Free Twelve Days of Pleasure by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page B

while they’d been playful but he imagined that if she spent any more time half-dressed, that might become more difficult to do. He was attracted to her and he couldn’t be, and more important, he definitely couldn’t let her know what he was feeling. He took a deep breath in, shaking his head as he pondered his options.
    * * *
    There was no answer when Vanessa called Kendrick’s name. She’d been alone when she finally managed to open her eyes. Sunlight was streaming through the glass enclosure and she could hear the lull of the seawater through the screened doors. She’d woken to rose petals tangled through her hair and her crotch and the memory of her night with Kendrick stuck in her head. The man had haunted her dreams and waking to thoughts of him had her feeling some kind of way. She’d called out for him and when there’d been no answer she’d risen from the mattress to search him out.
    She liked Kendrick. She hated to admit it but there was something about him that moved her spirit. She felt safe with him and that allowed her to let her guard down. They’d spent hours talking over that sweet piece of cheesecake and she’d been comfortable opening up to him. He’d teased her and she hadn’t felt self-conscious once. He made her laugh and it felt natural to do so. And despite his kindness toward her, he seemed indifferent to her feminine wiles, never blinking once when she’d tried to be flirtatious.
    She looked out to the beach and saw him standing at the water’s edge. He appeared to be deep in thought, his focus someplace else. Once again, he was shirtless, his broad back rippling with muscle upon muscle. This time he was wearing swim trunks and his long legs were solid as tree trunks. Vanessa took a deep breath. Any other time, any other place, and she wouldn’t have given a single thought to resisting the temptation sweeping through her. But this was the wrong time and the wrong place and clearly, he wasn’t thinking the same things about her that she was thinking about him. Blowing a low sigh she headed for the bathroom and a very cold shower.
    * * *
    â€œWhat are you drinking?” Vanessa asked when she finally joined Kendrick on the patio. He was sipping a neon-green concoction through a straw.
    â€œVegetable juice. This one is kale, celery, spinach, apples and an orange. Have some?”
    Vanessa skewed her face in distaste. “No, thank you. I want a real breakfast.” She suddenly jumped when Liam moved to her side to take her order.
    â€œGood morning, madam!”
    Her eyes were wide as she shot the man a look. “Liam, you scared me!” she gushed, a hand pressed to her chest. “I wasn’t expecting you to be there. Good morning.”
    â€œMy apologies, madam. I definitely didn’t mean to frighten you.” He swept an apologetic look from Vanessa to Kendrick and back. “What might I get you for breakfast this morning?”
    Vanessa pondered the question. “I’ll have two eggs over easy, whole wheat toast, bacon—extra crispy—and a large glass of orange juice, please.”
    The man nodded. “I’ll bring that right out,” he said, disappearing as quickly as he’d appeared.
    â€œDoesn’t that make you nervous?” she asked, tossing Kendrick a look.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThe way he just shows up out of the blue.”
    â€œIt’s his job. He does it well.”
    â€œHe’s creepy.”
    â€œWould you like me to ask them for someone else?”
    She shook her head. “No. If he tries anything I think I can take him. He’s not that big.”
    Kendrick laughed, tossing his head back against his shoulders. “I’d actually pay to see that.”
    â€œI wasn’t trying to be funny. I’m dead serious.”
    â€œI’m sure you are,” Kendrick answered. “But if it really makes you uncomfortable there’s a