Page 4 of Summer Affair
“You aren’t interrupting. In fact, the pool’s a bit lonely with just me and my thoughts,” he said. “You’re welcome to join.”
“Oh, I couldn’t.” She pulled on the robe, tightening the belt and sending droplets of water splashing on the concrete. “The pool is part of the rental. It’s for you. For the summer.” God, every time she was around Clay she came off as having an IQ equivalent to a pack of gum.
His eyes locked on hers and held. It was the kind of stare that told her he was making a conscious effort not to look down. The kind of stare that made her nervous. She shivered again—but for a whole other reason.
“Are you aware that the robe is sheer when wet? And, um, clingy?”
“Oh my god.” Her robe was more than sheer; it made a wet T-shirt contest seem tame. She had almost shucked the suit altogether. At least she’d kept on a bikini—a teeny-weeny bikini that she only wore when alone. The last thing she’d ever want was Clay comparing her to the cleat chasers in triangles and dental floss he was usually seen with. Then again, a muffin top might be less embarrassing than being caught in a swim-dress her grandmother would have worn.
“Are you saying I can’t invite friends?” he asked.
“Of course not. It’s your place to do whatever you want with whoever you want and, wow.” She closed her eyes. “I just said that.”
“You did.”
Great,now she was sweating in uncomfortable places. “I meant that the pool is all yours. I already talked to Sammy about how we aren’t to bother you while you’re here. And if my uncle hounds you to join his poker night, he’s trying to fleece you.”
“I’m a pretty good player.”
“He cheats. Sleight of hand, card counting, stacking the deck. He was a professional hustler in New York before moving here. Some people call him a crook.”
“What do you call him?”
“Uncle Eddie.” That earned her a smile. “He’s at the back room at the senior center, likely cleaning house. He’s been banned from the VFW hall. Six times.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He sounded as if her warning amused him. “As for the pool, I’ll only need it early morning and at night for PT. Doctor’s orders.”
“Darcy told me about your surgery. How are you feeling?” Last winter, Clay had torn his ACL, taking him out for the rest of the season.
“Better by the moment.”
She swallowed. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to make your stay easier.”
“That’s the plan.” He pointed to his lower leg, but her gaze stopped much higher. “Not sure what you’re offering to help with, but the surgery was on my knee.”
Realizing she was staring, Jillian jerked her gaze upward, and when she met his eyes, he winked.Oh boy.
“What time do you want to eat breakfast?” she asked.
“Is that an invitation?”
“No. A home-cooked breakfast is part of the package. You just tell me what time you want it, and I will make sure it’s ready.”
His smile increased ten-thousand watts at her comment.
Oh my god, everything she was saying sounded sexual. “Where do you want to eat? Patio? Kitchen?”
“Kitchen’s fine.”
Why was she so ridiculously ruffled? She was too old and too tired to experience tingles. But there they were, zinging north and south of the equator.
Her phone rang and she checked the screen. It was Dirk.
She’d bet a pile of dry, non-see-through towels her ex was calling because of a problem with Sammy. “Excuse me, I have to take this.” Clay walked over to the table to gather his things and turned away. “Is Sammy okay?”
“You need to get over here right away.”
Chapter Two
