As the plane landed at a private little strip just outside Rio, Scott felt less like a hardened agent and more like a doting boyfriend. An eager lover. Well, they were the Millers now. Stephen and Laura. That meant they were married. He could pretend that he was her husband. That was a step above boyfriend. They could be open with their displays of affection.

When it came to renting a car, he had a hard time keeping his hands to himself. He kept a hand on her far hip. He wanted to touch her, to keep a hand on her, to never let her go. Having his hands on her seemed to cement the thought in his mind that she was safe.

The bitch in the desert had fired a shot at Jovana, though she didn’t seem to be aware just who it was she was shooting at. There had been a real fear that she had been struck. He wouldn’t forget the feeling of his heart stopping when the cloud of sand kicked up where he had left her. He still hadn’t had a good chance to take the time to reassure himself that she was fine.

It was a need he wasn’t aware that he had, but it kept his hands on her. She didn’t protest. She didn’t try to shake him off. She let him squeeze her hips and rub her shoulders.

When he wrapped his arms around her shoulders at the car rental counter and buried his nose in her hair, she leaned back into him. “I hope you two enjoy your honeymoon,” the clerk said politely as she gave them the keys and rental agreement, assuming that was what they were doing by the way he was acting.

He didn’t even try to correct her. It was enough to make him giddy. Would this be what it felt like if they were to get married?

He tugged her to their rental car and loaded the few things into the trunk. He had an address to where they would be staying, though he had no idea what the state of it would be like. He had spent time in shady places over the years, and while it hadn’t really bothered him before, the thought of staying in a shack with Jovana wasn’t something he wanted to do.

For the first time, he wanted to treat her to a four-star hotel. He wanted to shower her with extravagance. Of course, it wouldn’t be a good idea to do that, but he still had the desire to take her in something other than a musty old motel room.

Fortunately, he was surprised when they rolled up onto a picturesque villa that looked as if it sat on a private beach. It was open and airy, and there was a small pool that overlooked the rainforest. It seemed like a cocoon from the outside world. Who would think to look for them here? It looked as if it was the perfect place to hide away, and they could enjoy the feel of freedom even if it was fleeting.

Jovana led the way through the villa. It was small but more than enough room for just the two of them. It was lavishly decorated, and the motel rooms he frequented didn’t hold a flame to this place. He opened every door to let the air in. It was hot, and the fresh air seemed to offer him more comfort, like all the problems had been left behind. She stopped by the pool in awe. “This is gorgeous.”

“It is,” he agreed, lingering behind her. They were alone in a secluded place, a piece of the world that could be theirs. It was almost painful to not touch her.

“It’s a pity we do not have swimsuits with us.” She sighed as if it were reason enough to not get in the clear water.

“You need a swimsuit?” he asked, and he stepped away, taking his time to tug his shirt off. “It’s just me and you,” he said as he dropped his shirt. He unbuttoned his jeans then pushed them down with his boxers. He hadn’t been joking about the blue balls. He hung at half-mast and the idea of being in the pool with her was enough to get the blood rushing from his head. “You’re not afraid of skinny dipping, are you?”

She watched him step into the pool, taking in the wall of muscle that he was and the sight that was his bare ass. He could feel her eyes on him, and he made no attempt to cover himself. He turned around and backed into deeper water, giving her a good look at his hard cock.

It had been a while since they had been able to enjoy each other. It seemed like the perfect time and the perfect chance. No one was around, and there was no danger to interrupt them. He wanted her so fucking much.

He watched her arms fold over her chest and he knew her gaze was going along the view he created. Not that he was cocky about his appearance. So far, though, Jovana had enjoyed his physique and hadn’t made any complaints. From the look on her face, she seemed to appreciate his appearance like he did hers. “You gonna get in or are you just going to enjoy the view?”

“Well . . .” She shrugged lightly, trying to look nonchalant as she appreciated him. “It is a nice view.”

“Get in,” he growled at her as he prowled back to the edge of the pool. “Or I’m gonna have to come get you and get you all wet.”

“Oh.” She started to pull her clothing off slowly. “You need to make little effort to get me wet, Scott.” As more of her sleek curves became exposed, she moved slower, teasing him with a view of her nude form.

“Get in,” he said lightly. “And I’ll be sure to take advantage of that and make you scream loud enough to bother the birds.” She didn’t hesitate after that. She stepped into the pool and went to him. He tugged her so that she was flush against him, and the pool became more about enjoying the feel of her and less about swimming.