“The lovey-dovey, or the kissing?”

Silence took over as her beautiful eyes swept low in consideration of what I’d said.

Part of me prayed Chanel said yes. I made a personal commitment to avoid relationships, hookups, and romantic trouble. I just didn’t need to risk my energy. But something about this girl tempted me to make an exception.

She was beyond lovely on Instagram. Yet those photos did her no justice now that I had her here, in front of me.

She was motherfucking mesmerizing.

Her flawless tawny skin drank in the sun. Those curves, of both her ass and those juicy tits spoke to my primal urges.

Her thick wavy hair glistened, and those alluring grey eyes pulled me in with every moment that passed.

And can I tell you she smelled wonderful?

No, I’m not talking about her fragrance, which was that of vanilla, honey, and strawberries. There was something embedded in her cells, her primal scent, that called out to me. It soothed me to sleep when we were next to each other on the airplane. But right now, it made me want to push her down, spread her thighs and disappear under that sundress, tasting the sweat of the tropics drip from those lips.

Both sets of lips.

Because right here, right now, I really wanted to kiss her. I wanted the heat to rise through her full and pouty lips, and ignite the chemistry I could feel brewing between the two of us.

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to deal with having a beautiful woman right at your fingertips, yet not be able to touch her?

“Both,” she finally answered. Her cheeks colored in an adorable bashfulness. “Maybe she needs to see us kiss at least once, just to show nobody has to follow her rules. God knows I love my sister, but damn she’s just too bossy.”

Score…

“I agree,” I said. “We have to plan that at the perfect moment.”

Warm laughter filled the air, and the tension that filled the air when Rose set us on needles began to dissipate. I noticed her face light up when I apologized, praised her beauty, and she realized we were allies.

“Well, now that we’re here,” I raised my glass to the lovely creature in front of me. “A toast.”

“To…?” She raised her glass as she stood. Her shoes were off. I noticed she was not only short, 5’5” and just as curvy as I liked them, but she had the world’s most beautiful toes. Her bright candy pink polish reminded me of strawberries.

Keep my hands off her? Fuck, this wouldn’t be easy. Every moment revealed an impeccable new detail about her that only strengthened my lust. I took a deep breath and looked outside past the balcony in order to restrain my erection.

I wanted to make her pussy talk to me. Give up her secrets. Cry for me. And stay up all night surrendering herself to me.

But I couldn’t.

She was off-limits.

For 72 hours especially. Seventy. Two. Hours. Surrounded by people doing everything I’d want to do: touching, cuddling, caressing, kissing, rubbing, fucking, sucking, licking, tasting, cumming, swallowing, and screaming in butt-naked, hedonistic pleasure.

“Hunter?” She called me back to my senses, her grey eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I cleared my throat. Ah, yeah, I’d completely lost my train of thought in the middle of determining our toast. I raised my glass to meet hers. “I was just trying to sort out what we were toasting to.”

“To a fun weekend playing make-believe in paradise.” She offered. “That works for me.”

The cuteness of her giggle stirred my heart. She was gorgeous, adorable, enticing - utterly fucking heartwarming - and she didn’t even know the half of what I desired from her.

“To a weekend in paradise,” I echoed, clanking the glass against hers while we sipped.

* * *

Our first evening went well. Chanel and I were a little more comfortable with each other, and practiced using our pet names. Honey, love, babe, sweetheart… names of barefaced affection, but nothing so intimate as to require a story.

We decided, should anyone ask, that we’d been together for six months, and met through Rose and Axel. It fit perfectly, considering she was Rose’s sister, and Axel was my best bud.

We’d also determined the appropriate boundaries for public contact. Holding hands was a natural gesture, but putting an arm around her waist or the small of her back, just above her juicy bubble butt would also be acceptable.

Chanel agreed kisses on the cheek were our current limit. We didn’t rule out kissing on the lips, but that would have to be discussed more.

We met with Axel and Rose for dinner. Our reservations brought us a lovely gazebo, where we were surrounded by other couples in casual flair.

Women had flowers in their hair, and some of the men were already wearing Jamaican tank tops. The evening sky was clear, littered with stars, and there was a cool breeze.

“This place is so beautiful,” Chanel whispered, looking around. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she took in the enchantment of the scenery.

