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The idea of bumping into anyone right now and the bubble we’ve created bursting is too much for me to handle.
With my luck, I’ll walk right into Jeffery, who will likely pitch me again. Pax will overhear, and this fun little romp between us will be over. I don’t want that to happen because I'm insatiable with this man.
“You’re dangerous.” He laughs but still pads across the room and grabs my clean tank and shorts I salvaged last night from my hut. “Get dressed.”
“No.” I pucker my lips and shake my head. Yep, I’m acting like a petulant child.
“Princess . . .”
“I hate when you call me that.”
I’ve repeated this several times, which only seems to encourage Paxton more. We might be on totally different terms than before, but it doesn’t change the fact that he enjoys getting a rise out of me.
“Then stop acting like a brat.” He winks before throwing the clothes at me.
I huff. “Fine.”
Stepping out of bed, I push out my chest and put myself on full display. Paxton can’t take his eyes off me, which is exactly what I wanted. I take advantage by seductively getting dressed, which is actually a thing. Not one I’ve attempted in the past, but based on his heated stare, I’m pretty good at it.
However, despite my goal of keeping him distracted, he doesn’t waver.
“Not working, sweetheart.” He grins.
“Sweetheart?”
“I like to switch it up.”
When I’m only a foot away from him, he reaches out and pulls me into his chest before dropping a kiss on my forehead. “I have plans for us.”
“Since when?” I pout, pressing my lips to his chest.
“Since now. I made them when you were taking your little nap.”
“I don’t want to see anyone but you.” I groan, stepping out of his grasp and burying my face in my hands.
It’s the truth. The storm gave me a much-needed break from all the drama on this island. I do not intend to return to the fray until the power comes back. Instead, I plan on taking this time as my little staycation from work.
“Oh, you won’t.”
That has my head snapping up to look at Paxton’s face. “Promise?”
“Would I lie to you?”
I narrow my eyes. “Maybe.”
He smiles, walks past me, and smacks my bare ass. “Shut it. Let’s go.”
I quickly throw on my clothes and follow him out of the hut. Instead of taking the usual path, he veers us down a different one. One I’ve never taken before.
I look around at the foreign trail that leads us in the opposite direction of the camp.
“Where are we going?”
“Nope.” He laughs, shaking his head.
“Nope? What the heck does nope mean?”
He glances over his shoulder. “It means I’m not telling you. It’s a surprise.”
A surprise? What has he gotten up to while I slept?
I typically don’t love surprises. In the past, they haven’t served me well. But something about Paxton’s boyish excitement has me excited.
“This oughta be good.” I smile wide and continue to follow him into the unknown.
We walk for what feels like forever, but it’s only ten minutes. The path clears and opens out to a small beach.
No, a lagoon.
A private one at that.
It’s beautiful.
We’re tucked back between rocks that reach up to the sky. It’s like something out of a travel magazine. I’m in awe.
Paxton rifles through a bag that he must’ve brought here earlier. He pulls out a blanket and spreads it out on the remote part of the beach. He thought this through, and my heart swells at that.
What else does he have in his bag of tricks?
The lagoon itself is still, a peaceful mirror reflecting everything around me. I can hear nothing but silence, save for the occasional chirp of a bird somewhere up in the trees.
The clear and inviting water is a deep sapphire color. As we step closer, I can see the pebbles at the bottom. They’re surprisingly colorful, ranging from dark blues to lighter grays.
I take off my shoes and step in to feel the water rush around my feet. It feels cool against my skin—refreshing after the long hike.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes, enjoying being surrounded by nature in its purest form.
At this moment, I can feel everything around me—the sun on my skin, the sand tickling my feet, the gentle breeze rustling through my hair, and Paxton’s presence as he walks up from behind and wraps me up in his arms.
This is peace. Exactly what I need after the stress this trip has caused.
I wish I could stay here, like this, forever.
We stand together for several minutes, me wrapped in his warmth, looking out at the vast sea in front of us. The water is still, which is surprising considering the storm.
Paxton kisses the back of my neck and then drops his arms and walks off. I don’t turn around, knowing he won’t venture far.
