“Stay close to shore. And definitely do not go past the coral reefs. The swell and violent currents would carry you away. And the blacktip reef sharks are out there too. This is an introduction to snorkeling, not an expert class. And it’s not scuba diving. I teach that class on Thursdays. So just relax, float, and have fun!”

  “You got it, Neddo,” Jett says somewhat obnoxiously, but our instructor seems to enjoy the nickname.

  “Right on, bro! I like it.” He nods his head enthusiastically. “Neddo,” he chuckles to himself, walking over to the umbrella where there’s a cooler of drinks, towels, and three chairs waiting on us to cool down and relax afterward.

  I help Jett get into his snorkeling equipment, and we penguin walk into the ocean, holding hands and smiling wider than we probably have in a very long while.

  “This is so friggin’ exciting! I swear to God, I better see Nemo.”

  I chuckle at his childlike wonder, ready to get under the water and explore with him.

  “Only one way to find out.” I place the snorkel piece in my mouth and dip my head under the water, swimming along the surface until we get further out.

  Jett swims next to me. I can see him in my periphery, the hot pink catching my eye.

  Once we get a little ways from shore, the ocean bursts with life, teeming with colorful fish that surround us.

  The butterflyfish are stunning here in the wild. I have a large tropical fish tank at my home on the big island, and seeing how excited Jett is today, I can’t wait to show him. I think I’ll add some clownfish before I do so.

  Speaking of the little buggers, a flash of color catches my eye, and the little orange fish with white stripes that Jett has been dreaming of seeing in person is below us.

  I nudge his arm and point toward Nemo. He squeals and a massive release of bubbles escapes his mouthpiece.

  Swimming beneath the surface to get a better look, we hold our breath and grab each other’s hand, kicking hard with our fins.

  It’s like another world under here. The sun cuts through the ocean, sparkling against our bodies and the white sand below. The clear water gives us amazing views of the sea life in their natural habitats. I love my tank, but this is something special, and I’m so glad I let Jett sign me up. I can see us making a hobby out of it.

  Jett makes me want to live life and enjoy it. Work less and play more.

  We break the surface, gasping for breath.

  “Oh my God! I can’t believe we saw Nemo. He’s so friggin’ cute! Don’t you think so?” I chuckle at his adorableness.

  “It’s quite cute,” I agree, excited to buy some for my tank and surprise him.

  “Let’s go out further! I want to see a turtle!”

  I concede, and we swim further out into the ocean. It’s slightly deeper than I’m comfortable with because Jett insists on getting a better glimpse of the coral too.

  We’re both treading water, unable to touch the bottom this far out.

  “Cal! Look!” Jett suddenly shouts, pointing excitedly at the triangular shape sticking out of the water and swimming around in the not-too-far distance. “A dolphin!”

  I take my goggles off and squint. There’s a black tip on the end.

  “That’s. . . not a dolphin. That’s a shark.”

  “What?!” Jett shrieks, starting to splash around in the water like injured prey.

  “Oh God. Oh shit! I’m too pretty to be eaten! Mr. Shark, please don’t eat me! Plus, I’m far too skinny. I’m barely even a friggin’ appetizer!”

  He continues to doggie paddle toward the shore, yelling ridiculous things at the shark like it can understand him or would even listen if it could.

  “Fuck! We’re gonna die, Cal! A bloody, dismembered death! They’ll make a documentary about us!”

  “Stop it!” I shout, cutting off his panic, and it works. “Swim to the shore, Jett.”

  “I am, Cal! Because I like all of my limbs very much. Thank you!”

  “Blacktips are known for being shy around people unless you provoke it,” I tell him honestly. “But we aren’t near its territory any longer, so if we just keep swimming, we’ll be fine.”

  Jett glances over his shoulder every now and again like he doesn’t believe me. “Go find a school of fish instead! But not Nemo!” he yells behind us. “Oh God, sorry, fish! Please forgive me. But it’s every man for himself out here. I need to live, goddammit! I have a boyfriend now!”

  I chuckle at his theatrics. The shark is nowhere near us.

