James headed to the dining room table, and I couldn’t help but catch a glimpse of how those jeans emphasized his perfectly sculpted ass.
Damn. It would be a lot easier to ignore him if he wasn’t so freaking hot.
This night was going to be a lot longer than I thought.
Dinner was as I expected. The food was like at any five-star restaurant. But the conversation was the best part. I got to hear about the Henderson family in a way you don’t normally read about. They talked about their children and all their nephews and nieces. The family was a lot bigger than I ever imagined. And it was so nice to see the loving interaction between Zoey and Bennett. There was no doubt he loved his wife. It was beautiful to see. I was blessed to grow up witnessing the same type of affection between my parents. But at thirty, I’ve never even experienced a tenth of that depth of an emotional bond. I wasn’t the only one who seemed to feel that way. James’s expression mirrored my feelings. We don’t belong here.
“Robin, would you like to take a walk on the beach with me?” James asked.
I wasn’t sure if he was asking me so he would have an excuse to get the heck out of here before the games started, but I wasn’t about to question it. “I would love to.” Then I turned to Zoey and asked, “That is, if you don’t mind us bailing on the games?”
She smiled and said, “I don’t mind at all, as long as you promise to join me for coffee tomorrow morning and tell me all about your walk.” She winked.
This was not going to be a romantic encounter under the moonlight. Most likely we would discuss what he learned about Lily and the stranger. And that’s only if we even made it down to the beach. Once we left this penthouse, I didn’t see any reason to stick together. Of course, that would make for awkward conversation when I met Zoey for coffee tomorrow.
“As long as we don’t make it too early. Remember, I’m on vacation,” I said.
“Of course not. It’s already after midnight, and who knows how late you’ll be up?” Zoey teased.
I rolled my eyes, but ignored her comment. This is the type of teasing I expected from my friends back home. I was glad Zoey was comfortable with me, but I wasn’t that comfortable with James.
James and I said goodbye to our host and hostess and headed to the elevator. Once inside, I turned to him. “Are we really going for a walk on the beach?”
James replied, “I don’t lie.” There was the same dry, dead tone from his interrogation earlier. I knew he didn’t always sound like this, as he had been different over dinner. Guess you save this dry, serious man just for me. I didn’t care.
But that didn’t mean his comment made me feel great. Was he suggesting that I lie? “I was only asking so I could change my shoes. These sandals will not work on the beach.” And I had my answer. I’ll tell little white lies.
“Would you like me to follow you to your room, or do you want to meet in the lobby?”
Even though I didn’t like James personally, I was attracted to him like crazy. No way in hell was I letting him anywhere near my room. The temptation to ignore what my brain was saying and go along with what my body was telling me was too great. I was supposed to be here for a little R&R, not to have hot, steamy sex with Mr. Delicious. A chill ran through me and I said, “I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
James added, “You might want to grab a sweater-you seem cold.”
Actually, I’m the total opposite.
I got off on the third floor and headed to my room. I wasn’t even sure a walk on the beach with him was a wise choice, because with each step toward my room I was regretting him not being with me.
I can’t believe it, but I think it would’ve been a better choice staying playing charades with Zoey and Bennett.
Chapter 5
James
Robin had said she was just going to change her sandals. How long could that take? Here I was, still pacing the lobby thirty minutes later, and it was evident that she really didn’t want to accompany me for a walk. I wasn’t forcing her. She easily could have said no. But she didn’t. She also didn’t strike me as the type of woman who would take the coward’s way out and just blow me off. But she was taking forever.
I knew her room number. This could easily be settled with a quick knock and the chance to ask. Fuck that. I’d never chased after a woman before, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to start now. But it was a nice night, and my body hadn’t quite adjusted to the time difference yet. I wouldn’t be tired for hours. The walk on the beach would have to be one I took alone.
It wasn’t long before I found myself with my sneakers off and my jeans rolled up, wading knee-deep in the cool ocean.
“I would suggest wearing a bathing suit if you’re planning on going for a swim,” Robin’s voice teased from behind me.
So you finally decide to show up.
I turned, and was prepared with a snappy retort, but abruptly changed my mind as I noticed her standing there in a navy blue bikini. Fuck! She’s…fucking gorgeous.
Robin joined me in the water. “I thought you were going to wait for me in the lobby.”
“I did. But it doesn’t take thirty minutes to change shoes.” Obviously, she changed a lot more than just her shoes.
“I’m sorry. When I got to my room I received a call from my office. I thought it would only take a moment. Guess it went longer than I expected. I should’ve called down and let the receptionist inform you that I was running late.”
“No problem.” It wouldn’t have bothered me if she never showed. I didn’t need the complication.
“When I looked out the window in my room, I could see the moon reflecting on the ocean. It was just a shame to think of only going for a walk and not taking a midnight dip. Now here I am in my swimsuit, and you’re not. Looks like I’m going to have to swim by myself,” she said.
So she didn’t put on that bikini for my benefit. Doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the view anyway.
She waded out up to her navel, turned back, and said, “The water is a little cooler than I thought. You might be the smart one by not swimming tonight.”
She took a few steps further out and now the waves were crashing just beneath her breasts. There was no way in hell I could allow her to swim in the ocean at night, alone. I took a few steps back onto the beach, undid my belt, and pulled my jeans off. Then I pulled my T-shirt over my head and dropped it onto my jeans on the sand.
But even as I undressed, I noticed Robin watching every move I made. I wasn’t insecure – in fact, I had intentionally taken my time. Let her get a good look. It fucking turned me on the way she watched me, and I was tempted to strip naked. But I knew there were security camera’s all over the resort. I didn’t need to get fired for skinny dipping with a guest.I stopped, leaving my boxers on.
Even as I waded in to meet her, the cold ocean water did nothing to chill the heat running through my veins. I wanted her, and my body wasn’t hiding that fact. It didn’t help any that I hadn’t been with a woman in six months. Not since donating the kidney.
Everything should’ve been smooth, except for one, not so minor, complication. At least it wasn’t minor to me. Even thinking about sex brought me severe testicular discomfort. It was something no one had mentioned prior to my donating a kidney. It wouldn’t have changed anything. Hell, I’d have given my life for Cindy. The only difference, if I’d have known my balls would temporarily double in size, was I might have hesitated a bit. But only a bit.