Just when doubts start creeping in, concerned I’m overstepping another invisible boundary, her fingers curl into my skin through my super suit. She turns her face toward mine, and our lips are only a heartbeat away. Like a man lost in the desert, I’m dying for just a taste of her sweet lips to quench my thirst. But just as quickly as she turned toward me, she looks the other way. Second thoughts cloud her eyes in that split second, guarding her heart, body, and mind all at once. A passionate woman lies underneath the layers of caution and leeriness that govern her life.
I can’t stress how fucking much I want to be there when she finally unfurls her freak flag.
Since she purposely moved her lips out of my reach, I slide mine along her jawline until I reach her ear. “Now I can’t wait to see you dressed up as a genie. I already know what my three wishes will be.”
“In that case, I’ll make sure I look extra special for the next costume night.” That little coo of hers sends all my blood rushing to my cock. Being a nice guy is killing me. “As much as I hate to say this, I’d better head back to my room. We have an early morning excursion scheduled, and this has been a long day.”
“I’ll walk you back so I know you arrive safely.”
“You don’t need to do that. We’re at an exclusive resort. I’m sure it’s safe.”
I pull back and look at her. Thankfully, the room is still mostly dark because I hold her gaze while I speak. “It’s not safe at all, beautiful. You’re on an island with a bunch of single guys, most of whom are drunk. And even if it weren’t a singles resort, there are still plenty of male workers and places they can hide your body until they can toss you into the ocean in the middle of the night. I won’t pull any fast moves on you. You have my word. But I won’t sleep at all tonight if I’m not one-hundred percent certain you’re safely inside your room.”
She tilts her head and narrows her eyes at me in thoughtful reflection. “All right, Cap. You can escort me to my room, but no funny business. You’ll be sorry if you’re lying.”
“Scout’s honor.” I hold up three fingers to emphasize the point.
“Were you a Scout?”
“Nope, never.”
She smiles and shakes her head. “At least you’re honest about it. Lead the way out.” She motions toward the door and tells me her room number on the way.
When we reach her room, she unlocks it and checks behind all the doors and curtains while I stand in the open doorway, watching her every move.
“All safe and secure now. But thank you for walking me back. That was very thoughtful of you.” She stops moving when we’re so close our bodies are almost touching again.
Is this a test… or an invitation?
“Be safe on your excursion tomorrow. I’ll be dreaming about my genie in the bottle until the next costume night.”
“Are you changing costumes? How will I find you?”
“Don’t even worry about that, beautiful. I’ll find you. You’re not slipping through my fingers.”
I lean in and leave a lingering kiss on her cheek. Her soft gasp and the rush of her breath create visions of the other sounds she would make under my hand. Our faces are still touching, and her fingers brush along the scruff of my beard and along the back of my neck. With every fiber of my being, I want to capture her mouth with mine. When her quick inhale makes her lips part, I want to seize the opportunity and plunge my tongue deep inside her mouth, owning it with every moan that escapes from her. That I want to feel the velvety smoothness of her tongue gliding across mine in an erotic dance nearly breaks my resolve to keep this encounter PG-13.
When the urgency building inside her overflows, I want to know the very second the cracks and fissures form in the walls she’s built around her, undermining her willpower. When that dam breaks, sending a tsunami crashing down on both of us, I will be there to save her from drowning in a pool of want and need and desire.
But tonight’s intense reaction is fueled by alcohol, island stimulation, and not knowing who I am. I can’t take advantage of her state of mind like that.
“Good night, beautiful. Sleep well.” I murmur the words against her mouth, our lips barely touching, because I’m nowhere near ready to leave her personal space just yet. But I force myself to do just that anyway and walk backward, away from her. “Lock that door and don’t open it for anyone you don’t know.”
“Yes, sir.” She gives me a mock salute, and I’m surprised my spandex suit isn’t teepeed. She slowly closes the door, and when I hear the locks click into place, I turn and head back to my room.
Alone… with only visions of my personal Harley Quinn-sexy-genie to keep me warm tonight. Warm isn’t the right word. It’s more like my body catches up in flames that can’t be extinguished.
Yeah, this will be a long fucking night, all right.
CHAPTER SIX
Daisy
“Change of plans for today.” Tracy walks into our shared room with an enormous smile on her face.
“We’re not going on the eco tour I booked?”
A disgusted expression flashes over her face. “No, Daisy, we’re not. I’m not wasting my time here hiking and biking in this heat and humidity. Do you have any idea how frizzy my hair will be by the end of the day? We’re here for one reason—men. Plus, there
