As Rupe’s yacht moored in Monte Carlo harbour, Emmalee’s excited squeal made Cash wince. He covered his ears and scowled at her.

“Oh wow, this is awesome,” Emmalee said, leaning over the side of the boat, completely oblivious to Cash’s black stare. “What a view.”

Cash glanced over at Natalia standing beside Emmalee. No better view than that. The curves she’d lost when they’d split were finally coming back. His forehead smoothed as he swept a gaze over her bottom—tucked into a pair of faded denim shorts—then up and over her flared hips and firm breasts. Memories of that morning invaded his thoughts. His girl sure knew what to do with her body to drive him crazy.

She caught his eye, and he beckoned her over.

“Thanks for suggesting I bring Em this week,” she said, her soft lips brushing his cheek with a kiss.

Cash curved an arm around her waist. “It’ll be good for you to have company while I’m on the practice court. I’m going to have to put in some serious hours to avoid disgracing myself next week.”

Her face fell, and Cash sighed as he clipped a finger under her chin. “How many times, Natalia? This is my fault. Not yours. My decision not to play the US. Besides, at least it will give the others a slight chance.”

She grinned, the moment of angst over. “You know, ace, I’m thinking of getting you a How to Build Your Self-Esteem and Confidence course for your birthday.”

He laughed. Natalia often teased him about his supreme self-esteem, and she was right. He rarely lacked confidence, although he did have concerns about this week. He hadn’t played competitively in almost two months. The time off court was bound to have an impact, but he couldn’t exactly voice his concerns to Natalia.

“Okay, lovebirds. Let’s hit the town.” Rupe disembarked, quickly followed by Emmalee.

Cash only had that day to enjoy Monte Carlo, and he needed to make the most of it, because starting the next day, Brad and Jamie were going to kick his arse from there to Ireland. His body was already softer, lacking muscular depth, and he knew from experience his sharpness was off. Monte Carlo was a fiercely fought tournament, attended by the best of the best, and if he didn’t work his bollocks off in practice, he’d be humiliated on court.

For the first time ever, he’d allowed his personal life to eclipse his professional one. Natalia and their breakup, his mum coming out of the coma, the stress of winning Natalia back again—all of it had affected his tennis. Tomorrow, he had to start to focus again. He’d worked too hard to let another fucker be number one.

He was number one.

“Oy, Cash,” Rupe shouted. “You coming or what?”

All three had already disembarked and were waiting on the quayside, Rupe with his arms folded and a look of exasperation on his face.

“Fuck’s sake, Witters. Keep your hair on,” Cash muttered as he took his time disembarking, much to Rupe’s further annoyance.

Like most places in the world, Monte Carlo wasn’t new to Cash, but as he watched Natalia bounce along, her hand tucked in Emmalee’s arm, her face flushed with excitement, he was transported back to their first date in Paris. She’d given him the best gift imaginable—new eyes to see the world through.

Later, as the four of them walked back to the boat after a long day of sightseeing, Rupe said, “What should we do tonight? Casino?”

Cash glanced down at Natalia and raised an eyebrow. When she eagerly nodded, he looked over at Rupe. “Casino.”

* * *

Cash’s stomach clenched when Natalia walked out of the bedroom into the living quarters of their stateroom. He spun his finger in the air. “Turn around.”

She did a quick twirl, a soft giggle bubbling from between her lips. “I’ve never been to a casino. Will I do?”

The fitted navy cocktail dress clung to every inch of her curvaceous body. She’d left her hair down, which she knew he loved, and her face glowed from spending the day in the sun. He inwardly cursed Rupe’s idea of going to the casino. He’d rather take her to bed, spend time peeling that dress off her before kissing every inch of her sun-kissed skin, then make love to her over and over again.

“Cash?” she said, bringing him back from daydreaming.

“Fuck the casino.” He wrapped his arms around her, a low groan easing from his throat when her body melted into his. He bent his head and took her mouth. He never got tired of kissing her—they fit together perfectly in every way. His tongue tangled with hers, and he sucked hard, spurred on when she moaned softly.

“How much time have we got?” he murmured, kissing the dip where her neck met her shoulder.

“Not enough for what you’ve got in mind.”

“And how do you know what I’ve got in mind?”

She giggled. “Because I can feel your mind pressing into my stomach.”

He gyrated his hips. “You mean this?”

She giggled again. “That’s the one.”

“You sure we don’t have time? I’ll be quick.”

She waggled a finger in front of his face. “Later. You’ll ruin my hair.”

“Spoilsport.”

His lips traced a leisurely path from her neck to her collarbone, and she tilted her head to the side.

“You’re not playing fair.”

“I never promised to, sweetness.”

“Rupe and Emmalee will be waiting.”

“Let ’em,” he said, bending his head lower until his mouth was level with the top of her breasts. “God, I love your body. I could spend hours exploring every single inch.”

“Is that all you want me for—my body?”

He lifted his head. “Of course. Did you think otherwise?”

She lightly punched his arm and twisted out of his embrace. “Well then, I’ll make you work for it, ace.”

She headed for the door, but he managed to catch up with her before she opened it. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him, her back to his front.

“The harder the better,” he said, grinding his erection against her backside.

She chuckled. “Come on, we’d better go.”

“Wait.” He eased her around, a smile spreading across his face when he spotted the earrings he’d bought for her last Christmas dangling from her earlobes. The first of many things I want to give this woman. He wanted to gift-wrap the world and hand it to her on a plate. “I have something for you.”

“What?” she said, the soft skin between her eyebrows furrowing into a shallow frown.

He wandered over to the dressing table and picked up a long, thin box. He held it flat on his open palm.

Her hand trembled as she reached for it. “What’s this?”

“Open it, and you’ll find out.”

She flipped the lid, and her eyes widened. “Cash, I can’t. This is too much.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes, you can.” He lifted out the platinum necklace. At its base was a single teardrop sapphire, the colour of the ocean, and a perfect match for her deep velvet blue eyes. “Turn around.”

She did as he asked, lifting her hair out of the way as he fastened the clasp. She dropped her hair back into place.

“I love it,” she whispered, her fingers tentatively touching the gemstone.

“And I love you, baby. I’ll never stop loving you.”