“Miami?” Sterling cried. “What on earth are we going to do in Miami?”
He took another sip of champagne and smiled. “We’re going to dance.”
“But I—” Looking down at her outfit, she sighed. Maybe she should have changed before they left. She definitely wasn’t sexy enough for Miami.
“You look beautiful.” Jack leaned forward, resting his hand on her knee. As usual, he knew exactly what she was thinking and knew just what to say to put her at ease. “You’re the most gorgeous woman in the room.”
“I’m the only woman in the room.” She gave him a sly stare. “You have to stop saying things like that, especially when—”
His hand slid up her thigh and rested between her legs. Her stomach fluttered and she fell back against the seat.
“Relax, Sterling. Just enjoy.”
A Jeep waited for them on the tarmac when they landed in Florida. They drove down the interstate, the wind whipping around them. She definitely wasn’t the polished woman whose hair blew back elegantly. Oh no, her tresses flew every which way.
The air filled her lungs, the fresh scent of salt and sea invigorating. Water surrounded them on both sides of the highway, the water crystal clear and still.
“We’re going to have to make a quick stop and pick up some supplies,” Jack said, his voice straining over the sound of the wind.
“What kind of supplies?” She hooked a piece of hair that stuck to her mouth and secured it behind her ear.
“A bathing suit, for one.”
“So we’re going to the beach?”
He nodded. Soft sand. Warm water. She sighed. This trip just got even better.
They parked at a roadside gift shop. Signage advertised beer and cigarettes, souvenirs and gifts. Fluorescent noodles sat in a large bin by the door, turtle and shark blow-ups hung from the warped awning. T-shirts and bathing suits blew lightly in the breeze from their position on clothing racks next to the entrance.
He parked and jumped out of the Jeep. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you naked.”
“I’ll be wearing a bathing suit, Jack.” She shook her head. The man always had sex on the brain.
“We’ll see about that.” He winked, grabbed her hand, and guided her into the shop.
What did that mean? He just said they needed to buy bathing suits. Nervousness churned inside her stomach. He had something else up his sleeve. Despite her growing unease, she couldn’t help but be excited about whatever else he might have in store for her.
“First things first.” He guided her to the back of the store. “Pick one.” He gestured to the wall and the few racks that displayed all types of bathing suits.
Sterling sifted through the racks. Actually, there was only one type of bathing suit. They consisted of mostly string. Thong bottoms and triangles cut out for the bra. The racks of tiny pieces of fabric could barely be considered utilitarian for swimming purposes.
“Um, Jack. Do you think we could go to another store?” She held out the hanger with the so-called bathing suit, giving it a once-over. “I don’t think they have my size here.”
He looked through the rack on the opposite side and picked up a solid yellow two-piece. “This isn’t your size…or isn’t your style?”
“Both?” She bit her bottom lip, hoping he would be kind and understand her hesitation.
“How do you know it’s not your style if you’ve never tried it?” He grinned. Sure, he would like it if she was naked, but she didn’t know about the other people on the beach.
“I would never wear anything like that.” She smoothed down her hair with both hands. “I own one bathing suit. And it’s a one-piece.”
“Go and try this on.” He nudged her toward a change room. “For me?” His eyes blazed with a smoldering stare that set her panties on fire. She let out a heavy breath and grabbed the suit.
The salt in the air must be messing with her brain. Was she really going to indulge him? As soon as he saw her in the suit he’d agree that it wasn’t her style. She didn’t have the body to pull it off. She damn well didn’t have the confidence.
She positioned the triangles over her breasts and tied a bow at the base of her neck. Might as well be naked.
“Sterling? Are you dressed, sweetheart?”
“Barely.”
He laughed from the other side of the change room. “Are you going to let me see?”
“I guess.” She unlocked the door and hid behind it.
He crowded the doorway. She was thankful for his large body blocking the view from other gawking eyes. His appraisal started with her face, then moved slowly to her feet, his stare so intense she shivered. Did he know his mouth was open? Or that his cheeks flushed? He might be adjusting to the heat. It had to be the heat.