Waking up with soft skin pressed against my chest and legs tangled with mine immediately makes me smile. Inhaling her scent, I press my lips to the flesh of her neck and whisper in her ear. Just as she turns over and I look at the beautiful woman lying next to me, her eyes flutter open.

At first, River smiles with almost drunken happiness, then as reality sets in, her brows furrow. Sitting up in bed with wide eyes, she pulls the sheet to cover her breasts. When I look at her, I think she might actually be in shock that I’m here. She glances at my chest, then looks up at me. “I think you should go.”

Tilting my head, I search her face, waiting for some sort of smile or anything that gives her away, but nothing does. We both know she enjoyed last night just as much as I did, but when she keeps her serious stance, I take that as my cue to leave. The dream of her quickly turns into a nightmare as she acts confused by me. This is the same woman who nearly begged me to come back to her room last night, isn’t it?

Standing, not giving a fuck that I’m naked, I search around for my clothes that are not-so-conveniently scattered around the room. I feel her watching me, and when I look over my shoulder to meet her eyes, blush hits her cheeks. Knowing I’m getting to her, even if it’s just the slightest bit, is cute. It makes me want to kiss the fuck out of her, but if she wants to play hard to get, I’m game. A Bishop always gets what he wants, and I want—no—need more of her, especially after our night of pure ecstasy. And I know she secretly wants me too, even if she’s not ready to admit it just yet.

Being together was more emotional than I could’ve ever expected, so I understand why she’s pushing me away. While we were together, I found something I’d been missing with other hookups. Deeper feelings surfaced than I’d ever experienced before. From seeing her that first time at breakfast, to her coming to Dylan’s rescue on the beach, to spending hours chatting and drinking together—it’s already felt like more than any of my previous flings. In that short amount of time, we’ve built a connection that even I don’t understand. It’s frightening, but exhilarating all at the same time, and I’m ready to dive in head first to see where it goes. We have a week to experience each other to the fullest, and I’ll be damned if I allow precious time to be wasted. Sometimes a person has to put their cards on the table, call the bluff, and make a bet, even if the odds are stacked against them. I have to know if this is just a stupid vacation fling or if there’s potential for more between us. Our story could already be the lyrics to a stupid country song.

After I’m dressed, I give her a wink, taking one last long look at her—knowing deep down it won’t be the last time we’re together—before leaving. The connection we shared was almost too much. It’s intoxicating and feels like it will completely swallow me whole or break me—I’m not sure which one it is yet. We may barely know each other, but something about her pulls me to her, like an invisible lasso. She’s holding the rope and calling the shots.

Hunger takes over as soon as I leave her room, so I take the elevator down to the coffee shop in the hotel lobby and grab a few muffins and a giant coffee to take back to my room.

To know I’ve actually been snubbed is a strange sensation. Not often has that happened to me; actually, I don’t think it ever has. I’m usually the one pushing girls out of my bed in the morning, and oddly enough, it makes me want her that much more. The chase makes it that much more interesting and fun, as crazy as that sounds. For a moment, I slightly understand Crazy Carly then try to forget the stupid thought as I ride the elevator to my floor.

Before I slide my keycard, I pound on the door like I’m the police and wait for some sort of noise on the other side. Since there’s no answer, I assume the coast is clear and enter.

“Fuck!” I shout. “It stinks like nasty sex in here.” Just as the words leave my mouth, I see rustling in the bed, then Jessica’s head pops up like a prairie dog.

“Howdy,” I tell her, taking a bite of my blueberry muffin, feeling slightly bad for being an asshole. As I chew the dry ass muffin, all I can think is how much better Mama’s are. Even my sister, Courtney, could put these nasty bricks to shame. In Key West, the biggest disappointment is the cooking.

Dylan groans and pulls the blanket from over his head, giving me a death glare. “Go away!”

“No, sir. The night’s over. Time to get up. It’s nearly ten in the morning. Going back to work is gonna be a bitch if you keep sleepin’ in late,” I tell him matter-of-factly, turning my back as Jessica tries to slyly slip on her clothes without revealing too much. Poor girl has to take the walk of shame, and the look of it is all over her face. It’s always easier to sneak out before the other person wakes, that’s one-night stand basics, but even I didn’t follow the basics this morning. As I take the last bite of the first muffin, I hear lips sucking and smacking each other and groan.

“Get a room,” I say with a laugh.

“I’ve got one!” Dylan throws a pillow my way.

“Get another room,” I correct myself, just as Jessica walks around the bed to grab her purse.

“Bye, Alex,” she says as she sashays toward the door, blowing Dylan a final kiss before she leaves.

Just as she walks out, I turn and look at Dylan. “You’re dirty as fuck.”

He sits up in bed, rubbing his face. “I know. What was I thinking?”

“You weren’t. I don’t remember her looking quite like that last night.” I try to think back, but honestly, the only thing on my mind right now is River. Her body against mine. The way she tastes. She’s like a poisoned apple and has already made her way through my veins. I can’t stop thinking about her, and it’s been less than an hour since I left. Goddammit.

“Beer goggles. Those sneaky bastards will make a two a ten. You’d think I’d learn my lesson by now,” Dylan says with a grunt. “No wonder Liam was so willing to push her off on me.”

“No regrets, though. Right? I’m sure she’s a nice girl.” I bite into the last muffin, and when my stomach gurgles, I regret eating them, but finish it anyway because this hangover isn’t going to cure itself.

