NathanWhen Holly said she was a teacher, he’d assumed private tutor or possibly college professor. He didn’t expect her to actually be a public school teacher, let alone the one he was giving an award to. He hadn’t paid any attention to the name of the recipient for tonight’s award. He never did. He learned it two seconds before the speech and promptly forgot it once the applause came.He wouldn’t be forgetting the name this time.He took his seat next to her, sipping on champagne and excited about the evening. This award just became a lot more fun.“So you’re Nathan Reed?” she asked him. Her green eyes held a touch of concern, as if she were no longer certain of him.“The one and only,” he replied.She looked like she was about to say something, but their food arrived. He was still full from lunch, so he didn’t plan on eating much. He looked over to see Holly had her fork and knife ready, but pausing at the plate.She set her fork down and turned to face him. Her brow was serious an

HollyThe intense and sudden jolt of desire caught her breath. Every fiber in her being said she was doing the right thing. There was lust and desire, yet something else too. Something deeper and sweeter than just the physical.She didn't stop to think about or analyze the feeling. She just let her body take control. She let her brain stop worrying and fretting. She let herself have fun.Her hand went to his shirt, nimbly unbuttoning the shiny white buttons. She was surprised to see she didn't shake, even though her whole body was vibrating with need. She tugged at his shirt and he shrugged out of it, barely breaking the kiss in the process.Then, with a smooth motion, he lifted the hem of his undershirt up and over his head, giving her bare skin. She whimpered, her hands splaying against the strong muscles of his chest and abs. There was just enough hair to make him masculine, but not so much to make her think of a beast. The heat of his body through her fingers drove her wild.She f

HollyWhen Nathan said that he had a private pool, Holly had assumed it would be something like a hot tub near the main pool, maybe slightly enclosed or with some potted plants making it more private.She was wrong.It was a private pool that was very private.The resort’s hot-spring river started at the base of the mountain and ended at the big swimming pool just outside the main building. A steaming creek meandered around the property with small ponds branching off at various locations as it snaked down toward the main pool. There were bigger public pools for up to ten people, and smaller quiet pools that fit three or four. Trees and bushes helped create the illusion that there was lots of space between the pools and gave some privacy. The best pools were gated off from the others, but the very best were hidden.Nathan’s was one of the hidden pools. If she hadn’t seen him open the gate, she would have thought it was just another line of evergreen trees and not a separate area. Inste

HollyShe floated in the warm water, turning slightly as the current moved through the pool. Hot water flowed from the base of the mountain into the various pools. It then collected and made its way to the main pool before disappearing into a mountain stream. The effect was that there was always a slight current through the pools, keeping the clean water flowing.She felt ridiculously light and happy. Beside her, Nathan floated as well, their bodies touching, then floating apart, then touching again. They floated in comfortable silence. Holly remembered her parents having the same kind of easy silence as they read together.Just being in the same space made them happy. They didn’t have to talk or be funny. They didn’t have to perform. Just the act of existing was enough to make the other content. She’d never understood just how wonderfully peaceful it could be until now.A large snowflake melted directly on her forehead and the water ran into her eyes. That was the only thing that aff

NathanHolly stood by the door of the lobby, feet frozen in place. Her bag lay at her feet.“I don’t want to go,” she whispered, looking back at him. “It was such a good weekend.”Nathan kissed her forehead. “I’ll call you.”She smiled, but her eyes said she didn’t believe him. Why should she? This was a vacation fling. This wasn’t supposed to be serious.She picked up her bag. “You’ll look into why Paradigm is moving ECT to San Francisco, right?”He nodded. “Yes. I will.”She paused, looking for any way to prolong leaving. An old beat-up four-door sedan pulled up to the front door. It looked out of place among the expensive cars waiting for the valet. The car didn’t belong here. Just like Holly.“Thank you for the most amazing weekend,” Holly said. She set her bag down and stood in front of him. “It was like a dream.”She went to her tip-toes and kissed him softly on the mouth. She still tasted sweet and made his heart race. He closed his eyes, focusing on her taste and the soft scen