Author: Stevens, Shelli
Date: 2014-04-04

Island Fever

By

Shelli Stevens

Published by Shelli Stevens

Copyright © 2014 by Shelli Stevens

Cover by

Kati Rodriguez/Romance Wrangler

Special thanks to Kati for the awesome cover, Kim Linger Brooks for doing a fabulous beta reading for me, and to LK Campbell for being super sweet and fitting me into your schedule for formatting! Big hugs to you all.

This ebook was formally published as Tourist Attraction, but has been rewritten slightly and republished. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. To obtain permission to excerpt portions of the text, please contact the author at shelli@shellistevens.com.

All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination. www.shellistevens.com.

Chapter One

“Mel, you dirty bitch!” a voice rang out, followed by a high-pitched giggle. “What the hell are you doing out here alone?”

Melanie took a sip of her Daiquiri and waited a moment to answer her friend. Taking a moment more to watch the Hawaiian sunset. The dramatic swirls of orange and purple clouds hypnotized her. Even after the sun melted into the water and the sky began filling with stars, the heat barely dissipated.

This was paradise. No doubt about it. Almost every item had been scratched off her To Do List. Parasailing, snorkeling, a helicopter tour, and ingesting enough alcohol to maintain a decent buzz throughout the entire trip. There was just one item left. The one with a big honking question mark by it. A symbol in itself an admission that she wasn’t sure she had the nerve to go through with it.

Melanie tossed back the rest of her drink before turning to face her approaching friend. Unlike her, Piper had absolutely no problem completing that last item. It showed in the glow in her face—not to mention the sexy Greek arm candy.

“You remember Nikolos, right?” Piper clutched the bulky arm of the man next to her.

“Mmm hmm.” Melanie glanced over the couple. God, they were disgustingly perfect people. Piper was tall, blonde, and gorgeous. Nikolos was taller, dark and just as pretty.

Piper leaned forward, and in a bad attempt at a stage whisper asked, “You find someone to have sex with yet?”

Melanie’s cheeks warmed. “Yeah, about that. I don’t know if I will.”

“Excuse me?” Piper’s eyebrows shot up, and then she turned to Nikolos. “Baby, will you please get me another Piña Colada?”

He nodded and gave her an intimate smile. “Of course.”

After the sexy Greek had left them alone, Piper spun back to face her. “We had a deal.”

“I know.” Melanie groaned and crossed her arms across her chest. She should’ve known it would come to this. “And I’ve been thinking about it, and well, I just don’t know if—”

“No,” Piper interrupted. “No, no and no. We booked this vacation from school with three intentions. One: to have fun. Two: to get a great tan. Three: we each have a fabulous fling that we remember when we’re old, shriveled, and surviving on hormone pills. Remember that whole Mai Tais and Island Guys bit? Operation Get Leid.”

“I know,” Melanie conceded. Piper had every right to be mad. They’d made a pact. A pact she was trying to weasel out of. “I just haven’t seen anyone worth flinging with.”

“Hello there, beautiful.”

Melanie turned to check out the beefy blond surfer who’d come up to hit on her. He was pretty cute, but probably more bronze than brains. “Not interested, thanks.”

After he’d wandered off, Piper shook her head, looking at her as if she’d gone crazy. “Seriously? You said no thanks to that? You’re too picky. He had a great ass.”

“I saw that, but I’m looking for more than a great ass.”

“For a fling? Why?”

Good Question. Melanie shrugged. When they’d made the pact, it had sounded so exciting and spontaneous. But now that she was here and actually contemplating the idea of throwing herself into bed with some stranger—

“We have two days left, Melanie. Two days for you to find some yummy guy to hook up with.”

Melanie nodded, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth. What should she do? Just say screw it? That guy a minute ago would have been perfect to have a fling with. Hell, he’d been a walking sex symbol. Her gaze drifted back to the surfer who was now walking down the beach away from the resort.

“You’re going to back out on me.” Piper sighed. “I should have known. You’re way too straight-laced for this.”

“I’m not straight-laced,” Melanie protested.

Who was she trying to convince, though, Piper or herself? Tons of people had flings. There was no reason she shouldn’t do it too. Just as long as she took precautions and made sure it stayed purely sexual. Would it be so bad to let her hair down and have some fun? God, she was twenty-two and she’d been acting like some sex hating spinster lately.

“Go after the surfer, Mel. Come on, you’ve got to admit he was hot.”

“He was a little hot,” she admitted grudgingly.

Piper was right. She needed to loosen up. This wasn’t about finding a soul mate; this was about having some good vacation sex. “Okay. I’ll do it. I need to lose my born again virginity anyway.”

“Mel’s gonna get some,” Piper sang, and then squeezed her hand. “Hurry, before he’s gone.”

Piper’s excitement for her made Melanie’s enthusiasm kick up a notch.

“All right, here I go. Wait!” Melanie hesitated. “What if he says no?”

“To a cute, busty, redhead? Shut the fuck up and get going.”

“You’re just saying that so I’ll go have sex. But its okay, I expect no less from you.” Melanie grinned. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck. I’ll stay with Nikolos tonight. You can have the room.”

Melanie barely heard her. She was too busy running.

Shit! She was actually doing it. Her blood pumped through her veins with the adrenaline rush.

“Hey,” she shouted, trying to catch up with the surfer.

She emerged from the palm trees onto the sandy beach and tried to pick up her pace, but her feet kept sinking and slipping in the sand.

“Hey!” she yelled again, gaining on him.

He started to turn around.

Bingo. He’s mine.

And then her heel twisted in the sand and she yelped, flailed her arms, and fell flat on her face.

Of course. Of course I would fall. And why wouldn’t I?

When she looked up, the surfer had turned and walked away. How embarrassing. What the hell had she been doing? Chasing after a surfer to convince him to have sex with her? This was a whole new low. Screw the pact with Piper. The whole idea had been ridiculous anyway. She wasn’t that desperate for sex.

“Are you okay?”

Oh God, someone had actually witnessed her tumble to the ground? Melanie looked up.

“I’m...” she trailed off, dazed by the man who knelt beside her. He was... “Fine.”

Visually, he was male perfection. His shoulders were broad, and a well-defined six-pack rippled his abdomen. Lowering her gaze further she observed the muscular legs under the black board shorts.

He must have been out for a jog, because a slight sheen of sweat shone on his mocha-colored skin and his breathing was slightly labored.

“That was quite a fall,” he said. “Next time you go running on the beach, you might consider taking off your heels.”

Melanie’s face warmed with a blush. “I didn’t—what are you doing?”

The man had unfastened her sandal and was pulling it free from her foot.

“I’m checking to see if you broke anything or if it’s just a sprain.”

At the mention of something actually being wrong with her foot, she became aware of its painful throbbing. But the pain became secondary the moment he lightly traced his fingers over her swelling flesh.

It should’ve been weird. This stranger touching her so gently, but she was weirdly okay with it. Maybe a little more than okay. Tingles of awareness moved up her leg and her skin broke out in gooseflesh.

Trying to distract herself from becoming too aware of his touch, she joked, “Are you a doctor or something?”

“Actually, I’m just finishing up with my residency,” he replied, circling his thumb over her ankle.

Damn. Talk about a good guess.

“What’s your name?”

“Melanie.”

“Nice to meet you, Melanie. I’m Asher.” He lifted his gaze briefly, and she almost heard a click as their eyes met.

His mouth curved into a smile. The whiteness of his teeth showed bright against his tan skin and dark brown eyes. Her breath hitched at the immediate effect it had on her.

“Well, it looks like you’ve got yourself a minor sprain.”

“Oh,” was all she could say, because her mind was just thinking how damn attractive he was.

Not as bulky or blonde like the surfer, but handsome in another way and clearly leaned more on the brains more than the brawns. Though he had both.

“Why don’t we go get some ice on it?” He slid an arm around her waist and helped her stand.

“Okay.” The tingles spread to her waist. When was the last time she’d been so aware of guy’s touch? Had she ever?

“Unless,” Asher paused. “Were you meeting someone?”

Melanie thought briefly of the surfer and flushed again. Best not to bring up that moment of insanity.

“No. I’m...no. Ice would probably great.”

He gave her that smile again, and everything inside her turned liquid. With Asher supporting her, they moved slowly across the beach.

His hand rested on the side of her waist, lightly touching the bare patch between her sarong and bikini top, and burning the flesh underneath. She stumbled and his hand slid up her ribcage to just beneath her breast. Knowing how close his fingers were to the sensitive spots, her nipples tightened under her bikini top.

He glanced down at her. “How are you holding up?”