  I grab his hand and pull him after me until we’re wading out of the ocean. We take our gear off and step onto hot, dry sand.

  “That was fun until it wasn’t, and we almost got eaten!” Jett shouts dramatically.

  “I’ll make it up to you back at my place. Show you how the danger can be an aphrodisiac of sorts. Foreplay even.”

  Jett licks his dry lips, squinting up at me, with a hand over his brow like a visor.

  “Yeah?”

  “Mhmm.”

  Jett power walks toward Ned, who has a big smile on his face and the cooler of drinks open, welcoming us. Jett grabs a peach tea and water for me. “Thanks, Ned! But we gotta go, dude! You’re off the clock early. Forgot we had plans!”

  “Sweet! No worries!” he hops up, probably ready to go hit a coconut bong. “Catch ya later, little dude.” The way Ned’s eyes linger on Jett’s hot pink bubble butt makes me feel possessive.

  I side-eye him, annoyed at the endearment he’s giving my boyfriend.

  It makes me reckless and horny for what’s mine.

  “I’m going to fuck you so hard you’ll be sleeping on your stomach for the rest of the week.”

  I hear a commotion behind us, and Ned has tripped over himself or the cooler and is sprawled out in a pile of drinks, ice, and hot sand.

  Jett snickers, unable to help himself.

  I give Ned a knowing smirk and a wink, tugging Jett after me.

  “Dude totally wiped out! Did you see that?” He laughs louder the further away we get.

  “Yes. I saw. Now come along before I bend you over the golf cart and take you here and now. I’m feeling rather impatient at the moment, doll.”

  Jett whimpers before chewing on his bottom lip. “Race ya!” he shouts, and we both take off running, ready to get home and fuck.

  I haven’t felt this young or carefree in years. This light. Both physically and mentally. As if a dark cloud hovering above me, once threatening me with a boring existence and unhappy life, has now dispersed.

  I can’t wait to spend the next three weeks waking up with Jett Roman in my bed every morning.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Jett

  I’m meeting Cal at Midnight Lounge for dinner and drinks after he finishes an important conference call. The plans for the conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Tokyo have been finalized, and once it’s built, Cal promised to take me. He’s so passionate about his design for this one that he’s already planning to visit the construction site several times throughout the build to oversee precise details.

  This man’s strength, power, and commanding presence in and out of the bedroom are beyond attractive to me. My boyfriend is a friggin’ ten, and I am so excited to celebrate his success tonight.

  But as I get closer to the bar, I notice someone sitting in my usual spot.

  I do a double take as I take in the side view of the dark-haired man.

  Aaron O’Kane?

  At Black Diamond?

  Oh, hell friggin’ no!

  I stomp over and grab Aaron’s barstool, rudely swiveling him around and invading his space.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” I yell at him.

  “Whoa! Someone call the pound. We got an angry Chihuahua on the loose over here!” Holden shouts from behind the bar, setting more shots in front of Aaron.

  “Oh, shut it, Holden!”

  I give him a death glare, and he backs away slowly with his hands up.

  “Let me know if you’re ready to order or waiting on Cal.”

  “Waiting,” I tell him, agitated that this shitty situation is ruining my plans for the night.

  He nods and spins on his heel, leaving for the kitchen once again.

  I focus back on Aaron, who oddly hasn’t said a word during all of that. He’s always a prick.

  His eyes flicker with confusion, and my gaze darts down to his neck, a large birthmark catching my attention. My brows crease and dart back to his face.

  Oh my God. I forgot Aaron has a twin.

  “I assume you think I’m Aaron, the asshole twin.”

  “Uh, yeah. Sorry for comin’ at you like that. . . Austin, right?”

  He nods solemnly.

  “Dude, your brother is a real bitch.”

  He’s my mortal enemy. My arch nemesis.

  “Tell me about it.” Austin tips his shot back and hunches over the empty glass.

  I’d normally feel bad for the guy, but I don’t have it in me. He looks too much like Aaron.

  It actually kind of pisses me off. I narrow my eyes on him. “Your brother convinced my now ex-best friend to slip me drugs so I would act a fool and lose out on a movie role. He jeopardized my entire career and got me sent to rehab.”

