Page 29 of Chasing the Sun

She laughed, and he thought her cheeks turned pink, but he couldn’t be sure. It was mostly dark except for the lights built into the tub.

“Don’t think about it. Just immerse yourself,” he said.

She gave him a funny look but then slowly lowered herself into the water one beautiful inch of skin at a time.

“Ahhh.”

“Feel good?”

“Fantastic.”

He laughed. “You’re very expressive.”

“I’m not good at hiding my emotions.”

“Why should you have to?”

“Sometimes it would come in handy.”

Like when she’d been admiring his chest? Or maybe he’d just imagined it.

“How do you like the job so far?” he asked, switching gears. From his perspective, things were going well, but he was curious about what she thought.

“I’m enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would.”

“Oh?”

She brought a hand out of the water and brushed a hunk of hair off her shoulder. He eyed her long, graceful neck and wondered what it would feel like to bury his head there. The hot tub was on a timer, and the water started bubbling just in time. He discreetly reached down and adjusted himself while Chloe kept talking.

“I had no idea what to expect since I’ve never done this before, and I was a bit nervous.”

“And now?”

“Now I’m feeling more confident, and I think Molly really likes me.”

“She does.” So do I.

“She’s a great kid. You should be proud of her.”

He smiled. “I am.” This, he could handle. Talking about Molly made him forget that he was sitting in the hot tub with a beautiful woman in a bikini. As long as she didn’t move…

“Whew! I’m already getting hot.” She scooted up to a higher seat, one that placed her chest above water. She fanned her face for a moment, and her breasts jiggled, the outline of her nipples visible through the fabric.

His gaze had gone right there, and he shifted uncomfortably. He couldn’t stand up now because of the tent in his swim trunks. He mentally kicked himself for not having left the minute she’d entered the lanai.

His only option was to keep talking until his erection went down. “I’m surprised you were nervous. You seem like a natural with kids.”

She set her palms on the edge of the tub and leaned back. The movement made her abdominal muscles flex, and he saw a glimpse of her belly button. He concentrated on maintaining eye contact, but not before he imagined sticking his tongue in that sweet little indention.

“Teaching kids dance for one hour a week is a lot different than spending every day with a child. No offense. Molly’s been great…”

“It’s putting up with her cranky, overprotective dad that’s a bitch.” He’d been trying to make a joke, but she didn’t laugh.

“You’re not that bad,” she said.

He laughed at her honesty. “Gee, thanks.”

She looked worried, like she’d said the wrong thing.