Asher’s gaze went from her face to the swell of her breasts. His eyes became an even darker shade of chocolate, and she had no doubt that he’d noticed her hardened nipples. Should’ve been embarrassing, but he didn’t look uncomfortable. He looked... more than a little interested. Maybe even effected.

“I’m okay.” She cleared her throat. “You know, my room’s pretty close if you want to just drop me off there.”

He helped her through the lobby. “What’s the room number?”

Melanie told him. If she were sensible, she’d just let him drop her off and go. If she were to keep her bargain with Piper, she’d try and convince him to stay.

“What do you do for a living, Melanie?”

“I just graduated with an Art degree and am about to start looking for a job. Hope to teach at the middle school level.”

“Really? I’m impressed.” A small smile tipped his sexy lips. “Do you have your key?”

She blinked. They were already standing outside her room and she was just chatting away.

See what this guy does to your head?

“Oh, right. Hold on.” She grabbed the key card out of her wristlet purse and slid it into the lock.

Asher opened the door and went inside first, flipping on the lights.

“Thanks.” Melanie hobbled in after him. Now was the moment he either left her or...

“I’ll go grab some ice.” He snatched the ice bucket, took the key from her fingers, and then headed for the door. “Why don’t you sit down and stay off your foot?”

“Will do.”

Watching him leave, Melanie realized he had a fabulous ass. Hmm. Had she actually diminished the importance of a great ass to Piper? She must’ve been drunk. Only she hadn’t been. Maybe she was just loopy from the pain right now.

Melanie hobbled over to the bed and fell backwards onto it, throwing her arms above her head. She thought about sitting up, but the combination of a fruity alcoholic drink and a throbbing ankle made horizontal a much more appealing position.

A moment later the door clicked open. “Here’s your—wow.”

He came over to the bed, his feet barely making a sound on the plush carpet, and sat down beside her.

Maybe she should’ve sat up. Tried not to look like she was offering herself up like a buffet. But she couldn’t regret it as his gaze traveled over her body like a caress. A sensual caress that made all the tiny hairs rise on her body.

“You look like a sacrifice to the gods,” he murmured, his voice a bit thick.

She gave a throaty laugh. “Sounds kinky.”

Asher dropped his gaze, clearly struggling to stay in Good Samaritan/doctor mode, as he wrapped a few pieces of ice in a towel, and then set it against her ankle. He was going to be a great doctor. He had a gentle touch, and a friendliness that put strangers completely at ease.

The women patients would love him. She narrowed her eyes and moved her gaze to his naked chest. No hair, all smooth and defined. Solid.

She bit her lip and tried not to groan at the heavy pressure settling between her legs. Maybe she should go through with the pact with Piper. This was the first time in years that she’d actually been sexually attracted to a man where she was considering sleeping with him.

“Stop it,” he said in a soft voice, as his hand settled on her calf.

She stilled, her breath catching. Was she that obvious? “Stop what?”

“Giving me that look. You have no idea what it’s tempting me to do.”

Melanie’s pulse raced. Okay, so she was that obvious.

Do it, Mel. She could practically here Piper encouraging her to take the initiative. To be bold. To get her ass laid before she left Hawaii.

It was now or never. Arching a brow, she murmured, “I confess, doc. I’m a little curious about your bedside manner.”

Chapter Two

Asher stared down at Melanie, all sprawled out on the bed like a fiery goddess.

He wanted her. Had been attracted to her the moment he’d seen her trip and go flying to the ground while running across the beach.

Her breasts peeking over the top of her bikini were pale and round, more than a handful. And the swirl of her belly button made him ache to kiss her there. His gaze moved lower. To the roundness of her hips and the length of her legs covered by a long sarong.

Who would have guessed his evening jog would end like this? In the hotel room of a sexy redhead, who flirted with him without apology?

She was clearly a tourist, probably looking to have some fun. Usually he avoided those types, because in the end it led nowhere. But with Melanie, he couldn’t seem to make himself walk away. Really had the urge to do the opposite, actually.

And if that bedside manner comment hadn’t been an invitation to kiss her, he didn’t know what was.

He leaned over her, supporting himself with his elbow as he slid his hand up her calf to the curve of her hip. For a moment there was a flash of what could only be nervousness in her blue gaze, before her lashes drifted shut.

He lowered his mouth to just above hers. Her pink lips were plump, and her warm breath tickled his cheek. Sweet God, but she was the epitome of sensuality right now.

Without waiting another moment, he covered her inviting mouth with his. The warm softness he encountered made him want more. Her approving sigh encouraged him. He probed his tongue along the crease of her lips until they parted and he could slide inside to taste her.

She was sweet, lush and female. Tasting of a bit like coconut, probably form some drink she’d had earlier.

She intoxicated him, almost like he was getting a second hand buzz from her earlier drink. He wanted to touch and taste every part of her body. He deepened the kiss, unable to get enough.

Melanie sucked his tongue deep into her mouth and her hand moved over his chest, tentative and yet moving everywhere in exploration.

His blood pounded faster and he lifted his head for a moment to look down at her. “You’re sure about this, Melanie?”

Her lips were swollen and damp, her eyes glazed with need. Her small nod was all the encouragement he needed, before he claimed her mouth again.

With the kiss deepening, becoming intensely intimate, he untied her sarong. She lifted her hips to help him pull it away from her body. Unable to slow down now, he slid a hand down to cup her sex through her bikini bottoms.

Her hips rose and she gasped, wrenching her mouth from his briefly, and giving him a moment to look down at the flesh he’d bared. The turquoise bikini tied over each hip. Little strings that would just need a quick tug to slip free from her.

And dammit if he didn’t want to tug. Want to rip the bikini bottoms right off—

“I know this is going to sound totally cliché. But I don’t normally do this.” Her uneven words broke his erotic, runaway train of thought.

He lifted his gaze to meet hers. Something in her eyes made him believe her, even though he knew it wasn’t uncommon for a woman to go on vacations and have a fling.

He’d lived on Oahu his entire life and had seen it happen more times than he could recall. He dropped a kiss on the soft swell of her belly, inhaling the scent of cocoa butter and the spicy musk of her arousal.

“Why now? Why me?” He let his tongue dip into her belly button, and she gasped.

But just as quickly her body went tense. “I...” She hesitated, seeming on the fence about what to say. “I don’t know... by the time we got to my room I just couldn’t imagine not letting you touch me.”

He went hard at her words, and the urge to keep touching her was overwhelming. Unable to wait any longer, he slipped a finger under the fabric of her bikini bottoms to find bare flesh.

He had to close his eyes for a moment and gritted his teeth so he wouldn’t lose control.

She was smooth, and even though he was still outside her channel, he could feel the slick moisture that had gathered on her swollen folds.

God.

She sighed. “Asher...”

“I’ll go slow.”

“I don’t know if I want you to go slow.” She smiled and parted her thighs, making his finger slip just inside. She was hot and wet.

He groaned. His blood moved faster at the thought of taking her hard and fast.

“You keep saying these things that make it hard for me to be rational.”

“Who needs rational?” Her laughter was sexy and light.

She stopped laughing when he moved his finger deeper inside her. Her slick arousal guiding him into her tight heat.

She arched her back, reaching behind her to remove her bikini top. His mouth dried at the sight of her full breasts set free. The nipples were puckered and soft coral in color.

“Beautiful, absolutely beautiful,” he murmured.

He lowered his head to one breast and drew the tip into his mouth. His tongue swept over the hard nipple until she cried out and gripped his hair. He sucked harder and used his free hand to knead her other breast, while he continued to penetrate her.

Eager to be free from the barrier of his clothing, he paused in his ministrations to assist when she reached down to remove his shorts. Kicking his shorts to the floor, he turned back to Melanie. She reached for him and wrapped her hand around his cock. Her fingers slid hot and smooth over his flesh as she explored his length.

The breath hissed out from between his clenched teeth as he thrust his hips against the softness of her touch.

“You’re so hard,” she whispered as she rubbed her thumb over the slit in the head of his cock. “I want to taste you.”

If just imagining it nearly put him over the edge, he would be an instant goner if she even tried right now. “Me first.”

He tugged the strings of her bikini free and pulled it off her. God, she was amazing. He could only stare down at her for a moment. She was sexy and incredibly beautiful. Everywhere.

Needing to touch her—to taste her—he parted her folds with his thumbs, lowered his head and delved his tongue inside. She cried out, her hips jerking, and her hands gripping tight into his hair.

The sweet taste of her drove him wild. More, he needed more. And he took it. Her moans grew more frantic, encouraging him as his tongue flicked and circled the sensitive pearl of her clit.

She gasped and moaned, pressing herself against him.

