to paradise.”
They stopped beneath a coconut tree, the air fragrant with frangipani, the view picture-perfect.
‘How did you find this place?’ she whispered, reluctant to break the tranquility as they strolled towards the beach.
‘Raj brought me here with his family. We had a picnic, swam in the lagoon, lazed around. It’s great being able to relax away from the tourists swarming the island. I come back every chance I get, though I’m usually alone.’
‘So you haven’t brought a horde of women here before me?’
Though she kept her tone light, she knew some of her enjoyment would dissipate if he had brought countless others here.
He squeezed her hand. ‘You’re the first. I wouldn’t share this place with just anyone.’
Oh-oh—there he went with more of that defence-shattering charm. With a nervous smile, she slipped her hand from his.
‘More flattery. Aren’t I the lucky one?’
He laughed. ‘Come on, let’s go for a swim.’ He pointed to a row of palm trees. ‘Let’s dump our stuff over there. You get changed, I’ll test the water.’
A great suggestion, as getting undressed in front of him would have made her beyond uncomfortable. Crazy, as he’d already seen her in bathers, but disrobing in front of someone implied intimacy. Besides, she’d taken another step down the confidence road today and worn the new bikini she’d bought in Noumea, and if the way he’d been staring at her over lunch was any indication, she’d be blushing from head to foot the entire time.
She dropped her bag on the sand and whipped her dress over her head, kicked off her sandals and rummaged in her bag for sunscreen. Just as she started to rub the lotion on her arm, he touched her hand.
‘I can do that for you.’
She squeezed the tube so tight lotion spurted out in a noisy raspberry. ‘I’m fine. You go ahead. I’ll meet you out there shortly.’
He didn’t budge, and held out his hand for the tube. ‘Unless you’re a contortionist I doubt you’ll be able to reach your back. This sun can burn you in less than ten seconds flat, so let me help.’
He was right, but the thought of him rubbing any part of her body was already causing the skin behind her ears to prickle in that annoying way only he and strawberries could elicit.
‘Really, I’m fine—’
‘Damn, you’re a stubborn woman.’
He snatched the lotion out of her hand and squeezed a healthy blob into his palm, raising an eyebrow when she frowned. ‘Now why don’t you play nice and lie face-down on your towel?’
With an exaggerated huff, she plopped on the towel, rested her forehead on her hands and braced herself for the first cold dollop of lotion.
‘I suppose you want me to thank you?’
‘Oh, you will.’
He thoughtfully warmed the lotion between his hands, though his first touch was as shocking, as electrifying, as if he’d squeezed the entire tube onto her back.
She gritted her teeth and tried to relax under his hands, while her skin tingled everywhere he touched.
She’d never been touched by a man like this before. Jax hadn’t been touchy-feely, and his version of foreplay extended to a kiss and wandering hands.
She’d never experienced the luxury of a man’s warm, firm touch gliding over her skin, and as platonic as this was, she couldn’t help but enjoy it.
‘You’re very tense.’
‘Must be the extra aerobic classes.’ As if.
He didn’t let up the pressure, his hands stroking her back in long sweeps designed to be impersonal yet driving her just a little bit mad with the sheer pleasure of it.
‘Try to relax.’
How could she relax when he was stroking her flesh, his strong hands splaying over her back, her defences unravelling as fast as her muscles unwound?
His fingers kept snagging the tie of her bikini bra, though she didn’t dare suggest he undo it. That would be her final undoing. She might be immune to his charms, but her body, long neglected, was enjoying this way too much.
‘Why don’t you turn over, and I’ll do your front too?’
Just like that, her muscles twanged back to tense. The thought of him rubbing her stomach sent heat surging to her cheeks.
‘Not a good idea.’
She flipped onto her back and held out her hand for the tube.
‘Why not?’
‘Because I’m perfectly capable of rubbing lotion onto my tummy.’
His eyes glittered and she shivered at their taunting glint. ‘But where’s the fun in that?’
Her skin prickled some more and she itched behind her ear.
‘Give me the tube.’
He held it overhead and waved it around. ‘Only if you ask nicely.’
Clenching her jaw, she stuck her hand under his nose. ‘Please.’
He chuckled, and dropped the tube into her palm. ‘Actually, it’ll probably be just as much fun watching you do it.’
‘Pervert.’
‘Just interested. But you already know that.’
His low, suggestive tone had her squeezing way too much lotion into her palm, and rather than taking her time to ensure she didn’t miss any spots she slapped the stuff onto her belly and made a few half-hearted circles before leaping from the sand.
‘Right. Hope that water’s warm.’
‘It’s perfect.’
His heated gaze slid over her before meeting hers and she bit the inside of her lip to stop it quivering. He totally unnerved her, from his roguish smile to the devilish glint in his eyes.
He was toying with her, she knew it, but with every compliment she let her guard down just that little bit more.
She wanted to believe him, wanted to believe he thought she was perfect. But she wasn’t a fool. Not anymore. Objectively, how could he find her less-than-a-handful breasts—another Jax-ism she hated—no waist to speak of, and thighs with the first hint of dimples perfect?
‘Oh-oh, you’ve got that serious look on your face. Come on—race you there!’
He flung the words over his shoulder and took off, tearing across the hot sand before she could move. By the time she’d caught up he’d dived into the water.
‘Not
