Page 36 of All I Desire

“No, I have plans.”

“Oh yeah?”

Just then, my phone rings. It’s the front desk. I press the speakerphone button. “Hey.”

“Nat? A Mister Matthew Mancini is here to see you.”

“Thanks. I’ll be right out.”

“Matthew Mancini?” Max quirks an eyebrow. “Is this the head of the naked group?”

I stand and snort out a laugh, but inside, I’m a little warm at the idea of a naked Matt. “No. He’s a friend. The guy I did the photoshoot with.”

“Oh yeah, the one you made out with on the beach. Dex from the Grouper told me.”

I gave a non-committal nod. “He’s running a new helicopter tour business here on the island.”

Max grins and climbs to his feet. “So, you’re going to talk business.”

“No, we’re going to have lunch as friends. Now shoo.”

“Hell no. I’m going to the front desk to meet this guy.”

I put my hands on my hips. “Max.”

“Come on. I love helicopters.”

“You do not. You think they’re dangerous death traps.”

“I like to meet new business owners.” He’s at the door now, holding it open for me.

“Fine.” I know he won’t take no for an answer, and I don’t feel like arguing. “Way to respect my boundaries, dude,” I mutter.

We walk down the hall, toward the front desk. “I just want to meet him. You never have lunch with men here at the resort. I’m curious.”

I wonder if this is a good idea, introducing the two of them. Will Matthew think it’s too soon? I guess we’re about to find out, because he’s standing at the front desk, wearing a gray T-shirt and jeans. He’s a little bigger and broader than my brother, and the sight of those arm muscles makes my feminine heart flop around in my chest.

Okay, and I’m feeling things in other vital lady parts, too.

“Hey,” he grins.

I immediately start perspiring. It’s either from lust or nerves, and I giggle. Max looks at me in wide-eyed shock, probably because I’m not normally a giggler. I gently, and awkwardly, shove my shoulder into Matthew’s rock-solid arm.

“I’d like you to meet my brother, Max. Max, this is Matthew. The, ah, friend, I was telling you about.”

The two men shake hands and make small talk about helicopters. The small talk turns into a detailed discussion about helicopter engines, something I had no idea that Max cared about.

“Do your choppers have turbine or reciprocating engines?” Max asks casually.

Matthew’s eyes light up. They’re chatting with a level of familiarity reserved for aviation mechanics who have served two tours together in Iraq.

I tap my foot impatiently. Clear my throat. There’s some discussion of torque. My eyes begin to glaze over. Okay, boys. I put my hand on Matthew’s forearm and give it a little squeeze. He looks my way and laughs.

“Well, we’re off to lunch,” I trill, giving his arm a little tug.

My brother holds out his hand and the two men shake. I glance down and notice that Matthew’s knuckles are white. Leave it to Max to pull some subtle, power-male move. I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

Max releases Matthew’s hand and pats me on the shoulder. “Have fun. Oh, Nat? You need to call Leilani. She’s doing some mermaid thing and wants your input. Forgot to tell you.”

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