Alex frowned when she saw his lips twitch and then he resumed his position against the rock.
Oh, that was just mean.
“Jerk.”
That twitch widened into a sexy, full smile. “You’re easily distracted, Lex. I like it.”
She nailed him with a don’t-push-it glare.
Daniel’s expression turned serious. “You’ve changed. You’re not half as biddable as you used to be.”
“Yeah, I grew up.” Alex half turned, put her hands behind her and leaned back, stretching out her legs. She looked at the sunset—the light was slowly fading and the colors were deepening in intensity. She turned her head to look up at the house and noticed that it was fully lit. There were also lights along the entire length of the path running from the beach to the house. It looked like a totally different structure, mysterious and sexy.
Just like the man lounging next to her.
Daniel followed her eyes and whistled in appreciation. “Wow. Matt Galloway is one lucky bastard to own this place.” He turned his head to look at her. “So, did you choose a room?”
“Yeah, I couldn’t resist the master bedroom. When the doors are open, it’s like you are sleeping outside, and it has this amazing shower enclosure. It’s three walls of glass and utterly breathtaking.”
Daniel’s mouth twitched with amusement. “That would give anyone on the beach an eyeful.”
“I thought the same thing,” Alex said with a smile. “But when I walked down to the beach, I checked. It’s made of that fancy glass where you can see out but not in.”
Standing up, Daniel held out his hand. Alex put her hand in his and he hauled her to her feet. “I’m starving. Let’s go see what’s in the fridge. I think I saw some no-alcohol beers if you’re interested.”
“I’d far prefer a glass of wine,” Alex said as she headed to the path with Daniel behind her.
“Well, I’d prefer to be sharing your bed. But apparently we can’t always have what we want.”
Seven
The next day, Daniel looked up and saw Alex standing in the doorway of the study. He leaned back in his chair and indulged himself by giving her a top-to-toe look. A red-and-white blousy shirt was tied at her still-slim waist and flirted with the band of the sexiest, most flattering pair of cutoff jeans he’d ever seen. Her feet were bare, as was her face, and she’d pulled her thick blond mane into a loose bundle on top of her head. She’d never looked more beautiful, and he desperately wanted to take her to bed.
Friends. They were trying to be friends.
Worst idea ever.
Daniel glanced at his watch and then grinned. It was past nine and that meant that she’d had a solid night’s sleep. Good. She’d needed it. He was happy to see that the blue smudges were gone from beneath her eyes.
“Hey, sleepyhead. I’m not going to ask you if you slept well, because you obviously did.”
Alex walked into the room and hopped up onto the corner of the desk, facing him. “I did. And for your information, I did wake up during the night and I did hear the sea. The tide must’ve been in.”
Alex liked being right and he couldn’t blame her because he liked it, too. He smelled the mint on her breath and forced himself not to lean forward and have a taste. Man, this week was going to be a drag if he couldn’t touch or taste her.
Daniel leaned back and linked his hands across his stomach. If he kept them there, maybe he wouldn’t give in to the urge to scoop her up, haul her outside and lower her to the sun bed on the porch. Excitement pooled in his groin at the thought of stripping her down until only the sun, his fingers and his mouth were touching her soft, fragrant skin...
Pull your head out of the bedroom, Clayton.
“How are you feeling?” he asked. He darted a look at the small strip of bare flesh he could see above the band of her jeans. Nobody would ever suspect that she was pregnant.
“Fine, actually. I haven’t had any morning sickness or cravings for weird food.” She smiled as she answered him, banging the heel of her foot against the leg of the desk. “And... Yay... I still fit into all my clothes, which is a definite plus.”
Alex picked up a glass paperweight from the desk, turned it over and lifted her eyebrows. She carefully replaced it and when she looked at him again, her eyes were bright with astonishment. “That’s Baccarat crystal and super expensive.”