“Oh, Rupe, it’s gorgeous.”

Jayne took Rupe’s hand as he helped her aboard his boat. He’d done nothing but talk about his pride and joy for the last four weeks, ever since Jayne had agreed to his offer of a holiday—ten days in which Rupe had promised her the best time of her life, with no strings whatsoever.

He was making good on that promise already.

“She is amazing, isn’t she?” he said fondly as his hand trailed along the polished wooden rail at the stern.

Like an excited little boy, Rupe showed her around. The boat was huge, though several surrounding yachts moored in Miami’s harbour dwarfed it. Seriously, Rupe’s was plenty big enough. She couldn’t imagine what anyone would do with even more space.

“So when do we set sail?” she said as they emerged on deck once more.

“Tomorrow. It would have been better if you’d managed to take a little more time off work, but we can still see two or three islands on the western side of the Caribbean in the time we have.”

An excited thrill ran through her, not just because of the upcoming much-needed holiday but because she was spending it with Rupe. He’d been true to his word over the last four weeks. He hadn’t laid a finger on her, he’d made sure she’d had downtime, and he’d stopped her from working herself to death. He’d even managed to persuade her to accept the latest counteroffer from Kyle, which, for some strange reason, had been entirely reasonable. As Rupe had pointed out, accepting it would mean she could finally put her marriage behind her and move on.

Move on to Rupe perhaps?

She pushed the thought aside, one that had been regularly nudging her in the weeks since Rupe had backed off after their one night together. He’d read her correctly: a friend had been exactly what she’d needed at the time. But now she wasn’t so sure. Every time he took her hand or inadvertently brushed past her, her stomach would clench, and a delicious shiver would creep up her spine.

“So what have you got planned for tonight?”

Rupe made a wry face. “Don’t kill me, but I thought you wouldn’t mind if we met up with Cash and Tally for dinner.”

Jayne tilted her head to one side. “You’re taking me to meet your friends?”

Rupe slung an arm around her shoulder. It had the casual feel of friendship. Even so, Jayne couldn’t help a swarm of butterflies from setting up camp in her stomach.

“Well, you’re a friend of mine too. Why wouldn’t I?”

She grinned. “Then I’d love to meet them. How come they’re in Miami?”

Rupe chuckled. “Tally dragged Cash and the kids to Disney World—under extreme duress, I might add. But Cash has never been able to say no to Tally.”

“Disney World not his thing?”

“Not even close, which is why they’re here now. Cash committed to one week in the fun capital but only if they could then spend a few days here. Miami’s much more his vibe. Elegant restaurants and stylish clubs rather than screaming kids, pushy parents, and endless queues.”

Jayne laughed. “I’m looking forward to meeting them already.”

“Well, be prepared, ’cause I’m going to rip the shit out of Cash for caving. Honestly, I swear if Tally asked him to strip naked and run down Miami Beach with his arse on fire, he’d do it.”

She laughed again. “Should make for a fun night.”

* * *

Jayne bit down on her nerves as she and Rupe waited at the restaurant for Cash and Tally to arrive. She had no idea why her stomach was churning. She wasn’t normally bothered by meeting new people. In her line of work, she had to do it all the time. But something about how important these two people were to Rupe, and how she’d translated that into desperately needing them to approve of her, meant she was much edgier than normal.

“There they are,” Rupe said, waving his arms in the air. Jayne followed his gaze and had to swallow her surprise. She didn’t know what she’d expected, but coming towards them was possibly the most attractive couple she’d ever seen. Cash was tall and broad shouldered but lean rather than heavily muscled. He was extremely handsome and perfectly matched by Tally. She had waist-length chestnut-coloured hair that fell in waves over her shoulders, piercing navy-blue eyes, skin like porcelain, and the most amazing prominent cheekbones. And her body… what Jayne wouldn’t have given for some of Tally’s curves.

Cash and Rupe clapped each other on the back while Tally smiled and stuck out her hand.

“You must be Jayne. We’ve heard so much about you.”

“Please don’t believe everything he says,” Jayne said, cocking her head at Rupe.

“I heard that,” Rupe said, while Tally chuckled.

“Good to finally meet you, Jayne,” Cash said.

“Likewise,” Jayne said as they took their seats.

Cash and Rupe immediately began to take the piss out of one other.

Tally rolled her eyes. “They’re like this every time they get together. We may as well be part of the furniture.”

Cash broke off from joking around with Rupe and snaked an arm around her shoulders. He kissed her temple. “Sweetness, you know you’re the centre of my world.”

His expression as he looked at his wife was one of reverence, adoration, and intense love. Jayne could barely tear her eyes away as she watched them silently converse. A connection like that between two people was so rare.

“So, Jayne,” Tally said when Cash began speaking with Rupe again. “I hear Rupe is taking you on a whistle-stop tour of the Caribbean.”

