Holding Sage Evans ranked up there as one of the biggest mistakes of my life.

Not because I didn’t like it. The exact opposite.

I wasn’t a cuddler after sex. Definitely wasn’t a spooner. Unless I was forking, I usually took a hard pass. Just not my thing. I hadn’t been raised with much affection, and I’d never developed any particular affinity for physical closeness that didn’t involve my dick.

Crass, but true.

Sage curled into me as if I was her shelter in a brutal storm. Fanciful, but still fact. She purported not to like me—or had before we’d embarked on this flight—yet she snuggled into me as if she were starved for that kind of comfort.

I would’ve said I wasn’t. I was touched often enough to suit my needs. Or so I’d believed.

Not like this. Nothing like this.

She was so soft. So yielding and trusting. At least in this moment and in this space, if in no other. Her long blond hair was in a messy ponytail, the wild waves trying to escape, and it took everything I possessed not to bury my face in the thick, fragrant strands. Sunshine in a bottle, that was Sage’s scent. Clean clothes drying on a clothesline in the summertime. Warm, inviting.

Intoxicating.

And that wasn’t saying a damn thing about how she felt. She was curvy as hell, and let’s just say my cock had no problem with me being cozied up to the parts of her I’d only ogled the other day. Her impossibly full breasts tucked against my chest would probably live in my fondest jacking-off fantasies for the next few months.

If not years.

She eventually moved back, once the flight had stabilized and the ride had become smooth as satin. I pretended to be so absorbed in my work on my tablet that I didn’t hear her chatting brightly with her new friend, who probably would’ve offered to marry her if they’d had another few hours on the plane.

Alas, they did not, though they exchanged numbers when they parted. Rob also gave me his number, since he was now my friend too. There was talk of getting together for drinks once we were back in New York.

He was a nice enough guy, but I’d just file that idea under the heading not going to happen.

Sage might not like the idea of watching me hook up, but guess what? The feeling was mutual.

Though it did bear questioning why she cared about my dating habits. I knew why hers interested me. She was too sweet, inexperienced, and naive. Men were, by and large, pigs. She was Ally’s best friend.

Hell, my entire role for being here on this trip was to ensure she had a fun, safe time. That was why I’d wanted to growl at Rob every time he so much as smiled at her too warmly. He hadn’t been properly vetted yet, that was all.

That could be the only explanation.

We collected Sage’s eye-searing-pink suitcase from the conveyor belt and arranged for a car over to the hotel. Once we were in the backseat, she pulled out her phone and started texting, ignoring me entirely.

All righty then.

“Ally says hello.”

I glanced up from my iPad. “Hello, Ally. Kid still inside?”

Sage sighed. “Must you sound so dispassionate about your own nephew?”

“Who’s being dispassionate? I asked a question that proves my concern.”

“Sure it does.” She went back to texting.

I’d just returned to reviewing the contract I’d be presenting to Stanley Curtis next week for the purchase of a dairy farm on the outskirts of town when Sage let out a gasp and my head snapped up. Which triggered the pain in my jaw from her head colliding with mine.

Because she’d forgotten her bathing suit. Sweet Jesus. As if I needed to put a picture of her in swimwear in my brain.

“What is it?”

“Ally found the cutest Yankees outfit for the baby. Look!” She thrust her phone at me.

A tiny slugger outfit was spread out on Ally and Seth’s bed. It was cute. Hardly worthy of a gasp, however.

“Lovely.”

Sage yanked back her phone. “See what I mean? Dispassionate.”

“I’m in the middle of work. Remember, the business you said I didn’t have in Vegas?”

This particular contract had nothing to do with Vegas, but she didn’t need to know that. Distraction and subterfuge were nine-tenths of the law.

“You’re intruding on my vacation, you can at least have happy vacay vibes.”

“Not so much, since according to you, I can’t even have sex.”

I didn’t know why I’d said that. I didn’t want to have sex. Unless she was up for—

Nope. I was shutting down that line of thought this instant.

My happy vacay vibes were evidently residing in my pants, and I wasn’t about to give them carte blanche.

