The next day, Renee woke feeling groggy, vaguely hearing the ringing from her phone, as if it were close but far away.

She heard footsteps, saw someone come into her blurry vision, and blinked enough to see it was Kai, picking up her phone and tapping it so it stopped ringing.

She groaned, reaching for it, and he tossed it back on the bed toward her. What time was it?

She looked at the clock on her phone. 5:53. How the heck was he looking so chipper and awake this early? It was barely getting lighter outside, and he was walking around as if it were the middle of the damn afternoon.

She sat up, rubbing her head, thinking yesterday had been a big adventure.

Then she gasped, looking back at the phone. Ten missed calls.

Oh no.

She quickly unlocked it and dialed Liz’s number, praying her friend hadn’t called the police or something.

“Hello?” an irritated Liz answered.

“It’s me. I’m so sorry,” Renee said. She ran a hand through her tousled hair. It wasn’t like her to fall asleep like that. “I drifted off without calling you.”

“What was I supposed to think?” Liz practically screamed back at her. “You could have been kidnapped.”

Renee had to bite back a retort about all the times Liz hadn’t returned after going off with a guy. How it was reasonable to assume Renee had spent a night with someone as well, despite how Liz had always treated her.

But as usual, she didn’t speak up. What was the point? Besides, she hated when Liz left her hanging, and it was safer if they both checked in.

“I’ll try to do better,” Renee said. “In the future.” She flushed, looking up at Kai, who was standing there shirtless, arms folded over his bunching muscles, staring.

“Future?” Liz said, sounding irritated. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to keep seeing that weirdo. You’re still at his place, right?”

“Right,” Renee said.

“You… listen,” Liz said. “He’s just using you as an easy lay. I don’t want you to get hurt. I didn’t call anyone last night because I knew you were still probably there, and everyone deserves at least one fun night with a hot guy, but come on. Enough is enough. Take the fun and run. Don’t let him hurt you.”

“He won’t.” Renee’s eyes darted to Kai, who was cocking his head as he watched her. She hoped he couldn’t hear anything on the other end of the line. “Look, I gotta go. I know you won’t have any trouble finding other people to hang out with.”

“Wait,” Liz said abruptly. “I brought you on this vacation. I thought—”

Renee was too offended by Liz’s words about her not having any shot with Kai to want to listen to her anymore about any possible purpose for the vacation.

When she thought about it, Liz had never treated her right. And now she’d had enough.

They would have to have a long talk about it when they saw each other next, but Renee wasn’t ready to let it ruin her vacation.

Not when it had taken such an interesting turn.

She’d wondered if she’d mope the whole time about her breakup, even though she’d been the one to want it. Had wanted it for some time. But no, she hadn’t even thought about Chase at all.

And she’d never felt anything for him like she felt for Kai. Kai excited her, confused her, kept her guessing.

She set aside the phone and settled her hands on the blankets, keeping them tucked around her. He leaned against the doorframe, a twinkle lighting his eyes.

“You look beautiful in the morning,” he said. “I like being able to see you.”

“It’s still practically dark outside,” she said, pulling the blanket around her.

“Well, we need to get started before there are a lot of people around.” He walked through the doorway, motioning for her to follow him.

She stretched and got out of bed reluctantly, pulling on her dress from last night because she didn’t have anything else with her. “Start what?”

He was in the kitchen, and she noticed a plate of eggs, bacon, and sliced fruit on the counter.

“Did you make this?” she asked.

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I ordered it. I want you to have lots of strength for what’s ahead.”

Her body tingled slightly. Did he mean something sexy? She picked up a piece of bacon and munched it, feeling ravenous. She wasn’t sure why they’d stopped when they had last night, but she wasn’t complaining. For whatever reason, he didn’t want to go further.

Maybe he didn’t have a condom. Maybe he didn’t want to risk pregnancy. Maybe he was just odd. But what woman should complain about getting all the orgasms?

“Oh? What do I need my strength for?”

“Swimming lessons,” he said, sitting on the stool next to her and staring at her expectantly.

“Um, no,” she said warily.

She was terrified of the ocean, and he’d seen that the day before. Why would he want to torture her?

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said. “Why are you so worried?”

“Because I nearly drowned,” she said. “Because in the waves is the last place I want to do it.”

“So the pool?” he asked.

“Well, I guess, but won’t there be other people?”

“Hm,” he said thoughtfully, resting his cheek in his large palm. “Maybe. Or maybe not. I’ve seen them rent it out for private events.”

“You can’t mean… Kai, you don’t have to—”

“Wait here,” he said, standing abruptly. “And eat your breakfast. I’ll be back soon.”

She stared at him open-mouthed as he got up and walked to the door, one hand in his pocket. He walked outside, and she heard the lock click behind him.

“Do the deadbolt,” he called.

She stood up and slowly did as he said. She wasn’t sure why she never argued. She supposed on some level, she just trusted him. Despite his other foibles, he’d never given her a reason not to. And she preferred an honest man who sometimes messed up to a sneaky man who appeared to be perfect.

