“I’m getting hot. I think I’ll go back to my room for a while.”
I stood up, wrapping the sarong around my waist. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Reed staring at me appreciatively. I ignored him, although my nipples took notice, hardening against the fabric of my swimsuit. I hunched my shoulders and sent my daughter a smile.
“I’ll see you at the rehearsal.”
Reed jumped out of his chair with the athleticism of a much younger man.
“Let me walk with you.”
“No, I’m fine.” I waved him away. “You hang out and enjoy the sun.”
He sat back down reluctantly. “Okay, we’ll see you later.”
I headed back to my room to do some yoga and meditate. I’d just finished a meditation session on my veranda when my phone rang.
“Mom? I need a favor.”
“Anything,” I answered quickly.
“I just realized that I forgot my lipstick for the wedding tomorrow,” April said.
“Oh no.”
“I was planning to wear the Sephora brand vegan lipstick, the hibiscus one,” she continued, talking quickly. “Would you mind going into town to grab one for me? There’s a mall about half an hour from here. I would go but Jonathon and I need to meet with the wedding planner in a few minutes.”
“No problem, I can go.”
I felt the weirdest rush of pleasure that my daughter was depending on me to do something, even if it was just picking up a lipstick.
“Great, thanks so much Mom. I’ll text you the shade, so you remember. Oh, and Reed will be by to pick you up in a few minutes.”
“What? I don’t need a ride, I have my car here,” I protested.
“Reed knows where the mall is.”
“I have GPS.”
“I just talked to him, and he says he doesn’t mind going with you. Thanks Mom, I really appreciate this.”
April ended the call, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was all a set-up. Was my daughter playing matchmaker? Or did she think I really couldn’t find my way to the store and pick out a lipstick?
Before I could decide, there was a knock on the door. I sighed as I went to let Reed in. He’d changed since I last saw him, putting on khaki shorts, running shoes, and a navy t-shirt that hugged his impressive chest. A pair of sunglasses was tucked into the neckline. He looked like a cologne commercial.
“Let me just grab my purse,” I told him as I walked back into the cabin.
Reed grabbed my hand, pulling me back towards him.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“What I’ve been dying to do all day.”
Before I could respond, he lowered his lips to mine. The instant we touched, my entire body was on fire. Forgetting my resolve to keep my distance, I wrapped my hands around his neck, stepping closer, and opened my mouth for his probing tongue. He swept in, his tongue tangling with mine as the kiss went on and on. When we finally came up for breath, my panties were damp, my heart was racing, and I’d forgotten all about April’s lipstick.
“As much as I’d like to continue this, we’d better get to the mall,” he said.
I felt a stab of disappointment, even as I reminded myself that I was here for April, not to have a torrid affair with her fiancé’s silver fox uncle. I looked around for my purse and my phone, then joined Reed at the door.
“Let’s go.”