“Don’t stop,” she begged thickly. “Please, don’t stop! ”

He sucked and licked her at a steady pace, watching her stomach clench as she neared her climax. She was close. He drew her clit into his mouth, bit lightly as he pushed two fingers inside her.

She climaxed hard, her thighs clenched around his head as she screamed. He had no intention of letting her go so soon, and continued pleasing her until she was limp and pushing weakly at his shoulders.

“I can’t handle any more.” She gave a drowsy, content laugh and wiggled under him. “It’s my turn. Let me touch you.”

Asher slid up her body and nuzzled her neck, letting his tongue run over the pulse that throbbed.

“Later. I need to be inside you.” Which made him remember exactly what he didn’t have on him. “Damn. I’ve got bad news, sweetheart.”

“I have one,” she said, and managed to wiggle out from under him so she could lean over to yank open the bedside drawer. She pulled out a box of condoms.

“Need one of these?”

“Uh. Yeah, actually.” She was awfully prepared for someone who didn’t do this often.

“You don’t bring condoms when you go jogging?” she teased, still breathless and flushed. “They’re my friend’s. We’re sharing the hotel room. She came equipped.”

Hmm. A roommate? He reached out to stroke her nipple, still stiff from her orgasm.

“Is this roommate coming back tonight?”

“No.” Melanie tore open a single packet, pulled out the condom and handed it to him. “I’m not so good at this part, I’ll let you handle it.”

Her honesty had him laughing with genuine amusement as he quickly put it on. While he did so, she reached out to trace a nail down his chest.

“You have a very sexy body, doc. Is that why you run with your shirt off?”

“I run with my shirt off because it gets damn hot.”

He laughed, but broke off on a groan as she kissed the center of his chest. Then her tongue did a sweep of his nipple and he couldn’t control the shudder that ripped through him. She must have realized that it was a sensitive spot, because she licked his nipple again, and then pulled it between her teeth and bit it with just enough pressure to tease, but not hurt.

“Ah, so you like that?”

“Melanie...”

“I think you do.” She giggled and repeated the same torturous process to his other nipple.

He had to have her. Now. With a firm hand on her shoulder, he pushed her onto her back.

Melanie’s smile was pure seduction as she stared up at him with hooded eyes. There was something else there, though, in her gaze. There was...trust. The sudden connection he felt with her surprised him enough to pause for a moment. Usually sex was nothing more than a release for him. Sex and then it was back to the books. Back to work. It was never like this, desperate and intense. And strangely, and wonderfully, fun.

“Asher?” Her eyes widened, as if she thought he was going to change his mind.

Nothing—unless she asked him—could have persuaded him to stop at this point. He had to have her. It went beyond the physical need. He needed to be inside her, to join their bodies and take that last step.

“Is your ankle going to be okay?” It was better to turn on the clinical side of his brain, rather than share his true thoughts.

“My ankle is the last thing on my mind right now. It’s fine.”

Her breasts were swollen, her nipples hard. Her thighs were parted and the smooth, moist flesh between her legs was a beacon for him to slide his cock home.

“Melanie,” he muttered, somewhat in awe. “You blow my mind.”

She flushed, but murmured, “Likewise.”

He gave a slow smile as he lowered himself onto her, bracing one arm beside her head so she wouldn’t have to take all of his weight. With his other hand, he guided his cock between her legs to the entrance of her body.

He looked down, had to see if that trust was still in her pretty blue eyes. To see if it had maybe been his imagination. But it was still there. That look that said he could do anything he wanted and she would let him. He must have waited too long, because she gave an impatient groan.

“Asher?”

“I’m here, sweetheart.” Unable to wait any longer, he pushed slow and easy into her.

God, it’d been too long. She felt amazing. So hot. Wet. Tight. Her body suddenly tensed, and he wondered if it had been awhile for her too.

Her eyes closed, her fingernails dug into his shoulders as she lifted her hips to bring him deeper.

He sank in, until he was all the way ensconced in her body. He gave her a moment to adjust to him, waited for her body to relax around him. Then, when she started to moan and wiggle under him, he moved.

He pulled out a little, only to plunge back into her hot core. He leaned down and ran his tongue over her nipple. She cried out and her body clenched around his cock.

“Melanie, sweetheart.” He closed his eyes. “If you keep doing that...”

“This?” She tightened her inner muscles around him again.

He groaned. The sensation was so intense he almost came. He thrust deeper, increasing his pace. Her fingernails pierced the skin on his shoulder, spurring him to take her harder and faster. He caught her nipple again with his teeth and nibbled and sucked her until she whimpered.

“I want you to come again.”

“I can’t.” She gasped, her head thrashing back and forth on the pillow. “Please, just don’t stop.”

He reached down to find her clit, wanting her to fly with him when he came. He leaned down to kiss her again, eager to find her tongue with his. Her moan was guttural in response to his slow touch. Her tongue thrust back against his as her hips lifted to meet each stroke of his cock.

The harder he thrust into her, the more frantic her moans. He pounded into her at a fierce pace, moving her body on the bed.

“Asher.” Her sheath clenched hard around him as she climaxed.

He pressed so deep into her their bodies melded, became one. He came harder, faster, than he ever had in his life. His name cried from her sweet lips spurred him on, even as her body milking his cock drained every bit he had to give. With one last weakened thrust, he collapsed on top of her, wrapping her in his arms.

When her breathing had mellowed and her heartbeat had slowed to normal, she kissed his forehead and stroked damp hair from his face.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you, Asher. I haven’t...in so long...I—”

“Shh.” He raised his head and covered her mouth with his.

She kissed him back with a fierceness that surprised him, and then she fell back against the pillows, clearly spent.

He smiled and eased his weight off her to lie beside her. But still, he kept his head nuzzled against her breast, his arms tight around her sweat-slick body. She continued to stroke his hair, and his eyes drifted shut.

Incredible. She’s so incredible.

He nuzzled her nipple, admiring again the dusky tip. Her hand stopped its movements and he opened his eyes to look at her face. She’d fallen asleep, a slight smile curling her kiss-swollen lips.

He could leave. That was pretty much standard for this type of thing, right? A one-night stand. And what else could this possibly be?

The idea of leaving had his gut clenching and everything inside him screaming in protest. Slowly, he lowered his head back to the pillow of her breast.

Hell no. Saying goodbye tomorrow was going to suck as it was. He could at least enjoy tonight.

It was too damn bad she was just another tourist.

The warmth of the sun shinning on the bed woke her. Melanie stirred, pulling the sheet over her bare shoulders as she rolled away from the glare.

Wait. Why was she naked?

Her eyes snapped open and she found herself staring into the face of a sleeping man. Asher. The details of last night came rushing back and she felt a slow flush travel over her body.

Oh God. Last night had been...indescribably intimate. Sexy. Fun. Her gaze traveled over his body in appreciation before it returned to his face. Long, dark eyelashes fanned across his cheek. And his mouth—a mouth that had brought her so much pleasure—was curved in a sensual and unconscious request to be kissed.

Melanie leaned over him and her hair spilled onto his shoulders as she brushed her lips across his. He gave a grunt of approval as his eyes drifted open. Melanie’s breath caught in her throat at the intensity in his dark gaze.

“I thought I might have dreamed you.” His sleep-deepened voice rasped over her, making her body tingle.

“I hope you’re not disappointed,” she murmured, still hovering above him.

“Not at all.” He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, the gesture sweet and tender.

“Not so bad for a haole, huh?” she teased, using the Hawaiian word for tourist.

He smiled. “You were a Goddess. Have breakfast with me.”

“Breakfast.” Her eyes widened and she cursed her pre-scheduled breakfast. “Oh, shoot, I wish I could, but I’m supposed to meet Piper.”

Asher lifted an eyebrow. “The friend and roomie?”

“Yeah. What about lunch?”

“I’m having lunch at my parents’ house.”

“Ah.” She nodded. So he was a local.

“How about dinner?” he countered.

She gave him a slow smile, ridiculously excited that he hadn’t given up. “Perfect.”

“I’ll meet you in the bar at seven.”

“Sounds good.” She lowered her mouth to his to drop a quick kiss. Well, she’d intended it to be quick. But the moment he cupped the back of her head to pull her closer, she was lost.

Her tongue slipped into his mouth to rub intimately against his. The taste of him was addictive, and she knew that if she didn’t leave him now, she might not leave this room until she had to go to the airport.

She drew back and traced her thumb over his mouth, hating to leave him, wishing she could spend the day right here in bed with her sexy Hawaiian.

Her Hawaiian? She swallowed hard. Just a vacation fling, nothing more, she reminded herself. She had to be as carefree about it as Piper.

