Page 78 of Places I've Never Been

Mattie gently pulled away from him. “Can we rinse off first? I’m all oily and sweaty.”

She put the notebook on the bed and took his hand to lead him out of the cabana.

They stopped by the hut to pick up towels, then walked naked across the sand to the waterfall. Solar-powered lights lined the edges of the rocks, transforming the simple cascade of water into a glowing, otherworldly realm filled with magic.

They splashed, laughed, and kissed under the cold, never-ending stream. She appeared as reluctant to leave it as he was, but eventually she started to shiver, so they stepped out to toweloff.

He tucked the towel around his waist, then kissed her shoulder. “Ready for dinner?”

She smiled. “Yes, please.”

They dove into the picnic basket that had been left for them.

Mattie pulled two LED candles out of the hamper and flicked them on while she continued to hum.

“No work, remember?” he teased. He was half afraid she’d dart off to snatch up the notebook again.

Maybe he should hide it.

“It’s not work. Music is my happy place.” Her smile lifted her eyes. “And it’s not my fault the tune is catchy. You did that all by yourself.”

He had to change the subject, or they’dbothbe hovered over that damn notebook. He picked up a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries, the cheese and fruit plate, and the wine.

“Let’s take this back to bed. I’ll feed you.”

“Will you peel the grapes?”

“No need. They’re already peeled. This place is posh like that.”

She followed him with two glasses. “Something tells me you aren’t all that interested in the food.”

“I’m very,veryinterested in eating.” He set the food down on one side of the bed, then took the glasses from her and gestured to the pile of pillows. “My lady, please make yourself comfortable. Mr. Adam will see to your every need.”

She crawled on hands and knees to the spot he’d indicated. “Myeveryneed?”

“Oh yes. Every. Single. Need.” He punctuated each word with a kiss placed strategically along her collarbone.

Then he kissed her until she made the low moan that let him know he had her full attention.

Then he fed her.

It wasn’t long before the food lay abandoned, and the towels came off. This time, he didn’t mess around with massage oil.

Chapter Nineteen

The next afternoon, Mattie walked hand in hand with Adam to the Big House for the songwriting session that should have taken place that morning.

“What are you smiling at?” Adam asked. He squeezed her hand.

“This.” She gestured at the scene in front of them. The ocean kept them company on the right, while the jungle of trees stood guard on the left. In front of them, Sunset Beach waited, empty, and above that the Big House kept watch. “This place is surreal. It’s such a shame this all has to end.”

“It doesn’t.”

Adam said it so matter-of-factly, it set off an alarm bell in her head. He had a way of taking random things she said and making them come true. His Adam moments became more elaborate the longer she knew him, so she could imagine how far he might take her innocent, off-handed comment.

She shook her head. “Be serious. This place must be over-the-top expensive. We can’t stay here forever.”

Adam glanced sideways at her. “Why not? What’s moneyfor if not to spend it? What if we bought our own island that we never had to leave?”

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