Page 18 of Six Nights in Paradise

“Your friend’s here.” He nodded past me and I turned in my seat. Dalton was watching us, his jaw set tight like he’d caught me doing something wrong. He walked up to the bar and got in front of me, doing his best to block my view of my new friend.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” His voice was calm and steady, belying the tension I felt rolling off him in waves.

“I didn’t realize I was required to check in with you,” I replied sweetly, sipping my drink. His eyes dropped to the glass and his brow furrowed.

“What the hell is that?”

“It’s Nico Juice.” I knew what calling Nico’s signature drink by its name would do to Dalton’s already fiery temper, but I couldn’t help myself. I was having a good time, and would potentially have had an even better time with my new acquaintance later tonight before Dalton walked in and clam-jammed me.

The muscles in his jaw flexed but he kept his composure. He calmly took the drink from me, set it on the bar, threw down a hundred-dollar bill, and grabbed my hand. The unexpected contact sent a shockwave up my arm, and it took me until we were several yards down the beach to come to my senses and yank my hand free of his.

“What is wrong with you?” I seethed. “I was having a good time.”

“You don’t even know that guy. He could’ve slipped something into your drink.”

“You’re being ridiculous.” I rolled my eyes and tried to move past him back to the bar. “He made those drinks right in front of me.”

His arm shot out and he caught me around the waist. “He’s a stranger. You need to stay away from him.”

“Stop telling me what to do!” I shouted and tried to rush past him again, but I didn’t get far. He grabbed me and in one fluid motion, he crouched down and hoisted me into the air. I let out a “humph” when my stomach landed on his shoulder.

“Put me down, you Neanderthal!” I demanded, kicking my legs.

“If you’re going to act like a child, then I’m going to treat you like one,” he bellowed, and I gasped. “Brat,” he mumbled under his breath.

I was frozen in stunned disbelief. Was this real life? Was Dalton James seriously carrying me over his shoulder like I was a petulant, uncontrollable child?

I shivered when I realized his hand was braced high up on the back of my thigh. If he slid it just a couple inches higher, his fingers could be in my panties. He nodded to someone and greeted them with a quick hello, jolting me from my fantasy. What the hell was wrong with me that I could think aboutthatin a time likethis? The couple stopped and turned to look at me when Dalton passed them by. I gave them a little wave so they wouldn’t be tempted to intervene or call security.

When they were out of earshot, I growled, “Put me down.” Dalton ignored me and kept walking.

“I said,put me down,” I commanded louder this time, wiggling out of his grasp.

“Hold still,” he ordered and gripped my leg tighter. The sensation was too much, a mix of arousal and frustration.

“Dalton James, you put me down this instant, or so help me-” I didn’t get to finish my threat because I was unceremoniously dropped onto the sand, landing ungracefully on my ass.

I stood and brushed the sand from my skirt before lunging at him. “You son of a bitch!” I shouted, shoving at his chest, but he gripped my shoulders and held me at arm’s length “What is your problem?”

“Calm down, Taylor.”

“Calm down? You just ruined my night! I had plans.”

His eyes narrowed into slits and a murderous expression slid over his face. “What were you planning to do?”

I threw his arm off and stepped back. “What do you care?” He winced and shoved his fingers into his hair. All that did was make it even more perfectly disheveled, adding to his already off-the-charts sex appeal.

“I promised your brother-”

“No,” I cut him off. “Don’t make this about Aiden,” I warned. “We are both adults and are free to make our own choices. I wouldn’t stop you from doing something you wanted to do. I deserve the same consideration.” He gripped the back of his neck in frustration, conflicting emotions warring over his features. “Or do you think since you paid for all this,” I began, motioning around us with my hands, “that you have some say over what I do while we’re here?”

His eyes widened and snapped to my face. “God, no. I would never think that.”

“Then what is it? Because if you met someone you liked and wanted to go back to their room and have a little fun, I wouldn’t try to stop you.” Even though the mere thought sent pain spearing through my chest. It would destroy me, but I wouldn’t have any say in it. Any man in his position would be ready for some no-strings-attached hooking up in a tropical paradise after practically being left at the altar. I wouldn’t blame him, even though I’d be heartbroken.

“Hell, you could’ve hooked up with that flight attendant who was giving you googly eyes the whole plane ride while I was asleep, and there’s nothing I could say about it, becauseit’s none of my business.” I said the last five words slowly, hoping my meaning would sink in, even though the thought of him screwing her in the first-class bathroom made me want to throw up.

“She offered,” he said in a quiet voice.

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