“I can’t wait for seven, doc. I’ve got to get in the shower, but I’ll see you tonight.”

Chapter Three

“I’ll have a mimosa and the garden omelet.” Melanie handed her menu to the waiter, and then turned to face Piper, who was waiting with obvious impatience.

“Okay, spill it. It’s obvious you had sex,” Piper eyed her thoughtfully. “If the smile on your face didn’t give it away, then the saddle-sore walk you’ve got going on would.”

Melanie threw her head back and laughed. The sun was a nice bonus to the view as they sat on restaurant’s patio.

“I had an incredible night,” Melanie admitted after a moment.

“Ah, so I was right. I knew that surfer would be good in bed.”

“Surfer?” Melanie frowned as she accepted the mimosa the waiter dropped off for them.

“Uh, the guy you went to bed with last night?” Piper picked up her own glass and took a sip.

“Oh, that guy. Um, I didn’t end up with the surfer.”

Piper set down her glass and gave her a look of amusement. “Wait a minute. If you didn’t go to bed with the surfer, who did you go to bed with?”

“A doctor named Asher.” Melanie pushed back her chair and lifted her swollen ankle into view. “While I was chasing said surfer, I fell and hurt my ankle. That’s when I met Asher. Funny how the stars align.”

“Damn, you are good.” Piper shook her head, her eyes wide in amazement. “You upgraded from a surfer to a doctor.”

Melanie smiled suddenly a bit self-conscious. “Does it matter what he does, it’s only sex, right?”

The words were awkward and bitter on her tongue, and her heart did a little twist at why that was.

“Exactly. So what’s he like?”

“He’s a local. A gorgeous man with an amazing body.”

“Uh huh. And the sex?” Piper prodded.

“Was almost...indescribable. I was thinking about it while I showered this morning.”

“And?”

She hesitated, wanting to be casual about it, but feeling the confession spill past her lips before she could stop it.

“It’s like every man that I’ve ever gone to bed with, every man I thought I was in love with, was just a meaningless fling. And then Asher, who’s supposed to be a meaningless fling, connects with me in a way no man ever has.”

Piper’s stare said that she thought Melanie had drunk a few too many daiquiris.

“I know it sounds crazy.”

“He lives in Hawaii, Mel.”

“I know.” Melanie shook her head and shrugged, half agreeing with Piper’s unspoken assessment that she was nuts.

“You haven’t been to bed with anyone since Dave,” Piper said gently. “That’s two years without sex. Maybe this is just some kind of post-sex clingy thing you’ve got going on.”

Melanie thought about the possibility for a moment. It sounded logical, but her gut instinct wavered on the theory. “I don’t know. You could be right, I suppose.”

“Keep it just sex.” Piper reached over to squeeze her hand. “It’ll be more fun while you’re here, and easier for you when you leave.”

“Just sex.” Melanie took a slow breath in. Yeah, when had she lost sight of that concept? “I mean that was the deal, and I need to stick by it. You’re right. I’ll keep the emotions out of this.”

“Good girl.”

Melanie picked up her mimosa. She hoped Piper was right, because the thought of falling for Asher that quick... Falling for someone who it was nearly impossible to stay with in the long run... Well, that was just asking for trouble.

Melanie took extra time getting ready for dinner that night. Since they’d arrived in Hawaii, she’d generally skipped makeup and had lived in shorts, tanks, or her bikini. But tonight was different. Much different. Tonight she wanted to look sexy, feminine, and maybe a little sensual.

She pulled a floral halter dress out of her luggage and shimmied into it. Then added some lip-gloss as a low maintenance makeup option.

She slipped out of the room and went down to the bar to wait for Asher. Since she was a few minutes early, she ordered herself a daiquiri and waited at a table, taking the extra time to people watch.

“How’s your ankle?” A voice asked in her ear as big, warm hands closed over her naked shoulders.

She smiled. “I’m not sure. It could use some further examination.”

Asher chuckled. The sound zipped through her, making her tingly and itchy. His hands rubbing her bare shoulders added to the sensation, and she couldn’t wait for the night to come. After placing a soft, teasing kiss on the side of her neck, he stepped in front of her and pulled out a chair.

He looked even better today than yesterday. Like her, he’d made an effort to dress nice too. His skin looked even darker in the khakis and black polo shirt.

His gaze swept over her. “Melanie, sweetheart, you’re more gorgeous than I remembered.”

She flushed with pleasure as she stroked her hand over her drink glass. He thought she was gorgeous? Oh, what that did to a woman’s confidence.

“Thank you. Although, it’s only been eleven hours.”

“You counted?” He raised an eyebrow.

Her eyelashes fluttered as she lowered her gaze. “You caught me. I guess I did.”

He leaned forward and touched her arm. “Actually, so did I. I missed you.”

Melanie raised her gaze again. His words should’ve been light and casual, but the look in his eyes was anything but. It was intense and penetrating. Her pulse raced and her arm tingled where he touched her.

Sex, Melanie, keep it just sex.

“Are you hungry?” His thumb circled the sensitive flesh on the underside of her wrist.

“A little.” For a more than just food. Saying that aloud would be a little cheeseball though.

Asher stood up and offered her his hand. “How would you feel if, instead of a crowded restaurant, we have a picnic on the beach?”

Melanie gave a slow nod. He had surprised her again, but in a good way.

“That sounds pretty awesome, actually.”

“Great. I want to take you someplace a little less touristy.”

Ten minutes later they were driving through the night on the Hawaiian back roads in Asher’s truck. It was an older vehicle with a bench seat, so Melanie wasted no time in scooting close to him.

Asher’s hand rested on her knee, his muscular thigh rubbed against hers. His now familiar spicy-woodsy smell made her think of last night. The ache between her legs was back in full force, and she shifted in hopes the sensation would ease.

Asher, maybe having heard the hitch in her breath, moved the hand from her knee up a little to her thigh. Melanie didn’t protest. Her heart pounded and she bit her lip.

A little higher.

As if he’d heard her silent request, he slipped his hand under the hem of the dress to the top of her thigh.

There you go.

Melanie kept her gaze straight ahead, but let her thighs slide open.

Needing no further invitation, Asher slipped his hand the last few inches to touch between her legs.

His breath hissed out. “You didn’t wear any panties?”

Melanie smiled with pleasure. So he liked things a little bit naughty, did he? “Oops. I knew I forgot something.”

“I like that kind of forgetfulness.”

Asher continued to drive with one hand, and used the other to trail over the outside of mound. Then, so slow that she thought she would scream, he sunk his fingers inside.

Melanie closed her eyes and lifted her hips to give him better access. He rewarded her by and moving his finger in a slow circle of her clit.

“Oh...” she gasped.

Melanie grasped the handle on the door with one hand, and Asher’s leg with another. She threw her head back against the seat as her hips rotated against his finger—the spirals of an orgasm coming on quick.

His finger moved harder, faster. She cried out as she exploded, her sheath clenching around his fingers.

“God, you look sexy when you come.”

Melanie’s body shook, her breath came out in ragged little bursts. Soon the orgasm subsided and she rolled her head sideways to look at him.

“You should keep your eyes on the road,” she teased drowsy from her orgasm.

“I’m good at multi-tasking.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever come that way. So intensely.” Melanie’s gaze searched his. “Who are you, Asher? And why do you affect me this way?”

Asher’s gaze lingered for just a second longer, before he looked back to the road.

Melanie flushed. And why did I say that?

That fine line between sex and falling for him was looking pretty brittle. Not too mention she’d probably just made him uncomfortable. Should she apologize?

Before she could, Asher took her hand in his and squeezed it. The relief that spilled over her was immediate and she squeezed his hand in return.

He turned the truck off the main road and drove for a few miles down a dirt track, and then the ocean yawned wide in front of them. After parking the truck, he came around to open her door. He had a backpack slung over one shoulder and a blanket in his free hand.

Melanie slid out of her seat and glanced around. Wow, this really was less touristy.

They walked down the trail to the beach. Melanie looked right and then left, but didn’t see anyone. It was deserted. They would be completely alone. And wasn’t that just going to be an invitation for trouble. Or one could hope.

Asher spread the blanket on the soft sand and gestured for her to sit. Melanie needed no further encouragement and kicked off her sandals, then curled her legs under her.

“Do you like it?” He lowered himself down beside her.

“Umm, just a little,” she teased. “This is gorgeous. You locals must try and keep places like this pretty secret.”

“Absolutely, though word gets out more than we’d like.” He leaned over and kissed the curve of her shoulder and neck. “My parents own a house not far from here.”

