Page 56 of Delicate Storm

“Nice meeting you, Paige.” He says my name slowly before nodding and starting to turn. “See you around.”

Like his sister, he waves as he leaves, and I can’t help but chance a quick glance at his ass. Such a shame he’s a football player. He could have been anyone else and it would have been fine.

Making myself comfortable again, I stretch out onto the recliner and close my eyes. I was going to use this time to sketch before meeting my dad, but I’ve never been opposed to relaxing, and what better place to do it than by a luxury pool in beautiful weather.

I sigh in contentment, but my bliss only lasts about thirty seconds before my mind drifts into dangerous territory.

To Easton.

As I lie still, my mind conjures up a vivid picture of him staring at me from across the water, his piercing blue eyes drinking me in. His throat bobbing as he swallows, imagining all the things he would do to me if we were alone. If our circumstances were different.

My legs squirm, but I hide it by pretending I’m repositioning myself as I internally curse. This isn’t me. I don’t fantasize about guys who give great orgasms. And yet…what I wouldn’t give for—

Someone splashes into the pool, and my eyes flash open to find Keeley in the water. And when I sneak a glance Easton’sway, his eyes are on me, exactly as I imagined. He shifts on his lounge, much like I did, and the movement draws my attention to his abs. Inappropriately, I wish I was over there with him, despite the fact that I’m pretty sure his mom is reading barely a stone’s throw away.

God, what is wrong with me?

There’s something about him that draws me in, and the fact that he’s now somewhat forbidden makes it even more alluring.

With his cap pulled low on his brow, Easton holds my stare until the woman shifts in the cabana beside his, breaking his trance.

Closing my eyes again, I bite back my smile as a buzzing energy runs through me.

On top of making me hot, he makes me giddy, and that’s a dangerous combination.

I’m not sure how long I lie still while my mind whirs with image after image of Easton, but when it feels like a reasonable amount of time has passed for me to leave, I jump up and grab my things, in desperate need of a cold shower.

What is this man doing to me?

Imake it to the bar where I’m meeting my dad at six fifty, twenty minutes later than planned, but surprisingly he doesn’t call me out.

“Hi, Sweetie.” He smiles, standing up as I walk over. “How was your day?” He presses a kiss to my head before pulling a chair out for me to sit down, and it gets me thinking…

“Do you ever date?”

“What?” He chokes as I burst out laughing. “Where did that come from?”

“You pulled out my chair, so I wondered.”

“It’s how I was brought up. Sorry for being a decent man.” He shrugs, a little embarrassed, and my brows furrow.

“Did I hit a nerve? Are you hiding something from me?” It would be good if he was, because then we’d be even.

“I’m hiding plenty.” He grins comically, making me laugh out loud again. “But rest assured none of it concerns you.”

“Good. Likewise.”

His eyes narrow but he laughs.

“So why am I here?” I ask, changing the subject.

“I wanted to see my daughter.”

“You saw me two days ago for take-your-daughter-to-work day.”

“Okay. You caught me.” He raises his hands in the air. “I want you to work with me and the team.”

Now it’s my turn to choke. “You want me towhatnow?” My voice rises and my lips part in surprise. I didnotsee that coming.

---