She munched her toast and sighed, looking out at the main window as the sun began to rise over the ocean. She wasn’t sure how things were going to go today, but no matter what, they would be an adventure.

* * *

Kai had spent the morning scanning the dragon handbook Aegis had given him with advice from the main gemstone dragons. Now that he’d found his mate, he was more eager than ever to get any extra tips on how to win her.

And he found Sapphire’s short advice to apply perfectly to the current moment.

Be careful with her heart. We all have wounds. We all need healing in some way. When you find hers, be gentle. Be the love that heals her soul. —Sapphire

She had a wound. She couldn’t swim. And Kai was the perfect one to heal it, by teaching her. And if she was too afraid of the ocean, which was hard for him to understand, he would simply rent the pool so they could do it there with no one to bother them.

If it made her feel safer, if it led to her eventually going in the ocean with him, it would be worth it.

As he strolled through the lobby, he passed a clothing shop and cocked his head at it. Perhaps after he rented the pool, he should come back and get anything Renee needed, since he didn’t intend to let her go back to her room anytime soon.

Not when her friend appeared to be horrible. Why would someone be friends with someone who was mean to them anyway? Kai truly didn’t understand humans.

He walked to the front desk where the manager had helped them the other night.

The main manager, Steve, looked at him with wary eyes.

“What is it, Kai?”

“I want to rent the pool,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets, feeling the dragon’s handbook there.

Steve’s eyes widened. “The pool?” Then he composed himself, pulling out a binder from underneath the counter in front of him. “Of course… Let me see…”

“Today,” Kai said sharply.

“I mean, we have to give the patrons notice, and—”

“Today,” Kai said. “Now. And come on, there is no one out there.”

The manager sighed, looking out at the beach through the front doors, which were made of glass. The ocean was still dark, the sun barely rising. “All right. You have two hours.” He passed the book to Kai. “Here is the cost. If you’re fine with it, then you can sign here.”

Kai scanned the large number, but it meant nothing to him, so he signed.

Money was irrelevant when your friends could produce precious metals and gemstones.

He slid the book back to Steve, who closed it and set it aside.

“You’re an interesting man, you know that?” Steve said, folding his arms and staring at Kai.

“I know,” Kai said. “I’ve been told that.”

“But not a bad one,” Steve said. “You be nice to that girl you were with last night. She’s a good one. And thanks again for helping catch… the perp.”

“My pleasure,” Kai said coolly. “Now if you don’t mind—”

“Oh, right,” the manager said. “Well, if you need anything, let me know.”

“Great,” Kai said shortly. He’d only been away for a few moments, but he was already eager to get back to his mate.

On the way back, he passed the store again and stopped to look inside. He didn’t really want to talk to any humans, including the small woman who appeared to be the proprietor, but he also wasn’t sure exactly what Renee would need.

“Um,” he said, clearing his throat.

The woman, whose nametag read Deb, looked up and smiled at him. Luckily, she didn’t flirt with him. She simply came over to help.

“What do you need, dear?”

“Some things for a woman,” he said. “She is about this size.” He gestured with his hands, and the woman nodded. For once, someone wasn’t treating him as awkward.

“Let me show you some things I think might be in her size,” Deb said kindly, taking him to a pile of silky undergarments and showing him a few.

He felt blood rush into his face in embarrassment. “I meant… swimsuits. And maybe some comfortable clothing to wear in the room or to sleep.”

“Ah, I have just the things,” she said. “What about this?” She held up a swimsuit, and Kai shook his head. Too plain. “This?” She held up a red one that was small, held together by flimsy strings.

Yes, the dragon inside him roared. That was it. She would look magnificent. It took all his control not to react physically to the thought of Renee wearing it.

But then again, they would be outside, and others might be around. Others who could look through the closed gates. He rested his chin on his hand and frowned.

“Take this as well,” Deb said. “Just in case.” She held out a silky, knee-length dress with flowers on it.

“What is it?”

“A cover-up,” Deb said. “In case she isn’t comfortable in it.”

“What’s there to be uncomfortable about?” he asked. “There really isn’t enough material to be uncomfortable, is there?”

Deb shook her head. “No, but that’s sometimes the issue.”

Kai didn’t understand at all, but he took the cover-up. Depending on how Renee looked in the swimsuit, maybe he’d insist she wear it. He really didn’t want anyone else to see what was his.

“Okay,” he said. “And then I need to quickly look at some clothing and some of those undergarments.”

Deb smiled. “Right this way.”

Kai followed eagerly. He hoped he was making exactly the right choices. He couldn’t wait to see his mate’s face when she saw.

* * *

Be brave, Renee thought to herself as she looked at the swimsuit in the bag Kai had handed her with a proud smile.

She’d taken it into the bedroom, knowing with how he felt about her body, the last thing he was going to pick was some frumpy brown-skirted thing like Chase and Liz would have insisted on.

But she hadn’t expected his pick to be so… revealing.