“Oh.” She didn’t even want to think about how much property nearby was worth. She wanted him to keep kissing her neck, but unfortunately he moved away and reached for the backpack.

While Asher searched through the bag, Melanie turned her gaze out to the water, watching the waves roll toward the shore and then suck back out.

“So, Melanie, tell me something. What makes you want to teach art to middle school kids?”

She turned to look at him, and noticed the array of food he’d laid out.

Amazing. He’d put a lot of thought into this. There was pineapple, pre-cooked steak kabobs, cheese, a loaf of French bread, and a bottle of wine and two glasses.

“Melanie?”

“Sorry.” She dragged her gaze away from the spread. “I just got a little distracted by your version of a picnic. Mine usually amounts to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a soda. This is incredible. I think you’re a bit of a romantic, doc.”

“Quiet. I have a reputation to protect.” He smiled as he dished up a plate of food for her.

“Thanks.” Her mind went back to the question he’d asked, before she got distracted by food. “I love art. It’s always been a huge part of my life. My father was an artist, and I really love working with kids. So, teaching art just seemed like the perfect career option.”

“Any reason you’re set on middle school?” He opened the wine and poured them each a glass.

Melanie picked hers up and took a sip. “Kids at that age are at such a crossroads in life. I wanted to be a teacher who can give them direction.”

“That’s pretty altruistic of you.” Asher pulled a chunk of steak off his kabob, and then popped it in his mouth.

Melanie mimicked him, savoring the tangy teriyaki sauce on the meat. After swallowing her bite, she said, “Probably not quite as much as saving lives.”

He leaned forward and used his thumb to wipe a trace of sauce from the corner of her mouth. “I don’t know. I have a niece in the eighth grade. I’d say you’re pretty brave.”

She laughed, partly to dissipate the flutters his touch gave her.

“Where do you live when not on vacation, Melanie?”

Reality was such a bitch. “Portland, Oregon.”

“Hmm.” He finished off the last of his steak. “That’s a little further than the north side of the island, hmm?”

“Just a little.” Why did he have to bring this up now? She didn’t want to think about leaving him tomorrow.

She changed the subject as fast as she could. “So tell me, Asher, what was it like growing up in paradise?”

The next hour, and setting sun, passed with conversation that spanned all aspects of their lives. Their dialog was easy going, full of curiosity, and constantly flowing. There were no awkward silences you had with someone you were just getting to know.

Asher reached for the container of pineapple and opened it.

“I don’t know if I can eat any yet,” she protested. “Maybe in a bit, but I’m too full now.”

“Who said anything about eating it?” He took her plate and set it aside.

Then he reached behind her neck to unfasten the button that held her dress up.

Chapter Four

Melanie didn’t even think to stop him as he pulled the dress down to her waist, leaving her chest bared to the stars and moonlight. Her heart thumped wildly and only half of it was from the fear that someone might come along and see them.

“No bra either. I should have guessed.” He cupped the weight of her breasts in his hands, and her nipples stiffened in his palms. “You’re so damn beautiful, Melanie.”

He let her go and reached for a chunk of pineapple. Instead of eating it, he brought the fruit above her body and squeezed. Juice ran over her curves.

She gave a squeal of surprise, not ready for the icy cold juice that puckered her nipples. And then she sighed when he lowered his mouth to lap it up with his hot tongue.

His wet mouth tugged gently on her breast, making liquid pool between her thighs. She threaded her fingers into his hair, holding his head against her as he sucked and nibbled on her the sensitive tips of her breasts.

While still kissing her body, he lowered her onto the sand, pulling her dress down and off her body.

Naked, and with only the sound of the waves hitting the beach, she caught her breath as he drew the pineapple in a trail down her belly, then rubbed it slowly between her legs.

“Asher...”

She closed her eyes and arched her back, as his tongue followed the trail of pineapple. He bit her inner thigh, a light graze, and she whimpered. When he pushed her knees apart, she let them fall open. Then his tongue was inside her, plunging deep before circling up to her clit.

She lifted her hips, silently offering all of herself to him. And he took her, without rush and with a tenderness that had tears of pleasure blurring her eyes.

It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough until he was inside her, joining them together. After she came, shaking and sobbing his name, he sat up and rolled her onto her stomach. Still in a haze of pleasure, she was barely aware of him positioning her on her hands in knees.

He took a second undressing and getting the condom on, but then his erection was probing between her legs. His hands gripped her hips as he slowly pushed into her.

She closed her eyes as he filled her, stretched her, and then went deeper. Then he slid out a bit, only to glide back in faster. He increased his pace with each thrust, the sound of their joining alive in the night.

She felt so taken, so helpless to the aggressive pleasure he was giving her. She loved it. Loved this moment in time with him. She rotated her hips, pushing back against him as he pressed forward.

“Oh God, Asher.”

Faster and harder he moved inside her. Until he hit a spot that sent her world into a spin, and a second orgasm hit her hard. She cried his name as stars above her mingled with the stars in her head.

She fell forward, pushing her bottom into the air as he continued to pound her, extending the pulsating pleasure of her climax.

“Sweetheart!” His hands gripped her hips so tight, his touch like a hot brand on her skin. He slammed into her with a force that pushed her off the blanket and her fingers slid into the smooth sand. He groaned deep, his release causing her inner muscles to clench around his thick cock and she felt every shuddering pulse of his climax.

“Jesus.” She whimpered as he sprawled on top of her, the weight of his body pressing her breasts harder into the blanket.

“It’s actually Asher,” he murmured.

She gave a languid laugh and she felt his responding smile against the back of her neck.

“ God, Melanie. Do you have any idea what you do to me?” He kissed her nape.

She closed her eyes. Probably the same thing he did to her. Oh, God. This was crazy. These two nights with Asher felt much too perfect to be just a meaningless fling.

He kissed her shoulder and let out a soft sigh that tickled the back of her neck, making goose bumps rise on her flesh.

“How about we swim?”

“Sure.” Though she hated it when he lifted himself off her, leaving her feeling all too alone and slightly chilled from the breeze hitting her sweat.

“I should’ve brought my board.” He caught her hand, pulling her to her feet, pulling her briefly into his arms and kissing her lightly on the lips. “I could’ve given you a private surfing lesson.”

“Mmm. I have terrible balance. I probably would’ve drowned you in the process.”

But it sounded fun. Maybe another time.

When?

She left tomorrow. There would be no more moonlight swims. No more sex on the beach. Not with Asher at least. This was it. The final countdown.

Don’t think about it, she told herself as disappointment threatened her bubble of happiness. Just don’t think about it.

Asher felt like he was eighteen again, he realized, as they held hands, laughing as they ran naked into the ocean. Melanie pulled away and dove under the waves. She emerged a moment later looking like a sea nymph with her soaked hair and droplets of water dripping from her breasts.

He waded into the water and continued to watch her, amazed to feel desire stirring again.

She swam out a ways, and he dove under the water to catch up with her. He reached out and grabbed her foot, pulling her back as she tried to out-swim him.

Her scream was more in fun than surprise. She turned in his arms and treaded water so they faced each other. Her eyes sparkled as her silky wet body brushed against his.

“This is amazing. Seriously, not overrated in the least, paradise.”

“It can be.”

“Were you born on Oahu, Asher?”

“Born and raised.”

“Hmm, lucky guy.” She kicked away and began to swim parallel with the shore.

He swam after her. “It had its up and downs.”

She rolled onto her back and floated, her eyes drifting shut. “Really? I can’t imagine much of a downside of living in Hawaii.”

“Have you checked out the price difference in food at the market?”

They were again swimming side by side.

“Oh come on.” She laughed. “Is that the best you’ve got for reasons to not live in Hawaii?”

“Mmm. Sometimes the non-natives get island fever, but since I was raised here, not so much. We never did long Sunday drives. Or road trips through a bunch states. If anything we hopped a quick plane ride to Maui or something.” He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her breasts.

They seemed to float towards the surface even though the rest of her body had sunk an inch below the water line.

“Hey, Asher,” she said, her eyes still closed. “Have I told you how great my trip has been since I met you?”

His chest swelled as he took in a pleased breath. “No, you haven’t.”

“Well, I have now.” She rolled back over to tread water again.

There goes my view. He jerked his gaze away from her chest, which were now under the water and hidden from him.

“You know, Melanie, I was thinking tomorrow we should go hiking up on Diamond Head. Have you guys been there yet?”

Her expression fell and she glanced down at the water. “I’m leaving tomorrow. I didn’t mention that?”

She was leaving tomorrow? As in within twenty-four hours? Something akin to panic raced through him, and he hands clenched under the water.

What could he say? She was a tourist on vacation. They’d both known this wasn’t anything more than a little bit of fun.

