Page 19 of The Tropical Romance Test

“I can’t believe you pulled it off,” Anna exclaims, checking boxes off her list. The kitchens are a buzz of panicked activity, as the regular resort staff try to get things together in time for the banquet – minus our fugitive chef and her team. “I thought we’d have to call that fancy doctor to sedate Avery, the way she was stressing out.”

“No sedatives needed,” I report, pleased. “Now, we’ve just got time to go change, before cocktail hour.”

“Not for me,” Anna shakes her head. “Is it OK if I skip dinner? It’s been a long day, and I think I got too much sun.”

“Sure, go relax,” I say immediately. “Are you feeling OK?”

“Fine!” Anna says immediately, already backing to the door. “I just need an early night. TV. Room service. You know the drill!”

She bolts towards her room, and I can’t really blame her. It’s been a crazy day, and a club sandwich and an early night watching the sunset sounds tempting to me, too.

But then I think of Josh leaning closer to me in the chaos of that market; his gaze hot on my lips, his thumb softly stroking mango juice from the corner of my mouth…

I swear, everything fell away; it was like time stopped, and suddenly the only thing I wanted in the world – the only thing Ineeded– was to close those last few inches of distance between us and taste his kiss.

And judging from that muffled curse he swore when we were interrupted, Josh was feeling exactly the same.

A shiver of anticipation rolls through me.Everypart of me. And just like that, I’m thrilled that my bag went missing, and I have nothing but sexy, slinky hotel gift shop dresses hanging in my wardrobe. Because my regular, boring, professional outfits?

Aren’t going to cut it tonight.

I finally leavethe caterers to it, head back to my room, making my way down the winding jungle path. The sun is only just starting to sink over the horizon, turning the sky gorgeous shades of pink and peach. The breeze rustles in the foliage, and I pause on my deck to enjoy the view of the ocean glittering, just through the trees.

And the view through the open drapes of Bungalow 6.

A flash of motion catches my eye, and I turn in time to see Josh wander past his window. Half naked. Fresh from the shower, with his damp chest glistening and a towel slung low on his hips.

Very, very low.

I gulp, heat rushing through my bloodstream. I know it’s rude to stare, but I can’t seem to look away. His torso is broad and chiseled, his chest dusted with dark hair, and as he turns away from the window and casually runs a hand through his dark hair, I can see his bare shoulders flex and ripple.

Powerful.Lickable.

Oh.

My heart beats faster as Josh stretches. His towel slips to the floor, revealing?—

“Hazel?”

I yelp in surprise, whirling around to find Ivy and Reeve strolling past, all dressed up for dinner. “What? Hi! What?” I blurt, flustered.

My brother looks at me curiously. “Are you OK? We were calling your name.”

“Yup!” I exclaim, flushing furiously. “I was just… enjoying the scenery!”

The very naked scenery.

Ivy follows my gaze over to Josh’s bungalow, but thankfully, he’s disappeared from beside the window, and there’s nothing to see.

“You guys heading down to dinner?” I ask brightly. “Should be a fun night. I’ll see you down there, I just need to hop in the shower.”

A cold shower. A very cold one.

“Sure. See you there!”

I dart inside and sink back against the door, catching my breath. That’s what I get for invading the man’s privacy, I scold myself, as my heart rate finally starts to slow. How would I feel if Josh was the one gazing through my open windows?

My pulse kicks again, just imagining it.

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