“Absolutely.” She patted him on the thigh, sending a sizzle straight to his groin. “Now let’s change into our swimsuits and get into the water.”
CHAPTER SIX
In her aqua-blue bikini, Lily stretched out on the chaise lounge next to the plunge pool. She soaked up the day’s fading rays, running her hand back and forth across her bare stomach. From behind her sunglasses she kept one eye peeled on Noah. He was floating in the plunge pool, resting his arms on the side with his back turned to her. She was pretty convinced by now. Something was up. There was no way she was the one woman on the planet Noah did not find attractive.
Still, he’d had a zillion opportunities to make a move and he hadn’t taken the bait. Not when she’d asked him to put sunscreen on her back, not when she’d splashed him playfully in the pool, not when she’d made a comment about how good he looked in his black board shorts. If anything, it felt like he was trying to keep her away, which made no sense. Charlotte had said he was guaranteed to make a pass. And Lily would never forget the curl of his fingers in the paparazzi photo of them at Tiffany. He’d wanted her in that picture. She’d seen the evidence.
She propped up on her elbows and watched him. This view of his shoulders was nothing short of spectacular—every sexy contour and rounded muscle you could imagine. Noah was not overly built, but he was in excellent shape. “You’re going to prune if you don’t get out soon,” she said, invoking a seductive inflection. This was the perfect opportunity for him to turn and get an eyeful, but he only made a cursory glance before diving under the water. That was it. He was practically daring her to make the first move. But he was her boss. If only she wasn’t so concerned with keeping her job.
He broke the water’s surface, planted his hands on the edge of the pool and hoisted himself out. He was a dripping wet Adonis. Every firm inch of him was glistening in the sun. They’d been in Florida for only a few hours and he was already tan. He grabbed a towel from a stack near the patio doors to their room and ruffled his hair. Lily had an irrational desire to walk over and help him with everything else that was in need of drying, especially that spot on his lower stomach, right below his belly button, where the narrow trail of hair led beneath the waistband of his board shorts. There were only two words to describe that part of him: Yum. Oh.
“We should probably get ready for dinner, don’t you think?” he asked. “I’ll hop in the shower first if you want a few more minutes out here.” He wouldn’t even look at her. And it was driving Lily up the wall.
“You go ahead. I need to figure out what I’m wearing anyway.”
“Sounds like a plan.” With that, he disappeared.
Lily flopped back onto the chair and groaned. This frustration was impossible. She wanted Noah so bad she could spit. But it was a terrible idea. She’d thought this trip might give her an out—he could make a pass, she could enthusiastically acquiesce, they could give each other a few amazing memories, and then they’d go back to the way things had been before. She already knew Noah was capable of that. As for herself, she wasn’t certain she could pull it off, but she’d lived with far worse heartbreak. She’d been dumped at her own wedding. Nothing would ever be as horrendous as that.
Lily got up from her chair, put on her cover-up, traipsed back inside and flipped through the dresses in the closet, choosing a gauzy black maxi dress with skinny straps. It was the perfect sexy beach dress and she could wear flats with it, which would be nice and comfy.
Noah came out of the bathroom, wearing one of the white waffle-weave towels the resort provided. Lily was far too aware of what else he was wearing. Nothing. “The bathroom is all yours.”
Lily decided another test was in order. She pulled her cover-up over her head and walked right up to Noah, planting her hand on his cheek. His stubble scratched her palm as she peered up into his eyes. He was so beautiful it made her chest ache. “I think your scruff could use some neatening up. It’s getting a bit scraggly.”
“Really?” His eyebrows drew together.
“You want to look your best for the Hannaforts. You can use the bathroom while I shower.” Maybe a trial like this would be enough to push him over the edge.
“I really don’t think that’s appropriate. The shower has glass walls.”
Sure enough, he flunked the test. Or passed with flying colors, depending on which side you were on. “Fine. Go ahead and finish up. I’ll wait.”
She plopped down on the end of the bed, resigned to her fate. There would be no fun between her and Noah. At least she could triumphantly tell Charlotte she was wrong.