Page 76

Before I can deepen the chaste kiss, he pulls back with a cocky-ass smirk.

“Tease,” I mutter. “Any particular time?”

“Eight. And wear something you don't mind getting sandy.”

Excitement bursts through, chasing away the earlier longing. “What are you planning?”

His eyes trail down my nearly naked body and back up again. And just like that, with one look, the excitement is blasted away with a burst of desire so strong I have to squeeze my thighs together to quell the throbbing between them.

“A gentleman never divulges his secrets. But I will tell you one delicacy that's on the menu.”

“What?”

“You.”

“Cut it out, you two,” T barks. Trey steps back, allowing the cool ocean breeze to flow between us, freshening my heated skin. “Benson, go secure the package that just arrived.”

I watch his fine ass as he marches away.

“You've got it bad,” T says, humor lining his tone.

“One day we'll get to be that normal couple, right?”

Silence.

I cut a glare to where he stands leaning against the wall.

T lets out a heavy sigh, the movement pushing the tight T-shirt he's wearing to the max.

“Randi, you're both in a tough position. He has the mess with Jessica and his mom, which might get worse before it gets better. Then you… well, if what needs to happen happens, you'll be the president of the United States.”

“What do you mean, it might get worse before it gets better?” Shuffling, I slide onto a bar stool and lean my elbows back on to the cool tile. Apprehension flashes across T's features. “Tell me, T. I'm not letting that man get himself deeper into this shit for me.” He still doesn't utter a word. “You really want your best friend married to that awful woman? You want him tied to his family more than he already is?”

“Low blow,” he huffs.

I shrug. “I'm learning you have to take the junk shots in politics or you'll never get what you need.”

“Ruthless.” His smile turns predatory. “I knew you had it in you.”

“You're stalling.”

“We need to know what Whit is up to. We have zero clue how he's getting past us, if he even is. But based on the fact that you haven't had any headaches or been sick since we arrived here, I'm betting he wasn't lying in the game room that day.”

I nod, the nail of my pinkie finger sliding between my teeth at the sharp movement.

“What does that have to do with Trey and his evil mother?”

The knowing look he gives me should mean something, but I come up blank.

“She has someone on the inside, remember?” I dip my chin and motion for him to keep going. “We're hoping we can use that person's knowledge to our advantage. Hopefully they know how Whit is still getting to you.”

The hand at my mouth falls to my lap with a smack. “You're kidding me.”

Those boulder-like shoulders shrug.

“And you're okay with this?”

This time his shrug is less convincing.