“How long have we been out here?”
“Most of the afternoon,” he said.
“And you didn’t want me up?”
“Didn’t need to. You were tired, you needed the rest, and it was peaceful out here.”
She nuzzled her cheek into his chest as his fingers slid through her hair. The sunset was beautiful, and despite her dream, she felt rested. Her head was no longer pounding and her body no longer hurt. Her chest wasn’t clenched like it had been before and her heart was stable in her chest. She liked lying there with Ash. She enjoyed feeling his strong legs cradle her body. The peace that surrounded her was unprecedented. Something she never thought she’d find on the island her honeymoon was supposed to happen on.
Yet somehow, she found it with Ash.
The cute bartender from the Cabana.
“Think we should head back?” Kallie asked.
“Whatever you want to do is fine with me,” Ash said.
“I’m getting a little chilly in nothing but a bikini. Even with the blanket.”
“Then by all means, let’s go get you warm.”
With the help of Ash, Kallie slid from the hammock and onto her feet. She sighed as Ash draped the blanket over her shoulders, then he slipped his arm around her bare waist. Just the touch of his skin against hers made her shiver, resulting in him holding her closer. He thought she was cold, but she knew better.
She was charged with electricity she couldn’t shake.
She walked back with him to her villa and they stopped on her doorstep. Kallie wasn’t ready to let him go. He had been so understanding and gracious in allowing her to talk. And it had been good to hear someone who didn’t know James call him an asshole. It confirmed what she already thought. That what had happened was a result of him and not her. Kallie lamented when his hand fell from her waist, and she watched as he bent forward and kissed her cheek.
A soft, warm, gentle kiss. Like any gentleman would provide.
“Get some rest,” Ash said. “And drink another glass of water.”
“I will,” Kallie said.
“Promise?”
“For you? Sure,” she said.
Then, she watched him turn to walk away.
Something inside of her snapped. Before she could catch herself, her hand darted out and grabbed his wrist. Ash whipped his head around to look at her, concern flying through his eyes. She immediately dropped his hand as a whirlwind of things in her mind took place. She wasn’t sure if she was doing the right thing. If it was proper for a woman who was supposed to be married only days ago to want a strange man staying with her. But watching him walk away hurt. She didn’t know why, and she didn’t understand why, but she didn’t want him to leave.
Not yet.
“Stay with me,” Kallie said.
“I’m not sure that’s wise,” Ash said.
“Please? I don’t...”
She drew in a deep breath before rolling her shoulders back.
“I don’t want you to go, Ash.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
Kallie nodded, unable to find any more strength to talk. She didn’t want to be rejected. Not by him. Not after divulging to him how her fiancé had rejected her. His body was strong. Warm. And she wanted it pressed against her. She wanted the chance to wake up to him and erase the first time they had been together. She didn’t want to remember him like that. She didn’t want her only island love affair to be one where the man ran out on her because of some sort of miscommunication.
She wanted the romance.