I admire his drive to push his body to its limits constantly. My work-outs are restricted to the time I spend on the sidewalks of Manhattan walking my way to a fatter wallet. Transportation isn't cheap in the city and my legs are more than capable of getting me from point A to point B the majority of the time.
He scoops up a large white towel that was strung over the back of one of the chairs near the bookcase. I watch as he dabs it against his chest before rubbing it briskly over his hair. When he's done he looks even more devilishly handsome than he did when he first walked in.
"I have a conference call in fifteen minutes."
I should be surprised since it's Saturday, but I know that he's picked up the slack for Nolan since he married Ellie. Every Matiz location is open for business today which means Crew is the man to call if something doesn’t go right. Delegation is not his strong suit.
"I think I'll sit on the deck and read." I point to the elaborate display of books. "These are real, right? They're not just covers set there to impress."
He huffs out a hearty laugh. "My mom would drop dead if she heard you asking that. Many of those books are first editions signed by the author."
I want to ask what the hell they're doing out here in nowhere land instead of in a glass case in the apartment his parents live in, but I just smile. I don't understand wealth. I've never had it and from where I'm standing it might offer an easier life in terms of worry, but it comes with the burden of expectation and stress. I have enough of that on my own small scale. Adding more money than I will ever need to that equation isn't appealing in the least to me.
"I'll take you down to the beach once I'm done." He reaches to scratch his knee, his bicep flexing with the motion.
Why did I think this weekend was a good idea?
I don't know if he's trying to tempt me, but regardless it's working. I vowed I'd stick by my decision to keep things platonic between us, but he's not making it any easier.
"Good luck with that call," I say trying to keep my eyes on his face.
He knows I'm struggling. I see that in his soft smile and the cock of one of his dark brows. "Good luck with concentrating on your book, Adley."
Ass.
I try to look away when he turns to go back into the other wing of the house. I can't resist. He's gorgeous from every angle.
I'm less than twenty-four hours in and my inner strength is about to wave a white flag of surrender. I pick the first book my hand lands on and I head out to the deck with a mind full of dirty thoughts and an ache between my legs.
Chapter 22
Crew
Payback. That's what this is.
At least Ad could mask her arousal when she saw me this morning after my swim. I knew I got to her. Her nipples pebbled into high peaks under the pink dress she was wearing. She used the age-old tactic of crossing her arms over her chest to keep me from noticing. It didn't work.
I don't have the luxury of hiding my bulging erection. I'm wearing navy blue shorts and nothing else. It's still more than what Adley has on.
All that is covering her body is a red string bikini that looks like someone painted it on with precision. I may know what's underneath it now but I haven't got my first taste yet, and my cock is eager.
"You look happy to see me," she calls from where she's resting in a lounge chair near the heated pool. "You're smiling."
Little mynx.
"Not as happy as you are to see me." I sl
ide my sunglasses down the bridge of my nose to peek over them at her bikini top.
"It's breezy out today," she lies.
It's hot as hell. The blustery weather from last week was a prelude to blue skies and a rising thermometer. I wouldn't have given a shit if we were forced to wear parkas on this trip. I wanted her alone and I got my wish. The bikini is a very welcome bonus.
She's coming around. That wall of protection she built around herself in my apartment the night we kissed is slowly breaking apart.
Patience is the key when it comes to Adley. That's one of the lessons I've learned since I met her.
Another is that she doesn't have a lot of close friends.