She exhaled in relief. Maybe things were getting better.
The sun heated her skin, so she set the notebook on the table and took off her sunglasses, then dove into the pool. The water was cool, refreshing, and she swam a few laps before pulling up on the steps.
This place was idyllic. She saw several boats going by. The location of this house was ideal. Trevor had really done well for himself. She was happy for him.
She got out of the pool and sat, letting the sun dry her. She was going to reach for her notes again, but she yawned, put her sunglasses on, and tilted the chair down, flipping onto her stomach. She’d gotten up before the sun came up this morning to take an early flight, and she was exhausted. Maybe she’d take a short nap.
She closed her eyes, the sound of the water and the boats going by lulling her to sleep.
TREVOR PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND GRABBED HIS team workout bag out of the backseat, then headed inside, tossing his bag on the nearby table by the door. He saw a purse on the counter.
Haven was here. Good.
“Haven?” He went straight for the fridge to grab an energy drink. It was hot at the team facility today, and he was drained. He unscrewed the cap and took a long swallow as he made his way into the office.
She wasn’t there, so he went upstairs.
She’d arrived, because he saw her things in the bedroom.
The guest bedroom. Huh. He wondered why.
He’d have to fix that.
He went downstairs.
“Haven?”
Still, no answer. He went to the back door and looked out, smiling as he saw her lying facedown on one of the lounges.
Obviously making herself at home, just the way he wanted her to feel.
He dashed upstairs, changed into his swim trunks, and came back down, quietly opening the French doors leading to the deck.
It was obvious Haven was asleep. Her arm hung over the edge of the chaise longue, and she was facing him, but she didn’t move when he stepped outside.
And damn, she looked good with all that skin available to look at, her red-and-white dotted bikini barely covering her gorgeous body. She was well tanned, and she had a fine ass and long legs. She’d undone the top, so her smooth back was exposed.
He’d missed her. It had only been a couple of days, but dammit, he’d missed seeing her, missed touching her, kissing her, and feeling her body against his when he went to sleep at night.
He didn’t like being separated from her.
And he didn’t like what that meant. He enjoyed being single. And he had a secret he needed to keep, which meant he couldn’t become attached to a woman. Because getting involved meant trusting someone with that secret.
He had never let anyone in—at least not a woman he cared about. Only a couple of people outside the family knew, and they were business associates. They were paid very well to keep his confidence. He didn’t think a woman he was in a relationship with would ever understand the closely guarded secret he’d held for so many years.
Maybe Haven would, but he wasn’t ready to take that chance yet.
But Haven had shared her grief with him. She’d allowed him to see her vulnerable and in pain. Maybe . . .
No. Besides, what she’d shared had been different. He didn’t even want to think about all the ramifications of sharing his secret.
Taking a deep breath, he ran and jumped into the pool, deliberately making a loud splash before diving deep and skimming the bottom. When he surfaced, Haven was sitting at the edge of the pool, smiling at him.
“Now there’s an entrance. Sorry, I fell asleep.”
He pulled himself up on his elbows, resting against the side of the pool next to her. “Long day?”
“I got up early. How was your day?”
“Good. Tough practice, and it was hot out there. I’m used to it, though.”
She tilted her head to look at him. “I’m sure you are, being a superstar and all.”
He grinned. “Yeah, that’s me.”
“Nice place, by the way.”
“Did you give yourself the tour?”
“I did. It’s a very impressive house. I was surprised by the outside. It didn’t look like you at all.”
He arched a brow. “Yeah? What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. Something . . . mansionlike. Like your other place.”
He gave her a look and she laughed. “Seriously, I’m surprised you have two houses. I thought maybe you’d have a condo here.”
“I just wanted a place by the water. This house was a dump when I bought it. I had it redone on the inside. It’s still a work in progress.”