Page 32 of Escape to the Sun

If he kept looking at her with those sexy eyes full of even sexier promises, that day would come sooner rather than later.

“If I play my cards right?”

She hopped off her swing and stood across from him. “I’m pretty sure it won’t have anything to do with cards.”

Just as she hoped he would, Ash grabbed her waist and pulled her close. “You drive me crazy,” he whispered roughly before he kissed her with a need that backed up his words.

The feeling was completely mutual, and her body thrummed with electricity. She was breathless when he finally pulled away. But as much as she’d like to put out the fire in her veins, she had work to do and her presence was needed at grande casa. Preferably before her guests woke up.

Ash would have to wait.

Heather put a finger to his lips and stepped back. “We’ll have to finish this later.”

He didn’t release his grip on her.

“I have work to do,” she insisted, but he only raised an eyebrow. “I do not want to get fired.”

He moved one hand down to her bare thigh, gently moving his fingers along her skin. “You aren’t going to get fired.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” She tried—without much luck—not to get distracted by his attentions. “I can’t imagine that Sherri would like it if I was too busy making out to do my job.”

“Sherri won’t mind.” He kissed her again. “She doesn’t even have to know.”

Of course, she probably didn’t know what was happening between Ash and Heather at all since she moved up to her treehouse. It wasn’t the first time Heather had wondered and worried about the older woman. She’d asked Ash a few times, but he always managed to change the subject whenever it was brought up.

“Hey.” His thumb stroked her cheek. “Where did your smile go?”

Heather shook her head, but he wouldn’t have it. Ash held her head and looked into her eyes. “Seriously. What’s up?”

“I was just thinking about Sherri,” she admitted. “I can’t help but worry about her and wonder how she’s doing.” She wiggled free from his arms. “Aren’t you concerned at all?” She turned and looked out to the water. “No. Of course you’re not. You know what she’s doing. I don’t know anything.” Heather crossed her arms over her thin T-shirt. “I shouldn’t even be worried. I mean, it’s not like it’s my business.”

“Of course it is.” His hand rested on her shoulder, and he gently turned her. “Sherri is as much your business as she is mine.”

“Is that right?” She knew she was pushing things, but Heather had never been one to back down when something was important. She wasn’t about to start now. “Then tell me the truth.”

* * *

Of course she wanted answers. She deserved them. Heck, he was surprised it had taken as long as it had for her to push the issue. She didn’t seem like the type of woman who would let things go easily.

But he couldn’t tell her.

Not without Sherri’s permission.

“We should probably get to grande casa,” he said instead. It was a terrible attempt at avoiding the matter, but he didn’t know what else to do. Not without talking to Sherri first. “Your guests will be up soon and I have a feeling they’re going to want some help figuring out how to spend their day.”

She shook her head, opened her mouth as if she were going to object, and finally closed it again, her lips pressed into a thin line. Ash didn’t know what was worse: Heather pushing him to tell her something he couldn’t, or her being upset with him when only the night before, she’d been so happy.

The memory of her body pressed against his, the way she felt when he moved inside her, the sound she made when she lost control—damn. He didn’t think he’d ever get enough of that.

She turned to walk back into her bungalow, but he grabbed her hand, spinning her around, and held her tight in his arms. “Don’t be mad.” Ash kissed her neck. “I know you’re worried.” He kissed her again. “And I think it’s really sweet of you to be concerned, but Sherri’s fine.” He nuzzled into her neck, unable to look her in the face while he lied to her. “She just needs a little alone time for a while.”

“She’s fine?”

Ash nodded and kissed her again. Distracting Heather was quickly becoming his favorite thing to do.

“Would you tell me if something was wrong?”

He couldn’t lie to her again, so instead, he took her face in both hands and kissed her thoroughly. When he was finally satisfied, not that he thought he’d ever be satisfied kissing her, he released her. “I’ll tell you what,” he said. “I’ll start the coffee. You take your time getting ready for the day.”

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