Page 9 of Tropical Inferno

She put her hands on either side of his face. “You’re right, I’m not really a vacation sex kind of girl, but there’s a first time for everything and one lust-fueled affair that doesn’t go anywhere isn’t going to ruin my life. And your eyes are telling me something too… You want me but you’re keeping me at a distance. Tell me the truth, Garrett—are you married or engaged or somehow involved with a woman that you’d be cheating on?”

“Absolutely not!” He shook his head.

“Then what are you afraid of?”

He reluctantly took a step back. “My past—and to a degree my present—is complicated. You’re too nice of a girl to get caught up in my life, and you’re definitely too nice of a girl for me to use for vacation sex.”

“Even if that’s what I want?”

He shook his head again. “I think you want it now. In two or three weeks, when you’re back home, you’re going to regret it.”

She pursed her lips but eventually nodded. “Okay then. Back to flirting it is.” She turned to her suitcase. “I want to hit the beach today. What about you?”

He recognized her need to put some distance between them, but letting her wander around on her own was too dangerous. If she came in contact with a television or computer, it would be all over and he didn’t want to lose her yet. She would be gone soon enough, but there was something compelling about Maddie Teller that made him want to hang on to her as long as he could—even knowing how it had to end.

“How about I rent a cabana on the beach and we just kick it?”

She turned back, narrowing her eyes slightly. “We’re going to spend the day together half-dressed, on the beach, while keeping things simple and flirty?”

He folded his arms across his chest. “Are you saying you can’t control your sexual urges?”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s what you’re going with? Fine. Let’s do it your way. A cabana on the beach sounds lovely. Thank you.”

She was being sarcastic, but it didn’t matter; being in a cabana on the beach with her was going to be heavenly. Even if she didn’t know he thought so.

5

Her first look at the Pacific Ocean up close made Maddie forget all about being annoyed with Garrett. The water was simply breathtaking…smooth as glass and so very blue. She’d never been out west before and she couldn’t help a little sigh of pleasure at the thought of spending the day admiring it. Her toes hit the soft white sand and she paused, breathing in deeply and taking a moment to look around.

“It’s beautiful, right?” Garrett spoke behind her and she smiled.

“Yes. Just as pretty as the pictures… I may never leave.”

He laughed. “That’s how I feel every time I come.”

They continued to the cabana he’d reserved and she dropped her bag on the wooden floor. It was about ten square feet with a tented top and two chaise lounges with padded cushions. A small table rested between them with several beach towels stacked on it.

“Umbrella up or down?” Garrett asked her.

“I’m from Canada and October is basically winter,” she snorted. “I need all the sun I can get!”

“You got it.”

He adjusted the tent flaps with some kind of lever that opened everything for them as she put a towel on one of the chairs.

“And I’m officially on vacation!” She put her sunglasses on and started rubbing sunscreen into her skin. She was going to enjoy the sun, the sand, and the water she couldn’t wait to swim in. Maybe Mr. Tall-Tattooed-And-Not-Flirting would loosen up after getting a little sun.

* * *

Two hours later, Maddie was more frustrated than relaxed. How had a simple kiss gone so wrong? One minute they were all over each other, the next he was putting on the brakes so fast she could almost hear tires squealing across the tiled floors. Though it seemed like nothing on this vacation was going to go according to plan, he was pushing her away for a specific reason and she wished she knew what it was. If he was telling the truth, and he wasn't involved with someone, she couldn’t imagine what the issue was. He was definitely attracted to her, which only proceeded to confuse her further. Why was he pulling back? They had genuine chemistry—that kiss had been hot—despite the short amount of time they’d known each other.

He was extremely good-looking but not arrogant. He obviously had money but didn’t throw it around or try to impress her with it beyond helping her out of the situation she’d been in. More than that, he was down-to-earth. Even though he said he had a complicated life, he didn’t act like it; he acted like a good guy who was going through a hard time. She hadn’t seen him drink or smoke, and he’d gone for a long run this morning. He seemed fit, healthy and intelligent, with money to spare and good manners. What could possibly make him refuse no-strings vacation sex if he was single? He was right that it was out of character for her to sleep with a guy she barely knew, and that she would most likely have regrets, but she already had years of regrets about things she hadn’t done. Maybe this kind of experience would breathe new life into what had become a very stagnant existence.

With a huff, she turned onto her stomach to get some sun on her back. They’d been here for a couple of hours and hadn’t really said much of anything to each other. He’d gone with her when she’d cooled off in the water, but even then, they’d been almost painfully polite together. Had one kiss ruined a chance for them to even forge a friendship?

“You sound pretty sexually frustrated over there,” Garrett murmured, eyes closed and hands behind his head.

She snapped her head to the side to glare at him. “What?!”

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