“Not really.” It would take a long while for her to get over Grant once their tryst was over, for any other guy to be worth a second look. “But work is expecting me back.”

  He smiled. “Ah, so if I decide to keep you here forever someone will come hunting for you?”

  Lana nodded. “But right now, I don’t care.” She gripped his shoulders, her fingers tightening on the solidity of them before sliding around to circle his neck. This brought him closer to her, just where she wanted him.

  “You’re full of surprises, Ms. Canada.”

  This time Lana laughed, loving the wildness he had no problem pulling out of her. Grant was exactly how she might picture a sexy surfer boy, but with maturity and strength and muscles and distinction. The ands could go on and on. The best was how his passion boiled just below the surface. It was a constant presence she felt with her whole being.

  She didn’t wait for him to kiss her, and tipped her head until their lips brushed. He groaned; his fingers tightened and she didn’t care if it left bruises. She would be marked by him. Lana shivered with delight.

  Lana wanted him now. Needed to feel him in her. Running on pure desire, she pulled his head down, opening her mouth against his. When their tongues touched and twined Lana was lost. She gave in to him and what may come. What she hoped would come. Knew would come.

  He yanked her closer with a rough tug, and she moaned.

  Grant slanted his mouth over hers and she pushed her fingers into his hair, pulling it free from its tie. He smelled masculine and divine, like fine wine, sun, sea mist, coconut...it was glorious.

  His lips, hands and demeanor grew more insistent and he pressed her back on the lounge, his mouth never moving away from hers. She had no will to argue and let him do as he wanted with...no, to her. The night grew still around them, the crashing of the waves dimmed and the night birds quieted. The only sound was the pounding of their hearts and gasps of breath.

  Lana ran her hand down his back and found the edge of his shirt. She pushed her fingers underneath, loving the solid warmth of his back muscles. He had her head gently clasped between his large hands as he rained kisses along her cheek. He turned her head and found her earlobe, teasing it before pressing his lips into the curve of her shoulder, tickling her with a feather-light touch. Lana’s head dropped back and a soft sigh escaped her lips.

  He moved his knee to rest between her thighs, the lounge groaning under them. The weight of his hips pressing against her wasn’t enough. Lana reached down and grabbed his ass, digging her nails into the fabric of his shorts to pull him tighter. He was hard for her and Lana wanted him closer. With no clothing between them.

  He slowly pulsed his hips and she felt every ridge of him through the fabric. Lana whimpered with building frustration and she lifted her knees, jamming her heels into the backs of his thighs so she could force him closer. Even through their layers of clothing, the sensations were mind-blowing. She could hardly imagine how fantastic it would feel when they were finally naked.

  Grant pulled away from her and sat back on his knees, gazing down at her, his features still shadowed. Lana’s chest rose and fell as she tried to get her breathing back to normal. The torchlight reflected passion glittering in his eyes, which only ignited her further. She rested her hands on his hips and slid them down to his thighs. His muscles bulged, and she felt a deep tremor in him, as if he were holding himself back.

  “What are you waiting for?” Lana was beyond propriety now. Well, not that she’d ever really had any to begin with when it came to Grant. She was hot for this man in so many ways and being here with him, like this, seemed utterly perfect.

  “To make sure this is what you want.” Grant’s deep voice filled the gazebo. She could tell he was holding himself back, the strain in his voice giving it a gravelly edge.

  Everything froze in time as he stared down at her. Lana wasn’t able to draw breath. The intensity she saw on his face proved he wanted her far more than he was showing. Couldn’t he see how much she wanted him, too?

  “If it wasn’t what I wanted, I wouldn’t be here.” Never had she been more honest. It felt right. He felt right. Even though she’d only just met this man, the thought of not being with him filled her with anxiety.

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  His fingers trailed down her neck to catch the spaghetti straps at her shoulders, pulling them down. She freed her arms from the straps, her breasts still covered by the thin fabric. She glanced down, watching breathlessly as his large, tanned hands slipped inside the collar and over her chest to brush across her skin.

