Page 23 of Island Holiday

Professionally.

If she was in the right headspace.

At the moment, all she wanted to study was his body and how it fit with hers. She was out of control and couldn’t find an ounce of her normally staunch responsibility. Desire and an unrelenting need had taken over. Pure lust and instinct. And she didn’t want to interfere with all the wonderful sensations that felt so marvelously perfect.

A touch, a gasp, a whispered word, she wasn’t about to put a halt to this when it felt like the best Christmas ever. Days early, but who was counting?

“I didn’t expect this,” she murmured as his mouth traced the shell of her ear.

He stilled. “Tell me to stop.”Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. “Please don’t stop.” She gave him a little shake when he hesitated. “I don’t do this… Don’t do wild or reckless.” Shewas on the pill for her body more than any serious precaution. She hadn’t been in a relationship in years.

“Same.”

It took her a beat to realize he wasn’t talking about relationships. Just right here and now. This wasn’t about tomorrow or even next week. This was simply chemistry. Hormones. Spontaneous combustion between consenting adults.

“I’m on the pill,” she said at the same time he announced he had condoms.

It made her laugh and she dropped her head to his chest, catching her breath. “Guess that makes us two highly prepared singles.”

Then she shrieked as he swept her up into his arms. “Bonus points for us.”

Chapter 8

Connor couldn’t remember thelast time he felt this good. Completely satisfied. The walls weren’t closing in. He wasn’t fighting the urge to get outside and move. There wasn’t the slightest bit of anxiety, just a steady contentment. He was sure he was grinning like he’d just won the lottery.

He had.

Not a big money prize. Better. He’d just spent the better part of a day in bed with the woman who had populated his daydreams and fantasies for more than a year. Breathless and sweaty, his pulse was gradually returning to normal—again—and the sweet fragrance of Sonya filled the air. Her hand rested on his chest and one leg was twined with his.

Life felt perfect.

Except for the twinge where he felt like a fraud. He probably should’ve told her he’d been wrestling a long-distance crush on her. The crush he’d developed while keeping tabs on her. Before they’d wound up in bed, he definitely should’ve told her he’d spent time in a military prison at Fort Leavenworth.If that unsavory detail came up in the future, there’d be an awkwardness to overcome. And, considering the way Sonya protected herself, a breach of her trust that would be tough to rebuild.

His prison time wasn’t something he freely broadcast, to use her word. The people who truly needed to know were few and far between. It didn’t make much sense, considering how little they worked together, but Sonya was someone he’d hoped to share the full story with some day.

And that was the very definition of rushing things. He had no idea what she wanted for her future. He was sure it wasn’t a clingy researcher who blurted out confessions of his past, his crush, and falling in love after one hook up.

An amazing hook up, but still.

She’d been duped, betrayed, and pushed aside by her family. The very people who were supposed to give her stability and a good foundation. He wasn’t about to blow this fragile start by scaring her off.

“How do you feel about breakfast for dinner?”

She stretched and thoughts of food were forgotten in favor of watching her luscious body. “We had breakfast for breakfast,” she reminded him.

“True.” He propped up on an elbow, then leaned over to kiss her soft lips. “But you cooked. And we don’t have ingredients for the non-breakfast meals I cook well.”

She trailed a finger across his lips and over his beard. Why was such a simple touch so erotic? “We should order in.”

He’d like nothing better, but if Zimmer’s thugs were still out there, still waiting, that could give them a way inside.

“You’re frowning.”

“The building is monitored.” He rolled out of bed, found his pants and pulled them on. “Private security.”

“Mm-hm.”

He glanced over and found her staring at him with a hungry gaze. Flattering. And he’d gladly make it up to her. But right now, the case reclaimed his focus. “And we’re staying in a rental Zimmer himself has used.”

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