In an instant Simon was at her side, sinking down into the chair beside her. Taking her hand in his, he placed her palm over his heart. His heartbeat was so strong underneath her fingertips. So strong that it comforted her to know that he was there with her.
“You don’t have to explain it to him until you have to,” he said. “But no matter what happens, Heather, I’m here. I’ll support you no matter what. If you need me to pay for childcare or a lawyer, or anything else, I’m here.”
Even through her blurry vision she could see the concern and love in his blue eyes. “I couldn’t ask you to pay for a lawyer—”
“Yes, you could,” he said, cutting her off. “I’ve got the best lawyers in Washington State on speed dial. Say the word and I’ll get them on the phone.”
“Okay.” She gave him the tiniest smile. “This isn’t me agreeing to take on an expensive lawyer. This is just me agreeing to talk to one. I guess a consultation wouldn’t hurt.”
“Keep an open mind,” he said. “That’s all I ask.”
This was why she had finally agreed to come on this trip. Without Gary to look up to, Finn needed a father figure in his life. He already had his grandfather, but she knew her son was going to need all the fatherly support he could get. She was still nervous about Simon realizing he had made a huge mistake in dating a single mother, but there was still a chance that he might bond with Finn. Still a chance that Finn wouldn’t internalize his father abandoning him if he had someone like Simon to look up to.
“I will,” she promised.
When he brought her hand to his lips to kiss it tenderly the rest of her sadness melted away. But not even Simon’s kiss could banish her apprehension.
Hours later they made it to the out-of-the-way Grande Luxe Resort and Spa.
Heather had gotten a secluded bungalow of her own that she could share with Finn, while Simon had gotten a bungalow of his own beside them. Her bungalow was decorated in a chic tropical design. All the chairs were made of wicker and the vaulted ceiling was finished with bamboo. It was like a tropical forest had been brought indoors.
Finn was still tired from the flight so she tucked him into bed, closed his bedroom door as she slipped out, and went to meet Simon out on the expansive, private verandah.
From here she got a breathtaking view of the private beach. The pure white sand was so inviting that she slipped off her shoes and sat down in the loveseat across from Simon.
He looked unbelievably gorgeous with his dark hair tousled and the buttons of his shirt undone to reveal his bare torso. The sight of his hard, rippling muscles made her mouth water. She wondered if he knew the affect he had on her, but he had never been a superficial man.
“They’ve set out some Champagne for you.” He reached into the ice bucket that was on the table between them and retrieved the bottle. With one quick motion he popped open the bottle and filled two flutes.
She reached for a glass and took a sip of the cold, bubbly Champagne. A soft satisfied sigh escaped her throat. “Heavenly.”
“Glad you like it.” Simon smiled. “How’s Finn?”
“Fast asleep. The excitement and the cross-country flight knocked him out.” She gazed at him, memories of all the times they had spent at hotels drifting back. Every business trip they had been on together had ended up with them in bed. “It’s probably a good thing that you got us separate accommodations.”
“Well, I don’t want to move too fast and have us in one house. That would just confuse Finn, and I don’t want to do that. Which means we’re going to have to keep our hands to ourselves for the duration of the trip.” His voice was serious but there was a glint in his eye. “This is a family-friendly trip after all, so let’s keep it that way.”
She set her glass down and crossed her arms. “What are you implying?”
“I’m implying that you really shouldn’t look at me like that,” he replied with a laugh.
“I’ll behave if you will,” she said.
His eyes met hers and the heat blazing in their depths was so intense she felt like she was on fire. Resisting a man had never taken this much effort. Never felt like some monumental task that she was in danger of failing.