  Lana’s eyelids fluttered but she forced them to stay open so she could keep watching what he was doing. Her nipples tightened as he inched the fabric down, sending shots of desire straight to her clitoris. She cried out as he thrust his hips again and his rigid cock moved against her.

  “Stop...” She moaned. He was making her crazy with sensation and she could barely stand it.

  “Really? You want me to stop?”

  He leaned down, his mouth inches from her breasts. Would he ever get her top off? Lana fumbled with the front of his shirt, trying to undo the buttons. But her fingers wouldn’t perform the way she wanted so she let her hands drop in surrender.

  “No.” She struggled to speak. “D-don’t stop. Ever.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  Lana nodded. “You’re killing me.”

  “Then let’s make it the sweetest death possible.”

  * * *

  GRANT HELD HIMSELF above her. She was exquisite. It had been a totally unexpected delight to meet her on the plane, experience her fiery passion. The feelings she evoked in him were too complicated to examine now. All he wanted to do was make love to her. Give her pleasure. Enjoy her spirit.

  Make her want to stay with him as long as she was in Hawaii.

  He gazed at her flushed face, her pale skin pink from the sun and her arousal. Her dark hair fanned out over the brightly colored cushions, catching the flickering light. Her eyelids fluttered, her lashes contrasting against her cheeks. He couldn’t stop looking at her. The slender column of her neck pulled his eyes down to her chest, which rose and fell with her jagged breathing.

  Grant was mesmerized by the tremble of her breasts underneath her top, her nipples visible against the fabric. It was time to get her undressed. He pulled her top down, watching how her nipples hardened from the friction of the material rubbing over them. She moaned, her excitement turning him on so much that he gritted his teeth in order to stay in control.

  One last tug and he drew in a sharp breath when her pink nipples came into view. Grant forced himself not to take one between his lips yet.

  She quivered below him, squirming on the cushion. Running the backs of his fingers over her taut belly, liking the way her flesh quivered under his touch, he wanted to feel more of her. When he looked at her ivory skin, he thought it more beautiful than any of the tanned flesh paraded about on the Hawaiian beaches.

  His hands hovered over the snap on her shorts as he glanced at her face. She was watching him, her eyes half closed and her lips glistening in the torchlight. Lana smiled, and when her tongue reached out to moisten them again he could no longer hold back. He undid her shorts and raised her bottom. Sitting back so he could pull them down, taking her panties with them. She was fully exposed to him; he gazed at her hungrily, unable to get enough of her extraordinary beauty.

  Her curls, as dark as the hair on her head, were trimmed into a narrow strip ending just above the cleft where he saw her clitoris peeking out. Grant placed his hands on her hips. He swept his thumbs over her soft skin, and his gaze dipped to her pussy. He’d never seen a prettier one. One that begged to be loved.

  Skimming his hands down to her thighs, he gently pushed them wider until she was fully bared to his gaze. Her lean thighs trembled beneath his hands and he skimmed them over her, barely touching her. He held his fingers just above the crease of her thigh, then softly rested them on either side of her mound with the tips of his thumbs ready to dip into her folds.

  Lana arched her back and her soft moan spurred him on. She was ready for him. As he gently parted her, the scent of her arousal rose to him, and he lowered his head to taste her. Her soft dark curls brushed his nose as he swept his tongue against her clitoris.

  “Oh my God!” Lana cried out when her hands gripped his hair, pulling it painfully, but he welcomed it. The sharp tugs keeping him focused.

  Her breathing came faster and her trembling increased. He knew she was about to come. Setting his own needs aside, which only raged stronger as her excitement increased, he gave her all his attention.

  He flicked his tongue over her sensitive nub and pressed his fingers into her slick heat, curling against her G-spot. Lana drew in a big breath, held it, and he felt her body tense. She was his in that moment, the moment before her orgasm would crash over her. He held her in the palm of his hand. Completely responsible for her pleasure. Bracing himself, Grant shifted slightly so he could reach into his pocket for the condom he’d hastily shoved into it earlier.

