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“Slept wrong.” Somehow, I push the words through gritted teeth, determined not to betray a positive reaction as Jayson drizzles more of the sun-warmed oil on my upper back and shoulders. A breeze carries the coconut scent of the oil to my nose, where it mingles with the tangy salt air and the manly smell that is Jayson. I can’t help myself and I inhale deeply, savoring the combination.

“You know how to avoid that problem.”

Clenching my hands into fists to stifle any signs of pleasure from his massage, I ignore his words. Despite my best intentions, a whimper escapes when he works at the kinked spot in my neck.

“Does it hurt?” asks Jayson, sounding concerned. His hands stop moving.

I shift restlessly despite myself, eager for his hands to continue exploring my skin under the guise of a massage. “No. Not at all. It feels really good, actua

lly.”

He works at the knot until my muscles are loose and my body languid. My eyes drift closed, but they pop open with surprise when his hands move to my front. During the process of rubbing my shoulders, he slipped the spaghetti straps down my arms, and now I realize his fingers are gradually moving lower. He’s inches away from breaching the neckline of my suit. My nipples tighten at the thought of his hands cupping my breasts, his slick oiled fingers gliding over the hard nubs out here in the summer sun.

Frozen with indecision, I hold my breath, not sure if I want his hands to go on, or if I want him to stop. If I don’t do something soon, he’s going to make the decision for me. Is that what I want?

To give away all responsibility? I squirm with the wetness between my legs, imagining him lying on me from behind, thrusting into me as he bites the back of my neck, hands on my breasts, owning me.

Conflicted, I stay silent as his touch becomes increasingly light and sensual, stroking across my slippery skin. It’s a relief, but also frustrating, when Sophie comes running back from where she was chatting with a boy on the beach, plopping down on the towel beside us.

Immediately, Jayson withdraws his hands. His casual posture reveals no trace of tension, and I wonder if he’s as frustrated as I am. If so, nobody would ever know, I think sourly.

I decide to sit up, and take off my hat to run my fingers through my tangled hair. From the corner of my eye, I observe Jayson, waiting for a reaction when I arch my back to better display my cleavage. His gaze doesn’t even flicker in my direction as he speaks with Sophie.

“Loukas invited me into town with some of the others, so I thought I’d do that?” Sophie words it confidently, but I can tell she’s still subtly seeking Jayson’s approval.

Jayson grins. “Are you sure you want to miss a stuffy party with us old people in favor of getting together with your friends?”

She rolls her eyes. “It sounds so fun, Theo Jayson, but I think I’ll force myself to go out with Loukas and his friends instead of attending your party.”

I frown. “What party?”

“Caesar Kakos has invited us to a dinner party this evening.”

Smothering a groan, I know there’s no good reason why we shouldn’t go. We’ve got no other plans, and if Sophie’s going to be gone, I better not be alone in the house with Jayson. As much as I don’t want to hang around with his friends — the sharks — it pales in comparison to resisting Jayson’s urges.

And my own.

Despite giving the opposite impression, the draping of the dress I put on for the party conceals more than it shows. It looks almost as if it might fall off if I turn the wrong way. The sheath curves around, baring to low-back, and falls to the middle of my calves in a whisper of silk. The blue-gray shade reminds me of the Hudson on a stormy day, making me feel a little homesick.

To avoid another half-dressed encounter with Jayson, I brought the clothes into the nursery. My legs have a nice tan from the time spent on the beach, so I skip pantyhose in favor of some oily moisturizer that gives them a subtle sheen. I slip on silver heels, and sort through the small jewelry box I brought on the trip, looking for a pair of earrings Jayson gave me on our first anniversary. I know Sophie was behind this present and she felt terrible when I let that slip, but they’re still my favorite pair, nonetheless. A light, translucent silver wrap and my evening bag and I’m ready to go.

No more excuses.

With a sigh, I leave the nursery, not surprised to find Jayson waiting for me in the bedroom. The dark linen evening suit caresses his body the way my fingers itch to, and I try to occupy them by clenching my hand around the purse I’m carrying.

Sure, I can’t deny his attractiveness.

Nobody can.

And I’ll never be able to get over that, despite successfully eliminating any other inappropriate feelings I might have for my husband.

Chapter 6

Jayson

I arch a brow as I let my eye roam over her from head to toe. “Beautiful.”

She manages a small smile. “I’m ready if you are.”