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G oddamn, she wished she wasn’t so freaking distrustful. Why did she constantly do this to herself? Second guess herself to the degree where she jeopardized everything they were building? Damn her family. They’d ruined her!

Zack was right. Things between them had been good. The sex was phenomenal. And as he’d promised, he was present, which couldn’t be easy for a man with his responsibilities, and he did indeed seem determined to prove himself.

But Dani was still struggling, and she hated herself for it.

She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was more to the story with Emylyah. Zack's evasiveness when Dani asked about her only fueled her paranoia.

Except he wasn’t really being evasive, that was unfair.

He just didn’t know. He was as frustrated as she was to have a faceless woman standing between them.

Maybe more so, since she was his baggage.

Unfortunately, none of those things eased her peace of mind; the emotional baggage from her past was too ingrained.

A couple of days later, Dani was still no closer to reconciling her misgivings. She paced her cabana, frustrated with herself, wondering how long it would take before she stopped feeling like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

It was midweek, but Dani had taken some time off so they could be together. Just the two of them. Time to heal the wounds of both the distant and recent past.

The balcony doors stood open, allowing in the sultry island breeze, but even paradise couldn't soothe her racing thoughts.

She wanted to trust Zack. God, how she wanted to let go and give herself permission to fall into this second chance with abandon.

But years of disappointment and battling against her family's expectations had built walls around her heart that weren't so easily dismantled. She’d become set in her ways and stubborn about giving even the slightest concession but even recognizing that about herself didn’t help much.

A soft knock at the door startled her from her spiraling thoughts.

Her pulse quickened. Regardless of everything, there was no denying the way her body responded to Zack.

When he was close it seemed like everything was right in her world.

Even her mind quieted. It was only when she was alone that doubts plagued her.

And right now, it was time to put them aside, because they had the rest of the week to spend together. It was exactly what they needed.

She steeled herself and squared her shoulders as she reached for the door handle, determined not to let her negativity ruin things for them.

“Hey.” She pasted on a smile as she opened the door and stepped back to allow Zack entry.

“Hey yourself,” Zack replied, pulling her into his arms for a searing kiss. His lips were firm yet tender against hers, and Dani felt herself melting into his embrace. For a blissful moment, all her worries faded away.

When they finally broke apart, Zack's eyes searched her face. "Everything okay? You seemed a little tense when you opened the door."

Dani hesitated, not wanting to ruin the mood. "I'm fine," she said, forcing a smile. "Just excited for our time together."

Zack's brow furrowed slightly, clearly not entirely convinced. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right? I want us to be open with each other."

His sincerity made Dani's chest tighten with guilt. Here he was, trying so hard, and she was still holding back. “Honestly, I’m fine. What’s the plan for today?” She’d left it to him to arrange their day, happy to be surprised.

Zack grinned, looking more boyish than she’d ever seen him. “Well, I thought we’d go jet skiing to start, then wind down with a private trip on the glass bottomed boat to watch the sea life.”

Dani blinked in surprise. In all the time she’d worked on the island, she’d actually never participated in any of the many exciting activities the resort had to offer. “That sounds wonderful,” she told him, meaning it.

“Get yourself ready then, kitten. Shay’s waiting for us.” He gave her a swat on the backside as incentive, and Dani giggled, her previous tension forgotten.

An hour later, they were dressed in wetsuits and life jackets, and after a technical and safety brief, they were out on the water. Dani had chosen to ride with Zack, rather than take out separate machines. She wanted to be close to him.

The wind whipped through Dani's hair as they skimmed across the turquoise waters, spray misting her face. She clung tightly to Zack's waist, her body molded against his back. The powerful thrum of the engine beneath them sent vibrations through her core, igniting a different kind of excitement.

Zack steered them skillfully through the waves, occasionally glancing back to make sure she was okay. His megawatt smile was infectious, and Dani found herself grinning back, her worries forgotten. This was exactly what she needed - to get out of her head and just enjoy the moment.

They zipped around the island, marveling at the pristine beaches and lush vegetation from a wholly different perspective.

At one point, Zack slowed down and pointed out a pod of dolphins frolicking nearby.

Dani gasped in delight as the sleek creatures leapt and dove, putting on a show just for them.

An hour later, after she’d taken a turn at the controls herself, Zack circled back to the resort's private cove.

They dismounted the jet ski and her legs were wobbly, but Zack pulled her close and helped steady her, not seeming to have the same problem himself.

“Come on,” he murmured, “I have another surprise waiting.”

Leading her further up the small golden beach, Dani saw a blanket had been set out, with a wicker picnic basket next to it. “How did you do this?” she laughed, delighted at the thought he’d put into their day.

Zack winked at her. "I have my ways. And friends in all the right places."

They settled onto the blanket, and Zack began unpacking an array of gourmet treats - fresh fruit, artisanal cheeses, crusty bread, and a half-sized bottle of chilled champagne which she guessed was the limit for being in charge of a jet-ski.

As he poured them each a glass, Dani marveled at how sweet and thoughtful he was being with this whole date thing.

It was a side of him she'd rarely seen during their interactions at Club Risqué. Not like this, anyway. Of course, he’d been an excellent dominant during their scenes, and attentive during aftercare.

He’d been interested when they’d talked business, but all of that had been in a rather professional kind of way.

This… this was completely different, and it melted her heart in ways she never expected.

"To new beginnings," Zack said, raising his glass.

Dani clinked hers against his. "And second chances."

As they nibbled and sipped, conversation flowed easily between them. The sun warmed her, the light breeze enough to stop them overheating, and Dani found herself relaxing more and more.

Zack was trying so hard. Everything would be okay.

