Page 39 of Hope After Loss

“I’m cooking, remember?” I mutter as I try to get my body under control.

“I mean, after you cook,” she clarifies.

“Sure. I’ll jump in once the grill is off.”

“Okay,” she says as she hops off the table to her feet.

I check the grill one more time before I walk inside to retrieve the robe and two towels from my bathroom. As I walk through the sliding doors, I accidentally catch her reflection in the glass just as she kicks her jeans to the side and pulls the sweater over her head.

Fuck me.

I spend an extra few minutes scolding my dick for being such an asshole when I assured her there was no reason to feel uncomfortable.

Once he settles down, I walk back out to find her submerged to her chin. Her head is resting against the built-in pillow, her eyes closed and a blissful smile on her lips as the water bubbles around her.

She’s a gorgeous, peaceful sight.

I click on the string of lights hanging above the hot tub and close the door behind me.

Her eyes flicker open, and her smile grows wider as I hang the robe on a hook and set the towels on the steps that lead up to the Jacuzzi.

“How’s it feel?” I ask.

“Like heaven,” she coos.

“Good. You relax,” I command.

I pull the chops off and add the corn on the cob directly onto the hot grill.

While it cooks, I open a bottle of wine and pour us each a glass. Once the corn is ready, I transfer it to the pan with the potatoes. I place it and the chops in the oven on warm, take the glasses, and join Anna.

She takes both glasses of wine while I strip down to my boxers. I hop into the steaming water and take a seat opposite her.

She hands me one of the glasses, and I settle in.

It’s the first time I’ve used the new hot tub.

“Damn, this thing feels great on my back,” I say as the jets pulse into my aching muscles.

“I know. Isn’t it heaven?” she moans.

Don’t do that.

“I could stay in here for hours,” she says.

“We can stay as long as you want.”

She smiles, takes a sip of her wine, and lays her head back.

The curve of her breasts peeks above the water, and I swear you’d think I’d never seen cleavage before with the way my damn body is acting.

I try to focus on anything but her creamy skin, flushed face, and the expression of pure euphoria she is wearing.

It was your bright idea to invite her to stay the night. Now, you get to think about her curled up in your big, comfortable bed tonight, genius.

“Earth to Weston.”

“What?” I ask when I realize she is calling me.