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“Sure.” He smiled as they followed the others into the house.
“That wasn’t subtle at all,” Gus said when they were gone.
“Yeah.” Merritt glanced back and forth across the width of the hot tub. “I guess this is a little too small for us to swim laps.” She thought that might get a chuckle out of him, but he gave her nothing.
“Can we please be done fighting now?” Merritt asked.
His eyes met hers, and she hated the coldness there.
“I didn’t mean to say it.”
“Maybe think before you speak, Merritt. Because I’ve shared a lot with you about my family issues, and you didn’t seem to give much of a thought before you threw it in my face.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m sure you are, but now I don’t know if you’re someone I can confide in or not, and that sucks.”
“I made one mistake, which I apologized for, and now our friendship is suddenly ruined?”
“Maybe.”
She instantly stood and climbed out of the hot tub, snatching the robe and roughly wrapping up in it as she marched across the deck. The water sloshed and the slap of wet footsteps followed her, but she kept moving into the house, past the hot cocoa preparation happening in the kitchen, and down the hallway to their room. She slammed the door and yanked off the slouching robe, throwing it across the room as the door whipped open behind her.
“You don’t get to stomp away mad,” Gus said.
“No? Because that’s pretty much what you did earlier, taking off on the horse, and leaving me to ride the trail all by myself. Thanks for that, by the way.” Sarcasm dripped from her words.
“Can you blame me after what you said?”
“Look, I get that you didn’t like growing up in your brother’s shadow. I’m sure it sucks to always be compared to him and feel like you’re not worthy. But there are worse things in the world, Augustus. At least you weren’t abandoned at a hospital at birth. At least you didn’t grow up poor and have to fight for every single thing you have.”
“Oh, boohoo. I’m pretty sure your dad would be crushed if he heard you say you grew up poor after how hard he worked to provide for you. You had two parents who loved you, a roof over your head, and food on your table. Poor Merritt.”
“Screw you!” She stepped forward and pushed against his chest. “You have an amazing family”—she pushed him again—“an awesome brother and sister you should appreciate more”—another push—“and a wife who wants you to forgive her for hurting your feelings.”
He grabbed her wrists, stopping her from pushing him again, and tugged her flush against him. She felt the intensity of his gaze burning straight through her, sending chills from her head to her toes. Or maybe that was from standing there dripping wet from the hot tub.
And that’s when she realized how close they were, the heat of skin against skin scorching every point where they touched, every butterfly in her stomach darting around chaotically. They breathed heavily, staring into each other’s eyes, leaning closer. Her heart was thumping so loudly in her chest, she was sure he could hear it. His breath was warm against her mouth as his lips neared hers, and her eyelids slid closed in anticipation of what she was sure would be the hottest kiss of her life.
“I’m gonna take a shower.” Gus dropped her wrists like hot potatoes and stepped away, disappearing quickly into the bathroom.
She let out an exasperated breath as she stood there alone, still breathing hard, heart racing, flutters in her stomach, completely frustrated from being left hanging. Her shoulders sank and her head fell forward as she realized how close they’d come to crossing the line she had been so adamant about drawing in the beginning.
She changed into her pajamas, crawled into bed, and when Gus came out of the bathroom half-an-hour later, she pretended to be asleep.
TWENTY-SIX
Gus awoke to the feeling of a warm, soft body wound around his. Merritt’s breath was hot against his shoulder, which sent goosebumps over his skin. Her hand rested on his bare chest, and her legs were scissored between his. It was then that he realized his palm was on her hip, his thumb resting against the bare skin of her stomach that had been revealed by the shift of her tank top. Everything inside him wanted to touch her, to pull her closer, to give in to his longing to be near her. The same longing he had fought so hard last night.
Merritt let out a soft moan in her sleep, which had his body reacting and his mind going to places he didn’t want it to go. They were married in name only. There could be no consummating of their fake vows, even though it had been a very long time since he was last with a woman, and the petite body pressing against his was doing things to him.
Just as he was about to roll away, her hand slid over his chest as she arched into him.
“Gus,” she whispered as her velvety lips pressed against his shoulder, trailing gentle kisses toward his neck.
He softly groaned and closed his eyes. His thumb brushed back and forth against her smooth skin, but he gritted his teeth and stopped himself.
Nope. This is not happening.