Sage narrowed her eyes. “You said this trip—a very short, two-day trip, I might add—was for you to combine business and being a friend to me. Unless that was Hamilton spiel and you’re really here to make sure I have no fun while you have every naked kind you can fathom. If so, don’t you think that’s taking our frenemy thing a little too far?”

I set down my tablet, more amused than annoyed at being interrupted. Maybe it was the warm Nevada air working wonders on my mood, because I never felt so benevolent toward her when we were back home.

Then again, she’d never spent half a plane ride almost in my lap either.

“Is that a word they use in the tabloids? Frenemy? Next, are you going to say stop trying to make fetch happen?”

Sage gaped at me. “You’ve seen Mean Girls?”

“I do know my pop culture references.”

“Yet you didn’t know frenemy?” She went back to texting. “Probably watched it with some chick you were trying to bed.”

“Actually, no, I saw it with Laurie.”

“She’s four. Mean Girls is too advanced for her.”

“And three-fourths.” She gave me serious side eye. “She’s got a case of hero-worship for that Amanda person. The one who dressed as a mouse. Anyway, I didn’t turn it on for her. She got control of the remote and had watched half of it before I realized what she was watching because I was buried in work. I heard that fetch nonsense before I turned it off.”

“You can’t let children ever control the remote. It’s not safe.”

“Yes, well, that page of my parenting manual was torn out before I got it. Also, in case you didn’t notice,” I sketched a finger over my face, “not a parent.”

She made an indignant sound. “Some things you just know.”

“Perhaps if I’d spent years practicing for my future family with my Wetsy doll and Easy-Bake Oven as you have all your life, then yes, I would.”

Her face seemed to crumple for a moment, the brightness in her eyes fading before she lowered her head and returned her attention to her screen. Effectively blocking me out.

Just as I deserved.

Asshole.

Being rude to her was like kicking a puppy. Banter was one thing. But it was far too easy for us to cross that line.

Just as we’d nearly crossed another line earlier, when she’d been nestled against me. Or perhaps the almost-line-crossing had all been on my side, since she’d managed to keep her wits about her just fine.

“You’re headed to the Golden Apple?” the Uber driver confirmed.

“Yes,” I answered when Sage remained mute. She still wasn’t happy I’d upgraded her room.

Stubborn woman.

“Not rooming together, I hope. Because you two are a Dr. Phil episode waiting to happen.” The driver chuckled at his own joke.

“I would never room with him. Who knows, I might look at him and get designs on his penis.” Sage pretended to shudder while the driver’s shoulders shook in not-so-silent laughter. “Next thing you know, I’d whip out my Easy-Bake Oven and try to pie him into submission.”

“Oh, you wouldn’t have to pie me. I have a feeling I’d be quite willing.” I gave her my friendliest smile, all the while plotting how to get her back for this latest indignity.

My penis didn’t want her to have designs on it. So there.

Liar.

“Of course, you would. Manwhore to the rescue once again.” I heard manic tweeting from her phone that indicated she was playing some game.

I chose to ignore her. Asinine conversations like this one could be had in the privacy of our suite, or better yet, not at all.

“Oooh, manwhore. She just dissed you, man.”

“Usual thing for her.” I smiled thinly and returned to my contract.

If she decided to flirt with this latest stranger, I wouldn’t interfere. I’d acceded to Ally’s wishes and come on this trip at the last minute because I truly did care about Sage’s well-being. Most likely, she would’ve been fine on her own. I wanted to make sure of it.

As for her hooking up with someone? Not my concern. I might have to grit my teeth a few times, remembering how perfectly she’d curved against me on the plane, but pleasures of the flesh were fleeting. And she’d probably never even shut up long enough for us to have sex anyway, were I interested in daring such a thing.

Jesus, a virgin. I hadn’t even been with a virgin when I was one myself. My first lover had been older than me by a decade, and quite experienced. Something every virgin deserves for their first time.

You mean like Sage deserves someone with your experience for her first time?

I wasn’t debating with myself. I was going to finish reviewing this contract and send it off to Shelly, our admin at the real estate office. Then I was going to imbibe heavily in the libations available at the hotel while escorting Sage on her “super fun vacay”, complete with air quotes.

