Page 105 of Nothing to Do

“And I didn’t choose that, did I? I chose to stay in your hut.”

Closing his fingers around hers, he raised them up to kiss her palm. “Doesn’t feel right leaving you behind.”

“I’m choosing to stay with my sister. And, yes, I know, you said she could come too, but she’s having fun with her friends.”

“She might have fun with your friends.”

No doubt Alessia would love to spend time with Roxie and the others. In the last month, she’d met people and had experiences, she’d never have foreseen. The adventure was surreal to look back on. A lot of dinners under the stars, drinks and conversation into the wee hours. This was a dream she’d love to repeat some time.

“I need the time to work,” she said, fake growling at him. “Someone distracted me so much, I’m way far behind where I should be. Anika will not be impressed with my presentation the way it is.”

“I told you I could help with that.”

“Yeah, except, see…” Sweeping her hair from her shoulder, he bowed to kiss her neck. “This is what happens when you offer to help.” His hand slid up her thigh, under her dress, and the sandal fell from her fingers. That might’ve been how it got lost the first time, except… “Have you had sex on this bed before?”

“I didn’t think about this bed once before I knew you’d slept in it.”

Alessia was still staying in the suite with Lark and the others. This was their original room. No one would mind if they… He hooked an arm across her waist and dragged her back, somehow finding his way between her thighs at the same time.

“You don’t have time for this.”

Tell his body that because it wasn’t getting the message. Untying her wrap dress, he kissed her cleavage and her breasts, enjoying her for what might be…

“I can’t go,” he murmured against her, pressing himself into her. “I have to stay with you.”

“No, you don’t.” Capturing his head in both hands, she guided his eyes to hers. “We’re not saying goodbye. This isn’t over.”

“It’s not over.” And he meant it, through and through. “I don’t want this to be over, I won’t let it be over. Thea, you have to know—”

“I know.”

“I don’t want you to think this was frivolous, that I do this all the time. Baby, I don’t—”

“I know. Don’t you think I know you?” Widening her smile, it was impossible not to adore him when he was so adamant. “And if you haven’t already figured out that I’m crazy in love with you, then you’re not as smart as your friends say you are.” The flare of his surprise endeared rather than scared her. “You have one last chance.”

“One last chance? To tell you—”

“No. To enjoy me here, with the waves behind us and the salt in the air.”

“You’re coming back here. You will be back.”

Nothing was ever one hundred percent certain, especially in matters of the heart. The prospect, the dream of what they could be, that was an enticing view she wanted to come to life.

“Not soon enough,” she said, wriggling and rising, enjoying his hard arousal. “You want to take that on the plane? Might need its own passport.”

Slowly, he lowered himself to kiss her. His mouth, their lips, they’d spend so much time joined that they were almost a part of each other. They’d learned how to yield, when to beg, and when to demand. With time against them, they didn’t have the option of enjoying one of their long makeout sessions that were, had been, the highlight of every day.

Her work might have suffered, but the rest of herself flourished. Time, love, always, they seemed real on the island, tangible, just within reach.

Their lips parted and he pushed into her, reminding her just how complete really felt. All of herself could feel him, every atom and cell cried out for him, drugged and bewildered by the need of him propelling into her faster and harder, whispering her name before his burst from her lips.

“What are you doing for Christmas?” he panted.

On an inhale, she stopped breathing, then exhaled a blast of laughter. “Why? Was that my gift?”

“That was the appetizer.” He kissed her again then got up to fasten his shorts. “That was a serious question. We should spend Christmas together.”

Sitting up, she wrapped her dress again to tie it. “It’s October.”

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