She sucked in a deep breath, told herself to relax, and remembered the night before. She was beautiful—at least he thought so. He made her feel that way. And he wanted to see her in this. He’d already seen even more of her. The thought made her flush, but she wasn’t going to let it stop her.

She was stepping outside the lines, and this was just another way to push through her boundaries. And maybe it would be good for her. Wearing something like this in public would be breaking the unspoken rules, would certainly get her some untoward glares, but who cared? She had the same right to show off her body as anyone else, and Kai clearly wanted her to.

She took it into the bathroom, trying to figure out the strings as she went. It was more supportive than she would have thought, with padding in the triangle cups and thicker straps tying around the neck than the strings that went around the rib cage. The bottoms were pathetically small, barely covering her in the front and then tying in bows on each side before barely covering her backside.

She did like the red, and looking at herself in the mirror, body on display in all its curvy glory, hair long and wavy and pulled over one shoulder, she couldn’t help but feel a little bit… sexy.

Maybe it was just trying to see herself the way Kai saw her. Like she was stunning and perfect just the way she was.

She smoothed her hands over her tummy and took one more calming breath, then walked out of the bedroom and into the hall where he was waiting for her to show him.

He’d already changed into board shorts in a deep green and was sitting on the couch, shirtless, but he immediately stood when she came into the room.

His jaw dropped, and then he closed it. Though she’d expected him to be happy, he looked anything but.

His eyes went intense and stormy as he looked her over, and his whole body was rigid as he walked forward. He stared at her intently for a few seconds and then walked swiftly past her and into the bedroom, rummaging in a bag on the floor.

She stood there, stunned by his reaction, trying not to be hurt, as he came back toward her, holding something in his hands.

As it unrolled and he held it over her head, she realized it was a large, floral cover-up.

She raised her hands hesitantly as he hurriedly shoved it down over her shoulders, covering the beautiful swimsuit and wiping away the tentative confidence she’d been feeling a moment before.

Clearly, he was embarrassed by how much she was showing. Clearly, he agreed that she should be covered up.

He froze, looking down at her as a tear she couldn’t fight slowly began to fall down one cheek. The cover-up was still rumpled, and she struggled to pull it down over herself. When it was finally straight, she looked at the ground, unable to meet his eyes.

Of all the people in the world, she’d never expected him to try to cover her.

“Wait, what’s wrong?” he asked, stepping back in horror.

“I mean. It’s nothing,” she said. “It’s silly. I should be grateful. They’re beautiful gifts, but—”

“But?”

“But I’ve had people tell me I should cover up before, you know, because of my weight, and it doesn’t feel good.” She swiped at another rogue tear, embarrassed at herself.

She hated that she was letting her issues ruin the moment. After all, he’d just been trying to be nice. He hadn’t meant anything, and the swimsuit truly wasn’t appropriate.

“Wounds,” he said to himself, and she didn’t know what he was talking about. “I got that all wrong.”

“What?” she asked, confused. But before she could say more, he’d closed the distance and gathered her into his arms, holding her tightly.

“I’m sorry people covered you up or made you feel like you had to.”

“It’s fine,” she said. “I get it.”

“I don’t think you do,” he said in a low voice, holding her tighter. “I don’t want you to be covered, but you’re so beautiful. I don’t want anyone to see you.”

She felt herself flush bright red as she tried to interpret his words. Meanwhile, he held her possessively in his tight, muscular arms, as if even the cover-up weren’t enough and he was determined to shield her from the world.

“Wait, what? So you didn’t hate it?”

“Hate it?” he mumbled against her hair. “It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, next to seeing you naked. But then again, I can’t let anyone else see it. Just the thought of it makes me so mad I can’t see straight.”

“Really?” she asked, looking up at him. Somehow, his jealously, his protectiveness, always surprised her.

Chase had always said he liked that she was low maintenance, that she didn’t draw any attention.

Kai assumed everyone saw her as beautiful, as he did.

She knew which one she liked more.

She smiled at him, feeling comfort wash over her like sunshine. Then she wrapped her arms around him, holding him, too.

He sighed. “I’m sorry if it is inappropriate. I probably should not tell you what to wear. If you truly want to wear it, I will do my best to protect you without going into a rage.” He sighed. “But I would really prefer if you wore the dress. Saved what’s mine for me.”

His?

The thought stunned her, but she didn’t allow it to change the fact that she wasn’t holding any expectations. He could mean his for the week or his for a fling. He could be possessive but still want something casual.

And she desperately didn’t want to get disappointed by getting her hopes up too high.

“Okay,” she said, pulling back to look up at him. “You rented the pool for us. Let’s go use it.”

“I don’t want to now. I want to stay here,” he grumbled into her shoulder, still holding tight.

She sighed. “Fine by me.”

He pulled back with a groan and grabbed her by the hand, dragging her toward the door with him as he stopped to pick up a bag of towels and snacks. “No. We have to make sure you can swim. It’s pretty urgent.”

She sighed. She would never understand his obsession with the water, but given all his other considerable, good qualities, she guessed the least she could do was try.