Page 43 of Just My Luck

To my surprise, I could actually relax around Abel. He was a man of few words, but the more time I spent with him, the more I realized his silence wasn’t because he was just somegrumpy asshole. Instead, he was thoughtful. Considerate. When he decided to contribute to a conversation, he chose his words carefully.

Abel had stopped Gladys, asking for her recommendation for a casual dinner. She pointed up the beach, assuring us that there were a few local restaurants within walking distance. We had eventually found the perfect place—one that served burgers and beer on the beach.

After our dinner, we took our time walking back toward the Wild Iris, the sunset blazing against the watery horizon. As the Wild Iris came into view, we noticed a fire had been lit in the pit on the beach.

I lifted a shoulder and looked at him. “Want to?”

His calm eyes looked down at me. “If you do.”

As we approached, Gladys’s voice called over the crowd. “There they are. Our newlyweds!”

I offered an awkward wave at the couples gathered by the fire. Wooden benches were arranged in a semicircle, opening to the pit and the lake beyond.

Gladys fussed and dusted sand from her hands. “There’s not a lot of room, but, Mr. King, if you sit there, your wife could take your lap.”

I gulped and my eyes flashed to his.

He lowered himself to the wooden bench and slapped his thigh. “Come on, Jane. Take a seat.”

I liked the playful side of him and how it always seemed to catch me by surprise. Carefully, I lowered myself onto his lap. His muscular thighs were warm and wide, plenty of room for me to sit and get comfortable. His hand settled at the side of my hip, and I draped one arm across his shoulder.

He leaned in to whisper in my ear. “This okay?”

The deep rumble of his voice across the shell of my ear sent shivers down my back.

“Are you cold?” he asked, but then reached back and grabbed a rolled-up blanket from the pile behind him before I could respond. Carefully, Abel unrolled the flannel blanket and draped it across my shoulders, tucking it in at the edges to make sure it didn’t slip.

I clutched the edge at my chest. “Thank you.”

The conversation and crackling fire enveloped us. His eyes moved to my lips again, and I wondered if he might do it—kiss me and claim me as his wife in front of the group of strangers.

Do it.

It won’t be fake this time.

I wet my lips as I stared at his mouth. Beneath me his body was warm and hard, and I fought the urge to squirm in his lap. In the firelight, I tried to memorize the slope and planes of his handsome face. His fingers drew soft circles at my hip as conversations overlapped around us.

“Do you want to go back to the room?” His words dripped with dark intention.

I lifted my chin in a jerky nod.

Abel rose, taking me with him and gently setting me on my feet. I went to remove the blanket, but Gladys stopped me. “No need, dear. Just bring it back in the morning.” She winked and my stomach somersaulted. “Have fun, you two.”

I turned, feeling the blush deepen in my cheeks. As we walked side by side toward the house, Abel’s wide palm slipped down my arm, capturing my hand in his. His palm was wide and warm. I squeezed, loving the strength and comfort his touch provided.

When I risked a glance at his face, he leaned in. “They’re still watching.”

“Okay,” I breathed.

When we reached our room, Abel dropped my hand to unlock the door to let us back into the Caveman Suite.

I stared at the leopard-clad bed as hope and arousal coursed through me.

Abel moved behind me and dropped the key on the small boulder-like table beside the door. “I’ll take the floor.”

Hope squeaked out of me like a leaking balloon. “What?”

He slipped off his boots and grabbed a pillow from the bed, dropping it to the floor. “I can sleep here.”