Page 39 of Meet Me in Tahiti

“Well, thank you, again,” she said, gazing at him with that same expression she’d had on deck last night. That same yearning that filled his veins.

But enough with the worries about tomorrow. He should focus on today. He nodded toward the back of the distillery and lowered his voice. “You want to take a little walk with me?” he asked, grinning.

“Yes,” she said without hesitation.

Good. Because he couldn’t wait until tonight after everyone else went to bed. It was too many hours away. He was overwhelmed with affection for her right now.

He knew the vanilla farm and distillery well, having walked it many times, especially when he’d started taking charters here. There were dozens of hidden spotswhere they could steal a few minutes alone. “Come with me.”

She followed him around the corner, weaving between barrels and past a wooden archway where the tour wouldn’t have gone. They moved more quickly once they left the bar area. His other passengers didn’t seem to be in a hurry to leave, but he couldn’t push his luck, either.

Behind one of the storage sheds, shaded and quiet, he stopped and turned to her.

And without saying a word, he reached for her. Then he kissed her like there was no tomorrow.

It was rushed. It was full of need. But it wasn’t casual.

It was real.

Tessa kissed him back like she meant it, her arms around his neck, his hands pulling her in tighter, and for several breathless minutes, the rest of the world disappeared.

A rustle of footsteps several minutes later made them break apart. It would not look good for someone to find them here.

Russ glanced around. “Come on. We should get back, anyway,” he whispered, grabbing her hand and guiding her out the back way, both of them grinning like teenagers.

Chapter

Twelve

The sun had dippedbehind the horizon, and the soft hum of dinner chatter and music had faded into nothing more than moonlight now, as Tessa climbed the stairs to the upper deck. The stars were out again, the sky wide and velvet-dark, the water below shimmering faintly.

Russ was already there, leaning on the railing, the silhouette of his frame lit by the glow of the deck lights. He turned when she reached the top step and smiled—slow, warm, real. Like she was the one thing he’d been waiting for all day. Her heart thudded.

Those precious few minutes at the plantation still sent shivers down the length of her spine, although they’d also chatted over dinner. He’d sat across from her and the conversation between them, as well as among the group, had never slowed.

But the moments they’d spent alone today—the way he’d grabbed her hand and taken her away. Secretiveand alone. It was… delicious. And it was still leaving her breathless.

Her cheeks were probably rosy now, and it wasn’t from the sunshine.

“Hey,” she said softly. He was the one thingshe’dbeen waiting for all day.

“Hey,” he replied, his gaze on her.

She stepped in close and let his arms encircle her. He kissed her gently. “How are you?” he said. His tone was gentle and warm, and it made her heart melt all over again.

“I’m great.” She let out a long breath. So much had happened today. How could she have fallen so hard for a guy in just five days? They had only three days left, but she was trying not to focus on the number. “We had such a great day today. Thank you for taking us to do all of these things.”

“Just doing my job,” he said modestly. “And, remember, I told you I’d find you some things you’d love here.”

She nodded. “And you have.” She trusted him completely now. He’d done nothing this week but introduce her to new and wonderful things and rescue her when she’d gotten in over her head, all with kindness and consideration. A pleasant sigh escaped her. “I’m still thinking about the eagle rays, actually,” she murmured.

He nodded. “You were incredible out there today. I’m proud of you.”

She smiled. “Thanks. You know, I feel like I’m officially ready to turn thirty now.”

He laughed gently. “I think you passed the test. You’ve come a long way this week.”

He shifted slightly and reached into his pocket. “I almost forgot,” he said. “I got you something. Kind of an early birthday present. It’s not much, but... I wanted you to have it.”

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