Page 42 of The Love Hoax
Maybe it’s the neighbor’s dog again, that collie who always finds his way into my yard.
Careful not to wake Evie, I tread softly down the hallway, pausing outside the closed guestroom door. The urge to see her is overwhelming.
Since setting eyes on Evie at Yosemite Sam’s, I can't shake thoughts of her. She's distinctly feminine, with a kind soul. Add to that, athletic, funny, and uniquely alluring—the kind of woman I've always envisioned being with.
Getting to know her over the last couple of days has been a delight, but I'm no fool. She has a life in New York, grown sons, and a career.
Silence from her room tells me she's still fast asleep.
I step outside onto the patio and come to a full stop. Evie is floating blissfully in the swimming pool, her eyes closed. Illuminated by the soft morning light, she looks like an angel. In pink lacy underwear.
I'm momentarily speechless, unable to tear my gaze away from her. My heart quickens. I've been dreaming of her, and now, here she is, leaving me in awe of her carefree spirit.
Approaching the poolside, I take in her toned arms and long legs. I could walk away, and she'd never know I was here.
But where's the fun in that?
"Good morning," I say softly, so as not to startle her.
Evie’s eyes pop open, her cheeks flushed as she crosses her arms across her chest. In doing so, her legs descend, and she begins treading water.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist," she says, quickly recovering, her voice carrying a hint of playful innocence and perhaps a dare.
Is she flirting with me?
I too can't resist and in one swift motion, I strip off my t-shirt and dive into the pool, creating a splash that mingles with her surprised laughter.
I resurface, water cascading down my chest and close the distance between us.
Our eyes lock, the connection crackling in the air, sparking a fire deep in my gut. At this proximity, all I can focus on are her full, wet lips.
My self-control evaporates and I reach for her. Her eyes widen, her mouth forming a delightful, inviting smile.
And then something hits my forehead.
In an instant, large droplets pelt the water’s surface, followed bya crack of thunder. Startled, Evie breaks away, swimming to the edge of the pool. The spell is shattered.
I follow her, shivering more from excitement than cold. The absurdity of the timing hits me, and I can’t help but laugh. Together, we scramble back to the house, the two of us dripping wet, leaving puddles on the wood planks.
As Evie runs to the guestroom, her laughter trailing behind, it dawns on me that something powerful and exhilarating has shifted between us.
I have every intention of exploring it.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Evie
Iclutch my mug of steaming coffee, finding it hard to make eye contact with Adam, sitting across from me at the kitchen table. I’m wearing the lush terry robe he gave me to wear after the deluge. The initialsADare sown on the breast pocket, the belt cinched around my waist. Adam’s scent is all over me. I may never get dressed again.
When he materialized by the poolside and stripped off his shirt, revealing sculpted muscles beneath, I couldn’t hide my astonishment. Then, when he gracefully dove into the pool, surprise quickly turned to excitement.
Watching him swim toward me, his strong strokes bringing him closer, Iknewhe was planning to kiss me. And then, when his lips were right there?—
“Evie, are you okay?”
I blink away the sultry memory and take a sip of my coffee,finding my voice. “That storm was crazy. It came out of nowhere. The sky was blue with only a few clouds. Then, bam!”
Despite making an attempt to sound light and airy, I’m babbling on. I’m wound up tight.
