Page 49 of One Night in Hawaii

He led me into a bedroom with a wall of windows facing the ocean. I barely had a chance to take in the view when he turned me to face him. His eyes searched mine. I saw turmoil in his gaze.

“I’m sorry,” I blurted out. “I shouldn’t have said what I did. Your sister didn’t pay me to be your friend or like you. It wasn’t like that.”

“I know.”

“I—”

He grabbed my face and kissed me. The kiss was hungry and desperate. I could feel the passion radiating off him. His hands roamed my body, pulling me closer to him. I melted into him, unable to resist his advances.

Then I remembered why I came over. I pushed away from him. “No. I’m not here for that. I can’t get involved with you. I will not be the other woman. I’m not getting between you and your fiancée.”

“You’re not,” he said and reached for me again.

“No.” I moved further away. “No. I came here to say goodbye. I just wanted to tell you I was sorry for blowing up at you. For what it’s worth, I had fun showing you around. I hope you were able to relax a little. I just—well, good luck.”

“Good luck?” he repeated.

“With your marriage,” I said.

“Shiloh.” He stepped forward and grabbed my hand.

I pulled it away and walked to the door. “Goodbye.”

“Wait, please. Stay.”

He tried to kiss me again. Being so close to him was killing me. I wanted him more than I wanted fresh air. “I can’t,” I whispered. “I can’t be a fling. I respect you too much to do that. And I have too much respect for myself. I don’t want to add any more stress to your already strained relationship. It isn’t fair to anyone. I care about you too much. It would hurt too much to see you marry another woman. I can’t do it.”

“I’m not going to marry her,” he said.

“I don’t know your whole story, but I know you’re being pressured to marry her,” I said with my heart aching. “I’m not getting involved. Go back to New York and marry her. Or don’t. I can’t be a part of that.”

“I’m not going to marry her,” he said. “Yes, I have to handle things, but I’m not marrying her. I want you. Please, you know you want me. That night, I felt how much you wanted me. I’ve never felt like this with anyone. I’m not just saying that. It’s real.”

He was melting my heart. My usual reaction would be to guard my heart and shut down any chance I might fall in love but then I remembered what Ryder said. A broken heart was the risk, but the reward of getting to be with him was far more enticing.

“Archer, I don’t want to get involved with someone I can’t have.”

“You have me,” he said and reached for me once again. I didn’t pull away.

As his lips met mine, I felt my heart skip a beat. The taste of his lips was addictive, and I couldn’t resist him any longer. I kissed him back with the same urgency, my hands reaching up to pull him closer to me. The chemistry between us was undeniable, and I knew I was falling for him fast.

“Stay with me tonight,” he whispered against my lips. “Let me show you how much I want you.”

I hesitated for a moment, but the thought of being with him was too much to resist. “Okay,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

He reached for my shirt and pulled it over my head, tossing it to the floor. The heat between us was palpable as he kissed my neck, his hands exploring my body. I moaned softly as he found my breasts, his fingers teasing my nipples until they were hard and aching for more. With one quick flick of his fingers, my bra was undone and dropped to the floor.

“Fuck yeah,” he groaned. “I’ve been dreaming about this moment. You’re beautiful. I want to see all of you.”

He undid the button of my shorts and pushed them down my hips. Cool air blew across my flesh, sending a shiver down my spine. His thumbs hooked in my thong and jerked it down.

I was standing in front of him completely naked and exposed in the light, just like he said he wanted. I could feel the arousal between my legs. I wanted to feel him inside me.

He pulled me into his arms and kissed my lips once again. His hand reached down between us and found my wetness. I moaned softly into his mouth as he stroked my clit. I could feel how hard he was and wanted to feel him.

“I want you,” I said. “Now.”

I reached for his belt and undid it, then unbuttoned his pants. His cock was hard and throbbing as I pulled it out of his pants. I wrapped my fingers around it and squeezed gently. His fingers pushed deeper inside me. My knees buckled. I fell against him, my hands hanging on his shoulders.

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