“Asher?”

“It’s all right. I’m sorry. I never stopped to consider when you might be leaving.”

“I know. I kind of forgot myself I got so caught up in everything. Diamond Head would’ve been nice, though,” she said whimsically. “We never got up there. Piper was more into the shopping and tanning, than seeing the sights.”

She swam the few inches that separated them.

“I’m so glad I was the one who found you last night,” he confessed softly. If there was any indication she heard the slight reverence in his words, she didn’t show it.

Her mouth quirked. “Oh, you mean right after I tripped and fell on my face?”

“Exactly.”

“Me too.” She pressed her body closer to his and her eyes went wide. “Oh, hello there. I see somebody’s getting all excited again. Are you trying to tell me something?”

“I think I am.” He didn’t understand it himself. He could probably make love to her all day and never get enough of her. And now, knowing she was leaving tomorrow, it was as if he wanted to squeeze in as many times as possible.

And with how hard his dick was right now, it was definitely possible.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and urged her toward shallow water. She followed, but when he stood up and tried to walk out of the water and back to the beach, she stopped him.

Falling to her knees in shallow water, she grabbed his hips and pulled him to her. She nuzzled her face against his cock.

“Can I have my turn now?” she asked. Her tongue darted out to flick over his growing erection. “After all, you’ve been so generous to me.”

The air hissed out from between his teeth and he couldn’t have stopped her to save his life.

Melanie’s tongue weaved around his cock, and he laced his fingers in her wet hair to hold her mouth against him. Her tongue stroked over his entire length, taking a moment to tease the head and lick the sensitive crease underneath.

Damn, she was good at this.

His hips bucked under her teasing mouth. As his sac began to tighten, a pearl of fluid appeared, and she licked it up. Then she opened her mouth and took him deep.

“Sweet God,” he choked out.

She moved her mouth up and down him, lightly massaging his sac and bringing him so close to the edge. His thighs tightened with the impending climax.

“Sweetheart, you should probably stop or I’m not going to be able to.”

If she heard his words, she ignored them. Because her mouth moved faster, and then took him deeper.

Needing to touch her, Asher slid his hands down to cup the weight of her breasts. Her nipples stiffened in his palms. The heaviness of her breasts in his hands, and the suction of her mouth pushed him to release. Even then she didn’t pull him away, but stayed gentling her mouth as she lapped him dry.

“Jesus.” He shook his head as he fell to his knees in the water beside her.

“It’s actually Melanie.” She winked and then stood up, running back to dive under the waves again.

He stared after her, dazed and his heart going a mile a minute. Never had he felt like a woman deserved to be so completely worshipped. Or placed on a pedestal like a goddess.

Was this love? Just crazy, stupid lust?

You barely know her, he told himself. But he did. Maybe not with the depth of someone you’d known for years, but in the last two days they’d talked and made love constantly. Discovering each other in and out of the bedroom.

She was a redheaded sea nymph, swimming in the mild waves of the ocean. His very sexy sea nymph. He wouldn’t be surprised to wake up in a couple of days and discover this had been some kind of amazing dream.

Maybe, it would be better if it were. It’d be easier to let her go.

I don’t want to leave.

Melanie climbed into his truck and tried not to let the depressing thoughts sink in. This entire trip had been so wonderful, the last two days magical.

And not even twelve hours from now she had to be back on a plane to Portland.

“Do you want me to take you back to the hotel?”

She glanced over at Asher, who was watching her. “What are my options?”

“We could just drive around for awhile. See the island at night.”

“Okay. That sounds great.” She didn’t care about seeing the island. She cared about delaying the moment when they had to say goodbye. Staying beside him as long as possible.

He started the truck and drove back to the main road. Without saying a word, he reached over and grabbed her hand.

Melanie bit her lip. She laced her fingers through his and gave a light squeeze. His grip tightened in response.

Don’t think about tomorrow, live for tonight.

They drove around for at least a couple hours; either chatting easily, falling in a compatible silence, or singing Don’t Stop Believin’ at the top of their lungs when it came on his playlist.

While staring out into the darkness, she must’ve dosed off because she opened her eyes and saw the hotel up ahead.

She sat up abruptly. “What time is it?”

“Close to midnight. What time is your flight tomorrow?”

“Eleven thirty.”

“Let me take you guys to the airport.”

Melanie glanced at him in surprise. “You don’t have to do that.”

He turned to look at her, his expression determined. “I want to. Please. Let me have that last moment at least.”

That last moment. Maybe he was as reluctant to say goodbye as she was. Or maybe she was delusional and hearing what she wanted to hear.

“Okay.” Knowing she would see him in the morning lifted her spirits a fraction. And suddenly, saying goodbye tonight didn’t seem quite as awful.

“I wish you weren’t leaving...”

Then ask me to stay longer. She could swing a few more days. She didn’t have a job to report to yet and had plenty in her savings to cover it. If he asked her to, even so much as hinted, she’d do it. But maybe his words were just pretty fluff at the end of a two day fling. Maybe. But they didn’t feel like it.

“I’ll pick you up at your hotel at about nine. Okay?”

“Okay.” She nodded, her throat going tight.

They’d arrived at the hotel and he parked the truck, then came around to open her door.

“I’ll see you in the morning?” He cupped her face with his hands.

Melanie nodded, closing her eyes as his thumbs traced over her cheeks.

“Thank you for an amazing night, Melanie.”

His mouth closed over hers. Light and sweet. So sweet. She opened her mouth to let his tongue stroke once more over hers. To create another memory that she’d never forget. A perfect end to this evening.

He lifted his head and smoothed a finger over her mouth. “Let me star in your dreams, okay?”

“I think that’s a given.”

His smile was slow and sexy. The one she’d grown used to.

“You know,” he said softly, “You could always--”

A car horn blared from behind him in the pull around at the hotel.

“I could always...?” Her pulse kicked up.

He shook his head, glancing back at the car waiting to pull up near the entrance. “Never mind. I’ll see you in the morning, sweetheart.”

With that last remark, and a quick kiss on her lips, he jogged back to the driver’s side and climbed into the car. It sped off a moment later.

Could always what? With a hint of excitement racing through her, she ran into the hotel.

Melanie found Piper packing her bags in their room.

“You’re up late,” Melanie commented, not quite able to stifle her yawn. “No Nikolos?”

“Oh, we parted ways this morning. I’m sure he’s found himself another woman in need of good fuck.” She winked. “I told you how great he was in bed, right? Mmm, baby, something about the Greeks.”

Melanie smiled, but it felt a little forced. “You didn’t want to spend the last night with him?”

“God no. I had my fling. He was fun. But I really wanted to get in some shopping at the International Market Place before we head home.” Piper held up a bag and gave a squeal of excitement. “You’re not going to believe the fantastic jewelry I bought!”

“Oh, cool. You’ll have to show me.” Melanie sat down on the edge of the bed, unable to even comprehend giving up her last night with Asher in exchange for shopping. Pretty much nothing could’ve replaced the night she’d just spent with him.

“It looks like you’ve been having fun with the doctor.” Piper looked up from her suitcase with a knowing smile. “Is he making sure all your parts are functioning properly?”

“I’m functioning fabulously, thank you very much.” Melanie grinned and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s been... wow. We went skinny dipping, made love in the moonlight. He even made this great picnic dinner for us. Steak kabobs. Can you believe it?”

Piper blinked. “Made love?”

“Sex. Whatever.” Melanie shrugged.

“You said made love, Mel.”

Melanie averted her eyes. “Don’t get hung up on my wording. You know what I meant. Anyway, he wants to see me off before I go. He said he’d drive us to the airport tomorrow.”

“Drive us to the airport? Seriously?” Piper hesitated. “Damn. I didn’t realize you’d get so attached. It was just supposed to be a fling.”

“It is fling. Was a fling.” Her heart contracted at the words. Was. It was over. Oh God. She didn’t want it to be over.

Piper must have seen the change of expression on her face, because her friend reached over and squeezed her hand.

“Melanie, you’ve got to realize something about these young hot island guys. They’re all about partying, the beach, having sex with the tourists...life’s just a good time for them.”

“Generalize much?” Melanie shook her head, even as doubt clawed at her, tightening her throat and making it hard to breathe. “I mean, sure some are, but not Asher.”

“Oh, Mel. Listen to yourself, hon. It was a fling. And I’d wager my next shitty paycheck that your doctor friend is looking at it the exact same way, too.”

Was he? He had seemed so sincere. The connection between them had felt so real. It couldn’t have only been about the sex. Could it?

“Don’t make this any harder on yourself. Let’s just take the early shuttle to the airport and avoid any sticky goodbyes.”

