Since the cabin, she hadn’t slept alone. After two years of hogging the bed all to herself, she’d thought the shift would take some adjustment. But closing her eyes at night with Hayden’s arms locked around her was quickly becoming something she looked forward to. She slept well and deep, safe beside him. He’d never tried to hint that she’d be better off going back to her own room once the sex was over and the sheets had cooled. In fact, the first time she’d tried to leave, he’d pulled her back, cocooning her in covers and teasing her till her laughter filled the room.
It was so easy here to pretend they were a couple.
A real, loving couple.
“I’m headed into town to do some souvenir shopping,” Karen said. “Want to join me?”
“I already got mine,” she said, thinking of the bead bracelet Hayden had bought for her when she’d been so determined not to fall for him.
Look how that had turned out.
“I think I’ll go for a walk on the beach,” she said. “Get in some ocean time while we have easy access to it.”
“Fair enough. I’ll see you tomorrow, and we’ll sort through finalizing the report.”
“Thanks for all the help, Karen. It’s solid work.”
Her friend smiled before gathering her belongings and slipping from the room.
Avery fished her phone out of her bag and shot off a quick text to Hayden, asking if he’d like to meet her at the beach.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Even after a week of cohabiting, she still felt like a schoolgirl with her first crush whenever she saw him.
You’ve got it bad.
Yes, she did.
And for the first time in a long while, things were finally starting to move in the right direction.
…
It took no time at all to change and hit the beach. Avery walked across the sand, the surf tickling her toes. She inhaled the salty air and tried to remember what life back home felt like. A month in paradise was enough to convince her she never wanted to be anywhere else.
But reality beckoned. There was work to be done at home. She’d have to drop in on her parents at least once before she took on a new contract. Maybe the next deal would have her flying somewhere equally as beautiful. Did she have any contacts in Fiji?
Her bag buzzed, and she reached in to grab her phone. An unknown number flashed on the screen again. Annoyance rose within her. Clients knew to call her office line, and her friends and family were stored as contacts in her phone. Who’d be tracking her down in the middle of the ocean?
Strong arms wrapped around her from behind, lifting her off the ground.
“Hayden,” she said, laughing as he spun her around before releasing her.
The buzzing phone stopped ringing, and she dumped it back into her bag, forgotten.
“How’s my girl?” he asked, leaning down for a kiss.
“Wonderful.” She closed her eyes as his lips touched hers. Yes, she could get used to the welcoming kisses and endless little touches he showered on her when he was close.
In fact, she could get used to having him around permanently. Not a sentiment she’d thought she’d ever feel again. But Hayden was quickly taking the sting out of her memories of Jon. Just because she and her ex hadn’t worked didn’t mean she was doomed to spend her days alone.
Assuming Hayden wanted to spend them with her.
“Did you have a good day?” he said, catching her hand and continuing down the beach.
“We’re almost done with our report.”
He glanced at her. “You have more time in the contract.”
“You know I give placeholder dates,” she said with a shrug. “Looks like we didn’t need the full amount of time. Most employers would be happy to knock a week or two off the bill.”
“I’m not most employers.”
She nodded. “Karen would love to stay out the week if you’re agreeable. I could work with you to start implementing our recommendations, assuming you agree with them.”
Some of the tension eased from his face. “Perfect. Let’s do that.”
“But eventually we need to return home. We can’t stay lost on this island forever.”
He turned back to the water, not replying.
The pit in her stomach twisted. Maybe he didn’t want to face reality.
Drawing in a breath, she tipped her face up to the sun. Men had left her before. If she couldn’t win Hayden, she’d find a way to move on.
Wouldn’t she?
While she was staring up at the cloudless blue sky, her foot caught on an uneven spot of sand. With a gasp, she pitched forward toward the ground.
And an arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back when she would have fallen face first.
“Careful,” Hayden said, steadying her.