The driver finally pulled into the circular driveway in front of the Golden Apple and we disembarked. Check-in went quickly, though Sage was oohing and aahing enough that even the other tourists seemed entertained by her. The place was pretty blinged out, I had to agree. Faux gold was everywhere, and the chandeliers were so huge that the prismatic light was blinding.

We were ushered into a gold elevator and to our connecting suites with enough fanfare that I was glad I’d sprung for the extra expense. Sage’s beaming smile was worth it as she commented on every amenity.

Alas, her glow disappeared the minute the door of her suite closed behind the porter who’d dropped off our bags. I’d have to cart mine next door to my connecting room, but no matter.

“Ugh, I need a shower. That flight was so long.” She flung herself on her bed, spreading her arms wide. One shoe dangled off her foot and her clingy leggings were definitely doing their job.

“We traveled from one coast practically to the other.” I picked up my bags, prepared to head into the other room. I needed to freshen up a bit myself. “Take a shower and maybe a nap. I’ll pick you up for a late dinner at—”

She popped up on the mattress. “No way. I only get one vacation like this. I’m not sleeping it away. And hello, marble tub big enough for two. Forget a shower.” She tugged off her cardigan, revealing a tiny cami beneath with straps that kept tumbling down her arms.

Fuck, did she not have on a bra? She had to. With all of that nature’s bounty going on, no way could she stroll around freely. Maybe one of those shelf-bra thingies? Hmm, or—

“Hey there, earth to Oliver.” She snapped her fingers. “You gonna hang around in here all day so I can’t try out the Jacuzzi, or did you want to join me?” She asked the question with a smirk, fully intending for me to say no.

She didn’t have a bathing suit after all. And I was a gentleman.

Except maybe not right now. I was still smarting with annoyance from the car and perhaps I was curious to see just how far she’d go.

To see how far I would go.

“You know, I could use some water therapy myself.” I set down my bags and undid the button on my suit coat. My winter jacket from home had been tucked away the moment we stepped off the plane, and even my suit felt stifling in this heat.

Going from minus-five to eighty-five in one day was inhumane, so why not hop into a sizzling Jacuzzi while I was at it?

Especially when Sage was now staring at me as if I’d just sprouted horns and fangs.

“You can’t use the Jacuzzi right now. I’m going to use it.”

“Didn’t you just offer to share?”

She swung her legs over the side of the bed. “You can’t be serious.”

“Taking a dip in a Jacuzzi is no more intimate than in a swimming pool. Though you don’t have a suit, so hmm…problematic.” I tapped my chin. “I suppose you could ask the concierge to get you an emergency one from one of the shops. They’ll do that, you know, with the proper encouragement.”

“I don’t have a ton of money for tips for things I can just as well buy myself later.” She tucked her hands under her arms. “You brought a suit?”

“I did. I always enjoy a swim or two while I’m staying at a hotel.”

“I’ve never stayed at one before. This is all so new. I swear, I’m in my mid-twenties and it’s like I’ve never done anything at all.” She heaved out a breath. “You know what? Fine. Share the Jacuzzi with me. I’ll just improvise for a suit.”

I was entirely too onboard with that idea.

“I’ll go get it started,” I said, both to give her privacy and to give my overeager dick a chance to settle down.

She wasn’t even getting fully naked, for pity’s sake.

Maybe canceling my date with Ursula last night had been a mistake. Evidently, I’d needed some serious relief.

I’d never slept with Ursula, despite prevailing opinion. We’d been dating for a month or two, not exclusively on her end, but on mine. It was an exceptionally busy time at work as people prepared to put their homes and commercial properties on the market at the first hint of spring, so I’d been content to attend the opera and the theater with her and leave it at that. We’d never crossed to the physical level, but not for her lack of interest. I’d been the one to put on the brakes, time and time again. I didn’t even know why.

Now, as I readied the Jacuzzi for Sage and swiftly shed my suddenly way too tight, restrictive suit, it made sense.

Much as I hated to admit it, the idea of being intimate with Ursula had never given me one tenth of the excitement as hot tubbing with Sage.

Ursula was safe. Predictable. She didn’t want much from me, and I definitely wasn’t looking for more from her beyond companionship.

