Page 26 of 7 Dirty Lies

“Of course, Princess.I’m in love,remember?”

Charley rolled he eyes.“He thinks he’s in love.I think he’s a really great lay.One I won’t mind havingbackhome.”

“You live...nearus?”

She nodded.“Just on the othersideof—”

“So when is your flight?”I cut her off before she could say anything else about our reallives.

She glanced at Colt and realized her mistake.“Sorry.Yeah.Forgot you two were keeping things simple.My flight is just a few hours after yours.I was hoping we could all take the ferry over to the airport togethertomorrow.”

“Of course.”It took a good two hours to make it from our private island to the main island and into the airport.It would make sense for the two of them to staytogether.

While Colt wouldn’t leave foranotherday.

“So what will you do without us to entertain you?”Tedasked.

Colt sat stock still, his eyes slowly raking over to mine.I saw a million things in that look.Yearning for another day.To know more.Sadness that he was going back to being alone on this islandwithoutme.

“I’ll probably eat and drink my way intooblivion.”

“That’s the spirit!”Ted called.“No sense in going back to worksober.”

Ted dominated the conversation with a rousing story about a man he met in Greece who rented his yacht to royalty.Somewhere between the beginning of the story and his detailed description of the man’s décor choices, I found a hand wrappedaroundmine.

I glanced over at my date.He wasn’t looking at me.His full attention was directed at Ted and Charley.But as he gave me a comforting squeeze I knew it wasn’t justforme.

He neededittoo.

Icouldn’t sleep.No amount of hiking or bedroom gymnastics could make me fall asleep, apparently.My body was exhausted but my mind wouldn’t stop.Not with the way Colt had me wrapped around him, holding me in place like he enjoyed it every bit as much asIdid.

Maybe I didn’t want to sleep because I knew it was the last time I wouldn’t be alone for a while.Even when I did have “company” it was rare that it was as nice as this.Okay scratch that.I’d never had company this nice before.Colt was funny, warm, and generous.He was great in bed and enjoyable outside of it, too.Plus there was this.Just dozing off in his arms was so relaxing andpeaceful.

There definitely wouldn’t be relaxing or peacefulafterthis.

Nor would anything bethissexy.

So yeah, I was up hours later than I should be, soaking up every moment I could before my vacation became amemory.

“You’re awake, aren’t you?”he said just loud enough to be heard over the waves crashing outside the open bungalowwindows.

“Yes.”

“Why?”His fingers began to lazily stroke my arm.It was soothing.Hewassoothing.

“Can’t sleep.Why areyouawake?”

He paused, his fingers near my shoulders, before he changed direction and moved to my hair.“I don’t really know.I don’t usually have troublesleeping.”

Knowing he was having the same problem filled my chest with warmth.“We should beexhausted.”

He made a grunt of agreement.“Are you ready togohome?”

“No.”

Another grunt.“I need to go back.I can’t believe I left things for this long...” Then he kissed the top of my head.It sent electricity racing over my skin.My heart pounded.“But the last thing I want to do is go back.”He shifted, sliding down beside me so that we were nose to nose on our sides.“I want another daylikethis.”

“Justone?”

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