“Ah.”
“I’m leaving in a month. More like three weeks now. I don’t think we can make it to the altar by that time, so I’m happy just taking some time to enjoy each other.” She managed a careless shrug, shocked at how tough it was to talk about this with him. “If that’s what you want, too.”
“I’m...” He put his fork down, stared at his plate. “I guess I was thinking more just tonight, Eva.”
“Oh.” She contained her disappointment. She counted on the next three weeks to make this man fall head over heels in love with her, which he’d already started to do even if he didn’t know it yet. “Well, okay.”
“I’m sorry, I just...don’t want to get in any d—”
Eva’s hopes rose. Deeper? Maybe he had started to recognize his feelings for her. Not a great sign that he was fighting them, but she wouldn’t have to consider this a final defeat. “I understand, Ames. Truly. We’re consenting adults. Pouncing on you in your shower doesn’t mean you owe me more than what I asked for, which was exactly that. Tonight.”
She waited, fingers figuratively crossed. If he looked at all disappointed she had a chance.
His face was priceless. At first surprised, a touch of relief, but then, ooh, the way he stared pensively and slightly crankily at his food—was that male ego a bit dented by her easy acceptance of his limits?
She hoped so. Even if tonight was all they had, at least he wasn’t throwing her off without another thought.
She got up on her knees and waddled over to him, put her beer on the table alongside his. “So tell me, Ames.”
“Huh?” He looked as if she’d interrupted some pretty deep soul-searching.
Excellent.
“Does our one-night stand include the rest of tonight, or is what we accomplished already in the shower the extent of our shared physical activity?” She put her hands on her hips, fluttered her eyelashes sweetly, pretending his answer didn’t concern her one way or another, though she was pretty sure she knew what it would be.
“Hmm.” He got to his knees, too, finger comically tapping on his chin. “Let me think about that for a while—okay, I’m done.”
He pounced, rolling her back onto the bedspread covering the floor.
“Ames!” She squealed in a delighted protest. “You’re lying on my Chinese food.”
“You’re lying on my sand. It will get all up in your bikini.”
“You know, you’re right.” She frowned down at her body. “I think I should take it off, don’t you?”
“Please let me help you.”
“You are so thoughtful.” She looped her arms around his neck and lifted her hips so he could slide off her panties.
Even though he’d already seen her naked, the way he studied her emerging skin and female parts as if he were unwrapping the most remarkable gift he’d ever gotten—well, a girl could get used to that type of reverence. She sure would like to.
Keep it light... “Everything still there?”
“Everything is perfect.” He ran his hand over her stomach, down between her legs, a light caress that made her shiver.
“Except one thing.” She stared pointedly at the appetizing bulge in his boxer briefs. “You are still wearing your suit.”
“You’re right, I am.” He rolled onto his side, frowning. “Any idea what to do? I’ve got nothing.”
“Doesn’t look that way to me.” She reached for his waistband. “However, if you cooperate, I think I can help you.”
“Thanks, Eva.” His smile faded as her fingers slid under and closed around his erection; his breath caught. “Oh, man. I love the way you touch me.”
She loved making him feel good like this. His face was so dear to her already, she could scarcely believe how briefly they’d known each other. But that was how she rolled, not dipping her toe in to test waters, not stepping in gradually to adjust to the stream, but throwing herself in, body and soul. If that meant she got hurt more than most people, okay, she’d take it. But she’d never be accused of hiding from life and all it could offer.
“On your knees, boy,” she whispered.