The Illegitimate Heirs: Luke, Zach and Jake. Kathie DeNosky

he took her into his arms and held her close, Luke wondered what had happened to her mother. But remembering the look on her pretty face when she’d asked him at the aquarium if it would matter if his heir was a girl made him wonder about the relationship she shared with her father, as well. But his curiosity could wait. She clearly didn’t want to discuss any of that now.

      He could respect that. The anger and resentment caused by an absentee parent was certainly familiar ground for him. Besides, he had no intention of spoiling what had, up until that moment, been a damned good day.

      “Why don’t we get in the hot tub and relax for a while before we go to bed for the night?” he asked, nuzzling her soft curls.

      “I can’t.” She sounded less than certain as she brought her arms up to his shoulders. “I didn’t bring my swimsuit.”

      Nibbling on her earlobe, he smiled when he felt a tremor course through her. “We don’t have to wear suits. In fact, I think it would be a lot more fun to go skinny-dipping.”

      “I—I don’t think so.”

      Her breathy laughter sent a shaft of heat straight to the region south of his belt buckle.

      “If I couldn’t drop the sheet in front of you this morning, what makes you think I could go skinny-dipping with you in the hot tub this evening?”

      “Well, for one thing it’s dark and we’re alone on this section of the mountain.” He trailed kisses down the column of her neck. When she sagged against him, he added, “And for another, I promise I won’t peek until you’re settled in the water.”

      “Why am I having trouble believing that?” Her throaty question sent his blood pressure soaring.

      He chuckled. “How did you know I used up all of my allocated honor for the day?”

      “Just a lucky guess.”

      When she threaded her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck the heat in his lower belly turned into a hungry flame.

      “I suppose we could wear our underwear in the hot tub,” she suggested.

      His internal heat flared out of control and threatened to turn him to a cinder when she kissed the exposed skin at the open collar of his shirt. “I’ve got an even better idea, sweetheart,” he revealed as he swung her up into his arms. He carried her through the French doors of the great room and straight to the master suite. “Why don’t we skip the hot tub and just go to bed?”