Not say goodbye to Asher? Stand him up in the morning? She hated the idea of not seeing him again. And that terrified her. She’d fallen for him. In two days, she’d fallen for him.

“Maybe we can even get an earlier flight out. That way you won’t have the risk of running into him. Don’t you agree it’s better that way?”

Shit she didn’t even know anymore. Melanie was kind of numb as she nodded. If she saw Asher she’d probably do something stupid. Like tell him she wanted to move to Hawaii, get married some day, and have his adorable babies.

And there you have it, you’ve lost your damn mind, Melanie.

Piper was right. She was trying to turn a vacation fling into a happily ever after. After two days of making—sex. Of sex.

“Okay.” Melanie felt sick as she agreed. “We can leave early in the morning.”

“Good girl.” Piper winked and grabbed the ice bucket. “You just got a little attached. It’ll fade. Happens all the time when you have good sex. Trust me, I know. I’m a pro at this kind of thing.”

“You kind of are.”

Piper opened the door but paused before stepping out. “Just look at it this way. He was just one item on your vacation checklist: get laid. Mission accomp—oof.”’

As Piper had backed into the hall, she’d smacked into the man who’d just arrived outside their door.

No. Heart in her throat and stomach in her toes, Melanie met Asher’s hard, disbelieving stare.

“Don’t do this all the time, huh?” He stepped past Piper and thrust out his hand.

Melanie flinched, both at the aggressive gesture and how awful the words were. It took a moment to notice her cell phone in his grip.

Tentatively she took it.

“This fell out in my car, and I thought you might need it tonight.”

He turned to walk away and she knew this was it. This was goodbye, and far more brutally and painfully than she’d imagined.

“I don’t do this all the time. You were my first vacation fling,” she called out stupidly. As if that could possibly make a difference. As if it wouldn’t make her sound like a complete lame ass.

He hesitated and gave a small, humorless laugh. “Well good to know I could help you check something off your To Do list.”

“Maybe you started that way, but you became so much more than that.” Honesty. Honesty was good right?

Asher didn’t turn around, but didn’t leave. After a moment, he shook his head. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

He still wanted to take them to the airport? Before she could ask, he stepped past a gawking Piper and into the hall. When he was clearly gone, Melanie drew in a ragged breath, feeling strangely near tears.

“Oops.” Piper grimaced. “That was awkward.”

“Awkward?” Melanie bit out in disbelief.

“It shouldn’t change anything, Mel. We’ll still get ourselves to the airport and try for an earlier flight.”

“But he said he’d drive us. Even after—”

“Look, he seems like a really nice guy. It’s probably his conscience not letting him back out. And seeing you guys together, maybe you guys both got a little attached. But nothing’s really changed. He lives in Hawaii, you live in Portland. You have job interviews lined up for weeks once you get back.”

“I know,” Melanie whispered.

If we let him drive us tomorrow, it’s just going to be uncomfortable for everyone now. You know I’m right.”

Her heart ached. “I know.”

Undecided and feeling like her heart was cracking into tiny little pieces, Melanie just gazed around helplessly.

“I’m going to get some ice, you should start packing.” Piper sighed and then left the room.

Melanie reached blindly for her suitcase, blinking back moisture from her eyes. She needed to stop getting so emotional over this and put things in perspective.

She had a future in Portland, and Asher had never given any indication that he wanted her to stay. Wanted anything more than these two days.

Why draw it out any longer any further? Especially now that any ride to the airport from Asher would just be awkward, like Piper had pointed out.

No, they’d get themselves to the airport. She’d get on that plane, and she’d file Asher away in the vacation fling category of her mind where he should’ve stayed all along.

With that being much easier imagined than done, she started tossing clothes into her suitcase.

Hours later Melanie and Piper stood in line, waiting to check in for their flight.

The intercom came on and she almost hoped to hear her name announced. Right. Like Asher was really going to show up at the airport to stop her?

If anything, it’d go something like: Paging, Melanie Kemble. Your delusional is showing.

When the line moved, Piper went to the counter and did the talking. Or flirting was more accurate.

Melanie shook her head. She was so completely different than her friend. This was definitely Melanie’s first and last vacation fling, because clearly she didn’t know how to not get emotionally involved.

Piper turned around a moment later and said, “Okay, it’s done.”

“Done? What’s done?”

“I got us on an earlier flight out, and he said we were damn lucky to have swung it.” She giggled and placed her suitcase on the scale.

“You’re incredible.” The last bit of hope that Asher would show up and stop her from leaving disappeared.

Why she’d held out any hope at all was stupid. He’d probably been angry to show up at the hotel and not find them there—and she couldn’t blame him. And then of course Piper would someone snag them seats on an earlier flight home, which was probably damn near impossible with how oversold these flights were.

The stars were aligning the way they should. She was meant to get back to Portland ASAP and get over Asher. So why did it make her feel so awful?

“You’re going to be fine, Mel.” Piper gave her a gentle look that both managed to say ‘I know it hurts’ and ‘snap out of it’.

“Fine. I’m fine. I’m just a little tired.” Melanie knew her smile was wan, but she didn’t have the energy to try and be convincing. Right now she just wanted to cry.

“We should definitely plan on doing this again next year,” Piper said.

Melanie hesitated. “Maybe, but not Hawaii.”

“You’ll be over him by then, Mel, I promise.” The intercom came on and Melanie tensed again.

Please call my name.

“Ma’am? Can you put your suitcase up on the scale please?”

Another passenger was paged. Not her.

“Your turn, Mel.” Piper stared at her for a moment, then sighed and grabbed the suitcase for her. “You’re so out of it. We need to just get you home.”

“Sorry.” Shaking her head, and the sense of disappointment, she went to finish checking in.

Chapter Five

Four months later.

“I can’t believe you made me go down that ski run.” Melanie winced and cradled her wrist, while shooting a glare at Piper.

Piper winced as she glanced down at Melanie’s swollen wrist. “You said you’d been skiing before.”

“I said I’d been down the bunny hill before. Not that death run you took me on.”

“I’m sorry.” Piper huffed. “I just thought you’d improved since then.”

“The bunny hill was last month! I swear you talk me into the craziest stuff.”

“Miss Kemble?” Melanie glanced up as a nurse appeared in the ER waiting room. “I can take you back now.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” Piper offered, ready to pop her smart phone back into her purse.

“No. Keep tweeting and think of how you’re going to make it up to me.”

Melanie followed the nurse, who settled her into one of the small rooms.

“Hurt it during a skiing accident, did you?” The nurse looked up from the chart she was holding.

“Yes.”

“Well, we’re going to go ahead and have it X-rayed to make sure nothing is broken. Take this for the pain.”

Melanie took the pill and the water the nurse handed her, and then waited as the nurse checked her vital signs. Soon she was being taken to radiology and being X-rayed.

Maybe it was a trend for her to get hurt on vacations. Not that she was really on vacation this time. She and Piper had decided to drive an hour or so to go skiing. A sport she decided was definitely not her forte.

But Piper had only been trying to distract her and keep her active. Melanie knew her friend was worried about her, and who could blame her? She’d become even more of a dating recluse since Hawaii.

Hawaii. Her stomach knotted at the thought of Hawaii and him.

“And you’re all done,” the x-ray tech said. “I’ll go develop these and then the doctor will look at them.” The nurse led her back to a small room. “You go ahead and wait here.”

Melanie sat down on the examination table since she assumed that’s where she was supposed to be. Maybe fifteen minutes went by, and she was starting to doze, when she heard brisk approaching footsteps outside in the hallway. They halted abruptly and she heard a male voice mutter something unintelligible.

A brisk knock on the door came, and then it opened. Her lashes fluttered up and blinked trying to focus on the man in the lab coat. Maybe there was a hallucinogenic side effect in the pill the nurse had given her, because the doctor looked a lot like Asher.

“Melanie...?”

She blinked and her heart skipped a beat. And sounded a lot like Asher.

“Melanie?” he said again, walking forward until he was right in front of her. “Is it really you?”

It wasn’t the drugs. Her heart went into overdrive. “Asher? My Hawaii Asher?”

He grimaced. “One and the same. Unless there were two Asher’s from Hawaii.”

“No, there was just you.” And there’d only been him since she’d left the island.

“And now you’ve showed up in my hospital.”

His hospital? Did he work here permanently? She’d kind of assumed it was just a fluke, that he was maybe doing some travel doctor thing. Did they do that?

She lifted her arm and said lamely, “I hurt my wrist.”

“Yes, I see that in the notes. Why am I not surprised?” He smiled then, looking like it was Christmas morning and his present was the biggest one under the tree.

