Page 38 of The Perfect Distraction

Chapter Twelve

Shifting his body, he leaned his head on one hand and gave her his full attention. “What’s on your mind?”

She decided to start with the most pressing question. “What would Joey think of this?”

“He’d probably be jealous. He loves the beach, and he’s a strong swimmer…”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Colton sighed and sat up. “I know what you meant. I was just trying to stop you from overthinking things.”

“You keep saying that.”

“Because it’s true.”

“So, you don’t think Joey would mind this…us…spending time together?”

“Honestly, no, I don’t. I think what Joey wants is for his parents to be happy, and if not together, then separately. He’s basically said that in his own nine-year-old way.”

“I guess I could see that. He seems more mature than a lot of other nine-year-olds I’ve known.”

“Right. So why don’t you turn around and give me an excuse to touch you by rubbing sunscreen on your shoulders?”

She laughed and handed him the sunscreen before shifting to face away from him. Maybe that would make it easier to bring up her next point. But when Colton laid his hands on her shoulders and started massaging in the sunscreen, she forgot what she was going to say. Tipping her head down, she gave in to the sensations of his warm hands on her bare skin as he applied the sunscreen in circular motions with just the right amount of pressure.

“Mmm,” she mumbled inadvertently.

“Feel good?”

“Too good.”

“Is there such a thing?”

She giggled. “Excellent point.”

“See, isn’t this better than worrying?”

She nodded and said, “A little to the left, please.”

He chuckled, and his breath fluttered over the skin on the back of her neck. Glancing down, she saw that her nipples had hardened, and she quickly crossed her arms over her chest.

“Lie on your stomach so I can get the back of your legs,” he said.

She wasn’t just good at giving instructions, she was good at following them, and she complied, spreading out like a starfish on her towel. He poured a line of sunscreen down the back of her right leg and began massaging it in.

“Anything else you want to discuss?” he asked, seemingly intent on his task.

She debated whether to give in to the luxury of his touch or to bring up her other concern. And then she decided she probably wouldn’t sleep well at night unless she did.

“I’m only here until the middle of August,” she said, distracted by his hands on her inner thigh.

“I know.”

His hands were like magic, but she forced herself to continue.

“And you don’t see that as a problem?”

“It’s just a fact, and I can deal with facts.”