Sage, however, was forbidden fruit. My sister-in-law’s best friend. Everything I should never want, and smart-mouthed and sexy to boot. I had been entrusted with keeping her safe, but anything beyond that would be risking my relationship with Ally. Sage was like a sister to her, and Ally wouldn’t believe I could want anything other than sex.

Hell, even if I did, I wasn’t sure I’d believe myself.

I slipped into the water and let out a sigh as the heat seeped into my aching muscles. Damn, this felt good. Sage would love it too. Instant stress-reliever.

Minus us being in there together, which would probably ramp up the tension for an entirely different reason.

Getting this close to her with only hot, bubbling water between us was dangerous. A fact that was driven home when Sage hesitantly stepped into the bathroom wearing a pair of short, tight, ass-hugging sleep shorts and her silky cami.

Now I could tell for certain it had a shelf bra, because just her cautious footsteps were making her breasts bounce in ways that should be illegal in all fifty states.

“Don’t,” I gritted out when she moved to cover herself with her arm, already self-conscious. “Don’t hide.”

Her throat bobbled, but she let her arm drop. “I’m not sure why you’re doing this. Or why I’m doing it.” She stepped back, already reaching for the knob on the bathroom door. “You can just use it now. I’ll use it later.”

“You don’t have to worry that I’m getting the wrong idea. I’m not. We’re just two friends in a Jacuzzi. Trying to be friends,” I amended. “Not sure we’ll get there easily.”

“I like the touching-you part of friendship.” She cleared her throat. “I mean, I don’t get hugs much anymore. My parents are traveling, and Ally is the size of a beluga, and well, she hugs her husband, not me. I guess I’m just a tactile person and—”

“C’mon, get in.” I motioned to the tub. “Friends share hugs. Friends hold each other.”

“Yeah, it’s the dick thing kind of holding me back.”

“Pardon?”

She bit her lip. “You were hard last week. In the break room. And I kind of figured it was because you might be one of those guys who could get aroused at anything, and I wrote it off. But now you’re giving me that look again, and if I’m hugging you…”

“I’ll be seized by a wave of uncontrollable lust and will insist on having you, right here, right now.” My tone was dry. “Let me assure you, I am in full control of my impulses. Nothing will happen other than a friendly embrace.”

“Okay.” She took another step forward and stopped. “This isn’t weird? I mean, even hugs feel like crossing a line somehow. Plus, it seems harder for us to be friendly toward each other than it is for other people.”

Understatement of a lifetime. She consternated me almost as much as she intrigued me, and I was positive the reverse was also true—possibly without the intrigue.

Though she certainly seemed curious now.

“We’re in Vegas, right?”

She nodded.

“And on vacation. So, what happens on vacation in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

“When you put it that way, I’m in.” She crossed the rest of the way to the oversized hot tub and stepped in, pausing to let out a breath. “Whoa, that’s warm.”

“It is.”

She swallowed, eyeing me up and down. “You have on boxers?”

“Yes. Figured it was easier than grabbing my trunks. Okay?”

“Sure. Same thing, pretty much.” She sucked in a breath and slipped into the water, submerging all the way up to her neck in a surprisingly graceful slide. “That feels so good.” She closed her eyes and gripped the sides of the tub, her legs rubbing along mine before she moved them slightly away. “Bubbles are the best.”

“They are. We should’ve ordered you some champagne before we got in here.”

“Why? What are we celebrating?”

“Lots of things. You took your first cross-country flight today. You’re on vacation in Vegas. First stay in a hotel. You have probably never had champagne either.”

“Busted.” She lifted her voice over the bubbling of the tub. “But I’m not much of a drinker.”

“Vacation,” I reminded her, flicking my fingers over the back of her hand on the side of the Jacuzzi. Her eyes opened warily, but no fear resided in their depths. She might’ve been initially uneasy at getting in there with me, but her anxiety was already disappearing. “You’re allowed to do things outside your comfort zone. Even encouraged to.”

“The last time I drank more than a glass or two of anything was, hmm, probably at my parents’ going-away party after they sold the B and B.”

The mention of the B and B made me draw my hand back into the water. It reminded me of what she’d lost, and how much the business had meant to her. Easing away was my kneejerk response to anything emotional.

She frowned, as if she was surprised I’d stopped touching her. I definitely hadn’t wanted to.

