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“How did you meet?”

It’s a funny story filled with revenge, angry chickens, hair-pulling, and violent first kisses.

“Is it true you’re dating?”

If I’m lucky.

I couldn’t answer the questions, of course, so I played it cool and shifted the attention back to them. Instead, I left the event with a mountain of my own questions. One in particular resides at the top of my mind.

Where will the situation-ship with Sophia stand at the end of this trip?

I’m hesitant to broach this conversation, even though it’s only been a few weeks. Sophia could easily send us hurtling back to where we started. Sure, I reveled in our pranks, but I’m much happier with our new dynamic, where she easily falls into my arms. With her there, she seems too good to be true. All of it makes me grateful for each moment we have.

When my fan event is over, I breathe a sigh of relief and turn my attention toward finding Sophia. A sexy daydream has been spinning in my mind. Turns out, the app-controlled vibrator is the kind of torture in a relationship I prefer, and I hope she’s been enjoying it too.

As I cross the resort, I devise a plan. When I catch sight of Sophia, I’ll activate the vibrator and watch her reactions from afar. In my mind, her cheeks will flare magenta as she wiggles in her seat and tries and fails to keep her composure. Then her eyes will glaze over as I drive her mad.

Turned on by the imagery, I walk a little faster through the lobby, pass the flamingo pond, and stride toward the shared pools and outdoor bars. But my wicked grin is wiped from my face the moment I turn a corner.

In the distance, I find Sophia and Roman facing off.

All my protective instincts kick in. I need to save her and then destroy his ass because my own heart can’t stand her falling to pieces over this shithead again. He doesn’t deserve those tears. He only deserves traumatic pain.

I’m moving in to end his life when Sophia catches sight of me. She stops me in my tracks with one commanding look and a gesture. It says, Stay where you are. I’ve got this.

My caveman brain scrambles. I shake my head, trying to make sense of her reasoning. I can only conclude Sophia needs this win. She needs to conquer this Roman mountain herself. She’s no damsel in distress. She’s my Hell Kitten. She’s a grenade, and apparently, Roman just pulled the pin.

Maybe I should hide?

But then Sophia does something that has me questioning her sanity. At her fingertips, she gestures pressing a button. If I’m reading her correctly, she wants me to buzz her clit. Right here. Right now. In front of Roman.

I have a momentary brain hemorrhage. Like hell! I shake my head. No fucking way.

Sophia sends the signal again, but this time with her eyes. With them so intense, I know I’m fucked. If I don’t comply, she’ll have my balls in a vise grip by day’s end. She’s so sure she’ll win whatever deranged game she’s planning; I don’t have a choice.

So, I do what I always do. I give in to her because I’ll do anything for this woman, even if it hurts me, even if I hate every second.

With a wince, I remove my phone, open the vibrator app, and activate the buzz. Ever so slowly, Sophia falls apart in a new way. And yes, it’s the way I’ve been dreaming about all afternoon.

The part I hate most is Roman watches too, except he doesn’t seem to understand what’s happening. He doesn’t know the signs of Sophia getting turned on. It’s more proof he never gave her a bit of pleasure.

But me? I see it all. It happens so much like my daydream that I’m enraptured by Sophia’s every movement.

Her cheeks turn the shade of a fuchsia-colored orchid. Her fingertips brush over her breasts in a sensual way. Then her hands find their way into her hair where she tousles it at the roots, like we’ve rolled in bed for days. Her lush bottom lip drops open, and her breathing hikes. Her mouth forms the shape of an O, like she might lose her mind over how good I’m making her feel.

Me. Sophia looks at me the entire damn time.

When Roman finally catches on, he’s angry with her. He protests, stomps, and demands, “What are you doing? You’re embarrassing yourself. Don’t you have any self-respect? People are watching!”

Whatever he wanted from her, this is not it. He backs away, like he’s afraid of her.

And he should be.

His words are simply background noise that fade into the sounds of waves crashing, music playing at the pool, and people chatting. Because in this moment, with her gaze on mine, there’s no one else but Sophia and me.

We are connected. I realize then that she’s doing this for us, and us alone.

When she falls to her knees on the grass, I walk to her. Her sensual expression is telegraphing thoughts of us together, rolling in the sheets—hot, sweaty, and naked.