Oh hell yes she could. She’d been dreaming of that moment for quite some time. As much as she found Luke attractive and sexy and intelligent—and pretty much the perfect man in every way—she also knew a workaholic like him would never share his life with a woman... Not when he had such a demanding career. Kelly had known that in advance, which is why she always told herself if she ever got the chance with him, they could only be physical. Nothing more.
She flipped the page in her book and took another sip of her drink. The sand shifted and water droplets splattered onto her legs.
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Luke raking a hand over his hair, clearly the source of the droplets. She thought she’d only give him a glance, but a body like that really deserved so much more.
All of that dark skin with water clinging to those impossibly broad shoulders and then losing the fight as the moisture slid down over his muscular torso and right toward those lips on the front of his tight trunks.
At this point she really had no idea who was seducing whom, but she wondered if the battle of control would continue to volley back and forth.
“How was the water?” she asked.
“Refreshing.” He glanced down toward the drinks. “Did you take mine, too?”
She rolled back to her stomach and put her mouth on the straw in lieu of an answer. Kelly flipped a page in her book, though she wasn’t even focused on the actual words. She needed something to do with her shaky hands.
“I’ll go get us more drinks,” he told her.
“No need.” She still kept her attention on her book as if everything in their little world hadn’t exploded an hour ago. “I already asked for another round. The butler came by a minute ago.”
“Will I be able to have my own drink this time?”
Kelly closed her book, grabbed the piña colada from the holder on the bed, and turned to sit up and face Luke. She smiled, though nerves danced in her belly at so many unknowns that would be facing them in the next few days.
“I ordered doubles, so you will get your own.”
“How much do you plan on drinking?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Considering I’m on vacation, who knows. I do love a good fruity cocktail, though. I might have some wine with dinner. But don’t worry, I’m also getting plenty of water.”
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she came to her feet and held onto her almost-empty drink. “Were you concerned for me, Luke?”
“I just don’t
want you getting dehydrated.”
She laughed. “Whatever you say. Lunch is also being delivered in about an hour, so if you want to swim or just relax here go ahead. I plan on heading to the ocean to cool off.”
As she spoke, his eyes would dip to her body, then back up to her face. The man was fighting with his willpower, and she couldn’t wait for him to cave and just take what he wanted. There was no way, from that red-hot kiss, that he didn’t want her.
Honestly, she wasn’t looking for some ring on her finger or happily-ever-after. Oh, she was attracted to his intelligence, his determination, his compassion for those he cared for.
But the man fueled literally every one of her fantasies. Dates she’d gone on over the years just didn’t compare to Luke...not that she’d ever tell him that. His ego was growing by the minute and didn’t need more help.
As she started by him, he reached for her arm and stopped her.
“You’ve intrigued me,” he murmured. “I don’t know what the hell to do about this. I’m still processing everything.”
He eased her around so she faced him fully. She stumbled in the sand and threw her hands up. They landed on his chest, and he steadied her with both hands on her upper arms. She had no choice but to stare up at him as he loomed over her with that hard, wet body pressed to hers.
“The ball might have been in your court all this time,” he murmured. “But now that I know the truth, I’m in control.”
The way he delivered that delicious threat had her body heating up in anticipation and arousal.
“Sounds like fun,” she replied with a smile. “Can’t wait to see what you come up with.”
Kelly pulled from his grasp and made her way to the ocean, knowing full well Luke’s gaze was firmly planted on her ass.
* * *