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I melted into him, feeling like I was liquid fire. He pressed his hips against me, and there was no mistaking he was hard. When he pulled back, I grinned. He immediately moved to the side.
"Want to go inside now?" I suggested.
“No. I made you a promise, and I’m going to honor it.”
“Okay.”
I laughed and closed my eyes, enjoying the sun. I had no idea how long we stayed like that without even saying anything. But then my thoughts drifted back to the inn and the investment portal.
I wondered what Chase would think about it. I opened my eyes and snuck a glance at him. He was resting with his head on the edge of the pool. I kissed his Adam's apple, then straightened up quickly.
"You’re sexy like this, relaxed and with your eyes closed. I'm always torn between letting you enjoy the moment and kissing the living daylights out of you."
"I will never mind you kissing me, babe."
I straddled him, putting my arms on his shoulders.
“You have something on your mind,” he stated.
"I want to ask your opinion about something. I found a platform where they match businesses owners with potential investors, and I want you to look at the profile I set up there for the inn. It looks good to me, but I'd like to pick your smart-as-hell business brain."
There was an instant shift in his body language. He straightened up, pulling his shoulders back, and his eyes became more focused. He went from relaxed Chase to business Chase right away. That was a huge turn-on for me.
"Sure. Hit me up,” he said.
"I'm just going to grab my phone so we can look over it."
"Want me to come out of the water?"
"No, no! You stay here. I'll bring the phone," I said. I got out of the pool, and my skin erupted in goose bumps. It was a bit chillier outside than in the water.
I toweled off quickly and headed inside the house. I grabbed my phone and came right back out, putting it at the edge of the pool before lowering myself into the water.
"It's a bit windy outside."
“Next time I can get out with you, and I'll protect you from the wind."
Yep, this was Chase Sterling. He wanted to protect me from everything, including the wind.
We turned to face the edge of the pool, and I tapped my phone, bringing up the website.
"I don't know this platform," Chase said.
"Why would you? It's for small businesses like mine."
He glanced over the profile and then went to the “About” section of the website.
"All right, this thing's legit," he said, then went back to the inn's profile. "Have you had any bites yet?"
My stomach sank. "No, but I only put it up yesterday. I'm not getting my hopes up, but I want to put my best foot forward." There were several sections to the page, one with general information, one with financial projections. Chase went directly there.
"Your business case is solid," he said, focusing on the screen. Five minutes later, he put the phone down. “This is a very good pitch.”
"You don't have any feedback?" I asked.
"No. Honestly, I would've done the same."
That was the biggest compliment I could get.