Chapter 9
My gaze falls to his hands, and there’s definitely an increase in the warmth in my stomach. They look capable.
Which I know he is. He’s a former SEAL, just like my brother. Strong of mind. Capable body. Fierce and brave.
And…trying his best to fight this thing between us.
Part of me loves the resistance Spence has in his eyes.
The other part wishes he’d just KISS me.
And that need is growing with every second he stands just a foot away, looking down at me, fighting to keep his eyes off my breasts, my lips, my hands.
I don’t know what he’s feeling right now, but I’m on fire.
The hot cocoa burns going down, but the added peppermint schnapps creates a pleasant warmth that spreads through every inch of my chest and belly.
“Mmmm, I’m warm now. You know the way to a girl’s heart.”
Spence's hazel turn almost predatory before he looks away.
The kitchen suddenly feels smaller despite being designed to accommodate professional caterers.
It’s like all my senses have been magnified tenfold.
Every breath he takes is palpable. The scent of his skin is a drug. His body heat is magnetic.
I’m awash in everything Spence.
We’re finally alone.
He drinks from his mug with deep draws, I sip, and eat cheesecake, and the tension gets so thick, I wonder if we might need a chainsaw.
“Should we pick our rooms?” I ask with a laugh. “No competing this time.”
He gulps audibly and takes the fork from my hand to eat a bite. After chewing, he huskily says, “Stay wherever makes you comfortable.”
With you?
God, I cannot believe I thought that. Yes, I can. It’s all I’ve thought about for months.
“I’ve only stayed in the Blue Lagoon Suite,” I say, a words coming out a little wispy. “Have you checked out all the rooms?”
“Want the last bite?”
I shake my head, and he picks up the plate and his mug, moving to the sink.
“I’ve only been here twice,” she says as he rinses both. “Didn’t really explore the other guest rooms. Just the common living areas and the outdoor facilities.”
“Sounds like we should take a tour.”
He mumbles something
I’m enjoying the heck out of this back and forth. His discomfort is so endearing. He’s trying to hard to do what’s right by me. By my brother.
He breaks the silence by saying, “There’s a room on the second level with a waterfall. That’s all I know.”
“Is that where you plan on staying?”
His shoulders tense beneath the long-sleeved T-shirt he’s wearing. “Not sure.”
He’s going to pick a room that’s an acre away from mine. Just because he’s determined to honor my brother’s wishes.
My mug finds the counter with a soft click, nearly empty. The schnapps is definitely having an effect. I should eat something solid, but that can wait.
“Actually, I'd like to see the whole facility first. If that's okay.”
He turns, and something flickers across his face. Surprise maybe. “You want to take the grand tour?”
“It is our domain for a few days. Might as well check it out.”
“Come on, then,” Spence moves past, careful not to brush against me even though the space requires navigation around the island. “Hope those boots are made for walking. This place is massive.”
Hopping down from the stool, I hurry after him, and past him. “I’ll race you.”
Is that a laugh?
From Spence.
When I glance over my shoulder, he’s grinning, and not running. Just walking behind me, watching.
Devouring.
“Are you coming?” I ask, my heart speeding dangerously.
“I’m trying not to.”
Oh, my God.
The toe of my boot catches on the stone floor, and I laugh, catching my balance at the last second. “Guess I need to look where I’m going.”
“Good plan.”
“Come on, lazybones,” I tease, jogging ahead, down a long stone hallway that leads to some mysterious location in the cave.
“Are you challenging me?”
“Most definitely.”
He passes me two seconds later, his long legs stretching out, those thick thigh muscles flexing below denim, and I speed up uselessly.
“Okay. Okay.” I gasp. “Point made.”
He turns around to wait for me, his arms hanging loosely at his sides. The fire in his eyes is brighter. And when I approach, I think for a second he’s going to act on this ridiculous need that simmers between us.
“Not too bad for a girl,” he grins.
I play punch him in the gut. “Seriously. That’s the only lame line you’ve got.”
He grabs my wrist, tugging me close. “I’ve got lots of lines, but I can’t use any of them on you.”
We stand breathing raggedly at each other until I pull away. “Pity because I’m pretty sure that I’d get to tease you about how lame they are too.”
Before he has time to react, I take off again.
He doesn’t chase this time, just follows, and I can feel his eyes glued to me.
I stumble upon a movie theater. “Wow. I didn’t see this the last time I was here.”
He’s there at my elbow a second later. “Seats thirty. I’m betting they ordered every Christmas movie ever made to be queued up and ready.”
I pass a few rows, dragging my hand over the nice leather recliners. “Someone is really committed to this whole team Christmas idea.”
“Agile doesn't do anything halfway.”
He’s looking at me when I turn around.
“Including setting us up?” I ask.
He nods once. “Christmas paradise. Would be easy to…”
I trace a fingertip along the black leather seat back. “To what, Spence?”
“Spend the next two days in bed.”
Oof.
My legs shift restlessly. “Finally, you say what you’re thinking.”
“No. I did not say what I was thinking.”
He watches me for a long few seconds. Then, he passes me as he goes to check out some kind of control panel.
My pulse does a loop as I sag into the chair. I’m not sure I can take this tension.
Did he just adjust himself?
His back is to me, but one hand in front of him, down low.
The need to cross my legs is unbearable. I’ve never felt this. Whatever it is that Spence does to me is a whole new level of lust.
Ha. Like I ever experienced lust. I was a teenage girl when I dated my abusive ex. Lust wasn’t part of that.
No, it was teen adoration. That led to my being physically abused.
Whoa. That line of thought doesn’t belong here. I’m over that. It was years ago.
I clear my throat and push up from the seat, looking around until Spence joins me.
“Ready?” He asks, but he studies me a little too long. “You okay?”
“Um, yeah. The schnapps kind of went to my head.”
He nods, but it’s almost as if he saw through my lame excuse. Finally he grins. “Lightweight. Need me to carry you? I know some special SEAL-approved carrying techniques.”
“Oh Lord,” I groan. “That sounds like it could hurt.”
He grins slowly. “Not you, sweetheart. You get special treatment.”
Before I can even blink, he’s scooped me up using one—ONE—of his arms without even making a distressed sound.
“Okaayyyy,” I laugh. “Where to next?”
“Have you seen the pool?”
“Nope.”
Truthfully, he could have said he was carrying me to the cleaning supply closet, and I would have been excited to get a lift. Because those muscles I saw once when we were with the team…
They’re real.
Hot. Hard. And pressed all against me.
My throat is bone-dry. But another place is definitely not dry. Nope, the basement is flooded right now.
Spence knocks open a door, and I gasp. “Whoa…”