Page 45 of Tight Ends & Tiaras
SIENNA
Hot water pelts my shoulders,and I moan into the wall of the shower. This is what I deserve for showing off today. I haven’t been waterskiing in a while, so I wasn’t sure I could pull off those moves, but now my body is paying the price. It just felt nice to be good at something.
My family is never impressed with anything I do. They’re all mental giants. And while my mom isn’t an egghead like my dad and brothers, she owns a very successful beauty spa and salon that boasts A-list celebrity clients.
I shouldn’t have offered Janelle advice, though. She shot me dirty looks all afternoon when she wasn’t able to get up on her skis, like it was my fault she couldn’t do it. But my conscience is clear. I gave her good suggestions, training I got from a pro.
I close my eyes when I think of that conversation with Ben about my lessons. I didn’t lie to him per se, but I didn’t exactly disclose that a world-champion athlete who works at my dad’s resort oversaw my training. And, fine, it’s not exactly his resort, but he owns a majority stock, so he’s basically the boss even though some other guy oversees it.
After I dry off, I tug on a tank and sleep shorts, eager to dive into bed. I crack open the bathroom door and spot Olly with his new girlfriend, making out on the couch. I quietly edge around them and sneak into my bedroom.
I come to a halt when I nearly collide with Ben’s bare chest.
Hello, Mr. Man Candy.
Yes, he was wearing swim trunks all afternoon, but I made a point to not ogle him.
But now? For some dumb reason, I wasn’t expecting to find him half-dressed, and since I’m exhausted, my defenses are low.
Before I can stop myself, my eyes take in his bronzed skin and broad shoulders. The beautiful definition in his chest and abs. He’s cut and lean, the perfect specimen of male beauty.
He towers over me, and I tilt my head back and stare up at him. Amusement tugs at his lips.
“Hey, sunshine. Did you have fun today?”
God, I love when he calls me that. “So much fun. Thank you.”
“You’re a boss on the water.”
I laugh and let myself get lost in his dark eyes for a moment. Ugh, he’s so handsome with those chiseled cheekbones and full lips. And his deep, raspy voice is so sexy, I want to scale him like El Capitan.
But what makes him so alluring isn’t just the fact that he’s barely dressed. It’s also how he spent so much time with Lily today. Talking baby talk and making silly faces to make her laugh.
I swallow and step back, but not before I take a quick peek at his eight-pack abs that narrow into gray sweatpants.
Oh, my good Lord. Gray sweatpants. Clinging to his lean hips. Jesus, take the wheel.
Coughing, I turn away before I check out his package and reach for my gym bag where I grab a hair tie and attempt to wrangle my damp hair into a bun.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him tug on a snug white t-shirt that only makes him more yummy. What is it about a form-fitting t-shirt that makes a man so sexy?
“Is Lily all set for tonight?”
He nods. “She’s sound asleep in her mother’s room. We wore her out.” He smiles, and it makes my heart happy to know he made some headway with his daughter today.
“You had Lily eating out of the palm of your hand tonight.”
“Literally. She nearly bit off my finger when I was feeding her.”
We laugh, and I climb into bed as he turns off the lights, and I ignore how lovely and domesticated this feels. Ben’s not mine, I remind myself.
Still, I can’t deny how I want more of this, whatever this is. So when he settles next to me, I turn to him and tuck my hands under my head. “I told you Lily would come around.”
He mimics my position, and even though the room is only illuminated with the moonlight streaming in from a window, I can make out the pleased expression on his face. “You did. And I’m shocked by how happy it made me.”
“You’re going to be a great father. Never doubt that.”
“Thanks. It means a lot to me that you’d think that.”
