“Don’t take that fucker back.”

My chin rested on Carson’s bare chest, and I glanced up at him, meeting his eyes. So, our one-night stand turned into a three-night stand, and I had absolutely no regrets. Last night, over margaritas on the beach, we discussed exes, and I’d told him all about Brad. With every sordid detail I spilled, his anger grew. I mean clenched jaw, fire behind his eyes, a billion and one obscenities to describe Bastard Brad as Carson nicknamed him. I didn’t know why I was spilling my guts to a man I would never see again, but to be honest, it felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders from talking to someone who had no links to either of us.

“I won’t.” I smiled and gently kissed his warm skin.

“You deserve the world. Don’t settle for anything less.”

I wiggled up his body until my lips hovered over his. His soft fingers glided up and down my back as we stared at one another. I’d always been a confident woman, but my confidence took a hit with the whole Brad saga. Yet these past few days with Carson and the way he looked at me and completely devoured my body shot my confidence into overdrive. He made me feel wanted and appreciated again. I felt the lioness within me stretch and ready herself to roar. It was time to head home and face my cheating ex and get everything I deserved and then some.

“You deserve a woman who treats you like a king, so don’t settle for anything less.”

His eyes softened for a moment before he lifted his hand, fisted my hair, and brought my mouth to his. I opened for him, and his tongue met mine in a frenzied duel where both would ultimately come out a winner. Moans and pants, whimpers and groans rolled around us like the perfect summer storm ready to unleash its beauty. Beneath me, he pushed up, grinding his cock against my pussy. I wanted him again. It was as simple as that. We didn’t have to speak a word; our bodies were screaming loud enough. I lifted my hips high enough for him to work between us and roll on a condom. As soon as he removed his hand, he pushed my panties to the side, and I lowered myself onto his cock and took all of him. He gripped my hips as I began to ride him. Resting my hands on the top of his thighs, I leaned back, taking him as deep as I could, and quickened my pace. His fingers dug into my flesh as our bodies slapped together, and the intoxicating scent of our sex soon filled the room. I felt myself soon begin to climb. Heat crawled up my skin. My thighs began to shake. I knew I would explode around him one last time.

“I’m going to come,” I panted as I continued to ride him. “Carson, I want you to come with me.”

The moment he pressed his thumb down on my clit, I exploded into a million pieces. He followed soon after, moaning my name and thrusting up into me one last time.

I collapsed on his chest, breathing hard. Realization hit me that this was it. I’d had a holiday fling and the best sex of my life with a man who would be someone else’s happily ever after one day. Someone I hoped would realize she was the luckiest girl in the world.

It felt surreal saying goodbye to someone you’d just spent three days having mind-blowing sex with, but that was exactly what we did two hours later. Just him, me, and Waikiki Beach.

“It was really nice meeting you, Carson Reeves,” I said, rising on my tiptoes and brushing my lips across his. “Thanks again for being my knight in shining armor.”

“You going to give me a real goodbye kiss or what?” he growled, pulling me flush against his body and wrapping his arms around me to lock me in.

Our lips sealed together in a searing kiss that belonged in the bedroom and not on the sand of one of the world’s busiest beaches. But at this point, I couldn’t care less about who saw us. This was our farewell kiss, and I planned on getting everything I could out of it. I clutched the edge of his shirt as we devoured, tasted, nibbled, and took everything we were offering each other. His hands dropped to my ass, and mine went to his hair. We kissed until we were breathing heavy and our bodies were on fire. Until I knew my panties were soaked and he was adjusting himself.

“And meeting you, Gabrielle Mackenzie, will be something I never forget,” he murmured against my lips, kissing me lightly one final time. “Remember what I said. You deserve the world. Nothing less.”

Reluctantly, we parted. We both knew what this was from the beginning, but it didn’t stop the ache I felt at the thought of getting in the Uber waiting to take Ebony and me to the airport. We hadn’t exchanged numbers, but I had a feeling Ebony took care of that. He lived the life of a nomad. Here, there, and everywhere. I had roots and had no plans on leaving the place I grew up. Three days was what we had. Three days that would stick with me for the rest of my life.

“Gabs we’ve got to go,” Ebony called from the window and offered a slight smile.

“Well, you heard the lady. My chariot awaits.”

He nodded. “Is this where we say we hate goodbyes?”

I pouted and laid it on thick. “It’s not goodbye. It’s see you soon.”

“Did you just quote a movie to me.” He scoffed.

“Damn right, I did.”

He shook his head and smiled. “Get out of here, Gabrielle Mackenzie.”

I shot him a wink over my shoulder as I wheeled my suitcase to the waiting Uber.

“Oh, Gabby,” he called after me.

I stopped and turned back to look at him.

“Stay away from men who wear red polo shirts; they’re bad fucking news. And anyone named Brad. I hear they’ve got no idea how to use their dicks and leave women very unsatisfied. You dodge a bullet with that one, babe.”

I shook my head at him as laughter bubbled inside me. Sliding in beside Ebony, I felt her clasp my hand and squeeze it.

“You okay?” she asked, softly.

I looked at her and smiled. “I’m more than okay.”

And I really was.

I started this trip in a solemn mood with battered confidence and a cheating ex plaguing my mind. A holiday fling was the last thing I wanted, but what I didn’t realize was how much I truly needed it. Now, I was heading home with my confidence restored, a body with the dull, pleasant ache of spectacular sex, and the determination to start the next chapter of my life. Free of cheating exes, bitchy friends, and an uneventful sex life.

Carson Reeves.

Hawaii.

Three days.

That was all I needed to change my entire life.

Now, I could officially say …

Holiday fling—done.

But as they always say, life does work in mysterious ways.

Was anything ever really done?

I guess time would tell.