“As you should. Because Garrett isn’t policing what she does, he’s policing what you do. That’s creepy and gross and makes me want to punch him in the nose.”

“I’m officially calling an end to this discussion so we can move on to something much nicer to talk about. Like sex or your ass. Or how you’re a really dirty guy when you’re dancing.”

He picked her up and deposited her in his lap. “You got the special, super-deluxe dance package. With extra dirty.”

She laughed, leaning down to kiss him.

She had a bathing suit on. Not that he was complaining because she looked fantastic in it and he’d be seeing her naked by the end anyway. He reached up and untied the top, freeing her br**sts.

“Hey!”

He nuzzled her ni**les at the water line. He’d need to take this party inside soon. The condoms were in there, and it was a cold-enough night that doing anything seriously sexual outside was inadvisable.

“Hey what?”

“You’re just randomly untying bathing suits now?”

“Nope. Not randomly. Only yours. And for a very good reason. I like your ni**les.”

He managed to stand and help her out even though he was so hard he was sure ninety percent of his blood was currently in his cock.

She got out, toweling off as he did the same, shooing her toward the door. And then down the hall to the master bathroom. “Strip off your suit. Rinse off when you finish.” Royal shoved his trunks down and off, dropping them into the mesh basket in the bathtub, and bent to grab her suit as she finished stepping from it. “We’ll toss them in the wash later.”

“Was this just a reason for you to get me naked?”

“Naked and in a situation where it’d be normal for me to rub my hands all over your naked, wet body.” He popped the cap on her body wash and drizzled it over her skin in ridiculous quantities.

He rubbed slick hands all over her skin. “You’re very inspired this evening.”

“You’re apparently my muse.” He knelt, looking up the line of her body. “Man. I’m in big, big trouble,” Caroline whispered.

“I’m afraid that’s the truth.” He stood, sliding his body against hers as water pelted them. “There’s no cure for that. And the only treatment is lots of time with me.”

She massaged shampoo into her hair and then used conditioner, and though he kept her within reach, left her alone enough to finish up and get out, drying off as he did the same.

“It’s late and we both have to be up early. I vote we get right to sex.”

She laughed as he pulled her toward his bedroom.

Chapter Twelve

“That’s some smile you got going on there,” the server said as they sat down.

Royal shrugged. “Look at her. What’s not to smile about?”

The server nodded. “You do have a point.”

“Four Friday nights ago I took this gorgeous creature out for the first time.”

“Wow. That’s awesome. Congratulations.”

Royal winked at Caroline. “Thank you. Naturally a pitcher of margaritas will be necessary.”

Caroline looked at her menu again quickly. “Yes that. And guacamole please.”

“Good idea,” Royal agreed.

Their server left and Caroline looked up to find Royal grinning at her. “What’s that face for?”

“I just like looking at you.”

The margaritas arrived and they put in their food order before settling again.

He clinked his glass to hers. “I have to be up at six or so tomorrow, but I’ll be done by ten so I can get back and cleaned up for lunch. Feel free to use my office to work in. You know where everything is.”

“I still can’t believe you’re willing to do this after the way she was yesterday.”

“I told you, I’m not having you go over there and expose yourself to attack. Not alone. I’m going to be there to get your back. After a certain point though, I’m going to ask you why you do it at all.”

“Because it’s only been six weeks since I came back. I can’t erase fifteen years of absence with a month. I’ll revisit this later on if things don’t improve. I don’t give up on stuff. Not that easily.”

“I’ve been told by my aunt that we’re to stop by their place Saturday before we head over to your family’s. She and my uncle want to meet you.”

“Awesome!”

“I stressed several times that we were going to be eating a meal in about an hour so we didn’t need snacks. But you really never know with my aunt. She’s one of those people who bakes hams and turkeys just in case company comes by or you get a little puckish and only a turkey leg can satisfy.”

She laughed. “All right. I’ll let you take the lead on that.”

Dinner was leisurely. The food was awesome, and the margarita buzz would serve her well during the movie playing at the Orpheum that promised lots of explosions and gunfire and pretty heroes and heroines who ran in slow motion.

Perfect.

Of course once they arrived, he was already thinking about snacks.

“Dude, where do you even put it all? Seriously, it’s so unfair that you eat the way you do and stay so lean. Makes me want to bite you.”

He put an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “Feel free to bite me any time you like.”

“Incorrigible. Oooh, Red Vines.” She put a box on the counter. “Just water please.”