“Did we sleep?” He reached for a towel at the edge of the tub and dried his hands before grabbing his phone. “Let me just send a text for room service to set up breakfast while we’re out here.”

Elena waited, appreciating Gage’s thoughtful efficiency. But as she took in the luxury of their surroundings, she realized the sharp contrast in their lifestyles. She knew that Gage’s level of wealth was even more staggering than when they’d dated before. More daunting. A private jet brought him where he wanted to go. Catered meals appeared with a text. Expensive vehicles and exotic vacation destinations were the norm while Elena had worked her way up from virtually nothing. People like Gage’s parents would always view her past as a liability, an unfair burden for their son. And although she liked her life just fine, she would always be an outsider in Gage’s privileged world.

Tipping her head back to breathe in the mountain air, she closed her eyes and soaked up the sensations of the jets against her shoulders. Bubbles burst at the surface, spraying her face with a light mist. Birds called to one another in the nearby trees, a boat motor sounding in the lake below. The hot tub water sloshed side to side as she heard Gage settle deeper into the spa a moment before his palms landed on her waist through the wet shirt, his fingers wrapping around her hip.

She didn’t open her eyes, simply feeling him come closer as he repositioned himself next to her. His thigh brushed hers and her body stirred, still hungry for him.

“How do you want to spend your day?” He spoke into her ear, the sound giving her shivers before he kissed her neck. “Keeping in mind I want to spoil you.”

The temptation to lose herself in his touch nearly overwhelmed her. But how long could they indulge this attraction before they addressed the inevitable problems that came with it?

Starting with the fact that she’d let him believe she’d accepted his father’s bribe all those years ago. The thought felt like a bucket of cold water despite the heat of the spa tub.

“We should probably talk first.” Sitting up straighter, Elena opened her eyes. “Last night happened so fast.”

Easing back, Gage looked wary. Water droplets clung to the bristles along his jaw. “What’s there to discuss? Last night was a gift. Today can be, too, if we let it.”

The temptation to defer an unhappy conversation was strong, but she’d gone that route before and lived to regret it.

She swiped away a damp strand of hair that came loose from her elastic.