“Yes. It’s a shame I can’t get more time off work, but fighting couples await.”

Tally laughed. “I can’t imagine how difficult your job must be. I’m just glad Rupe had you in his corner—that’s all I can say.”

Rupe rose from his chair and leaned across the table. He picked up Tally’s hand and kissed it. “Thank you, darling.”

Jayne could have sworn she heard a low growl coming from Cash.

Rupe chuckled as he dropped Tally’s hand and sat back down. “Seven years, dickhead, and you still get jealous.”

“Seven years, and you still don’t learn.”

Rupe laughed as Tally’s eyes cut to Cash. “Will you two behave, please?”

As the evening wore on, Jayne began to relax. Tally was one of the most genuine women she’d ever met. There wasn’t an ounce of bitchiness in her, and her obvious love for Rupe made a twinge of envy pinch at Jayne’s gut. She had friends, of course, but nothing on the scale of the connection between Rupe and Cash, and Tally seemed to be the ship that anchored them.

When coffee was served at the end of the meal, Tally got to her feet. “Just off to the ladies’,” she said, giving Jayne a clear indication to follow her.

Jayne slung her bag over her shoulder, more than a little curious about what Tally wanted with her, although it wasn’t very unusual for women to go to the bathroom in pairs.

“Rupe seems to like you very much.” Tally removed a lipstick from her bag and began to apply a thin layer. She dabbed her lips with a tissue. “So what about you? How do you feel about him?”

Jayne held back a look of surprise at Tally’s direct approach. “I’m not sure that’s any of your business,” she said, making sure she softened her words with a smile.

Tally tilted her head to the side. “I understand that you’re going through a nasty divorce.”

Jayne’s eyes widened. “Does Rupe tell you and Cash everything?”

“Pretty much.” Tally shrugged. “Look, I’ll lay my cards on the table. Rupe is one of the most important people in my life. I love him like the brother I never had. He’s a good person, a really good person, but beneath all his joviality lies a heart that would be easy to crush.”

Jayne straightened her spine. “And you think I’m going to do that?”

“I didn’t say that, but I know Rupe extremely well. I can tell by the way he looks at you that he’s falling hard and fast. If you don’t feel the same way, then please, leave him alone before he gets seriously hurt.”

Incredulous, Jayne stared at Tally. “Wow… you’re warning me off?”

“No. I’m asking you to search deep within your heart and figure out, bloody quick, whether Rupe could be the one for you, because I’m telling you now, he thinks you’re the one for him.”

A fluttering set up in Jayne’s belly and wouldn’t quit. “Has he said that?”

Tally shook her head. “Like I said, I know Rupe probably better than he knows himself. Please don’t hurt him.”

Tally’s last words came out as a plea, and Jayne expelled a soft breath. “Look, I’ll level with you. I don’t know where this thing with Rupe is going. I’ve had my fingers burned, and I’m not in a rush to stick them back in the fire again. He’s good company, and I really enjoy being with him, but six weeks is no length of time to make lifelong commitments.”

“Six weeks is long enough for some,” Tally said, almost to herself.

Jayne smiled softly. “I’m not you, and Rupe isn’t Cash.”

Tally grinned. “Fair point.”

“You’re lucky you found your soulmate, but you have to remember, I already thought I’d found mine.” She laughed. “Although, looking back, I think I was more in love with the idea of being in love.”

“I’m really sorry. About your husband, I mean. That’s an awful thing to happen, and with your best friend. Urgh. What a bitch.”

Jayne chuckled. “Wow, he really does tell you everything.”

Tally clapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, God, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s fine.” Jayne had a final glance in the mirror. “We’d better get back before they send out a search party.”

When Jayne slipped into her seat beside Rupe, he gave her a quizzical look. She smiled reassuringly and rubbed his arm. “Well, I don’t know about you lot, but I’m exhausted after the long flight today.”

Rupe glanced at his watch. “I’m not surprised. It’s four in the morning back home. Want to go?”

“Yes, please.”

As the four of them said their goodbyes with promises of a meetup when they were all back in England, Rupe slipped an arm around Jayne’s waist. She probably should have shrugged him off—she didn’t want him to get any mixed signals—but she was just too damned tired. She leaned her head on his shoulder as their driver took them back to the boat.

“I could get used to this,” she murmured. “Great food, good company, chauffeur-driven cars.”

Rupe gently kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you liked my friends.”

“I really did.” Her eyes began to droop. “They’re lovely people.”

The car coming to a stop jolted her from sleep. Rupe walked her to her stateroom, and as she bid him goodnight, he hesitated and held her eye for a moment, but he only said, “Night, Jayne. Sleep well.”

As he headed to his own stateroom, she watched his retreating back with a mixture of longing and regret. Putting her mixed feelings down to jet lag, she entered her room and promptly fell asleep.