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“Come on. I’ve got breakfast and coffee.”
He glanced toward the window. “Too early.”
It was still dark outside, but we needed to get up now to make it to the airport in time. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
He lifted the covers. “There. Now you can suck me.”
I huffed. “Not that kind of surprise.”
“Then let me sleep.”
“We’re going to X’s island. We have it to ourselves for a week.”
He rubbed his eyes, blinked a few times, then stared at me. “Say that again.”
I did.
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
“But what about the shop and Cheddar and—”
“I’ve taken care of everything.”
“You…” The soft sweet look on his face warmed my chest. “You did this for me?”
“For us. We need this time.”
“And you got breakfast?”
“Yes. Sandwiches from your favorite breakfast cart.”
“And coffee?”
“Dark roast. Black. Just like you like it.”
“I never thought I’d say this, but the efficiency they teach at the FBI is fucking awesome.”
“Yes, it is. Now let’s eat so you can pack and we can get out of here.”
The flight on X’s private plane was uneventful, and Marco was glad to be able to catch some more sleep. My mind kept wandering to our recent mission and trouble that was brewing for the future like dealing with Swain and the traffickers’ contacts in New Orleans and other places. I needed to figure out how to lock all those thoughts away. This week was for me and Marco to relax, enjoy the beautiful island, and spend plenty of time in bed. I pulled up a book on my phone and finally managed to lose myself in a cozy British mystery, which was very unlike the crimefighting in my real life.
Once we reached the private island, Marco insisted we change and head right for the beach. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm, and the breeze off the water felt fantastic. I loved how eager Marco was. I was going to have to take him on a lot more trips.
He took my hand and pulled me toward the gorgeous guest suite I’d selected on the first floor. When I selected a pair of navy plaid swim trunks, Marco gave me a once over, brows raised. “You better have packed your blue Speedo.”
I laughed. “I did, but if we’re going to play on the beach, I want to be comfortable. I promise to wear it for you plenty while we’re here.”
“You’d fucking better.”
“Or what? Will you have to punish me?”
He growled. “You’re about to make me change my mind about going straight to the beach.”
“No, you won’t. Come on. Let’s go.”
We took a long walk and collected shells, some sea glass, and a mermaid’s purse. We played in the ocean, laughing as waves rolled over us. When we were worn out, we sat on the sand and watched birds flying over the ocean and crabs skittering across the beach. It was heaven.
“I could do this every day,” Marco said.
“We will have plenty of time for this, but I hope you don’t mind that I’ve scheduled a few activities for us. A scuba diving class to get you ready to explore the reef, massages tomorrow afternoon, and night kayaking to see one of the bioluminescent bays off St. Croix.”
“You planned all that?”
“I did.”
“Maybe I’ve not been appreciative enough of your attention to detail.”
“You mean you don’t actually mind that I’m…. how did you put it the other day… ‘fucking persnickety as hell’?”
“What you are is incredible.” He kissed me until the world seemed to spin around us.
Marco
When the massage therapist arrived from Christiansted the next afternoon, I insisted Niall go first while I sat in the hot tub. He’d worked so hard to plan this trip, and I knew he needed every bit of relaxation he could get. I was going to book him a standing weekly massage when we got back to Boston.
An hour later, Niall let me know it was my turn. After I was done being thoroughly worked over by the very skilled masseuse, I found Niall lounging by the pool, wearing the tiny blue swimsuit. What made me smile even more was the cat curled in a circle on his lap. Niall didn’t show any signs of stress. His eyes were closed, and he was utterly relaxed.
There were so many ways he showed how much he loved me, like planning this entire trip, but the thing I marveled at the most was how he’d gone from a man with what he termed a “strong dislike”—I’d called it a fear—of cats to accepting them all because I had Cheddar. I’d never thought I’d find someone who loved me so much he’d work that hard to overcome something he disliked.
I lifted the cat and set her aside. She meowed at me and ran off toward the shade as I straddled Niall’s thighs. “I know you’re awake.”
Niall opened his eyes, blinking in the bright sun. I pulled up the sunshade attached to the chair.
