him was lighter, and that heavy cloud of sadness had disappeared.
Mother Nature was working her magic on this island, and somehow, Penn had worked her magic on him.
It was easy to brush off her effect on him at home, but this trip had smeared the lines of their previously black and white relationship. He’d always chalked up his feelings to lust. She was smoking hot, and the fact that she was his coworker made it easy to believe there was no true connection between them. She was nice because she felt obligated, or she helped because she was paid to do it. But the more time they spent together without their predetermined roles, the harder it was to believe they were just friends.
He was now floundering somewhere in the gray, and the gray was messy. It was dramatic and attention seeking. He’d spent way too long flying under the radar, keeping his secrets hidden, but now, with one vacation and zero willpower, it could all come crashing down.
He needed to focus on the task at hand.
He’d come here to help her win a trophy. Instead, she was helping him work through his shit. He might never work through all of it. His childhood had been rough, and something he’d carry with him forever, but at least now he knew he wasn’t completely broken.
He couldn’t wait to return home and launch the Boys and Girls Club. He was rested. He was ready. For the first time in his life, he was hopeful for the future.
And that was some scary shit.
They’d slept through breakfast. Even though they probably could have eaten before going to bed—considering it wasn’t until the sun peeked out over the horizon that they’d finally drifted off to sleep.
He slipped his arm out from under Penn’s body and got out of bed. She sighed and rolled over, snuggling down into the mattress. The white sheet barely covered her naked body. If he stood staring any longer, he’d never be able to sneak out and make his purchase.
They had the day off from the itinerary. And he needed it. A day to regroup. Between the mud buggy race yesterday afternoon and the Marco Polo game last night, they were tied two-two.
He’d lost focus. He blamed it on that spectacular blow job she’d given him yesterday.
She’d sucked his dick in the fucking woods and rubbed herself to orgasm. And he’d asked her to do it.
He shook his head. Even this morning, it was unbelievable.
The Penn who’d gotten on her knees in the woods was the Penn he wanted to see every day. The woman who put him at ease, surprised him and annoyed him equally. He’d seen far too little of her on this trip.
He hurried down to the lobby and took the short hallway that lead to the shopping concourse. It was time for her family to embrace the same woman he did. The real Penn. Not some cowed figment of their imagination, but the wild, loud, cursing beauty that he’d fallen for the moment he’d laid eyes on her.
He had something special in mind for her. He wanted nothing more than to see her as she truly was—happy, flirty, vibrant…and exposing a lot of skin. He missed that amazing cleavage.
When he returned to the suite, she was still fast asleep. He placed the gold foil bag on the dresser and slipped into bed beside her. He traced his hand down her arm to her hip. She stirred. Then he slipped his hand between her thighs.
She opened her eyes and sighed. “This isn’t a bad way to wake up.”
“We have a free day today.” He leaned down, inhaling her sweet morning scent. “No challenges. No family dinners.”
“Mmm, about time.” She waggled her eyebrows. “And I know exactly how I want to spend the day.” She reached out and tried to pull him down against her, but he resisted.
“By the pool, of course,” he said with a grin.
Her bottom lip jutted out. “I can’t believe y—”
He slid off the bed, grabbed the bag, and placed it in front of her.
She immediately sat up, bringing her knees to her chin. “What’s that?”
“I bought you something.”
She lunged for the bag. “Really?”
“Nuh-uh.” He wrapped his hand around hers, preventing her from opening it. “You have to promise me that no matter what’s in here, you’ll do it for me.”
“Now I’m scared.” Her eyes widened. “Is it a butt plug? Nipple clamps?”
He let out a hearty laugh. “I assure you it has nothing to do