“Nice of you.”

“Oh, you have no idea.” Then she gave a firm nod. “It’s definitely best that we stop right now.”

“Yeah?” He closed the gap between them. “I say we test that theory.” Yanking her close, he covered her mouth with his and kissed her roughly at first. Then he softened his lips against hers and they moved together, deepening the kiss until they were both shaking with need.

When she moaned again, he let her go, then watched her lick her lips and taste him there. The move was innocent and skilled at the same time, and he scowled as an irrational wave of tenderness washed over him.

Finally, she opened her eyes and stared at him in wonder. “Wow.”

“Yeah,” he said gruffly. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

“Well, don’t ever say I didn’t warn you.” Then she turned and jogged away as swiftly as her feet could move in the deep white sand.

He didn’t follow her, just watched as she disappeared through the thick fronds at the far end of the beach.

What the hell was she talking about? He’d never had to work this hard to convince a woman to make love with him. If you really knew me, you never would’ve kissed me. He shook his head at the memory of her words. Oh, he knew her, all right. She was a woman and therefore a master manipulator. She could give lessons, no doubt about it.

That didn’t seem to negate the fact that he was currently sporting a massive hard-on, thanks to her. Now that was something his entire staff would notice if he strolled into the hotel at that moment. So instead, he pulled off his shirt and tossed it on a chaise, then walked straight into the water to cool himself off.

Four

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Logan said to the others participating in yet another conference call. “With the opening of the new Alleria sports center, the island will become a premier destination for world-class sporting events such as tennis, gymnastics and boxing.”