“I swear, if you wouldn’t have shown up, she may have never left. Which is okay, I guess. But to me, she seems like a psycho. You know the phrase: a freak in the sheets? Well, that’s her times ten. I’m not gonna go into detail, but if for some reason I go missing and don’t make it back to Texas, she’s suspect one.”

“Damn, dude,” I say with a laugh, but he looks at me a little too seriously for my liking.

“I need a shower.” He doesn’t even wait for me to reply as he walks into the bathroom—bare ass and all—and shuts the door.

After he’s showered, Dylan decides he needs to eat. I’m so full of sugar the thought grosses me out, but I go anyway, secretly hoping I run into River.

“Gonna tell me what happened last night?” Dylan asks with a shit-eating grin on his face as we leave the hotel and walk down the sidewalk.

“Nah. I’m good.”

He punches me in the arm, and I’m half-tempted to punch his ass back.

“So you found your girl, and she turned out to be a psycho, too?” Dylan leads us into a burger joint a few blocks away. Every blonde I see in the distance makes my heart race, but it’s never her.

“No. She’s not a psycho. She’s actually pretty fucking perfect. Maybe a bit guarded, but perfect nonetheless. And that’s where the problem lies.”

Dylan orders himself a double cheeseburger, and we sit at a huge window that overlooks the beach. I stare out, watching people walk up and down the white sand having a good time.

“Because Cowboy Prince Charming found his Princess Cowgirl and all she left was her boot on the stairs at midnight?”

“No wonder you’re single,” I tell him, stealing a fry from his plate, hoping to change the subject.

“I have little sisters. Give me a break. Disney and princess shit is something I’ve had to deal with for years. So I guess things didn’t go as planned, then?”

I give him a look that tells him he’s right.

“This just keeps gettin’ better and better.” He continues eating, not taking his eyes from me, waiting for me to spill the beans.

“Or worse,” I correct. “After one of the best nights of my life, I was kicked to the curb like a stray dog,” I finally tell him.

Dylan laughs so hard I’m concerned I might have to give him the Heimlich. I’m beginning to think he’s a serious liability on the island. After he catches his breath, he shakes his head.

“I’ve always heard that Karma’s a Bitch, but now I might actually believe it. Alex Bishop has finally met his match. Perfect. Can’t wait to watch how this plays out.”

“You’re a dick,” I mutter as he cleans his plate. “A nasty dick at that.”

“I learned everything I know from you,” he says as he stands to dump his tray in the trash.

I let out a laugh. “So what you’re saying is I’ve created a monster. Great.”

Most of the day passes, and we spend it exploring other parts of the island. I’m no fun because all I want to do is go back to the hotel, pound on River’s door, and ask her if we can talk. The more I think about this morning, the more bothered I become. Call me a hypocrite because of my track record, but it all feels wrong.

Once we’ve basically explored every inch of the west side of the Keys, and I grabbed some tacos from a food truck, we decide to Uber back to the hotel. Just as I see the hotel in sight, my palms become sweaty and my heart races. I have to figure out exactly what I’m going to say to her because I will see her again.

“Apparently, there’s a volleyball tournament on the beach tonight at six. Wanna go play?” Dylan asks.

“Do you think it’s a good idea? I’m afraid you’ll break something or hurt yourself.” I joke with him, though I’m halfway serious.

“You only live once, right?” Dylan smirks as he thanks the driver and gets out of the car. We enter the hotel lobby and round the corner only to find Jessica waiting impatiently by the elevators with a big smile on her face. Dylan turns and looks at me with wide eyes, and all I can do is laugh.

“You chose it.” I smirk, patting him on the back and giving an encouraging push toward her. I should be a good friend and save him, but I don’t because it’s funnier this way. He deserves it for all the shit talking he’s done today, and at least, he’ll have a good story to bring home.

“We actually have plans tonight.” Dylan turns and looks at me.

“Nah, we don’t.” I give her a wink as his face turns blood red.

“See, that means we can do the boat tour and watch the sunset!” She shrieks in excitement.

When I make eye contact with Dylan, he whispers, “I’m going to kill you,” before he’s whisked away to the beach for a romantic afternoon. He’s too much of a gentleman to tell her no, and if he’s learned everything from me, then I’ll take that one as a compliment.

Considering I’m alone and the night is still young, I make my way through the lobby, past the pool, toward the cabana bar that overlooks the beach. I order a beer and stare out at the water as the sun begins to set in the distance. Chatter echoes from the pool, and I’m lost in my thoughts before I realize my name is being called in the distance.

Just as I turn, I recognize the voice.

Natalie.

“I’m really sorry my friend is such a sour puss,” she says with a smile. She’s alone, and her mouth is the color of the blue drink she’s sipping. Drunk Natalie just might be my ticket to finding River.

I smile and pretend like I don’t know what she’s talking about, but I’m sure she already knows everything. I’m not the kinda guy who kisses and tells because some secrets are better left buried, and Mama raised a gentleman.

“I’m going to fix this, I promise,” Natalie says before flashing me a wink as she stuffs her phone into her pocket and waves bye before I can ask any questions. Curiosity gets the best of me as I watch her walk away.

I don’t know what she’s up to, but I kinda like her style.

She’s fierce with a side of no fucks given.