Wouldn’t it?

“So, are you ready to head back and take the boat out?” He bent his head and trailed butterfly kissed over her lips and jaw.

Dani nodded, although really, she would have liked to partake in a decidedly different pastime, but wetsuits weren’t the easiest to struggle in and out of.

Later, she thought.

At the marina, a sleek glass-bottomed boat awaited them. Zack helped Dani aboard, his strong hands steadying her as she stepped onto the gently rocking deck. “Where’s the captain?” she asked as Zack settled her into a cushioned seat at the bow.

“At your service, Ma’am,” Zack said with a theatrical flourish that made her giggle.

“You can pilot a boat?” Stupid question, really, since he was already steering them out into the crystal-clear waters. There was so much she didn’t know about him. But then, that was the point of spending time together like this.

As the boat glided over the vibrant coral reefs, a kaleidoscope of marine life unfolded beneath their feet.

Dani gasped in wonder at the sight of neon-bright parrotfish, graceful sea turtles, and undulating rays.

Zack set the boat to idle and joined her, draping his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close as she admired nature's aquatic spectacle.

"It's beautiful," Dani murmured, leaning into Zack's embrace. The warmth of his body and the gentle rocking of the boat lulled her into a state of blissful contentment.

"It is," Zack replied, his voice husky, but when she glanced over, it was her he was looking at, and Dani felt her cheeks heat.

He tilted her chin up, capturing her lips in a slow, sensuous kiss that made her toes curl.

When they finally broke apart, Dani's face was flushed, and her heart was racing. She gazed at Zack, seeing the desire smoldering in his eyes. "Maybe we should head back to the cabana," she suggested, her voice breathy with anticipation.

Zack grinned wickedly. "I thought you'd never ask."

The ride back to shore seemed to take an eternity, though in reality it was only a few minutes.

Zack’s phone rang several times, but he ignored it, giving her his full attention, and as soon as they docked, he practically lifted Dani off her feet in his eagerness to get her back to their private retreat.

Once inside Zack’s cabana, they fumbled with zippers and clasps, peeling off their clothes between heated kisses.

His phone rang some more, and this time Zack grumbled and silenced it.

His lips found hers once more, and Dani let herself get lost in the kiss. Zack's hands roamed her body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. He backed her towards the bed, easing her down onto the plush mattress.

"God, you're beautiful," he breathed, his eyes raking over her aching body and making her shiver like a physical touch.

Dani felt a flush of heat at his words and the intensity of his gaze. She reached for him, needing to really feel his skin against hers. Zack obliged, covering her body with his own. The weight of him, the scent of his skin, the taste of his lips - it all combined to overwhelm her senses.

Zack moved her arms up over her head. “Honor bondage,” he growled, nibbling at her ear, his warm breath spreading goosebumps racing across her sensitized skin.

“Grab the bars and keep hold of them until I say you can let go.” Dani dutifully wrapped her fingers around the dowels on the headboard while Zack took his time, worshipping every inch of her body with his hands and mouth until Dani was writhing beneath him.

“I need you,” she whimpered, trying to angle herself just right against his rock-hard cock.

That’s when the hammering on the door started.

“What the hell?” Zack groaned, burying his face in Dani’s neck at the interruption.

“I don’t think they’re going away,” Dani remarked, blowing her hair out of her face in frustration as the hammering continued.

“Stay right there, I’ll get rid of them,” he promised, rising from the bed and grabbing a pair of shorts.

And she did. For long minutes she remained right where she was, naked, legs spread, her hands wrapped around the bars in the honor bondage he’d placed her in.

Even when her body cooled, she stayed there, tipping her head to one side as she tried to make out the low sound of voices in the living room.

Time stretched but Zack didn’t return. How long did she stay here like this?

There was an old-fashioned analogue alarm clock on the bedside table and Dani watched as the seconds ticked interminably by. After ten minutes had passed, she’d had enough. She moved her hands and wiggled her stiff fingers. She felt ridiculous… and embarrassed.

An unwanted memory of her mother waiting for her father to turn up crept, unbidden, through her mind.

As a child Dani had always believed her father worked late and should finish earlier.

Now she knew it for what it was; her mother forcing herself into a state of constant readiness in case he pulled himself away from his family for long enough to visit. Her stomach twisted at the thought.

Unaccountably let down, Dani untangled herself from the sheets and sat up, her muscles protesting after being held in one position for so long.

Somehow it wasn’t the same when the adrenaline of desire wasn’t holding you hostage.

Something was clearly wrong for Zack to be gone this long, but surely he could have spared a moment to explain instead of leaving her hanging.

She wanted to shower. To wash the disappointment and niggling unease away, but somehow doing so in Zack’s cabana with visitors in the living area seemed like too much of a vulnerability. So instead, she freshened up as best she could and retrieved her clothes.

She was dressed and sitting on the bed, wondering if she should make her presence known to whoever needed Zack so badly, try to leave quietly - difficult since the front door was through the lounge - or just sit and wait indefinitely, when Zack finally came back.

“I’m so sorry,” he apologized as soon as he set foot in the bedroom.

It did nothing to soothe the irritation that had been growing over the past thirty minutes.

She knew it wasn’t altogether Zack’s fault, but she felt like she was coming second in his life once again.

She felt like she was becoming her mother, something she’d sworn she’d never do.

Zack dragged his fingers through his already disheveled hair, clearly agitated. “It’s just that… Emylyah’s here. On the island. And I need to see her.”

And there it was. The reason he’d pushed her away all those years ago. The reason he was pushing her aside now. Ice flooded her veins. In a matter of moments, she'd been relegated to being the other woman in the presence of his wife.

Just like her mother.