And that was dangerous all the way around, friends or not.

“Did you get loaded?”

She smiled at that, idly itching her calf with the opposite foot. “No. A little tipsy, but I stopped after three. I’ve never been all the way drunk.”

“Not even at college? How is that possible?”

“Some of us went to school to study, you know,” she teased.

“I do know, actually. I wasn’t a partier either, not in prep school and not in college. And I didn’t have sex until I was nineteen, so before you think I was out there spreading my seed far and wide…not so much.”

Why had I shared that with her? It wasn’t relevant at all. Yet she leaned forward, her heavy breasts bobbing slightly out of the water. Big, taut nipples made my throat go dry, and much as I tried to keep my gaze above her neck, I simply could not.

“See, that’s the look.”

“Hmm?”

“That look, right there. The one where you get all wolfish.” Her teeth grazed her plump lower lip and my cock twitched. It was a miracle it didn’t pop over my damn waistband. “You really are attracted to me,” she said after a moment, almost to herself. “Me, specifically, not just because you’re horny.”

The thought that it could be otherwise was so ludicrous that I laughed. And kept right on laughing as she stared at me, until that lip she’d been tormenting trembled and she glanced away, hiding her face from my view.

“Sage. Look at me.”

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does. It matters very much why a beautiful woman like yourself needs to constantly search for validation.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me.”

“I’m not completely without self-confidence. It’s just, if you have enough near misses, you start thinking you’re the problem. Especially if the guy you’ve told yourself will be the one can’t even get it up when you’re on top of him.”

I nearly laughed again, but I swallowed it down. One more careless reaction like that would send her fleeing from me, and I didn’t know if she’d ever peel open her shell again after this vacation.

Carefully, I inched forward in the tub, slowing but not stopping as she looked back at me, pupils wide. My legs slid against the outside of hers as I moved as close as I could without completely invading her personal space.

“Any man who wouldn’t treasure being intimate with you is a goddamn idiot.”

She shut her eyes for an instant, and I was deathly afraid she was crying. But when she opened them again, they were clear and dry. “You of all people know I have my flaws.”

“You sure do.”

“Hey, making me feel better or what?”

My lips twitched. “As do I. But you’re a gorgeous woman, and you’re trusting and sweet and probably too good for any asshole who ever tried to touch you.” I gripped the sides of the hot tub to keep from reaching for her. Proving my asshole status for sure.

Not yet. Let her come to you, in her own time. Or maybe not at all.

“You swear when you’re turned on,” she murmured, her breath hitching. That small, involuntary sound was enough all on its own to make my body strain toward hers.

That she was already learning my tells? Well, that was just the bonus round.

Before I could figure out an appropriate response to that, she slid forward in the tub, slipping her legs over mine until our chests and our centers were far too close. Loosely, she linked her arms around my neck, testing my resolve to keep my eyes directly on hers.

“You give good hugs.”

I took that for an invitation and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her in so that she was practically straddling my lap. But I didn’t grind into her or line up our mouths or any of that. I just drew her in and inhaled the fresh scent of her hair. Then she twined herself around me so trustingly, as if we’d never fought about anything, and I was a man she could lean on rather than despise.

She sighed, so softly I almost missed it. Her forehead rested against mine and we just breathed together in the steamy, fragrant air.

“I make bad choices,” she said into the silence. “I pick emotionally unavailable men.”

The term would’ve made me roll my eyes any other time. Not now. Because as awful as it was, and as much as I didn’t want her to suffer any pain ever, I couldn’t help owing a debt of gratitude to those faceless, nameless men.

Thanks to them, this woman was in my arms.

“Like you,” she added after a moment. “If I were to pick you—which I’m not, by the way, not at all—but if I were to, you’re unavailable.”

“Doesn’t seem like it right now, seeing as you’re almost in my lap.”

Her mouth curved. “You know what I mean. You don’t want a relationship. You just want sex.” She wet her lips and shifted higher on my legs, gazing down at me with her face framed by the sexy blond tendrils of hair that had escaped her ponytail. “I agree. I’ve decided relationships aren’t for me. They’re too har—” She swallowed, casting a quick look between us. “Difficult.”