He couldn’t actually be happy to see her, could he? After what he’d heard, and the way she’d stood him up that morning?

“I can’t believe you’re here,” he said softly, coming to stand in front of her at the examination table.

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

Asher’s smile faded and his gaze searched hers. “Why did you leave? Without even saying goodbye? I told you I was going to drive you that morning.”

Melanie dropped her glance. What could she say? Tell him she’d fallen for him in two days and had freaked out about it?

“So it was true.” His tone changed. “It really was just a summer fling. Once you’d had your fun, you didn’t want to linger—”

“No. Not really. It started that way, but—” She broke off.

She should just lie. Find a way to compact this situation into a clean, not too awkward finish. She should. But she couldn’t. The sheer fact that she’d run into him again—in a small town in Oregon—made her decide to come clean.

“I realized I was falling for you.” The weight lifted from her chest at the confession. “Too fast for it to have been just sex. I imagined what our babies would look like, Asher. If you wanna know the epic level of crazy I hit.” She drew in a ragged breath. “And that’s a lot of pressure to put on someone you’ve known for only a couple days.”

His expression changed, the wariness disappeared into—what the hell?—amusement. “I wish you had told me.”

“Why? Then I would have had the charm of going through this awkward moment back then.” She laughed, trying and failing to sound casual. “And back then I wouldn’t have handled your rejection as well. I was already confused and emotional.”

“I wouldn’t have rejected you, Melanie.” He caught her hand and lifted it, kissing her knuckles. “I was pretty much in the same boat. Do you think it’s a coincidence that I ended up working near Portland?”

Melanie swallowed hard. The crack of hope in her heart, that had appeared when realizing he was here, widened. “What do you mean? Are you saying that you...?”

“Took a job anywhere in Oregon that had an opening, because part of me hoped I could find you again.”

“That’s about as crazy as me imagining babies,” she whispered.

“Yeah it is. And you’re the first person I’ve admitted my motivation for moving here to.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I’m completely serious.” He cupped her face and brushed a kiss over her lips, making her give a shuddering sigh.

This wasn’t a dream. This was really happening? Asher was here. Had moved here to find her. And was kissing here now.

“Since I’m still at work, we should probably talk about that wrist.” He kissed her again, his tongue sliding deep to stroke over hers.

“What wrist? I don’t even feel it. Don’t you dare stop kissing me.” Her mind was going all fuzzy with the pleasure and excitement. “It’s probably just another sprain anyway.”

He bit her bottom lip. “No, this time you actually have a minor fracture.”

“What? Really?”

“Mmm,” he confirmed, and sucked briefly on her bottom lip. “You seem a bit on the accident prone side, Melanie. I’m going to keep my eyes on you from now on out.”

Her pulse went into overdrive. “Now on out? That sounds kind of serious.”

“I’m very serious about you, sweetheart.” He eased a hand into her fleece sweatshirt and cupped her breast. “What are you doing with the rest of your weekend?”

“Oh, I hadn’t really thought—”

“Wrong answer.” He kissed her again.

She kissed him back, and when he finally lifted his head, she whispered, “Spending it with you?”

“Good girl. And the next weekend?”

“Spending it with y—”

He kissed her again, barely giving her a chance to breathe. He lifted his mouth, pressing his forehead against hers.

“I’m hereby claiming any free time you have that you’ll give me, sweetheart.” He released a shuddering breath and then grimaced. “I’m not off work for four more hours, but I’m really hoping you’ll be available to come to my place. We have four months to catch up on.”

Tears of happiness and wonder pricked at her eyes now. “Just give me an address and I’ll be there.”

“I may not let you leave.”

“I may not want to.”

He lifted his head and stared down at her, his warning soft. “This isn’t just sex, Melanie.”

Maybe it was a promise.

“No,” she admitted softly and touched his cheek. “It never was.”

There was a flicker of relief in his eyes, followed by a hot need.

“Fuck it,” he muttered, “It’s a slow day. I’m just going to keep on kissing you until the nurses come looking for me.”

When his mouth claimed hers and they fell back onto the examination table, all thoughts of her wrist and discovery vanished. All that mattered was this moment and being in the man’s arms who’d claimed her heart.

The End

Note from the Author

Thank you for reading Island Fever! I hope you enjoyed it for what it was, a short, sexy story that give readers a chance to decide if they like my writing.

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Here’s an excerpt from Good Girl Gone Plaid

She blinked and wet her lips. “W-what?”

“You heard exactly what I said.” His gaze honed in on her mouth and his eyes darkened. “A kiss. It’s not that complicated.”

Oh, it was definitely that complicated. “Not a chance.”

“Why?”

“Are you high? Because we’ve got a history—a pretty complex one where I made it clear I wanted nothing to do with you. And beyond that, I’m not for sale, dammit.”

Ian laughed. The sound so deep and sexy, she hated the way it heated her blood. “I’m not asking you to suck me off. Though I sure as hell wouldn’t protest if you tried. It’s just a kiss.”

The imagery. Oh, God, the imagery those words created. She shoved it aside, and sputtered, “You’re disgusting. You kiss your mother with those lips?”

“Not since she moved back to Scotland with Da. And the only kissing I’d like to focus on is between you and I.”

“It’s not going to happen.” When she stepped back, he followed her. A deliberate dance of seduction. Of intimidation.

“It will happen, Sarah, because I want it to and I’m certain you do too.”

“Arrogant much?” Her mouth went dry. “I was done with you the day I moved to

Japan.” Okay, that was a lie. She’d never forgotten him—it would be impossible to. And each suggestive little sentence he uttered was turning her body to liquid heat. Which pretty much made her think she needed to have her head examined. Any normal woman would’ve reacted by slapping that smug smile off his face.

“And that’s just the thing, doll. I wasn’t done with you.” His head dipped. “Not even close.”

And before she could fire back a response, not that she had one after his explosive admission, he muttered, “I’m collecting my payment.”

His mouth claimed hers.

Instinct demanded she fight him—push him away, but her mind reasoned that she could fight him another way. By not responding. By not giving him any indication that she still harbored any emotion except disdain to him.

But his kiss wasn’t hard—wasn’t aggressive. It was slow and sensual. Gentle even.

His mouth brushed over hers in a soft caress, again and again, before his tongue teased the seam of her pressed lips.

His shocking change of tactic tore down any walls she’d maneuvered between them. Emotions she’d thought long dormant stirred deep within her. Physical needs she hadn’t realized she could experience anymore came to the surface.

The combination of the two was a bit terrifying.

She wasn’t a twenty-eight-year-old woman anymore, but a seventeen-year-old with a stomach full of butterflies again.

The urge to part her lips, to kiss him back struck her with a ferocity that made her lightheaded.

She slid her hands up his chest, clinging to his shirt to keep herself upright. Though there was no real danger of falling, not with the way he’d backed her up against the door.

Ian lifted his head a tiny bit. “You always were so damn sweet. Open your mouth for me, Sarah. I’ve got to taste you.”

She shook her head. “Do you want me to stop?”

Again, she shook her head, couldn’t manage any reply except a small whimper. He used it. Once more his mouth took hers and his tongue slid past her parted lips. The moment his tongue touched hers the fight left her.

Just one more time, she bargained with herself. One more time to remember how good they’d once been.

About the Author

Shelli is a New York Times Bestselling Author who read her first romance novel when she snatched it off her mother’s bookshelf at the age of eleven. One taste and she was forever hooked. It wasn’t until many years later that she decided to pursue writing stories of her own. By then she acknowledged the voices in her head didn’t make her crazy, they made her a writer.

Shelli currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her daughter where she writes various genres of romance. She’s a compulsive volunteer, and has been known to spontaneously burst into song.

Sign up for Shelli’s newsletter, and see what other books she has available at www.shellistevens.com.

Available Books by Shelli

Trust and Dare

Foreign Affair

Negligee Behavior

A is for Alpha series

Beauty and the Sheikh

The Billionaire’s Baby Bargain

Taken by the Pirate Billionaire

Seattle Steam Series

Dangerous Grounds

Tempting Adam

Seducing Allie

Chances Are Series

Anybody but Justin

Luck Be Delanie

Protecting Phoebe

Holding Out For A Hero Series

Going Down

Command and Control

Flash Point

Savage Series

Savage Hunger

Savage Betrayal

Savage Revenge

The McLaughlins

Good Girl Gone Plaid

Kilty Pleasure

Loch and Key

Highland Fling

Contents

- Title page
- Chapter One
- Chapter Two
- Chapter Three
- Chapter Four
- Chapter Five
- Note from the Author
- About the Author
- Available Books by Shelli