Deeper (The Real Fling) by Lyla Bellatas

help. “Fine.”
    He lifted her and she settled in next to him on his right. Tucking her floating T-shirt into her waistband, she reveled in the sensations. There was something wickedly erotic about the paradox in elements, the steaming heat of the water, the crackling fire, the frigid wind and snow blowing on her face, and the handsome earthy man next to her.
    Alongside of the Jacuzzi were a bottle of wine and two glasses. Val must have set it up while she was on the phone. He poured the wine and handed her a glass. “What are you thinking about?”
    “That this feels good.” She took a sip. “And I’m glad I came.”
    “Me too.” He blinked once.
    Being near him was intoxicating. Every cell inside of her seemed to be drawn to him with a pressing urgency. Adriana shifted closer to him.
    Val took her glass and put both his and hers on the ledge. He slid away from her a bit. “Sit back as close to the jets as you can handle. Your shoulder has to be getting stiff. Actually, your whole body must be. Once the right shoulder feels better, move around to get the rest of your back. The heat and force will work through the knots.”
    He spoke tenderly, but Adriana couldn’t hide her disappointment. The last thing she wanted now was an exposition on the benefits of a hot water massage.
    “It will ache,” he continued, “but help.”
    “Thanks.” As she closed her eyes, she moved her shoulder against the spout, doing her best not to wince. Damn, it hurt. She leaned her head back on the edge of the tub and counted the snowflakes that landed on her cheeks.
    “Do not forget to breathe,” he rumbled.
    Eventually she got used to the throbbing, the wine’s sedating kicked in or the edge on the ache had dulled, she couldn’t tell which, but being there was easier.
    When she eventually opened her eyes, he was staring at her, mesmerized by whatever he saw in her face. She tilted her head as if to ask, What?
    He edged away again. “She called your parents?” There was no way that was what he was thinking about. He handed her the glass of wine and took a drink from his own.
    “My dad knew I was okay, but she had my mom worked up.”
    “You can stay here as long as you want. I…I like the company,” he said softly.
    “Oh? Don’t tell me you have trouble finding company. I saw the women circling you guys.”
    He scrunched his nose. “Not my thing.”
    “What is your thing, besides chocolate and brandy?” Adriana glanced at him as she sipped her wine.
    Val’s furry lashes lowered as he considered her question but made no move to answer.
    She popped her shoulders out of the hot water. The falling snow and light breeze cooled her down. “If this isn’t your home anymore, how long are you staying in Vail?”
    Every line in his body wound up tight. “Not sure.”
    “Why?” She put her goblet down and bobbed her shoulders back under.
    “I have some things to figure out.” Anguish, turmoil, and grief swirled in some horrid brew in the dark depths of his eyes. Whatever had happened to him, one thing she knew for certain, it had almost killed him.
    She forced herself to meet his stare without blinking, absorbing what she could while wishing she could siphon his sorrow and spill it away for good. “Can I help?”
    “You already are.” He put his glass with hers.
    “How?”
    “By just being here.” He tucked a loose hair behind her ear. His voice was so low it vibrated through her chest. Why wasn’t he kissing her? He’d lean in and push back. Stare and look away.
    Whatever was going on within him, Adriana couldn’t ignore her hunger any longer. She pressed her mouth to his. He backed up briefly and seemed to be about to say something, but she quieted him with another kiss more demanding than the last. The feel of his soft lips surrounded by the scruff of his unshaven skin was thoroughly sexy. She ran her tongue and finger around his mouth, playing with the edge of smooth and prickly, then leaned in and kissed him