Page 71 of The Au Pair Affair

“Walk me through your decision-making process,” Tallulah suggested, having an inordinate amount of fun, every inch of her tingling, anticipating, her whole body seeming to hold its breath.

“Obviously it’s down to . . . two. Parts.”

“Tits and ass.”

“Oh yeah,” he growled, his gaze seemingly attempting to cut through the water. “I mean, for a minute there, I was considering something else. But I’m pretty sure that would end with you on all fours in the grass.”

The body part sheassumedwas in question clenched involuntarily, causing her breath to hitch. “You’re even blunter in the dark.”

“You have no idea.”

“Consider me warned.” Without waiting for him to respond, she swam in a meandering circle. “Which part of me?”

His chest dipped so low, she wasn’t sure it would ever rise again. “Let me see your tits.”

Either her body temperature had elevated, or the pond had turned into a hot tub. “Close your eyes while I’m getting out. I can’t have you getting a peek ateverything.”

“You worried I might discover you have a fish tail?”

She honest to God giggled. “I think you would have noticed by now. You stare enough.”

“You make it impossible not to.” With a quick twist of his neck, he got into position, holding the towel open and closing his eyes. “Come out of there now. I’m tired of pretending it’s not making me anxious to watch you shiver. Get in these arms.”

“As you wish, Sir Savage.”

Fully trusting him to keep his eyes closed, Tallulah splashed and dashed out of the water, running straight into the open towel, groaning loudly when the warmth of the terry cloth, accompanied by the crush of Burgess’s arms, closed around her, rubbing to create friction and warmth on her skin. And the adrenaline rush burned a path up to her throat, turning her into a weightless jumble, a livelier, more daring version of herself that she loved and wanted to lean into. Explore.

Burgess had wrapped the towel around Tallulah in such away that the opening was at the back, so she turned around and gathered it around her body, tucking the corners between her breasts. Then she brushed past a stone-silent and utterly rapt Burgess, their arms grazing together as she picked her way back toward the SUV, tossing him a come-hither glance over her shoulder, her blood pumping hotter when he followed.

She reached the vehicle first and opened the passenger side door the entire way, using the runner as an impetus to push herself up onto the seat and twist around, so her bare legs were dangling outside of the car. A lot like they’d been the night they kissed outside of Down. Burgess came closer, studying her with the kind of intensity that said he wanted the deal they’d made fulfilled. But that wasn’t going to happen. Not quite yet.

“Remember, I asked you what you would bewillingto do for a peek?”

He kept coming until her knees were pressed against his stomach, his gaze riveted on the knot between her breasts. “It’s not enough that as soon as you lower that towel, I’ll probably have to call a doctor about an erection that won’t subside?”

“Funny you should mention doctors . . .”

His eyes shot to hers. “Tallulah. I already went.”

“And it’s still bothering you.” Slowly, she raised her arms up over her head like a ballerina. “If you promise to talk to the team trainer about treating the muscle strain... you can look.”

“This is the epitome of playing dirty.”

“Let’s call it incentivizing.”

He pressed a fist to his mouth and groaned. “Fuck. Fine. Done. Call it whatever you want, I’m not noble enough to turn it down.”

She arched her back slightly, planting her hands behind her on the seat. “Whenever you’re ready, Mr. Savage.” Very slightly, she slid her knees apart. “Unless you’ve changed your mind about what you want to see.”

Burgess swiped a wrist over his upper lip to collect the sweat forming. “I told you how that would end.”

“I know,” she whispered.

“Goddamn.” She actually heard the grind of his jaw. “Youarea mermaid.” Both of his hands lifted, fingertips settling on the terry cloth knot, slowly beginning to loosen it and her nipples hardened so eagerly, pinpricks of light danced in her vision. “Because this is definitely going to wreck me.”

“And yet you can’t stop yourself.”

“God no.”

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