A shadow fell over her, drawing Meg’s attention from the nap she was trying to take. It might have been unfortunate that she opened her eyes to find a pair of dress pants, with a rather impressive bulge hiding the sun…but Meg found herself tearing her gaze away to follow the overdressed path to broad shoulders, partially shaven face…dark eyes.
“Mr. Masini.”
“Miss Rosenthal.”
“You’re a little overdressed for the pool, don’t you think?”
The weight of his eyes traveled over her exposed skin. The bikini hid the important parts, but didn’t leave a ton to the imagination. She couldn’t tell if Val’s lips twitched with admiration for what he saw, or disapproval. Either way, she felt a little like a Catholic school girl who’d shown up for the first day of school with the wrong uniform… which had actually happened to her before her parents decided to ignore her grandparents’ suggestion that public school might prove best.
His gaze lingered on her thighs and Meg felt the need to squirm. Instead, she simply called the man out. “You’re staring, Mr. Masini.”
He jolted as if his own personal earthquake woke him. “Please, call me Val.”
“We’re on a first name basis now?”
Val rocked back, placed his hands into his pockets as if he didn’t know what to do with them.
He’d been nothing short of cocky since before she’d arrived…this new look suited her just fine.
“I welcome all my guests to use my name.”
“Yet you don’t go by Valentino. I’d think you’d prefer only friends call you Val.”
“Are we not friends?”
Meg couldn’t help it, she laughed. “Sure, Val, let’s be friends…you can call me Margaret. Miss Rosenthal reminds me of my great aunt who never married.
His eyes laughed even though his lips didn’t. “Don’t you use Meg?”
“Let’s not push it, Val.”