  He glances from side to side as if checking to make sure he isn’t in rehab, too, before taking another shot.

  I roll my eyes. “I obviously cleared up the misunderstanding and decided to have a nice little vacation while I was here,” I say, as if everything worked out easily and had no bumps along the way. “But it actually worked out great. Besides losing the friggin’ vampire role of my dreams because of your stupid brother and Zander!”

  His brows furrow, but his eyes flash with recognition at the name. Although I can tell by his confused face that he doesn’t really know what I’m talking about. “Zander Evans is your ex-best friend. Aaron’s current best friend.”

  “Yes,” I say through clenched teeth. “And your brother can fucking keep him. I’ve washed my hands of that back-stabbing traitor.”

  I realize I’m getting worked up and taking out my anger on the wrong person. I just need to leave.

  “They can have each other. I’m done with my brother.” Austin takes another shot, and I see several empty ones to go along with this one.

  Not my problem, I tell myself. I text Cal that I’m getting the food to go and will meet him at his place instead.

  He replies that I need to explain over dinner, and I sigh, dreading the inevitable conversation about this bizarre interaction.

  I order our steaks and wait, sipping a mojito and feeling supremely uncomfortable as Austin O’Kane gets more and more wasted next to me. I’m not sure he even realizes I’m here anymore as I take my food from Holden and hurry out, not saying a word. I pass a tall man with dark hair and inquisitive eyes who looks vaguely familiar. I glance over my shoulder as he sits next to Austin.

  Good. Someone to handle that mess.

  “Cheers,” I say, clinking our flutes and sipping the prosecco slowly. Not rosé. I will never drink another glass of rosé in my entire friggin’ life.

  “Congrats to my super smart, super successful, and super sexy boyfriend. Sorry I don’t have a better toast, but I really am proud of you, Cal. Proud to be the man by your side.”

  Cal gives me a smooth smile, full of confidence, and holds his glass up again. “To our future.”

  “And our happiness,” I add.

  “Together,” Cal murmurs.

  I repeat him, uttering together out loud, almost like a mantra.

  We cut into our perfectly cooked steaks and eat in silence, enjoying the night and each other’s company.

  “So what happened tonight, doll? Why are we eating here instead of at the bar? Do I need to knock Holden around a bit? Did he do something?”

  “No, no. Of course not! There was just this guy—”

  “I can make one phone call and have him thrown off the island. Just give me a name.”

  I burst out laughing at that before my voice goes low. “Your over-the-top chivalry is turning me on, babe.”

  “I’m serious, Jett. Tell me.”

  “Austin didn’t do anything. I just know him from off the island. Well, not really him, more like his low-life, drug-dealing loser of a twin brother. They’re identical, so I thought he was Aaron for a minute and was riled up. Ready for a fight. I was going to kick ass, Cal! Swear to God.”

  He chuckles at that. “I’m sure you could have, but I’m glad you didn’t.”

  He reaches across the small table and runs his thumb along my cheekbone.

  “Far too pretty, doll.”

  My cheeks heat at his words, and I hope my tan hides it. I’m not usually a blusher except around Cal.

  “Thank you,” I murmur before finishing my salad.

  “That lemon vinaigrette is so refreshing. I’m going to miss it.” I lean back and sigh, cradling my stomach. “And the dark honey wheat bread with homemade butter. The coconut shrimp. Lime cheesecake. Oh, God. The mojitos! I wonder if Polly would bottle some up for me. That’s probably not legal, though, huh?”

  “You’ll be back. Don’t worry about missing any of it.”

  His words steal my breath and spike my heart rate, causing my stomach to flutter. He knows his effect on me as his intense gray eyes sweep over my body. My cock responds without my consent, a complete slut for Cal, hardening under the dinner table.

  “Soon?” I ask, wanting to stay even longer but knowing I can’t.

  “Whenever you want, doll. My doors are always open. Literally.”