“Not as beautiful as you,” I whispered in her ear. She blushed, and I gave her a wink. She broke into a smile and fell into the role.

“Oh, honey, you’re so sweet.”

I wrapped my arm around the back of her chair, dug her fork into a piece of the grilled jerk chicken. It was served in a pineapple, nicely placed on a fancy plate. I brought the fork to her lips, covered in a gorgeous fuchsia gloss.

“Eat up, love,” I urged. “You’ve barely eaten all day.”

Her pupils expanded. Vulnerability and uncertainty flashed in her expression. She questioned the unexpected level of intimacy that I admit - now that I’d done it - was the kind of act you never realize is as intimate as it is until you’re really present in the moment.

Her lips parted, enough to give me entrance, and I fed her the succulent chunk. The way her lips wrapped around the meat and fork made time come to a halt.

“Oh god!” She became animated. She turned to me. “This is delicious.”

Part of me shit my heart with lust to imagine being the lucky piece of meat rolling around her tongue as she closed her eyes and groaned at how delicious it was.

Seventy. Two. Hours.

But I controlled myself. “I know.” I gestured to my pineapple, whose contents were half-eaten jerk shrimp. “Food here’s amazing.”

“It’s good to see you lovebirds are enjoying your first night here,” Rose cut in. She finished everything on her plate, and asked for the waitress to bring her a box for Axel’s. “We’ve been walking around all afternoon, and now I’m exhausted. We’re going to retire to the room and catch up on some sleep.”

She elbowed Axel, who smirked lazily. I could tell by the heaviness in his eyes that he’d been smoking, fucking - and more than likely a bit of both. Jamaican weed was one hell of an experience, I presumed.

“You want to walk around the resort as well before we head in?”

“Sure.”

I waited for Chanel to finish and wrap up her leftovers. We took a stroll around the resort. There was a nightclub, not far from the pool, where couples were dancing with each other. Most of them were hilarious, moving off beat to the music provided, making for good amusement. We found the on-site gym, and a listing of offerings and events for the week.

“Oh, this place has a spa?” Chanel said, looking through the menu. “I wonder how much a massage is here.”

“That’s already taken care of.”

“What?” She asked. The humidity started to thicken her natural waves, giving her a sexy, messy look. Those glossy black locks framed her face perfectly.

“Our package comes with a couples spa package,” I said. “I think we get ours tomorrow.”

“Oh.” There was a slightly detectable hint of sadness in her voice. “Are you sure you don’t mind me… I mean, you were with someone you loved at the time…”

Ah, insecurity. Samantha was a non-factor, yet her former presence still triggered discomfort.

I waved off Chanel’s hesitance as we stepped up to one of the resort’s swim-up bar hybrids. We could sit at the bar and watch the workers take orders from resort guests swimming up to the pool as well as us.

Pulling out the seat for her, I said, “Nah, it’s not an issue. It’s already paid for, why waste money?”

“True.”

She ordered a daiquiri; I ordered a coconut rum and Coke, plus two shots of tequila. I was determined to bring out the fun in this girl. Clean, sexy fun, but fun nevertheless.

We were in Jamaica. All her expenses were paid. She didn’t have to pay for anything, she knew this, and yet she was still so reserved about receiving the positive vibes and luxury that came with this trip.

“Do you consider yourself conservative?” I asked, with a smile. I wanted to know more about this reserved beauty, especially with her being so quiet all of a sudden.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I wouldn’t say I’m conservative, just not used to… Rose and I are very different.”

“How?”

“She loves to go out, party. She’s used to traveling the world, dating hot, rich guys, and spending their money.”

“Oh, so I’m a hot, rich guy?” I teased.

She blushed, and looked down at her pink toes, which we housed in flat sandals.

“It’s okay, you can tell me I’m ugly.”

“No!” She nearly leapt from her seat. “You’re not ugly. I don’t think that. I’m sorry!”

“Relax, love.” I leaned in, kissing her cheek. “It’s a joke.”

She released the sexiest little sigh of relief as she eased back in her seat, mortification fading away. I wasn’t lost on the slight blush that heated the surface of her tawny skin either.

“You’re here to do me a favor. Anything you do here, is taken care of so you don’t have to worry. Your sister told me you were losing money by coming here instead of working, but could use the relaxation. You’re already getting paid for this. I know we’re just here for the weekend, but why not just relax and enjoy yourself, love?”

