His Paradise

“I’m really sorry about your shirt,” I tell him again.

I can’t believe I did that. The first guy who’s snagged my attention in forever and I spill my drink all over the both of us. This is why I never go out with Sammy. Something like this always happens to me.

“I don’t mind. I ended up with you in my lap, so I’d call this a win. Feel free to dump a drink on me anytime if it ends like this.”

He’s good looking and charming, which is apparently exactly what my lady business is interested in.

“You’re sweet,” I say, but he looks taken aback by my words. As if he doesn’t believe me.

Most men would probably be pissed if I ruined an expensive shirt like this one. I’m not into labels, but I know the logo on his shirt and it’s certainly more than I could afford to replace. For him to brush it off so easily is more than I expected.

Dolly snorts and I glance over at her. “Sweet, my ass,” she mumbles as she walks by us to get someone else’s drink order. It makes me wonder what she knows that I don’t. Or maybe she’s just being Dolly. She likes poking at the tourists.

“God, you are beautiful,” Liam whispers, as if he didn’t mean to say it out loud.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I admit.

He’s got honey-colored eyes that remind me of the sand at sunset. His blond hair is at that sexy length where it’s not short but not long. It’s got glossy waves to it, and he’s got one side tucked behind his ear. I reach out and run my fingers through it, surprised by how bold I’m being. I’m usually so shy when it comes to men that it consumes me. I’ve also never been this close to a man so damn hot before, so maybe my body doesn’t know how to react.

Right about now the only thing I can think about is that Sammy’s idea of losing it to a tourist doesn’t sound so bad. Though this one looks like he could break my heart by the time he left the island. But for the first time since I lost my grandparents, I feel something other than sadness. Excitement and something else I can’t quite place are flowing through me. I drink a little more of my cocktail and decide I’m going to soak up this moment for all it’s worth. I haven’t felt this good in a long time, and so what if he breaks my heart? I’ve decided that I can’t spend my entire life on edge worrying about losing the hotel and mourning the loss of my grandparents. They wouldn’t want me to live like that.

Warmth spreads through my body and I don’t know if it’s because I downed that last drink quickly or the fact that I’m in this gorgeous man’s lap. But either way my hormones are sparking like fireworks and I don’t want it to stop.

Liam starts to lean in towards me and I can’t take my eyes off his full lips as they get closer to mine. He’s going to kiss me, my body screams as I close my eyes and hold my breath.

But before his mouth meets mine I’m plucked right out of his lap as hands come around my waist. I’m tossed into the air and I squeal from shock. I see Derick’s face laughing right as he catches me easily.

“You out causing trouble?” he asks, but I don’t have a chance to answer before I’m being pulled out of his hold.

I feel Liam’s hard chest against my back as he pulls me flush against him. There is tension in his arms as they wrap around me, but it’s not painful. I can just tell by the way his muscles flex that he’s got me in an unbreakable hold. I’d almost swear he’s staking his claim on me. Derick’s eyes narrow and his jaw tics. I know that look. It’s the face he makes right before his fists start flying. To be honest, I always bet on Derick, but having felt the power coming off Liam, there’s no match. They’re both big guys, but what Derick has in attitude, Liam makes up in height and build.

“Who, me?” I put my hand to my chest. “I’d never,” I tease, trying to break the tension.

I pretend a fight isn’t about to break out and that all is well. Maybe if I fake it long enough it will come true. Sammy’s brother gives me a look that says bullshit right before his eyes snap back to Liam.

Liam’s arm is wrapped around my waist protectively, and I place my hand on the back of his. I stroke it softly, trying to show Derick that it’s all good and let Liam know that I’m happy to stay in his arms. Derick might be Sammy’s big brother, but he acts like mine as well.