Her full lips curved up shyly. “I knew you’d do fine.”

She lifted one foot then the other. “Damn. This is hot.” She stepped to the side to slip her feet into flip-flops sitting by the edge. She had one on and was going for the second when she squeaked, made a grab for his arm, and nearly tumbled back into the pool.

And for the second time, he caught Clare against him. His hands went to her waist to steady her, and just that touch sent most of his level-headed ideas flying. They stood for a moment, her bare, wet skin burning his palms. His heart rate picked up, and he caught her scent— coconut and oranges.

“Sorry. Shoe problem. Again. This is embarrassing,” she said, eyes on her feet, working the flip-flop between her toes. “You’re always catching me.”

He let his fingers tighten the slightest bit on her flesh, wanting to slide them around to her back and draw her closer.

With her shoes on, she looked back up. “I’m going to get you wet.”

He was just about to say he didn’t mind, but she stepped back, and he dropped his hands.

Let it go. Move on.

She shifted on her feet, stared past his shoulder, then met his eyes again. “I hope you’re not angry after the…you know, last night. I mean, I have no idea if you’re married, or… I mean, you probably would have said something if you were, but…”

She went on, talking quickly, much like she had last night at the bar.

“Maybe you have a girlfriend or…or maybe you just don’t like to be kissed like that or—”

Deacon felt himself smiling. There was just no way to stop it. “Do you always apologize so profusely when you kiss someone?”

She bit her lip. “I don’t kiss many people.”

He nodded, storing that away. “Good to know. Also, I’m not married. No girlfriend. I do like being kissed like that, though I can’t say I’ve ever been kissed quite like that.”

“No?”

“No. But then you’ve never kissed me before.” And that was definitely not letting it go.

She stared at him, utterly still. “That’s…good.” 

“That’s true.” And he couldn’t let it go, because seeing her again drove home what he already knew. If it was only physical, he could and would walk away and forget it. But it was more than that. “Do you want to have dinner with me tonight?”

“Oh, well…” She averted her eyes again. “You know, I’m not really looking to get involved with anyone.” She huffed out a laugh. “Obviously, you couldn’t tell by the way I acted last night, but I’m really not. I mean, that would be crazy. Seeing as why I’m here and all and…”

“I’m not, either,” he said and meant it.

The last woman had left a bitter taste. A woman who would walk away from her babies without a backward glance would do that. But for whatever reason, he just couldn’t let this go. Couldn’t let Clare go.

“So, you just want to have dinner?”

“Yes.” No, not just. But anything else he wanted he’d do well to forget about.

“Okay.” Her purely kissable lips turned up into a sweet smile. “Why don’t I meet you?”

“That works. Any preferences?”

“Not really. I have six nights and six more restaurants. I plan to hit them all.”

“Okay. Want to try the Italian? Say, seven thirty?” “Sure.”
“Great.” Smiling, he gave her hip a pat. “Try to stay on your feet until then.”