Page 34 of Second Chances

“My father is a manager at a bank, and my mother is a teacher at the local high school. I often thought it was ironic that she enjoyed teaching other people’s kids more than her own daughter.” She tried to hide the disdain in her voice. Apparently, she failed.

“Sounds like you don’t get along with them?”

“They haven’t met Simona,” she threw out, and then wondered why, since she’d tried to convince herself that it wasn’t a big deal. After all, Simona had Crystal and Rory to fill in as grandparents. At least that’s what she tried to convince herself of.

“They haven’t?” Todd grew quiet and then leaned back in his chair. “What do you say to a stroll around the place?”

She smiled. “I’d love to.”

The private island that the resort sat on was large enough to house a small golf course, three swimming pools, a private sandy beach, large garden areas equipped with many ponds, and gazebos for special events. Besides the four-story white Colonial building, which housed over two hundred rooms, it had separate buildings for employee housing and a smaller building used for a spa and pool house.

The place sat on one of the largest islands off the coast of Maine. Olivia had walked every square inch of the island and loved it all. Her favorite by far was the soft sandy beach. She and Simona often came out here on their free days and soaked up the sun or had picnics in the sand.

She and Todd made their way out of the main pool area, closest to the house, and walked down the path that led to one of the smaller pools.

“Have any idea where this path leads?” he asked her, taking her hand in his.

“The smaller pool.”

“They have more than one pool?” he asked. “I guess I only remember the one.” He motioned behind them.

She chuckled. “Three in total. One is more for younger kids or a wading pool. This one has the hot tub.”

His eyebrows shot up. “I don’t suppose you brought a swimsuit?”

She laughed. “No, did you?”

He shook his head. “No, but a soak in a hot tub sounds amazing, with all the work I’ve been doing around the house.” He shrugged. “I suppose I could look at getting one for my place.”

They stopped at the jacuzzi and watched the steam floating up from the hot water, and she had to admit, the hot tub bubbles would probably feel amazing. Then, without questioning herself any further, she toed off her sandals and smiled at him.

“I didn’t bring a suit, but women’s undergarments are basically swimwear.” She shrugged and ran her eyes over him, dreaming of what he was wearing underneath his button-up shirt and khaki pants.

He smiled and slowly started unbuttoning his shirt while she removed the cardigan and her dress.

Their eyes were glued to one another as they slowly stripped off their clothes and set them on a chair next to the hot tub.

In the dim light of the pool, she enjoyed the sight of his lean toned body. My god, most of the man was muscle. She doubted he had an ounce of fat on him. She started to second-guess her decision, since her body was… well, lacking next to his. She’d had a kid after all. It wasn’t as if she was flabby, but parts of her weren’t where or as they used to be.

Then his eyes ran over her body, taking in her cream-colored matching bra and panties, and she watched heat and desire flood his gaze, causing her to relax. Brock had claimed that, after Simona, her body no longer turned him on. But over the past few years, she’d dropped the extra weight she’d gained during her pregnancy and had toned up a lot, thanks to the yoga and days she spent at the gym.

Todd stepped into the hot tub and then held a hand for hers. The hot water caused her to hiss and then moan as she sank down below the bubbles.

“My god,” Todd said beside her as he leaned his head back against the side. “This was by far the best idea.” He glanced over at her with a smile. “Best second date ever.” He took her hand under the water and squeezed lightly, then tugged her closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Now this is nice.” He sighed and relaxed back.

She leaned her head against his shoulder and wondered if she’d ever felt this comfortable around any other man this quickly before. Todd was by far the easiest person to talk to. He somehow understood her sense of humor when she’d joked with him over dinner and wasn’t afraid to be around her or Simona.

The fact that he was up front with her about what he was going through made her want to open up a little more to him about her past. About what Brock had put her through all the years they’d been together.

Then his hand started moving up her arm and her mind shifted gears as desire had her body shaking.

“Todd?” she said, turning her body towards him, letting her hands run slowly up his chest.

“Hm,” he asked, his eyes locked with her lips.

“Do you think…” She smiled when his hands cupped her hips and hoisted her up onto his lap. Just the hardness of the man underneath her had her inner muscles aching and turning her legs to jelly. “Do you think that we’ll have enough time alone to…” She leaned in and brushed her lips across his and felt his response under the water. She wanted nothing more than to slide onto the hardness she felt under his boxer briefs. To ride him until she felt the sweet release that she’d been missing for so long.

“Olivia,” he groaned, not removing his lips from hers. “I want you so much, but I think…” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “I know that Ethan is out there, somewhere, watching over us.”