Chapter 53

Peyton leaned back in the lawn chair Dix had dragged from the storage shed, along with the other outdoor furniture, and let the sun bathe her with a warm caress. She had gone for a swim while he was out for his run and been caught unawares, standing on the dock in her swimsuit when he returned. Her first and most immediate thought was to yank her long T-shirt over her head and cover up her body. Despite the weight she'd lost, she was still self-conscious about her appearance. Surely Dix Amendola had seen the most gorgeous women in the world in less than she was wearing. She was certain to fall short in the image department.

Then, as quickly and automatically as the thought came, another one replaced it. Why should she even care? This wasn't a date or a weekend getaway with a hot guy - even if the guy she was with was hotter than hell. It wasn't anything except two people who accidentally ended up sharing a cottage. There was no reason for Dix to think anything about her one way or ano