Page 13 of Price of Paradise

He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. “Because I’ve watched you. Got to know you. And I plan to spend the rest of the weekend learning everything about you.”

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yeah?”

One powerful arm moved around her middle, holding her tight. “I’m on a mission here. This is serious stuff.”

She snorted. “A sex mission?”

He chuckled and grabbed a strawberry. “Damn, straight. Now, eat up. You’ll need the strength.”

Mae obeyed, letting Gunner pop the tasty treat into her mouth. As her lips closed around it, he muttered something unintelligible, and she felt his cock harden beneath her buttocks even more.

“Thirsty?” he asked in a rough voice.

“Yes.”

Gunner picked up the bottle of water he’d retrieved from the mini-fridge earlier and handed it to her. Mae took several drinks before handing it back to him. He gulped down the rest and placed the empty bottle on the table.

Gunner nestled his semierect cock against her bottom, letting her feel the full brunt of his arousal. “So, how about I take you back to bed.”

“To sleep,” she admonished. “I want to go do a few things tomorrow.” She glanced at the time on her cell phone sitting on the coffee table. “Er, today, I mean.”

“Much later today,” He started to stand, holding her in his arms. “First things first.”

She cuddled close, hearing the beat of his heart againsther ear. “We aren’t getting any sleep, are we?”

She saw the hunger in his eyes. “I’ve got plans for you. Naughty plans.”

Mae could well imagine what sort of debauchery Gunner had in his oh-so-clever mind. She’d always been fond of the way his brain worked, but now she could see just how inventive the man could be too. Gunner was maddeningly handsome, entirely too bossy, and uber-intelligent.

And falling in love with him might very well get a woman’s heart crushed to bits.

****

As predicted, Gunner had spent hours teasing and playing. By the time they’d fallen asleep, it’d been nearly six in the morning. They woke mid-afternoon and ordered sandwiches from room service. While they ate Mae managed to talk Gunner into getting into their swimsuits and heading downstairs to the pool. Gunner wore a pair of red trunks with white stripes along the sides. His tanned chest and six-pack abs on display for all to see. She enjoyed the sight and he’d noticed, teasing her about it. But the minute she’d slipped into her emerald-green two-piece he’d shut up fairly quickly.

She propped her hands on her hips and decided to goad him a little. “Is there something wrong, Gunner? You’re awfully quiet all of a sudden.”

His gaze caught and held hers. “You’re pulling the tiger’s tail, baby girl.”

She laughed and grabbed her black mesh coverup. “Just giving what I’m getting.”

His lips twitched, and that oh-so-sexy dimple appeared on his cheek. “We could skip the pool, you know.”

Mae shook her head. “No way. You promised me we’d getout of this room a bit.”

His brows furrowed, as if finding the idea distasteful. “Whatever. Ready?”

Several minutes later Mae lay on her stomach in a white beach lounger while Gunner sat in the one to her left. He grabbed her bottle of sunblock. “Come on, woman, I don’t want you to burn.”

“I can put on my own sunscreen, Gunner.” She plucked it from his hand. “Believe it or not I’m quite capable.”

He tugged on a lock of her hair. “Don’t want a massage, huh?”

Okay, score one for Gunner.“Since you put like that…” She slapped it into his palm. “You always have to have your way.”

Gunner winked at her, then popped the top of the bottle. “Only when it comes to getting my hands on you.” He nudged her shoulder. “Lie back down so I can rub that hot, siren’s body of yours.”

****

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