Rosco padded away from the hot tub, his lips on fire from the light kiss heâd placed on Onica in the heat of the moment. His heart was thudding out a staccato rhythm in his chest, pounding his ribs with its booming beat. What heâd just done scared the crap out of him, on so many levels it wasnât funny, but it felt right. For once, heâd listened to his heart, not his brain, and heâd taken a risk. A huge, huge risk. Heâd put himself out there on the ledge without having a clue how his kiss would be received and now he was terrified of what came next. It had all happened so fast that he really didnât know how she had taken it. Had she liked it or had it pissed her off? He had no idea. Sheâd didnât bitch him out, which he figured was a good sign, but she also hadnât returned it. Not that heâd given her much chance to respond either way, scrambling out of the hot tub like his ass was on fire and using dinner as a convenient excuse. Taking a risk was one thing, waiting around to see how it was receivedâ¦another matter entirely. And when it boiled right down to it, big badass gunner man was a romantic at heart and he wasnât sure he was ready to know how she felt about that kiss just yet. Heâd have to face her soon enough but, for now, he could hide behind the menu and the phone and delay it for a few minutes longer.
The phone call to the hotel restaurant went quickly and he hung up the phone, setting the menu down on the dresser. His back was to the hot tub and he took a deep breath, preparing himself to go back when his eyes fell on the bathroom door. A sigh escaped his lips and he headed for it. âIâll be right back. Gotta use the bathroomâ he called over his shoulder. Slipping through the door and closing it, he breathed a little easier. He didnât really have to use the restroom but he would, if only to delay a few moments longer. Taking care of business, he washed his hands in the sink and then leaned against it, looking at himself in the mirror. What a wuss, he thought. You found a woman you liked, you made a move, and now youâre hiding in the damn bathroom. That actually made him smile, which helped him relax. Ah hell, might as well get out there and see what happens. Nodding to himself, he opened the door and headed for the hot tub. He paused on the edge, not sure if he should sit across from her like they had in the beginning, or next to her like they were before heâd kissed her. Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound, he thought, sliding into the water next to her, his shoulder rubbing hers. Turning his head a little towards her, he smiled. âDinner should be delivered in about an hour. Youâll love it.â He closed his eyes then, hiding his nervousness, and just rested against the edge of the tub.