My breath catches in my throat when his strong hands run over my back and follow the curve of my ass, brushing over the backs of my thighs and calves.

I can’t remember a time when I was touched so reverently, so carefully.

Luckily, I can have him anytime I want, however long I want.

Talk about heavenly.

I can’t stop a moan from escaping even though I’m supposed to be keeping quiet since we’re not alone.

I wish we were.

“Your moaning is interrupting my fantasies.” Mickey sighs from the table next to me, and a relaxed grin spreads across my face.

“I almost forgot you were here.” I stifle another moan when Devon kneads the perfect spot on my foot. Magic hands. I want to pack him up and take him with me.

“Told you getting a massage just a little stoned would change your life.”

“I resent that.” Dev laughs, pressing his thumbs into the ball of my feet. “My skills don’t need any help.”

“Of course not.” I murmur, sighing again. “Everything just feels even better.”

“So you’re leaving me at the end of the week?” He massages his way up my calf and my mind goes blank for a second.

I can’t believe I didn’t take any vacations before.

I want to stay in St. Lucia and never leave. We’ve been here three weeks and I have made myself completely disregard the fact that the price tag must be astronomical.

It really makes me wonder what the hell Mickey has been up to for the past few years. I know she’s done a few things here and there.

She did get a very good business degree.

The only actual venture I know of is her lingerie business that she’s had for awhile, but that can’t be what’s paying for everything.

I’ve learned a few things about minding my business though, and it’s not my place to ask.

Relaxation and immersion have been my goals. Our sanctuary is in the southwest part of Jade Mountain and has almost panoramic views of the island.

I sit in the infinity pool as the sun sets sometimes, looking out over Soufriere Bay and the Piton Mountains, just appreciating the silence. The peace. Phone’s turned off, no computer…just being in the moment.

I’m almost scared to go back home to the bustle and hustle of NYC.

Scared to lose this feeling, at least.

“Yeah, back to the regularly scheduled programming,” I confirm, turning over when he puts a guiding hand on my shoulder. He holds the towel up so I can turn comfortably and keep the essentials covered.

“I’ve gotten used to you, I might miss you a little.” My eyes are closed but I can hear the smile in his lightly accented voice and it warms me. Not in a sexual way, but in a friendly way.

“I’ll miss you too. You should let us know if you come to NYC to visit your sister.”

“Or come to NYC just to bang Keyra’s brains out.” Mickey interrupts, and she and her masseur Ché laugh. I’m too relaxed to do more than narrow my eyes a little. Her face is pressed into the massage table anyway.

It’s not polite to hit on someone when they’re doing their job.

My face does begin to burn when Dev laughs and folds my towel back over my thighs, patting me gently to let me know he’s finished.

“Maybe I will.” But he doesn’t specify which one.

I turn my head to the side and watch his t-shirt clad back and his biceps flex as he cleans up his oil bowl.

Either one would work.

“She’s totally checking him out right now,” Ché whispers loudly and I turn my head back to the ceiling, closing my eyes with a smile.

Do I have to go back?

* * *

“You okay?” Mickey is folding clothes to go back into her suitcase, a flowing baby pink maxi dress skimming her figure, hair clipped up.

“Hm? Oh…yeah. I’m fine.” I’m curled up on the couch, turning my phone in my hands.

I haven’t turned it on since we got here.

“You know you want to.” She says softly.

“Want to what?” I look over to where she’s standing at the end of our bed.

“Check to see if he’s said anything.”

“No, I don’t.” I deny, tossing the phone to the other end of the seat.

“What are you going to do when we go back tomorrow?”

“Maybe I’ll just live the life of a socialite until I hate it. Yoga, biking, and shopping here were fun. I don’t know where you can snorkel and scuba dive in NYC so those are out.” I get up and head to the little fridge, grabbing a bottle of water.

“You know I’m talking about Dane.” She crosses her arms.

“Why? It wasn’t a big deal, I’m over it.”

“You’re over it? Really?” She closes her suitcase and pulls it off the bed, sitting it near the wall.

“Yep. Can’t have everything. I read the situation wrong, but hey, I’ve got the memories.”

“So it wouldn’t bother you if he’s seeing someone?Brings her around?”

I hesitate just the slightest when I’m raising the water bottle to my lips, and I wonder if she catches it.

“How is that my business?” I ask casually, finishing the motion and swallowing.

“So you’re going to Nico’s birthday barbecue then? And the rest of the games?”

“Of course. Listen, we are two adults. We don’t need to avoid each other and no one needs to walk on eggshells just because of a night that didn’t mean anything.”

I hope I did a good job of keeping the bitterness out of my voice. Mickey doesn’t remark on it so I assume I’m in the clear.

“Alright, champ. I stand corrected. Do you want to go on the sunset hike tonight?” She changes topics.

“Let’s do it.” She goes up the little side stairs to the bathroom to shower and I walk to the open wall, sitting on the stone edge of the infinity pool and brushing my hand softly over the surface.

The jade green tiles at the bottom glint and I sigh deeply.

Here we go.