Page 17 of Hidden Resolution

“You really think you’re that attractive?” she quipped, flicking his nipple.

Chuckling, he set his cup aside. Ever so carefully, he removed hers and placed it next to his.

“I think you are,” he said after they kissed, all traces of humor gone.

She sucked in a breath and gazed up at him, stars forming in her eyes.

Unease unfurled in his stomach. What the hell had gotten into him? He knew good and well not to go there. Attempting to recover, he withdrew his arm and rolled off the bed, tugging her with him.

“I need a shower and a shave. So do you. Those cactus plants you call legs have drawn blood.”

“You didnotjust go there!”

“Yep, I’m pretty sure I did.” He ducked the pillow she launched at his head. “You should consider how important honesty is in a fake relationship, love.”

“Bite me.”

A long look at her gorgeous, naked body had him seriously considering it.

“Oh, no, you don’t,” she growled, her eyes narrowing in a threatening glare. “Get that look off your face. I came here to see the island, not spend my vacation in bed.”

“Ouch! That hurt.” Pasting on a mock-wounded expression, he pressed a hand to his heart.

“Right.” She failed to hide her smile. “I’ll see you downstairs in twenty minutes.”

“When did you get so bossy?” he asked with a swat on her ass. “Remember who’s in charge here.”

“As if.”

Laughing, Mason dropped a quick kiss on her lips and reminded her to lock the door behind him.

As he headed back to his suite, he couldn’t shake the feeling he might be making a mistake. Their last five days together had been pure bliss. Shonda was open, easy to be with, and hotter than Satan’s house cat. But whenever unguarded, there was a glimmer of deeper emotion in her eyes, and it scared the bejeezus out of him.

Under the steaming stream of water, he rolled his neck, hoping to dispel the building tension. They needed another talk to clarify the rules. A simple reminder he wasn’t happily-ever-after material.

Armed with a plan, he returned to her room, but the sight of her sleek body and shining face derailed his intentions.

“What did you decide?” she asked expectantly.

“Snorkeling at Secret Harbor?”

Shonda smiled approvingly. “Perfect.”

As the day wore on, Mason found it a joy to watch her fascination with every sea creature: urchins, stingrays, and even curious fish. His GoPro caught her wide-eyed delight and was better viewing than any reef. Later, on the ride back to the resort, they laughed over her nearly drowning herself in her excitement.

“Don’t tell me you caught it on camera,” she complained with a mock scowl.

“I did, indeed.” Yeah, he was gloating, but she was so much fun to tease. “I’m uploading it to YouTube as soon as we get back.”

Good-natured as always, she laughed. “I’m never going to live it down if anyone sees it. Is there anything I can do to change your mind about posting it?” she asked suggestively, fingers trailing across the front of his shorts.

“Maybe.” He rained light kisses up her neck and nipped her earlobe. “Tell me what you have in mind?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I’m sure we can come to terms.”

Her sultry voice, paired with her hand in just the right place, had him hard and ready to release the Kraken. He captured her hand in his and kissed her knuckles before setting it in her lap.

“I’m open to negotiations, but we’ll have to continue this discussion in your room.”