I’ve never been kissed like that, before Jake. I have never really been kissed by someone I wanted to kiss me. I never wanted to be kissed, yet with him it’s like an instinctive urge. I almost lost control, I have never known a man could ignite such a flame, with something so simple.

Do I get up and greet him, or do I stay here and hope he bypasses me?

I don’t want him to bypass me. I don’t know if I want to face him either. I’m shy, ashamed, embarrassed, and uneasy. He’ll be sober now and so am I. I have lost all bravado.

What will he say? What will he think about last night?

I am still as I listen to him get on the boat, sensitive to every tiny noise and movement. His low voice as he quietly converses with the crew, even that simple sound, making my heart pound through my chest wildly. The engine thrums as the little taxi boat moves away; I swear my heart is going to explode through my chest and for a second, I waver, wondering if he will even come up here or head straight to his room. I wonder if he’s even thought about what we were doing last night at all, if he remembers.

God, this is agony!

“Emma?” his voice pulls my gaze to him; husky and exhausted and my stomach lurches up into my chest.

I guess that answered my questions.

“Hey.” I smile unsurely from my position on the lounger as he walks toward me intently, he doesn’t hesitate but slides down beside me and lays down with a tremendous sigh. His body sagging heavily, taking up a vast amount of room beside me. He’s close enough that we can touch delicately in places, but not deliberately. He smells good, of sea and sun and him. If I could bottle that smell and keep it forever, I would. My body is tingling at the proximity, but I’m holding my breath, waiting. He’s on his front and he’s buried his face in the crook of his arms making it obvious he is utterly exhausted.

I glance over his profile appraising how tired he really is. For once, his hair has nothing in it, and it’s the first time I’ve seen it au natural. It’s ruffled like he has a hint of curl in it and looks boyish and sweet somehow. I like that he keeps a short back and sides, it showcases his neck and jaw, but there’s enough hair on top to run your fingers through.

Not that I should.

and unruly, a bit like him and the temptation to touch it

him. He was up all night, in a cold sterile hospital after

to my thoughts. My eyes widen at being caught and I glance away. I

How does

and drapes it across my waist loosely. He pulls me closer so our bodies mold in the best way they can and brings his face closer to my shoulder. Still, his eyes are closed, I’ve literally stopped breathing and I think my heart skips

dress strap stops, his touch burning through me, igniting some of last night’s passion. I

to relax. I must be emanating all sorts of crazy anxiety, but he smiles against my shoulder and I cannot only see it, but feel it, the delicate, soft

God!

sober, Miss. Anderson?” His voice is hoarse from tiredness, the change in

do you mean?”

at my shoulder with his mouth and breath, his tone flirty. I wasn’t expecting this kind of conversation, especially after the kitchen kiss. I want the kitchen kiss conversation, the “sorry we were drunk, it never happened” speech. I’ve no clue what to say, so I swallow and chew my lip, twisting my hair; practically ripping the strand from my scalp. He reaches up, still with closed eyes

he mumbles, returning his arm to its previous throw across my

me … You look tired.” He

at the side of his face, hating his

I ever let my

he’s practically forced me to live with him. I’m at his side every second of my waking life, and now it seems he wants me there unawake too. The betrayal of my own body, reacting to his, has set me

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