Patio furniture was arranged around the large, kidney-shaped pool. Wide steps and a handrail accessed the shallow end. The deep end was marked at nine feet. The ledge surrounding the pool was trimmed with cerulean blue tiles. To her right, beneath a permanent awning, sat a picnic table and chairs. A firepit took up one corner of the yard; citrus trees lined the other side.
Gavin’s arms came around her and he kissed her neck. “So? What do you think?”
“I think I might be dreaming. This is beautiful.”
“Come and see the rest of the house.”
Rielle didn’t pay much attention to the spare bedrooms or bathrooms. The master bedroom was roughly the same size as her old room. The master bath was fancier, boasting a steam shower in addition to the glass-walled shower, a double vanity and built-in cabinetry in every nook and cranny.
She returned to the bedroom to see Gavin putting away his clothes. She still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact they’d be here for a week. Alone. Just the two of them.
Gavin picked her up and threw her on the bed. Then he was on top of her. Kissing her with ferocity. Grinding his pelvis into hers, his c**k already hard. His mouth moved to her ear. “Let me have you.”
Usually she’d jump right on that idea, but not this time.
He sensed her hesitation and pushed up to look into her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. The timing on this feels off. Like hey, we’re here alone, let’s f**k first thing and get it out of the way.”
“No pressure. This is supposed to be fun. Relaxing. I saw you bent over that suitcase and well, I’m a guy. I wanted to pull down your jeans and f**k you just like that.” He grinned. “I thought I was being polite and gentlemanly by throwing you on the bed first.”
Rielle laughed. “Tell you what. Can I take a raincheck on that for now?”
“Sure.” He pressed his lips to hers and rolled off the bed. “On one condition.” His very male, very possessive gaze started at her feet and ended at her chest. “You put on the bikini.”
“Now?”
“Now.”
“Fine. But I’d better see you in a Speedo too, bucko.”
Gavin shuddered. “No Speedo for me ever. But I will put on my swimming trunks if it makes you happy.”
“Very happy.”
Then, like a complete chicken, Rielle undressed in the bathroom and didn’t come out until she knew Gavin was gone. Since she’d forgotten a cover up, and had no intention of prancing around in a bikini all damn day—no matter what Gavin wanted—she snagged one of his button-up business shirts from the closet and slipped it on before she headed to the kitchen.
His drink stopped halfway to his mouth when he caught sight of her. “Are you f**king serious?”
“What?”
“I’m supposed to keep my hands to myself when you’re looking that goddamn sexy in a bikini and wearing my shirt?” He groaned. “You’re evil, Ree. Pure evil.”
This man knew exactly what to say to her. She kissed him, using the distraction to swipe his drink and take a sip before she handed it back. “Mmm. Whiskey. So this place comes equipped with booze?”
“I sent my assistant a list. She brought everything over when she checked the house yesterday.”
“How many minions do you have to do your bidding?”
“Employees,” he corrected. “No minions. It’s not like I demanded she prepare a gourmet feast for us. She just picked up a few things at the store for me. That’s it.”
“This is my first glimpse into your world, isn’t it? A reminder that we live in two different worlds.”
He hauled her against his chest. “We’re in the same world, in the same place right now and that’s all that matters to me.”
Rielle let him kiss her, wanting the familiarity of his touch to shut down the doubts that’d begun to plague her.
“Would you like a whiskey Coke? Or a beer? Or a whiskey Coke minus the whiskey?”
“Whiskey on the rocks would be great.”
“Are you hungry? There’s chips and salsa or I could make you a salad.”
Rielle put her hand on his arm. “Gavin. I don’t expect you to wait on me.”
“Tough. I plan to wait on you, cater to your every need, fulfill your every desire, so by the time we leave here, you’re used to it.”
She started to laugh until she realized the man was dead serious.
What the hell?
They carried their drinks by the pool and settled into the chaise lounges. With the sun warming her body and whiskey buzz, she drifted into that happy place of marginal awareness. She heard Gavin chuckle beside her and she let herself go completely under.
A rough fingertip stroking her arm brought her out of her relaxation. She stretched and sighed. “How long was I out?”
“An hour, I guess. I dozed off myself. Would you like another drink?”
Rielle peered at him over the tops of her sunglasses. “You trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me, tycoon?”
“Yep.”
“Okay. But add Coke to mine this time.”
After Gavin returned to the kitchen, Rielle decided to take a dip in the pool. She floated on her back; the water muffled all noise except for the sound of her deep breathing. She stared up at the pale gray sky. Odd to think a sky that color in Wyoming meant snow. She dropped to her feet and noticed Gavin watching her avidly.
“I set your drink on the table. There’s a towel there for you too.”
Rielle smiled at him. “Don’t want your shirt to get wet?”
His phone rang and he frowned at the number. “Sorry, I have to take this call.” He abruptly disappeared into the house.
Was Sierra already having issues with her mother?
She snagged a chair by the picnic table. The air temp had cooled, and she let her head fall back, closing her eyes. This drinking and napping in the afternoon stuff was pretty cool.
A warm kiss landed on the center of her chest. Another one on the top of each breast. Gavin placed kisses along the triangles of her swimsuit top. Then nuzzling and sweet kisses weren’t enough. He yanked the material aside. His hot, wet mouth encircled her cold nipple and he began to suck.
“Oh, God,” she moaned and arched back. Then she remembered they were outside. Surrounded by neighbors. “Gavin. Stop. People might see us. Or hear us.”
“So? Forget about everything but this.” He flicked his tongue across her nipple.