  Cal smirks and slips out of his seat. I get up as well, not even attempting to hide my semi. He glances down and chuckles, grabbing my hand and tugging me toward the open patio doors. We pass through the linen curtains, and the soft fabric caresses my bare skin as it gently blows in the breeze.

  “Let’s enjoy the time we have right now. Follow me.”

  Cal pulls me to the back of the deck, nearest the ocean, and I gasp.

  “A telescope,” I murmur in awe.

  “Yes. I’ve been meaning to get one out here. Think about it. No city lights, no smog, no pollution. It’s a perfect opportunity to see the stars. And a perfect gift for my little movie star.”

  I suck in a sharp breath. “For me? You got me a telescope?”

  Doubt flickers in Cal’s eyes for a moment, and I don’t like it one bit.

  “I’m so excited! No one’s bought me something like this.” I hop up and wrap myself around him, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, baby,” I murmur into his ear before nibbling it. I press our bare chests together, squeezing him in another hug before I slide down.

  “So, how does it work?” I ask, looking closer at the black telescope sitting on a stand.

  I really hope he knows because I don’t have a clue.

  “It’s not too hard. I have most everything set. Just lean down here.” Cal comes up behind me, pressing his chest to my back, and I nearly moan, distracted by the feel of his body.

  “Look through the viewfinder here,” Cal gently takes my hand, wrapping it around the scope. “And if it seems fuzzy,” he grabs my other hand, “twist this knob here to focus.”

  Cal steps back and lets me look. Bright stars dot the night sky, forming shapes my brain doesn’t recognize.

  “What am I looking at?”

  “Andromeda.”

  “A constellation?” I don’t know much about science or astronomy.

  “Hmm. Indeed. The most beautiful one, in my opinion, which is quite fitting for you, Jett Roman.”

  My skin tingles, humming with arousal and warmth. His romantic words make me burn for him.

  “Andromeda represents strength and resilience. Bravery. She was a beautiful soul with awful parents who ultimately perseveres through terrible circumstances, finding true love and happiness.”

  I’m melting. Fucking melting for him.

  “True love?” I ask dumbly, stepping away from the telescope and into Cal’s waiting arms.

  I peer up at him, eyes alight with anticipation.

  “I’m old enough to know what I want and feel, Jett.”

  He’s so serious right now my stomach flips, and my breathing picks up.

  “And I have never, ever, in thirty-eight years felt like this. Not when I was twenty-one, having one-night stands, or in any of my short-lived relationships. I’ve completely fallen for you. You hold my heart in the palm of your hand, doll. Please don’t drop it.”

  His confession destroys me, and tears well up, unbidden. “Cal, what are you saying?”

  I need him to tell me. I need to hear the words.

  “I love you, Jett Roman. I feel alive when I’m with you. It’s been a little more than a month, and that’s all it’s taken me to utterly and completely fall in love with you. It’s infuriating.”

  Cal leans down and presses his mouth to mine before I can say a word. He kisses me deeply, stroking my tongue with his own. I pull my lips away, needing to voice my own feelings.

  “I’ve never felt so safe or cared for in my entire life. Never felt so happy. Relaxed. Content. So calm.” My eyes scan his face, committing this moment to memory. His steely eyes are nearly metallic in the moonlight, unblinking and waiting. Waiting for me to finish my declaration.

  “It’s all because of you, Cal. You’re good for me. It’s obvious, and I love you so friggin’ much.”

  He kisses me again, and we’re desperate to taste each other. To consume one another.

  “I love you,” he repeats, panting into my mouth after sucking on my tongue.

  “Take me to bed and show me,” I murmur against his lips.

  “Pleeease. Put it in me, Cal!”

  My boyfriend, the man I love, stands before me, teasing me cruelly with his cock in hand.

  He strokes it, making himself impossibly harder. Cal stretched me open with his fingers, and I’m lying on my stomach, legs slightly spread, waiting. Very patiently.

  “You beg so lovely, doll.”

  My body ignites in a rush of arousal, and I moan, even more desperate.

  “Callum, please.”

  He takes pity on me and crawls between my legs, pressing his cock to my hole and pushing in slowly. Just the head pops in.

 

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