I’m leaning against the rail near the front of the boat, absent-mindedly watching the gentle waves, aware of his presence as soon as he comes close. It’s that warm tingling feeling whenever he’s around, an aura of safety and familiarity, and even a couple of feet away, my skin prickles at his proximity.

“Here.” He hands me a bottle of cold, flavored water, with a smile, his eyes shielded from view by his Ray Bans.

“Thanks.” I open it and take a long drink. I didn’t realize how parched I was, maybe a little too heated with his topless body so close.

“You look nice.” He appraises me through tinted lenses, and I wait for the sexual banter or joking come-ons, but it doesn’t happen. I noticed since our arrival that flirty, always giving me the charm, Jake, has relaxed back. He’s being respectful.

“Thanks.” My cheeks warm. He’s skimming my swimsuit, appraising me with his eyes and I turn away, so he doesn’t see how awkward it’s making me. Bikini wearing is a new sensation, I have to acclimatize to it. I also don’t want to stare at his expanse of naked torso, it’s an understatement to say he looks hotter than hot. Up close it’s hard not to admire what being a fitness freak has done to that chiseled body.

“We’re going to the shore tonight for dinner … You want to come?” He’s looking across the calm water now. Stretching out, sparkling peacefully, and distracting him.

“Sure.” I smile back at him. I shield my eyes from the sun and he automatically swipes his sunglasses from his face to mine, sending a little shimmer of warmth through me, like it always does. My attentive Jake. I can’t help but beam at him. I feel like I’m always doing that nowadays.

“I really should carry a pair of these.” I laugh, but he just shrugs it off.

“They look better on you than they do on me. Your cuteness just goes with my shades.” He winks cutely.

That’s doubtful, he has a knack for buying things that just increase the level of sexiness he exudes.

“Where are we going for dinner?” I try to direct conversation away from staring at his face, his shoulders, his rippling chest, his carved abdomen …

Oh lord.

little seafood

get my hair cut while we’re here … Do you think there are any hairdressers on the mainland?” I regret asking as he turns toward the topless women, sunning themselves

of the three women, but I know

jaw flexes and turns away quickly; a sudden sharp pain in my chest pushes me to ask

he pauses

and doesn’t speak. It doesn’t happen often, but it makes me anxious as he’s usually always so forthcoming. Jake never has weirdness over women he used to date either, normally they know they will always be temporary and most stay friendly after. I glance at her again, watching her biting on her lip and staring

I hate her already.

me?” his voice slices through my wandering thoughts, visions of him and her passionately entangled as I stab

Emma! What the

I blink. Shaking the horrifying images out of my

he’s expecting to see on this trip, and I’m really trying to relax. Hard to do when two of your holiday mates are mentally

would have been easier without the playboy bunnies over

done around me or has ever admitted to anyway. He’s never mentioned Daniel’s frequent use of drugs or that he’s ever joined in when with him. I think I

open area of railing and I strip off my sarong, admiring

* * *

feels luxurious and Jake is an amazingly powerful swimmer who looks as good in, as he does out of the water although he has pushed me under twice now. I swim toward the beach, but I’m too slow as he

and choking, wiping the water out

his face, and I can’t help but notice his hair gel must be water-resistant, apart from looking a little ruffled, it’s still pretty

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