Page 121 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

“I can work with that.” I slid down the couch until my legs touched hers before I reached out and touched her lips with my fingertips. Electricity ran through me.Fuck.If my body reacted this way to touching her, it meant a cold shower tonight.

Robyn’s eyes flashed with desire, but there was a hint of fear. I wanted to erase her apprehension, so I gently circled her lips with my finger again. On the second pass, she opened her mouth slightly, and her tongue danced over my fingertips.

I shuddered.Fuck.Her smoldering eyes drew me in. I couldn’t look into them much longer, or I’d be lost, so I moved closer. I ran my hand through her carefree hair as my lips met hers.

Oh. My. God.Her lips yielded, softening with my kiss. My heart beat harder. The kisses I’d been used to were hard—aggressive. Full of lust, but this was gentle. Soft. I gasped and pulled back.

Confusion danced in her eyes. “Are you okay?”

I nodded but didn’t speak for fear my voice would betray me.

“Talk to me,” she said.

When I spoke, I was breathless. “I’m not sure I can.”

“What’s going on?” Concern clouded her eyes.

My gaze shifted to her lips. “I want to kiss you again.”

“Okay.” She grinned. “I’m game.”

This time, I was prepared for the softness of her kiss, but it didn’t stop the emotions from flooding through me, nor did it stop the electricity from coursing through my body.

CHAPTER 33

Sweat poured off mybody and my lungs burned, but I didn’t stop. Since the cold shower hadn’t worked, I figured a hard run might do the trick. After running to the cabins, I circled back toward the lodge before entering the last leg of my journey to the villas. My feet pounded the path. If anything, I ran faster now than at the start of my run. I glanced down at my watch.Six miles.It was at the edge of my endurance, but today, I felt as if I could run ten.

I’d stayed at Robyn’s until after midnight. We’d sat on the couch, kissing like teenagers for nearly two hours. This morning, I swear, my lips were swollen, as were other parts of my body. The intensity of my desire was off the charts, but I didn’t push, though I believed she wanted me, too. Robyn made me want to do better—be better. She’d expressed her wishes, and I’d honor them.

As I made my way between the villas, I broke into a sprint and burst into the square, where several women were enjoyingthe grounds. A friendly game of volleyball was in full swing on the sand court. Other retreat-goers were scattered around the grounds in groups, and two women were drawing the fountain at their easels.

I glanced toward Tranquility Terrace. Annie was sitting on the porch. I scanned the area looking for Emma, but I didn’t see her. As I ran toward the villa, I waved at several women, but I didn’t stop to chat. I only slowed after I vaulted the two steps leading onto the patio.

“Holy hell. Your ass on fire?” Annie said.

I laughed, but it turned into a cough as I tried to catch my breath.

“Geez, you better have a seat,” Annie said.

I collapsed onto a chair.

“What are you running from?” Annie asked.

Was she joking, or did she sense something? Was I running from Robyn? No, I wanted to run toward her, if she’d let me. “Just getting in some exercise.”

“Right.” Annie winked. “How was your date last night?”

That answered my question. She sensed something. “Where’s Emma?” I said, hoping to get her off her line of questioning.

Annie laughed. “You got it bad, girl. But I won’t press. Emma went to the lodge with Helena and Katlynn. They’re helping Vera with the decorations for tonight.”

“I can’t believe it’s over.” I also couldn’t believe the sadness that washed over me.

“What you going on about? It’s far from over.”

She was right. Though the intense programs were finished, my villa mates had put together an agenda for the remaining two weeks. Something told me we’d keep busy. I hoped Robyn could join us. If not, something told me Emma would gladly excuse me.

“What have you guys come up with?” I asked.