of hello, and by the time he lifted his mouth and ended the leisurely kiss, her entire body felt pliant and desire spilled through her veins.
“Ummm,” he murmured, nipping gently at her bottom lip, that small tug of his teeth making her nipples bloom hard and tight against the front of her dress. “I missed you.”
Her breath caught, until she realized that he must have meant he missed kissing her. That certainly made more sense, she thought, smiling up at him. “I suppose that’s a good thing, considering you’re stuck with me for the next four days.”
“I’m looking forward to every minute of it,” he said with one of those sexy winks before finally releasing her.
“You haven’t met my crazy parents yet,” she said, then added beneath her breath, “Or my spiteful cousin.”
He arched a brow. “Now that sounds like a conversation we should have on the drive.”
Ugh. It was a discussion she absolutely dreaded, but no way did she want Eric to meet Raquel without knowing all the facts up front so he knew what he was dealing with. Her cousin was the queen of zingers, barbs, and underhanded, sly insinuations when it came to Evie.
She reached for the handle on her carry-on-size luggage, but Eric beat her to it.
“Is this the only bag you have?” he asked, looking around for others.
She laughed. “Yes. We’re going to a camping resort, not Paris.”
“I just thought women needed more . . . stuff when they traveled. You know, makeup, hair products, and enough clothes to change outfits three times a day.”
Clearly, the women he’d gone on trips with were high maintenance compared to her. Probably more sophisticated, too. She pushed aside the twist of jealousy at the notion of him being with other women. “There’s plenty of stuff in there. We’re only going to be at the resort for three days, and shorts, T-shirts, and a bathing suit don’t take up much room.”
Interest lit his green eyes, and a slow, sinful smile curved his lips. “One-piece or two?”
He was such a typical male and she refrained from rolling her eyes at his question. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it’s a one-piece. I don’t do bikinis.” She didn’t have the kind of body she’d ever flaunt in public.
“I don’t know why you’d think I’d be disappointed. A one-piece bathing suit can be provocative and sexy as hell.” The words came out on a possessive, toe-curling growl. “And just for the record, I don’t want your boobs hanging out of a tiny bikini top for other guys to lust over when you’re mine for the weekend. Besides, there’s something to be said for leaving something to a guy’s imagination.”
She shook her head at him. “You are such an anomaly.”