Wicked Nights (Men of Discovery Island 2)

“Got you,” he’d announced in a thrillingly rough voice, slapping his hands down on either side of her head. Cal in a playful mood was both new and sexy, so she hadn’t protested at all when he’d swept her off her feet, opened the door and carried her down the hall to the bedroom. Instead, she’d suggested a second race, to see who could strip down the fastest. She’d won that one.

The sun was setting now, painting fiery strips of orange and red over the ocean’s surface. She didn’t want to move. He’d worn her out, but not before she’d put one hell of a smile on his face.

“Was that four—or five?” His smoky, gruff voice rumbled in her ear and she squirmed. She’d be happy to up his count.

She pretended to think. “I had at least five. It’s not my fault if you got beat.”

“I’m a guy.” His hand cupped the back of her neck, his thumb rubbing a small circle against her skin. He’d done the same thing elsewhere, and her body hummed just thinking about it. Cal had magic hands. “We don’t recover as fast.”

She could hear the smile in his voice. “Again, not my problem.”

“You’re a tough woman.” He dropped a kiss on her head and she snuggled in closer.

“I am glad for you.” It had to be said, and somehow it was easier like this. The room was getting darker now as the sun slipped down behind the horizon. Even without lifting her head, she could just make out the clothing scattered everywhere, along with most of the pillows from the bed. They’d made a mess.

He shifted, tugging her up until he could see her face. Of course, the position also meant she could see his, which was no hardship.

“Good,” he said roughly. “I don’t want you to be unhappy.”

She stared at his familiar face. What did he want? Had he thought about where they went from here? He was supposed to be a chemistry problem she worked through, not a permanent fixture in her life. And yet...she couldn’t help wondering what-if.

“I need to tell you something,” he said.

And...cue the bad news.

“You’re married. You’re shipping out. You don’t do relationships.”

He bit out a curse.

“Now you owe me a quarter.”

“What kind of guy do you think I am?”

She shrugged and rolled off him. “I don’t really know you, Cal.”

“Tell me what you want to know.”

“Give me the bad news,” she countered.

He scrubbed a hand over his head. “Del is selling his half of your dive business. I made an offer. We’re going to be partners, you and I.”

Over her dead body. Or his. Yeah. She liked the sound of that. “How long have you known?”

“Del accepted my offer right after the Fiesta dive.”

No way. “You’re joking. Please tell me you’re joking.”

“You don’t like the idea.” He didn’t sound surprised—more resigned.

“Cal.” She stared at him. “The only place we don’t fight is in bed.

“You can’t have it all,” she said, jumping out of bed. “You should have told me.”

“Piper—” He didn’t know what to say.

“I’m done here.”

“You can’t just walk out on us,” he said. “I want this to work.”

“I like the sound of that.” And she did. Too much.

“I hear a but.”

Score one for him. “But you knew I wanted to own Dream Big and Dive. I told you that, and yet you went ahead and bought Del’s half of the business anyhow.”

He sat up in bed, the sheet falling back to his waist. Part of her wanted to push him down and lose herself in the way he made her feel. The rest of her, however, knew that at some point the hot sex would come to an end and they’d have to work together. Live together. The sex wasn’t enough because somewhere along the line, he’d made her want all of him.

“Del was going to sell anyhow,” he pointed out. She hated how calm and logical he sounded. “Aren’t I better than a random stranger?”

“I don’t know how I feel about that. You didn’t ask me.”

“I’m asking now,” he said, his voice tight.

“After you bought in. It doesn’t count.”

“Make it count.”

He wasn’t the person who got to be angry here. He’d won the contract. He’d bought her business. In fact, he’d had everything go his way and she had not. She wasn’t going to whine about it, but she was going to do something about it. She got out of bed and started pulling on her clothes.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m leaving.” Take that. “Don’t worry. I’ll lock the door on the way out. Or not.” She shrugged and headed for the door. “I’m not the one who worries about thieves and evil villains.”