  He wanted to bury himself in her as she was climaxing.

  She was close and he was ready. He pulled her clit between his lips and pumped his free hand faster. Lana raised her hips and bounced against him crying out as her orgasm neared. Swiftly, Grant sat back, freed himself and slid the condom on. He took hold of her and lifted her ass onto his thighs, positioning his cock against her. He watched as he pressed into her, her pussy greedily accepting him. Lana’s pulsations gripped him as her pleasure was unleashed. He kept his thumb on her clit as he thrust in deep, making sure she’d roll right into another orgasm.

  She was tight and hot, gripping him with a ferocity that took his breath away. His balls pulled up and Grant let out a roar as he came. Lana’s hands grabbed his arms and she let out another scream just as she climaxed again.

  Grant yanked on her hips to bring her tight to him before he doubled over and rolled onto his back, taking her with him so she lay draped across him. Her fragrant hair fanned over his face, her heart pounded in time with his. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, not wanting to let her go just yet. Liking too much how well they fit together.

  4

  LANA OPENED HER EYES. The peaked wooden roof with exposed beams above her was unfamiliar. She turned her head, squinting at the blazing sunlight pouring into the room. The ocean sounded as if it came right up to the bed.

  Lana sat up and looked around. Her jaw dropped at the opulence of the room. Beautiful wood walls in a deep honey color skirted the bed, with the exception of the nonexistent wall to the outside. Blinking again, she realized an infinity pool was just steps from where she lay.

  Glancing down she drew in a quick breath. She was naked. Then a smile slowly curved her lips and a thrill rushed through her. Now she knew where she was. In Grant’s house.

  His little grass shack. Yeah, sure.

  She sat in the huge bed, amidst the decadently soft sheets, tumbled and rumpled from their night of loving. She hugged herself and closed her eyes, letting her thoughts drift back over the previous night. They had made love pretty much from the moment she’d set foot in his house until he carried her up the wide coral steps to this magnificent room.

  Falling back into the sheets, Lana stretched, enjoying the way her muscles felt. Did she really have to get up? Or could she luxuriate here in bed and wait to see what was going to happen next?

  She needed to find a bathroom, at least. Taking a deep breath she gazed around and spied a door. Flinging the covers aside she padded over and gently pushed it open. Lana nearly swallowed her tongue when she saw the fabulous bathroom. It was almost as big as her apartment. She could easily spend a whole day in here lounging in the huge tub full of bubbles—or in the glass-walled shower that, she now saw, overlooked the surf below.

  She chose the shower and stepped in, turning on the multitude of taps. An explosion of water hit her from all sides, like a rain forest storm. She stood under the water and closed her eyes, losing herself in the spray. Her long days of travel washed away and she refused to think of the journey ahead, taking her back home in the days to come.

  Swiping the stream of water from her eyes, Lana gazed out at the waves as she scrubbed her body and washed her hair. Never in a million years would she have imagined she’d be in such a place as this. And with a man like Grant. She sucked in a breath and let out a contented sigh.

  A movement below caught her attention. Wiping the water from her eyes again, Lana focused and realized someone was watching her from the beach. She scooted back to the corner of the shower, shielding herself from view. Curious, she crept forward until she could see the beach again. The person was gone.

  Turning off the water she pulled open the door and stepped out.

  “I could’ve watched you wash yourself all day.” A deep and very sexy voice surprised her.

  Lana let out a squeak and instinctively covered her breasts and mound with her hands. When she realized it was Grant she relaxed and smiled. “You scared the crap out of me.”

  “Sorry, love. If you hadn’t gotten out of the shower when you did I’d be right in there with you.” Grant stepped forward, dropped a soft, butter-yellow towel around her shoulders and pulled her into his arms. “You certainly do smell good.”

  Lana sighed and leaned into him when he pressed his lips to her temple. “I’m soaked and going to get you all wet.”

  He chuckled. “I’m used to you getting me all wet now.”

