Summer was right, she needed to wipe her slate clean and ax any memory of Alex. Easier said than done. And this was a task Autumn was fully aware that she would not be able to do sober. As irresponsible as getting drunk and hooking up with some random sounded, she wasn’t a complete idiot. She had a plan. Just down the beach was a restaurant with a bar. She was going to walk there, have dinner, and pick one lucky chap from the bar to bang. Only then, once she’d made her sober selection, would the drinking commence.

Of all the activities in Summer’s BF Guide Book, this one by far would be the most difficult to accomplish. But it was time. In her heart, Autumn knew it. She just needed the push to make it happen. As long as she remained a divorcee virgin, a part of her would always belong to Alex—and it was a part she desperately wanted back. A part she needed to take back.

Maybe Autumn had underestimated herself and she was more ready for this than she realized. She didn’t normally react to men, and there was no doubt about it, when she’d run into Doucher at the airport, her body had given her a heeey girl! Crushed up against him, she’d felt every one of his rock-hard muscles. And his scent… Lord, have mercy. That spicy masculine scent was simply divine. She couldn’t remember the last time a guy made her that hot. Too bad it had to be the asshat on the plane who’d done it. But she’d take it as a good sign. If she could feel chemistry with him, then there was hope she’d find someone at the bar who could spark her fire. She just hoped she wasn’t working with wet wood. Before the self-doubt could begin to creep back in, Autumn pushed the thoughts of having meaningless, no strings attached sex out of mind.

She still had a few hours before she needed to get ready for her unsuspecting date, and Operation: One and Done would commence. Slipping into her adorably cliché teeny-weenie-yellow-polka-dot-bikini, Autumn decided to catch some rays. She was a true redhead, and for most people of the ginger variety, that would be a serious issue, but not her. She was a total day-walker, meaning she could tan her little ass off without burning to a complete crisp and peeling like a leper.

Without further ado, she slathered on the 70 SPF and hit the beach. On the way out the door, Autumn grabbed her towel, sunglasses, and a smutty romance novel, because living vicariously through fictional characters was all the action she’d been getting. And she’d liked it that way too. It was safe, and Autumn got to fall in love over and over again without worrying about getting her heart broken.

Not bothering with shoes, Autumn slid the patio door closed and buried her toes in the warm sand. Halfway to the water, she realized she’d left her cell inside, but decided not to turn back. As of right now, she was officially on vacation. Picking a smooth, undisturbed spot of sand, she spread out her beach towel and sprawled onto it, exhaling a big sigh. The sun felt amazing. It was like getting a big hug from God, enveloping her in a warm, comforting embrace.

Shutting down her mind of all extraneous thoughts, she refused to let herself dwell on anything but the sound of lapping waves and the rustle of palm leaves cackling in the breeze. Occasionally the wind would gust, sending the briny sea air across her sweat-beaded skin, the coolness buffering the intensity of the rays.

Wow, I needed this. As she lay there basking in the sun, the crazy thought briefly crossed her mind, what if I never go back?

It was quite possible the Island of Love had captured her under its spell, because Autumn was totally smitten.

The afternoon passed too quickly, and before she knew it, it was time to get ready for her “date”. On her way to the shower, she glanced at her cell and saw she had a missed call from an unknown number. The area code was from the island, which was strange. Who could possibly be calling her and why didn’t they leave a message? Before she could ponder the question any longer, another text message came through.

Hey, this is Balen. The guy you ran into at the airport. I think I have something you want.

What the hell? First of all, how in the frick did he get her number? And second of all, this jackass probably thought every woman wanted what he had. Pissed off and a little creeped out, Autumn fired back a response.

Trust me, you don’t. That wasn’t entirely true, but she’d be damned if she admitted it. Autumn hit send and was about to toss her cell onto the bed when her phone chimed again.

Trust me, I do.

What an arrogant, cocksure…doucher! Someone needed to put this guy in his place. And she was just the girl to do it. Listen jackass, just because you’re hot, that does not give you the right to go around sexting women you don’t know.

I’m not sexting you.

Pleeease…Mr. I’ve Got Something You Want. Barf! It feels like sexting to me. She shot back and hit send.

Then you’ve never been properly sexted.

Oh, smack! Seriously? Autumn’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. She didn’t even know how to respond to that, and she wasn’t sure that she should. Before a decision could be made, her phone went off again with another message.

Would you like me to show you the difference?

Autumn couldn’t begin to explain why, but the offer sent the heat in her cheeks rushing between her legs. This was ridiculous. She didn’t even like the guy. But in her defense, creeper or not, Balen might possibly be the most gorgeous man she’d ever met, and the idea of him texting dirty things made her hotter than it should. Not that she’d ever take him up on his offer, but why, God why, did all the beautiful men have to be such asshats?

How did you get my number?

Your customs form. You dropped it at the airport. Like I said, you’re going to want what I’ve got.

Oh… Well, shit. She did need that back. Maybe he wasn’t such a creeper after all. Autumn’s phone chimed again.

FYI, you should probably keep better track of your stuff.

Thanks for the advice. I’ll keep that in mind the next time I run into a human wall. Damn. How was she going to get that form back?

Have dinner with me.

Really? I don’t think so.

Why not? You already said you think I’m hot.

I did not.

Yes, you did. You said, listen jackass, just because you’re hot, that does not give you the right to go around sexting women you don’t know. You definitely called me hot.

Despite herself, a bubble of laughter escaped. I called you a jackass.

You don’t know me well enough yet to make that call.

Are you saying I’m wrong? She challenged, enjoying their banter more than she probably should.

I’m saying have dinner with me and find out.

Autumn was about to decline his “gracious” offer for the second time, but then a thought crossed her mind. Doucher was ridiculously gorgeous, and she already knew she had chemistry with the guy. Just accidentally running into him had lit her up like the fourth of July. Besides, she didn’t get that serial killer vibe from him, so she was pretty sure he wasn’t going to turn her into a skin suit. He may be an arrogant, cocksure ass, but no one said she had to like him to fuck him.

In fact, that would be preferable. Less chance her heart would get involved. The more she thought about it, Balen would be a perfect One and Done. If she was going to do this, she wanted it to be with someone who made her hot, because the sad truth was, not many men did. Plus, it would take some of the stress out of the night if she already knew who she was going to end up with. And this way, she could start drinking that much sooner.

All right. I’ll have dinner with you. Meet me at Ambrosia in an hour.