Page 57 of The Heartbreak Hotel

Deep down, she knew Riley’s intention wasn’t to hide her away. Riley wasn’t like that. This was her job…her whole life. Ella could understand why she was being careful. She’d already risked a lot for her. Ella shouldn’t ask for more.

Riley turned to call her on, and Ella awkwardly jogged to close the distance. Riley checked her watch again.

Somewhere to be?

“Where are we going?” Ella asked.

Riley tapped her nose. “You’ll see.”

She led them out of the village and up a small incline through the trees. Under the shade of the canopy, goosebumps prickled across Ella’s arms. She breathed in the earthy scent and caught something else, reminding her of her favourite pub from back home.

They trekked a little further until Ella spotted a wooden cabin. Humidity licked her skin, and as they took a few more steps, big clouds of steam slunk between the trunks. Is it…on fire? Riley didn’t seem concerned and linked her fingers through hers. This time, Ella flinched at the contact but tried to hide it.

Now they were in private, it was fine to touch her again?

Unaware, Riley tugged her closer to the cabin, eager for her to see around the corner.

Steam floated up from a small pool in the ground, the heat warming Ella’s skin. Patterned tiles ran around the perimeter, the same workmanship she’d spotted around the village. Tall conifers and ferns spread their leaves, giving them a little privacy from the building.

“Welcome to one of the island’s best-kept secrets,” Riley said, turning towards her. “Pires’ hot springs. Or termas.”

“It’s beautiful.” Ella’s gaze wandered over the rocks and the lush greenery, following the steam as it poured up into the skies.

“And it’s all ours.”

Ella glanced at her. “What do you mean?”

“I made a deal with the owner, Senhor Pires.” She gave a light shrug and tugged Ella closer to the pool. The steam swirled around them. “For another…forty-six minutes.”

“Riley…you shouldn’t have.” She watched the turquoise water, unsure how to feel. She wished she could let this uneasy feeling float away with the steam too. She swallowed the lump that rose in her throat. So, was this about hiding her? Making sure no one could see them together?

Or a nice romantic gesture?

“I want you all to myself. Can you blame me?” Riley pulled her T-shirt over her head and placed it on one of the rocks. “And this way, we can properly relax.”

Ella’s eyes were drawn to her blue bikini top, then down her defined abs. Riley took a step towards her, and Ella marvelled at the way her body moved.

Riley is not Maeve, she reminded herself. This is a good thing.

She raised an eyebrow as Riley’s hand found her waist. “So this is why you wanted me to wear my bikini.”

Riley’s mouth curved in that Riley way that made Ella want to kiss her. “Yes,” she said. “Can I?” She gripped Ella’s T-shirt between her fingers and, after she’d nodded, lifted it over her shoulders, placing it on a rock with her own. With a grin, she set Ella’s new hat back on her head and ran her hands over her stomach and thighs. Ella sucked in a breath as she dipped to kiss her neck.

“You sure this is okay?” she asked breathlessly. Riley’s lips brushed down her skin, and she sucked at her pulse point. Ella’s knees wobbled, and she let out a groan.

“We’re all alone,” Riley whispered against her neck.

Vibrations spread down Ella’s spine, fluttering between her legs. “What about the building?”

“Don’t worry. Senhor Pires takes privacy very seriously.” Her tongue brushed Ella’s neck, and she sucked at her sensitive skin again.

Ella’s belly rolled. All her previous trepidation evaporated into the air. She gripped the waistband of Riley’s shorts, pulling their bodies closer together as an idea formed. “Then how about we make this more interesting?”

Riley straightened up, hitting her head on the rim of Ella’s hat. They burst out laughing, and Ella threw the hat like a frisbee to land on their other clothes. She held Riley’s gaze as she reached behind her own back to tug at her bikini strings. They loosened, and the material slipped from her breasts, exposing her. Her nipples hardened in the air.

Riley’s voice stuck in her throat. “You want to skinny-dip?”

Ella popped open the button of her own shorts, tucking her hand inside. “You don’t?” She grinned as she slid the material over her legs, catching Riley’s eye before doing the same with her bikini bottoms.