Page 60 of Chasing the Dream

Gabe ventured a sideways glance at Morgan, whose face looked flushed. He doubted she enjoyed being the center of attention any more than he did.

“So, what’s on the agenda for this evening?” he said, deciding to change the subject himself.

“I’m beat from hiking. I’ll probably soak in the hot tub and then head up to bed,” Maria said.

“If you kids don’t mind, your father and I are going to the neighbors’ house for a few hours. We usually play cards with them on Saturday night.”

“It’s not like we need a babysitter, Mom. You and Dad go out and have fun,” Maria said.

Morgan remained quiet, and he wondered if she was thinking what he was thinking—that they might get some time alone this evening. His heart rate spiked just imagining the possibility.

After they’d finished eating, Morgan offered to clean up.

“Thanks, dear. Cal, we should get ready to go.”

“Right.” He stood up, looked directly at Gabe, and said, “You kids have fun tonight.” A few minutes later, they left.

“Gabe, why don’t you get the hot tub ready while Morgan and I finish cleaning up?” Maria suggested.

“Sure thing.” He was glad for the reprieve and quickly went outside to turn on the jets. The hot tub was boxed in by a wooden privacy fence, and if he and Morgan were left alone, nobody would be able to see them. It was almost too much to hope for. If he were smart, he’d opt out of joining them, but after what had happened in the bedroom earlier, he was too curious not to—curious and aroused, as was becoming evident in his shorts. He turned his back to the house in case anyone was looking.

Maria opened the sliding glass door to the patio and leaned out. “We’re going upstairs to change now. Meet you out here in a few.”

“Okay,” he said, pretending to test the water temperature with his hand.

He waited a few more minutes and then went upstairs to change into his swim trunks. While he was changing, he could hear Maria and Morgan talking, but he couldn’t make out what they were saying. Knowing they might be a while, he left the bedroom, grabbed a towel from the linen closet, and went back outside.

It was a cool, clear night, and the moon shone brightly in the inky black sky. His muscles ached from hiking and hefting a hammer, and he groaned as he sank into the warm, bubbling water. Tipping his head back, he closed his eyes and thought about everything that had happened since Morgan had come to Arizona.

He’d thought he had a good life before that. He had a successful business, plenty of friends, and the freedom to do what he pleased. He had no one to answer to but himself, and he preferred it that way. At least, he’d thought so.

He recalled what his dad had said about his wife and kids being the most important, and he knew that was true for Cal and a lot of other men. But could it be true for him? He hadn’t given it much thought, mostly because he hadn’t felt serious about a woman before.

There was no doubt that he and Morgan shared a physical attraction and had a history of sorts. But in a couple of months, she’d return to Michigan, and who knew if or when he’d see her again. Whatever this thing was between them, it was only temporary.

Just then, the patio door slid open, and he opened his eyes. Morgan had come outside first wearing…wait a minute…

“I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed your sweatshirt again.”

“Not at all.”

“I saw it hanging on the stair railing, and I slipped it on over my bathing suit.”

“Brrr. It’s cold out here,” Maria said, stepping out next.

“Hurry up and get in, and you won’t even notice.”

He wasn’t sure where to look, but his gaze landed on Morgan as she unzipped his sweatshirt and laid it on the chair with her towel. He sucked in a breath at the sight of her in what he assumed was her new bathing suit. Luckily, Maria had her back turned, and she hadn’t seen his reaction.

Morgan came toward the tub, providing him with an even better view. Her swimsuit was a polka-dotted two-piece with a flirty skirt bottom that flounced when she moved. It covered more than the other swimsuit he’d seen her in, but she still looked just as sexy. Of course, he’d discovered she looked great in anything she wore.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she slowly lowered herself into the tub.

“Ahhh,” she sighed once she was immersed up to her neck.

Maria was about to get in too when her phone buzzed on the chair where she’d set it. She glanced at the screen and slapped a hand over her heart.

“What’s wrong? Who is it?” asked Morgan.