Stanton-the woman who held the answers that would free him up from this assignment and let him go home where he was needed.
He surfaced, coming up for much-needed air, to find her kneeling at the edge of the pool. “Exercise doesn’t accomplish much if you pass out.”
He slicked his wet hair off his face. “I needed to burn off some energy.”
“Looked more like you were working yourself to death. What’s wrong?” She settled herself on the concrete edge, oblivious to getting her dress wet, and propped her chin in her hands, waiting for an answer.
“Bad news at home.”
“Your parents?”
He let out a groan. He had no reason to lie. “My father. He had a heart attack a little while back and they had to operate last night.”
“Oh, Doug. I’m sorry.” She placed her warm, dry hand over his wet one. “Is there anything I can do?”
He doubted she’d appreciate hearing that information was the one thing he needed. He shook his head. “But thanks for asking.”
“Do you need to leave?” The concern in her voice was mixed with a disappointment he couldn’t mistake and the anger and frustration he’d mentally aimed her way all morning evaporated.
“Not right now.” The surgery had gone well and again his father was resting comfortably. In fact, the procedure might well have added years to his life. “Things are actually looking up.”
“I’m glad. I know how much you love them.” Relief etched her features. “Of course I’d miss you if you had to go.”
With her honest, heartfelt admission, the vise clamping his heart all morning eased as well. He couldn’t blame her for the predicament he was in anymore than he wanted to. He’d just needed an immediate outlet for his frustration and guilt. Swimming had helped.
Having her here by his side helped more. “So tell me. What are you doing up so early?”
She shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep.” She met his gaze and heat flared in her green eyes.
Heat he couldn’t misinterpret because the inferno had been burning inside him all night, too. Ever since he’d left her alone in her bed. Walking out when she’d have willingly given herself to him had been the most difficult move of his life. But in the light of day, he could say he respected his actions and, more importantly, respected himself. Given all that had passed recently, that was saying a lot and he had Juliette to thank.
“I had a pretty restless night myself,” he admitted.
She nodded without speaking. What was there to say when silence was comfortable and they could read each other’s thoughts? He shook his head, unable to comprehend the bond and sense of understanding she gave him with her mere presence.
He’d always believed his parents shared a unique relationship, one where wedding vows not only meant something but were strengthened with each passing year. In contrast, Doug’s few long-term affairs had involved lots of good sex and then demands from the women for him to talk and express his feelings when he’d rather be left alone. He’d always ended up feeling suffocated, needing to get out.
What he experienced with Juliette was special. They shared comfortable silence when he wouldn’t mind opening up. She gave him tacit understanding with no strings and no expectations yet he wished she’d demand some. And, most surprising, not only wasn’t he sexually involved, but he’d backed off when she’d offered him more. Because he cared more about her feelings and well-being than his own.
“Restless because of your dad?” she asked, seriously, as if she had no clue what walking out on her had cost him.
He shook his head. “I got that call this morning.” He’d tossed and turned earlier, thinking of her.
“And now? You’re worried and preoccupied?”
“I’m worried, yes. Preoccupied? Not enough to distract me.” Not anymore. “I missed you last night.”
The genuine pleasure in her smile almost made up for his restless night.
“Well, those old cliches are worth something and absence definitely made my heart grow fonder,” she said.
He groaned. “You’re killing me.”
“I should hope not. There’re too many other things I want to do with you first.”
Doug knew better than to ask. He knew her answer could only get a man who’d promised himself hands-off in deep trouble. “What things?” he asked anyway, in a voice rough with wanting. Asked as he extended his hand to touch her even though he’d sworn not to.
“Well, for one thing, I want more of those soul-deep kisses you’re so good at.” Her lashes fluttered as she spoke, modesty rearing its endearing head.
That did it. He grasped her waist and pulled her into the pool. She yelped in surprise and toppled into his waiting arms.
“No fair,” she said, sputtering, but she wasn’t angry. She was smiling. Laughing, too. His arms remained around her waist as her feet found the bottom of the pool. She pushed down on her dress hem which insisted on floating up around her at the surface.
He chuckled. “Maybe not, but I’ve finally got you where I want you. You’re in my arms and I’ve cooled you off. Which of those things is a problem for you?”
She splashed a handful of water at him. “Neither, and you know it. It’s just your methods that are a little unorthodox.”
He splayed his hands in front of him as if fending her off and grinned. “You said yourself you wanted to experience everything. I’m just helping you along. Besides…” his voice dropped in direct proportion to his deepening feelings, “I want to be with you, too, and right now we’re all alone here.”
She looped her arms around his neck and leaned against him, bringing them together in a teasing, tempting way. His body, never relaxed when she was around, grew hard with wanting. He’d started this by dunking her, now he could live with the consequences.
“How can a girl argue with a man who’ll go to such extremes to get her in his arms?” she asked.
“She can’t.” He extended his hand, easing her back so he got a full-bodied view. Her light-green cotton dress clung in all the right places and had turned sheer enough to reveal her puckered nipples through the wet fabric. Suddenly those soul-deep kisses she mentioned held tremendous appeal.
“Is this what you meant?” He grasped her face in his hands and feathered a light kiss across her damp lips.
She purred in response. Juliette arched her back until she felt his rigid arousal against her thigh, but his lips lingered and teased not letting her any closer. Nowhere near the heavenly kisses she knew he could give. “Not even close,” she murmured.
His laugh rumbled deep in his chest and settled heavily inside hers. “How about this?”
His tongue traced the seam of her lips with languorous strokes. A delicious fluttering arose in her stomach, accompanied by a wave of longing so strong her knees nearly buckled. As his hands threaded through her hair and tugged at her scalp, an erotic rush of sensation and emotion washed over her, then eased away. Much like the water surrounding her now, the carnal stirring beckoned to pull her deeper, yet it remained steadfastly out of her reach. A prelude to the indulgences they could share if only he weren’t torturing her with slow and seductive moves.
Since meeting Doug, the wanting and yearning inside her had built to epidemic proportions. Not only did she want to experience the full range of desire, she yearned to do it with Doug-the man who’d given her back both her confidence and belief in herself and relationships.
If she had to stoop low to get him to cave, she had no problem doing so. After all, they’d both benefit.
“Well?” His lips vibrated against hers.
No man could resist a challenge, especially one to his sexual prowess. She felt herself smile as she spoke. “You can do better.”
“You have no idea.” He grasped her around the waist and hauled her close.
He held her head steady with his hands. His tongue slipped inside her mouth and the explosive fireworks in her body began as he devoured her with a completely masterful, seductive kiss. The kind she’d sought and needed. The kind that left no doubt as to how he felt, no doubt they both desired the same thing.
He splashed his hands into the water, shifting and moving her wet dress until he held her waist in his palms,
