Waiting for Willa (Big Sky, #3)(50)

“I need a shower.”

“You have thirty minutes.” He kisses me again, softer this time. “I need some time alone with you. In the sunshine.”

In the sunshine.

That’s why Jenna was being weird! She knew.

“Do I get to know where we’re going?”

“When we get there, yes,” he says and plants a quick kiss on my lips then smacks my ass. “Now, get in the shower so we can get this show on the road.”

“Are we really going in your private plane?”

“It’s the only way to fly.”





Chapter Fifteen


Willa


I’M ONE HUNDRED PERCENT sure I’ve found heaven.

It’s located just south of San Diego at a resort nestled on the cliffs above the ocean. I’m sitting poolside with a Coke, extra ice, at my elbow and a book in my hand. Of course, I’m under the shade of an umbrella because I haven’t seen the sun in several months and I don’t want to burn.

The Pacific Ocean is spread out before me in deep blue splendor. The wind is minimal, so the waves are mild and soothing.

I haven’t seen any whales yet, but I’m keeping an eye out.

My phone vibrates with a text.

Jenna: So, did you make it down there safely?

I smirk, set my book aside, and settle in to chat with my best friend.

Me: Yes. You totally knew! That’s why you were acting weird this morning.

The three dots wink at me as she types a reply, so I take a sip of my Coke and glance at Max, who’s sitting next to me, sans umbrella, absorbed in whatever is happening on his laptop.

Apparently, this is vacation for me, but while I rest, he’s working.

I have a feeling work is relaxing for Max, though.

Jenna: Of course, I knew! And I can’t keep secrets from you. I shouldn’t have gone to yoga.

I laugh.

Me: You are a horrible liar! But it was a fantastic surprise. Hold on, I’ll take a photo of what I’m doing right now.

I snap a photo of my toes with the pool and ocean beyond in the frame and send it to her.

Jenna: I hate you. That looks AMAZING!

Me: It is. So warm! I had no idea that Max owns a condo down here.

“You okay?” Max asks me.

“Oh, yeah, I’m just texting with Jenna.” I tell him all about yoga this morning, and he laughs. “She’s not good at keeping secrets from me. We never have to. We tell each other everything.”

“I’ll remember that in the future,” he says with a grin. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Are you kidding? No one is asking me for anything. I don’t have to pick anyone up, drop them off, fix them dinner, or clean up puppy accidents. I may never want to leave.”

His lips twitch. “You love those things.”

“I do,” I admit as my phone buzzes with another text from Jenna. “And I’ll love them when I get home. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy the break.”

“Excellent,” he replies. “I’m going for a swim.”

“Enjoy.”

He leans over and kisses me before peeling his shirt over his head and diving into the deep end of the pool.

Holy shit. Max without a shirt on is something to write home about. He’s tanned and firm.

Firm. Muscles for days. Abs that would make a Greek god weep with joy. And the V at his hips?

Ridiculous. Just ridiculous. Max does things to my lady parts that haven’t even been invented yet. How does he do it?

Sexy powers, that’s what he has.

I lick my lips and pick up the phone.

Jenna: Max owns property all over. We should use his place in NYC sometime and go shopping! We could call it a business trip for you.

Me: That’s not a bad idea at all! We will do that.

Jenna: Okay, go have fun. Enjoy the sun! I don’t want to know about the rest. ;)

I set the phone aside, take another sip of my Coke, then pick up the book I’ve been reading by Jennifer Probst. I don’t get to read often, but when I do, romance is my go-to.

But the warm, fresh air is soothing, and the sound of the water makes my eyes heavy. So, before long, I set my book aside and just lazily watch Max swim his laps and the ocean waves beyond. I don’t remember the last time I felt this pampered, this relaxed.

This treasured.

I admit, Max did good. He listened when I said I needed a break, and he gave me exactly what I dreamed of: sunshine, a book, and a frosty beverage.

I wonder if we’d be in the Maldives if that’s where I said I wanted to go.

Probably.

I also wonder if women have taken advantage of Max in the past. Or tried, anyway. I’m sure they have, although I really don’t want to think about Max with other women. I mean, I know he wasn’t a recluse when he left town all those years ago. There have been other women.

Ew.

I just don’t want to think about it.

I shove the thought aside and settle in to doze and enjoy the view.

I never fall asleep, and a short time later, Max comes walking out of the pool. Thank the good Lord I’m awake to see that magnificence.

The water sluices down his toned body, making my mouth water. I wonder if I can convince him to go back to his condo with me so we can get naked. It is vacation, after all.