She nodded. “I guess I’m just used to working hard for everything I have. And even when I’m at home, I’m always on top of everything.”

“I’m sure your boyfriend spoils you.”

The statement made her pause for a split-second. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

Now it was my turn to pause. “None?”

The disbelief on my face must have been evident, because she looked at me and turned beet red. She started playing with her fingernails as she explained. “I… I’ve been single for like two years. Ever since my mom got sick.”

Embarrassment spread slowly throughout her deep skin, adding a layer of redness to it that almost looked like sunburn.

“There’s no need to be ashamed of that.” I covered one of her hands with mine. “Illness is a very serious thing. It’s honorable that you take care of your mother. Very honorable.”

“Thank you,” she said. Her smile wasn’t miles-wide, but it was large enough to melt my heart as I looked at her.

“Welcome, love.” I took a sip of my drink. “I didn’t mean to upset you, or take you out of your zone. It’s just that you’re a beautiful woman in such a beautiful place, and you seem so reserved, as if this is new to you. I assumed - like a jerk - that you were used to having men, or at least a boyfriend, give you the best life has to offer.”

“I guess you’re right. I’m a little out of my element,” she confessed, smiling that bashful smile again. “I’ve traveled a little, went to Mexico when I was nineteen. That’s why I have my passport. But I’ve never been to Jamaica, or a couples resort. I tend to focus on what’s important. With school and Mom’s chemo, I never even thought about dating anyone.”

“Whoa, chemo?”

“Yes, Mom is recovering from breast cancer. She’s had it for almost two or three years now.” There was a steady look in her eye as she gave me the details, filling me in on the battle, and her improvements over the past few months.

“This is my first time being away from her.” Her eyes watered lightly. “She’s home alone in bed all weekend, alone, but she wanted me to come.”

“And you’d rather be with her.” I finished the unspoken thought for her. She nodded and turned away as a tear fell.

“I’m sorry,” she said, tearfully. “I don’t want to ruin your vacation. I just, she’s not working, and she can’t drive, and I just want to make sure she’s okay at all times.”

Suddenly it all made sense, Rose’s suggestion of Chanel, the negotiation of pocket change, all of it.

Women who were used to the spoiled girlfriend and sugar baby lifestyle were much less reserved and innocent. Rose was a perfect example. She was wild, free, bossy, and spoiled. She was used to this life, and having the world laid at her feet.

Chanel was also beautiful enough to command anything she wanted, but she was rooted to her family. She was more of a homebody and caregiver.

She was the kind of woman I wanted, if I wanted a woman.

Rose needed Chanel to get away and breathe, get a little release from the duties of being a full-time caregiver and student. She knew this would have been the only way to look after her sister by putting money in her pocket, and forcing her to rest for a while.

She was a little aggressive about getting me to take on Chanel, but I had to admire the method to her madness. My heart went out to the alluring angel in front of me who was here on business, and not her own hedonistic, self-serving pleasure.

“Well, love, you’ve definitely got a lot on your plate. I commend your strength, your resolve, and your devotion to your mother.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“No problem. However, here’s what I would like,” I said, bringing her to attention. “I would absolutely love to see you relax a little bit. If you need to call your mother, do so. We’ve got internet and long distance here. You can even FaceTime her on my iPad. But as soon as you see your mother is okay, let’s have fun. We can snorkel, we can surf - there’s so much we can do, and we’ve only got a couple of days to enjoy ourselves.”

I pulled her soft, tanned hand into mine, and brought it to my lips. “I promise I’ll be the perfect gentleman, and respect your space. And if you feel you need to talk or express yourself, I’ll make myself available for that too.”

There was an exuberance in her eyes at that moment, and for the first time since she revealed her confession, she seemed to be hopeful.

“I can manage that,” she said. Gratitude filled her expression as the tight purse of her lips spread into a welcoming smile of joy. “Thank you. For everything.”

“You’re welcome.” She was fucking precious, my paradise angel. My heart bang like a reggae drum as I looked into her eyes.

I leaned forward, cradled the back of her head with my hand, and pressed my lips to her forehead. “You’re so fucking welcome. Now, come on princess. We’ve got a long day tomorrow. Let’s go to bed.”