Page 76 of Bumping into You

Chapter 32

Niall

My stomach itches as I put on my suit for tonight’s dinner. That third bellyflop really did me in, exacerbating my redness and discomfort.

I slip on my dress shoes after kicking my flipflops out of the way and straighten my tie as a knock comes at my balcony door.

Turning, my breath catches in my throat. Out on my balcony is the most beautifulbeoreI’ve ever seen.

The curls in her hair blow lightly in the wind along with the bottom of her dress. My gaze travels down her toned body and back up to see her eyes narrowing at me, though the side of her mouth quirks like she’s trying not to smile.

Ah yes, there’s my feisty Rose.

Even her feistiness has me turned on and, feeling the increasing tightness in my pants, I adjust as I walk over to let her in. I’m trying hard to remember how to breathe.

I slide the door open. She’s still narrowing her eyes at me but now the smile has broken through. “I’m not an object to be ogled, Niall,” she says, trying to sound angry but not quite pulling it off.

“Can I help it if a beautiful goddess suddenly appears on my balcony making me forget how to breathe?”

Her gaze softens as a blush of red creeps over her cheeks. “Well, when you put it that way . . .”

“You look stunning, Gwendolyn.”

Her dress hugs her in all the right places, then flows out atthe bottom with a slit up to her thigh showing off her long legs. The dress is sleeveless and exposes her toned arms but wraps around her neck like a thick necklace. I know I’m staring again, but I want to run my hands all over her soft feminine features. Knowing her gorgeous body is hiding under that dress is killing me.

My gaze heats as I lock eyes with her. “Absolutely fecking stunning.”

Reaching out, I pull her in close to me, her lips searing against mine.

I break apart from her slightly, resting my forehead to hers. “If we keep this up, we’re going to be late for dinner,” I say.

“Mmhmm,” she replies breathlessly.

I kiss her forehead gently before backing up a few steps to let her in my room.

She follows, adjusting her hair in the mirror and checking her makeup. “Good, you didn’t mess anything up,” she says.

“Me?” I ask, picking up my discarded swimsuit and hanging it in the bathroom.

“Yes, you. I spent a lot of time getting ready.”

“Do you regret me kissing you?” I ask, walking back toward her, and the urge to kiss her again overwhelms me.

Shaking her head, she says, “I’m definitely not complaining, just stating a point.”

“Right, well, I’ll leave you be, for now.” I come up behind her, wrapping one hand around her waist and pulling her against me. My hardness presses up against the soft curves of her arse as she startles. Gently I move her hair as I whisper, “When I get you to myself later, that dress is going to be the first thing to go.” I kiss along her exposed shoulder and up to her neck.

She swallows, looking at me through the mirror with wanting eyes. “Is that a promise?” she whispers.

“A guarantee,” I say, locking eyes with her.

As we join the others in the Grand Promenade, there are people in all levels of attire. A majority dressed up for the formal night in various gowns, suits, and even a few tuxedos. It’s like walking into a prom but there are people of all ages.

Even little Maggie has on a princess ballgown.

“Why, princess, I didn’t know there’d be royalty here tonight!” I say in awe, reaching my hand out to her to twirl her around.

“Thank you,” Maggie says, then giggles. “You look pretty too!”

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