Chase’s heart pounded against his ribs as the last spasms tore through his body. Penny’s warm breath teased his chest, and he held her tight, unwilling to release her. He relaxed, embracing her small form. Glancing up to the starry sky, he contemplated the disturbing emotion that churned in his chest. He knew he was in trouble. What was supposed to be a work vacation was turning into something much more complicated.

He was only going to be on the island a few more days, and when he left, whatever he and Penny had started would have to end. The fact that he’d started anything ate at him. Having come to an understanding before they’d had sex hadn’t absolved him. Making love to her had been more of a spiritual experience, not just a one off like he’d planned. Although he’d pushed the envelope by making love to her on the beach, he wondered how well she’d understand the high risk activities in which he engaged.

She stirred in his arms, drifting in and out of sleep, and he pressed his lips to her forehead. Brushing a stray hair from her forehead, he studied the contours of her face. The moon shone bright, illuminating her swollen pink lips. The taste of them fresh in his mind, he started running through the scenarios.

He was a scientist at heart. Hard facts were impossible to ignore. She lived on the east coast, he lived on the west, two very different worlds. In the city that never sleeps, she led a fast-paced, high-pressure existence, whereas he reveled in his own laid back lifestyle. Far from the busy nine-to-five rut, he often relaxed on the beach in sunny California. Chase accomplished his research both in and out of the office, with the added perks of working from wherever he wanted whenever he wanted.

If he’d been working on any other project, he’d have followed the general guidelines of the scientific process, developing theories, experimenting, testing, until it either failed or he’d developed a viable technology that could be used and sold by Emerson Industries. Penny was a person, not a product, he knew. His nagging conscience told him it was wrong to continue seeing her, in the whimsical hope that he could find a solution to the issues he’d identified.

But as her soft hand reached for his face and she traced her forefinger over his bottom lip, what lay in his heart superseded any rational thoughts. Fascinated by the sensual woman in his arms, he couldn’t let her go so easily. The drive to see where things would lead between them was overwhelming, despite his awareness of the obstacles that would keep them apart. With four days of vacation left, he needed more of Miss Travis.

“Chase,” she whispered.

“Hmm…you okay?” He felt her shiver under his palm and realized it was becoming much too cool to stay on the beach. Don’t spend the night with her, his mind warred with him. Fuck it. I want her. “Come back with me.”

“What?” Penny pushed up onto his chest. She glanced to her exposed breasts and quickly covered them with her arm as if she’d forgotten where they were. Her eyes fell to their clothes, strewn on the sand. “I, um, should get dressed.”

“Spend the night with me,” he insisted. Chase knew he’d been given an out, but let it pass. He could have thanked her for the evening, taken her back to her room and been done with things.

“I don’t know. Didn’t you say you were here with someone?” Penny licked her lips and gave him a sheepish smile.

“Working, yeah. But we aren’t staying in the same room. This isn’t college,” he joked. Chase brushed his knuckles gently over her cheek, his thumb gliding down her jaw. “Penny, I…I know we just met, but I’d like to spend time with you.”

Sweet Jesus, I sound like a teenager. Chase inwardly cringed. He thought to correct his words, to tell her to forget it, but on the verge of becoming sorely inarticulate, he decided silence was the best policy.

“You sure you want me to come with you? You really don’t have to ask me. I don’t want this to be awkward. What I mean to say is that I don’t expect anything. I know this is just kind of a vacation thing, but I won’t be hurt if you aren’t interested.” Penny paused, glanced to his lips and back to his eyes.

“Did you have a good time tonight?”

“Of course. It was amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you.”

“Then it’s settled. You’re coming home with me.” Not home…your hotel room.

“I don’t want you to think I do this kind of thing all the time. I…I haven’t dated in a long time. Not that this was a date,” she said nervously.

“It was kind of a date…we talked, had dinner, danced. We also walked on the beach, kissed. I haven’t dated in a long time either, but I think what we just did was a date.” He laughed, and shifted, his softened cock slipping out of her.

“I guess.” Penny broke contact with him.

“I’m out of practice, too, but I’m quite sure what we just had was a date.” Chase studied her as she appeared to consider his argument. He stretched across the sand and handed her her dress. As she turned to pull it over her head, he observed that she once again retreated into modesty. She’d been wild and uninhibited earlier. With the heat of the moment passed, it was as if she struggled with letting go of her apprehensions. “Let’s call this date number two.”

“Okay, I accept your logic. It appears that we had a date. A very nice one.” She giggled. “But going back to your room? How exactly is that a date?”

“It’s a sleepover.” Chase deftly removed his condom and disposed of it in a trash bin that rested against a palm tree.

“A sleepover, huh?”

“Yep. We’ll have some food, something to drink.” He slipped on his pants and snatched his shirt off the beach.

“Play games?”

“That’s the spirit. I can think of a few I’d like to play with you.” Chase closed the distance and took her hand in his. Helping her to her feet, he brought her palm to his cheek and kissed her wrist.

“Spin the bottle?”

“Too tame. I’m afraid I have much more wicked things in store for you, my lovely mermaid.”

“Is that so?”

“Say yes.”

“To your games?”

“To all of it.” Chase pulled her into his embrace, wrapping his arm about her waist.

“Chase…I want to say yes.” Penny smiled and her expression grew sultry, her lips nearing his.

“Say you’ll come back with me.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Yes.” Chase gave her a small smile as she acquiesced, and captured her lips with his.

Four days and he’d go home, he reminded himself. But as she moaned, relaxing into his arms and running her soft hands up his bare back, his possessive nature flared to life. He wanted her no matter the cost. Sweetly surrendering to his own instincts, he’d drown in the abyss of her warmth with no regrets.