“Putting a different name on something doesn’t change the reality of what you want.” Saying it was worse than I expected. It meant I had to acknowledge her truth and abide by it.

More than anything, I didn’t want to be another man who hurt her. Even unintentionally.

“No, it means that I want both things—sex and love, and if one doesn’t come with the other, well, believe me, I’m okay with the one for now. Someday, I’ll find my big love.”

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t have to, since Sage was good at filling in all the awkward silences.

“Ally found hers years ago. That’s why she was a virgin, why she saved herself for Seth though she didn’t fully realize that’s what she was doing.”

“Can we not talk about my sister-in-law’s virginity? Unless your goal is to kill my erection, and if so, aim achieved.”

Her big green eyes sparkled as she circled her bottom on my lap, just enough to have me stifling a curse. “Not even close.”

“Vixen.”

But her gaze had taken on that faraway look again. “My parents too. My daddy always said the first time he saw my mama, he knew she was the one for him. They met in grade school. Isn’t that romantic?”

“Your mama looks just like you, so I believe it.”

Sage blinked and tilted her head, considering me in a way that made my skin prickle. “You can be sweet. I see now why you get so many women to go to bed with you. I have to admit, I didn’t understand the appeal before.”

There was no stopping my laughter this time. “Say exactly what you mean, why don’t you?”

“Did you sleep with Ursula last night?”

I hadn’t been expecting that one. “You knew about our date?”

“Of course. You know how big Crescent Cove is. And you’re a mover and a shaker.”

Lord, this woman. But for some reason, I was inexplicably glad I could tell her that I’d spent last night alone.

Not because I wanted to influence her or convince her that I was a decent guy, one like Seth.

Worthy of being a big-time love.

Impossible. Me? I was the kind of man a woman mentioned in passing in her diary.

Skilled lover. Made a mean balsamic salmon. Didn’t call after second date.

“No, I didn’t sleep with her. We canceled our date.” I kept my gaze trained on hers. “We’ve actually never slept together.”

“No way.”

“Yes way.”

“No way.”

I had to chuckle. “No, we have not. Trust me. I was there.”

“But she’s beautiful. Poised.” She sighed wistfully. “She has game.”

“Xbox?”

Now it was her turn to laugh. “Guess your knowledge of pop culture isn’t as complete as you believe. No, silly. I mean, she has skills. Game at attracting the opposite sex. Talent at keeping them interested.”

“Just in case you’ve forgotten, you’re sitting on a man’s lap right now.” I glanced down between us. “And I can verify he’s very interested. Painfully so.”

“You aren’t shy. You’ve never asked me out.”

“You haven’t asked me either.”

She sniffed. “That’s usually the man’s job.” She sighed again. “Especially if the woman is a big ol’ coward. Besides, we fight all the time.”

“So? Fighting is foreplay.”

“Is it?” She cocked her head again. “Is that what I’ve been doing wrong all this time?”

“Listen to me. You have done nothing wrong. You’re perfect just as you are. Any man who can’t see that is blind or stupid or both.”

“Is this your erection talking?” she asked dubiously.

“I do get more charitable at certain times, yes.” The corner of her lips lifted. “But no, that has nothing to do with this conversation. And as for being a coward, what about Moose? Don’t tell me you didn’t intend to invite him over for some barbecue brisket and sweet tea.”

“I stopped making that when we sold the bed-and-breakfast.”

“Damn shame. Best in the state. Hell, best north of Louisiana.”

And I could now verify she’d bewitched me in some unknown way, because here I was, praising her down-home cooking when I had the hard-on from hell.

Her cheeks flushed. “Aww, thank you. You really think I should make some for him?”

I nearly growled. “No. You couldn’t even find him on Facebook, Ally said.”

“No, that’s true, but—”

“Forget him.” In a second, I’d be pounding on my chest like a caveman. “If you want to try out your cooking skills, I’m game.”

“Are you asking me out?”

I tightened my hold on her. She was a glorious armful, and I liked her just that way. “More like I’m asking me in.”

“Oh.” She blinked. “Ohh.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“Okay. I’m game too. And if we’re being honest about our wants and all…” She took a deep breath. “I’d like to watch you make yourself come.”