I had just enough time to finish my second chocolate croissant—and debate grabbing a third—before Dr. Lovejoy sent us off to spend quality time with our partners.
Turns out Cade’s idea of “quality time” was to mostly leave me alone in a strange new place while he did his own thing. He stayed in the room on his laptop, so I put on my cute blue swimsuit—without even glancing at the swimwear options Cade’s team had provided, because I’d crocheted it myself andwas ridiculously proud of it—then grabbed my yarn and joined the other couples, who’d all stayed to sunbathe on the main deck.
Whiskey entertained himself by traveling between my and Mac’s loungers, while I crocheted him a captain’s hat to go with his adorable life jacket.
When others asked where Cade was—especially Harrison—I claimed he was sleeping off the jet lag. I wasn’t even sure if that was how jet lag worked, since I’d never been on a plane or left this time zone.
A new patch of itchy spots appeared on my arm after the lie, and I subtly scratched it.
Cade rejoined us when we docked at his grandfather’s island after lunch. The sun beamed high overhead, and a scenic beach welcomed us like we’d stepped straight into paradise. The tide crawled up the shore, gentle waves smoothing the sand before retreating. There was a luxury-resort-style area with loungers and a charming cabana that easily cost more than Kitty’s café. Past the wide stretch of sand were flourishing trees and lush plant life.
I couldn’t stop gaping at all the beauty.
While the rest of us deboarded, Whiskey happily stayed behind in our cabin. I left him with plenty of food and the TV set to his favorite channel—British quiz and panel shows.
I think he enjoyed their accents and sense of superiority. I’d tried to sway him over to American game shows, but he wasn’t a fan of all the loud sound effects.
I’d barely gotten a chance to wiggle my toes in the hot sand before Dr. Lovejoy glided her way to the front of the group. “Let’s pause here for a moment!”
The whole group came to a stop, and Cade moved in behind me as Dr. Lovejoy pulled four bottles of sunscreen from her giant tote bag.
“Our first activity today is called ‘Spread the Love,’” she explained while handing out a bottle to each couple. Cade made no move to take one, so I accepted it with a smile. “With health being an important priority in our lives, what better way to show you care than by keeping your partner safe from harsh UV rays? You’ll apply sunscreen to each other, but take your time with it. Be present. Know that as you spread lotion on your partner, you’re protecting each part of their body. Embrace that feeling.”
The measured sigh from behind me showed just how much Cade hadn’t warmed to Dr. Lovejoy’s methods yet.
“This activity is rewarding to both the applier and the receiver,” she continued, closing her eyes and slowly sliding a hand up her own arm. “So take turns with the sunscreen. Enjoy both being cared for and being the caregiver. Once you and your partner are all set, you’re free to make the most of your beach day.”
Madison eagerly began rubbing down Harrison before Dr. Lovejoy finished speaking, while Candace wasted no time untying her bikini top and letting it flutter to the sand.
“Oh!” Completely caught off guard by the impromptu stripping, I abruptly turned around, eyes wide.
If I was expected to go topless, too, we were going to have a problem.
“Make sure to get everywhere, babe,” Candace purred to Fletcher, who’d already squirted a huge glob of sunscreen onto his palm.
“Trust me, I’m on it,” he said, followed by the very distinctsmackof a hand slapping against an ass.
Candace’s laughter rang out while a hot blush engulfed my face in flames.
Time for a distraction.
“I’ll go first,” I blurted to Cade, darting behind him because it seemed safer to start with his back. He stood still in a pair ofdark swim trunks, leaving just as much body on display as in his towel this morning—something I’d never forget.
The sight of his abs had almost convinced me to take up swimming.
It was a test of my focus to not get distracted by all the smooth skin and muscles of Cade’s back. I flitted down his body, gliding lotion-smothered hands over wide shoulders, impressive arms, and muscled calves. By the time I moved to his toned front, I was a blushing, bumbling mess. I even poked a lotion-covered pinky into his belly button, earning an unamused look from Cade.
On my way back up his stomach, a thought gave me pause.
Did nipples need sunscreen?
I assumed yes.
But I wasn’t exactly sure how to do it without making things weird. Especially now that I’d already rubbed sunscreen all over the areas around them, leaving two little circles of untouched sensitive skin. If I singled out his nipples now, it felt almosttoointentional. Like I’d saved them for last or something.
I should’ve just rubbed them at the same time as everything else when I had the chance.
Now it’d just be weird.
