Page 149 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

I reached for our wine glasses, handed her one. “Better than the salmon?”

“Mmm, close call.” She took a sip, eyes closed in bliss. “This view is ridiculous.”

We sat there in comfortable silence for a few minutes, just sipping wine and watching the city lights sparkle around us. From up here, the city looked peaceful. Manageable. Beautiful in a way it never did when you were down in it.

“Do you do this often?” Cleo asked, trailing her fingers through the bubbling water.

I laughed. “Hardly ever. Maybe three times total since I bought the place.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not. I’m usually working or sleeping.” I shook my head, amazed at my own stupidity. “I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this.”

“Cash Bancroft.” She gave me a stern look that was somewhat undermined by her naked shoulders glistening with water droplets. “You have a jacuzzi with a view of Manhattan and you don’t use it? That’s criminal.”

“I know. I’m reformed now.” I raised my glass to her. “Thanks to you.”

She smiled and sipped her wine.

“There’s also a pool on the roof,” I added casually.

Her eyes went wide. “Get out. A pool? On the roof?”

“Heated.”

“You have got to be kidding me.” She sank lower into the water. “Who even are you? A pool and a jacuzzi?”

I nodded, trying to remember the last time I had even been up there.

“We are absolutely using that pool next time,” she said with absolute conviction. “Promise me.”

“I promise.” I set down my wine glass and moved closer to her. “Maybe midnight swimming. Starlight. Just us.”

“Are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Bancroft?” She was smiling, but her eyes had darkened.

“Always.” I reached for her, pulling her onto my lap. Water sloshed around us. “Is it working?”

Her answer was to kiss me, slow and deep and thorough. Her wet skin slid against mine, her thighs straddling my hips under the water. I ran my hands up her back, into her hair, holding her close as the kiss deepened.

“I could get used to this,” she murmured against my lips.

“Good. That was the whole plan.”

She kissed me again and it wasn’t long before I was ready to get out of the jacuzzi and into her.

CHAPTER 46

CLEO

Icould have drowned in that kiss. The water bubbled around us while Cash held me against him, his hands tangled in my wet hair. I couldn’t believe this was his life and he was sharing it with me. The man was nothing like the guy I thought he was.

And I was so grateful for it.

“We should go inside,” I murmured against his lips. “Unless you want me to take you right here in this jacuzzi.”

His eyes darkened. “Tempting, but I have plans for you that require a bed.”

“Lead the way, Bancroft.”