No Strings__ - By Janelle Denison Page 0,10

and leave a decent tip. “Not at all,” he said, meaning it. “By the way, just so you know, I’ll be leaving next Monday for the Bahamas, where the St. Raphael resort is located.”

“Is Chloe going, too?”

“Yes, we’re both going.” He tucked his wallet back into his pocket, and knowing exactly what his brother was thinking, Aiden attempted to cut him off at the pass. “It’s a business trip, Sam.”

“Which also presents the perfect opportunity for the two of you to take advantage of your attraction, in a place where no one would ever be the wiser.” Sam waggled his brows suggestively.

“Not gonna happen.”

Sam released an exasperated sigh. “You know what your problem is? You’re way too uptight. And you’ve been that way since your divorce.”

“I’m not uptight. I’m careful and discreet.”

“Like I said. You’re uptight.” Sam slapped him on the back in brotherly camaraderie. “Loosen up and live a little, bro. You might be surprised how much fun you can have when you’re not being so damned serious.”

With that bit of advice, his brother walked away, leaving Aiden to ponder the wisdom of Sam’s comments. Or the lack thereof.

3

THE FOLLOWING MONDAY at seven in the morning, Chloe was seated next to Aiden on a plane heading to Nassau in the Bahamas. From there, they’d take a small puddle jumper to the island of St. Raphael where the private, secluded resort was located. They were scheduled to arrive at the hotel by early afternoon. Once the jet leveled out, the pilot announced that it was now okay to move about the cabin and turn on approved electronic devices, and promised that the refreshment cart would be making its way down the aisle shortly.

Chloe frequently took business trips for work and was used to sitting by the window in the cramped quarters of coach, usually next to a stranger who kept to themselves for the duration of the flight. But the moment Aiden plopped his big body into the chair beside hers and their knees and elbows bumped as they buckled their lap belts, she knew their intimate seating arrangements would wreak havoc with every one of her five senses for the next few hours.

So far, her prediction proved to be true. Sitting next to the window, her body was hyper aware of his broad shoulder brushing against her arm and the way his leg occasionally grazed her thigh when he shifted in his seat to find a comfortable position that would accommodate his long legs. At least he’d settled down for takeoff, and as she cast a sidelong glance at him, she found herself envious of his ability to completely relax when the surface of her skin buzzed with sensual awareness.

His head was resting against the back of his seat, and though his eyes were closed, she wasn’t sure if he was sleeping or not. But even like this, he was hotter than any man had a right to be with his early morning tousled hair, the sweep of his ridiculously long, dark lashes against his cheeks, and those full lips that were made to give a woman all kinds of forbidden pleasures. Even his casual attire made him look sexy and confidently male.

She’d never seen him in anything but a business suit, and she had to admit that he looked damn fine in a dark blue short-sleeved knit shirt that complimented his toned physique, and a pair of well-worn jeans that lovingly clung to his muscular thighs and other interesting body parts that piqued her interest. And why did he always have to smell so damned good? His expensive cologne was subtle, but the warm, sandalwood scent, mixed with his own male pheromones, never failed to tap into her desires and make her ache deep inside.

At the office, she was constantly near Aiden, but with work as her top priority she was able to keep her attraction to him in check. Or walk away when that heady pull between them became too overwhelming. But right here, right now, there was no putting distance between herself and Aiden, so she was just going to have to suck it up and deal.

Lord, it was going to be a long flight.

Desperately needing some kind of distraction, she reached down and pulled a folder from the computer bag she’d stowed beneath the chair in front of her. Releasing the fold-down tray, she set the file on top and immersed herself in work. Specifically, the research she’d already compiled on the St. Raphael resort