  Lana blushed. “It’s not gentlemanly to point certain things out to a lady.” She glanced up at him, her lips curving into seductive smile. “But then, who ever said I was a lady?”

  He tossed back his head and let out a great laugh. Lord, this man was sexy. Even his laugh warmed her deep in her belly. The muscles in his neck were strong, corded, his jaw wide and square, and she let her gaze roam over him, unable to get enough. But she shook herself out of her lustful haze.

  “So,” she said quietly, “I guess I should get dressed so you can take me back to my hotel.”

  “Are you in a hurry, my lovely? Or do you have a little more time for me? Perhaps we can have breakfast on the lanai.”

  “That’s very tempting.” She smiled, trying to keep her excitement under lock and key. “I think I can find some time for you. After all, the real world seems rather dull after what you’ve shown me over the past twenty-four hours.”

  Lana quickly got dressed and ran her fingers through her hair. She looked for some toiletries, smiling when she found a neatly organized drawer with a basket of supplies. She used a few items, hair product, facial moisturizer, deodorant and a toothbrush still in its package.

  She was surprised by how comfortable she felt in his presence, whether naked or dressed in yesterday’s clothes. There definitely was something special about him that allowed her to feel this way. Or maybe it was because he had no expectations of her. After their holiday fling, she would likely never see him again. That gave her a sharp pang of disappointment.

  Regardless, Lana was enjoying pushing aside the pressures of the outside world. She didn’t want anything to interrupt their day ahead. She was going to roll with it, see what kind of journey Grant would take her on. It wasn’t every day a man like him walked into your life. Lana liked this new feeling. And she liked Grant.

  Poking his head around the door he called, “Come on then, we’re burning light and have lots to do today.”

  Lana followed him from the bedroom into a wide hall that seemed vaguely familiar to her. “I don’t remember this hall.”

  Grant curled his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight into his side as he answered. “Well, we did go to the bedroom from the lanai. So you’re right, you haven’t seen this hallway.”

  “Ah, I guess I was way too focused on you.” She smiled.

  Grant chuckled and took her hand, leading her down the hall.

  Recalling their antics from last night excited her. The last thing she wanted was not to remember their loving.

  “Is there somebody else here today?” she asked him.

  “No, there shouldn’t be, except for the staff.”

  “The staff?” He had staff? Good Lord, just how rich was he?

  Grant nodded.

  “Because I’m not here much, I have staff taking care of the house and grounds. Why do you ask?”

  “I saw somebody on the beach earlier when I was in the shower. Sort of alarmed me because he was looking up in my direction, which made me think he could see me.”

  “Really? That’s not like the staff. They’re very discreet.” Grant was quiet for a moment before continuing, “I’ll look into it. But not to worry, the glass is one way, so no one can see in.”

  Lana nodded, liking that bit of news. They rounded a corner into the great room. Once again she was awestruck.

  “I simply cannot get over how wonderful this is. I could never get sick of looking at this view.” Lana waved her hand, indicating the lush gardens that skirted the lanai and fell away to the beach and the endless blue ocean. She let out a deep, contented sigh.

  “Sit.” Grant pulled out a rattan chair at the glass table.

  Lana did, staring about her. Everything looked so different in the light of day. Just as spectacular, but with a whole new perspective. Would she be here tonight, to enjoy another evening, or would this be her last day with this exciting and wonderfully sexy man?

  “You don’t ever get tired of this, do you?” she asked, and watched him move around the table to retrieve a tray laden with all sorts of delights from an ornately carved sideboard.

  “Never.” Grant set the tray down in the center of the glass table, lifted heavy mugs off it and placed one in front of her. “It would be a shame to not be in awe of nature’s beauty. Perhaps tomorrow you’ll wake early enough to watch the sunrise with me.”

  Lana’s stomach flip-flopped. He was looking ahead, and he wanted her here in the morning, after all. “Well, I suppose that’s possible if you don’t keep me up all night again.” And she winked at him. Winked! That was something she’d never done before. He seemed to bring that out in her.