They’d stayed that way, wrapped in each other’s arms on the platform until the candles burnt down. Later, once they’d swum back to shore, he didn’t waste any time getting her out of her wet bikini and into his arms, where he could feel her bare breasts pressed up against his chest.

Earlier on the street, when she’d walked away from him, Ash wasn’t sure he’d ever have her in his arms again, and the feeling had threatened to overwhelm him with the intensity of it. Now, with Heather exactly where she belonged, he was determined to make sure she knew how much he loved her. In every way.

He swept her wet hair to the side and gripped it with one hand, exposing her neck so he could kiss and nibble his way down between her breasts. His breath hitched in his throat as he kissed the swell of her perfect breasts. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered between kisses.

Her gentle groans were the only response he needed.

Both hands slid down her body until they cupped her ass; he lifted her easily until her legs wrapped around his waist. He kissed her full on the mouth then. A possessive, hungry kiss that didn’t even begin to express his need for her.

With her wrapped around him, Ash walked slowly to the blanket he’d laid in the middle of the room and gently lowered her to the floor, where he could give her the attention she deserved.

Her wet hair was spread out beneath her in a wild tangle that just made her that much more irresistible. “Heather, I…God. I just…”

“Ash?” She reached up and stroked his face. “Less talk.” And pulled him down to her again.

He didn’t need to be asked twice. His kiss was harder, more demanding and she responded with the same need. When he reached one hand between them, to the cleft between her legs, she was hot and wet and more than ready for him. Although he would have liked to have taken his time with her, there would be plenty of opportunity for that later. For now, he needed her and there was no doubt in his mind that she needed him just as badly.

When he entered her, she gasped and locked her legs around him, holding him in place. He pulled away from her kiss, just far enough so he could look her in the eyes and they could watch each other as they both took their pleasure and quenched the flames inside.

Later, lying with Heather in his arms, letting the tropical winds wash over their heated bodies, Ash couldn’t remember a time he’d ever been happier. There had been good times, but never one quite so perfect when the world was just right.

He stroked the back of her head, and her now almost dry hair, gently working the tangled strands with his fingertips.

“Ash?”

“Mmm?”

“Please don’t keep anything from me again, okay?”

He knew without asking she was talking about Sherri. Ash scooted back just enough that she could turn in his arms and look at him. “I wanted to tell you.”

“I know she asked you not to.”

“But I should have.”

“It’s a gray area,” she admitted.

“But when I went to town,” he said, “I wanted to. I waited for you, but…it was just a big misunderstanding. All of it was, really. I’m sorry.” He kissed her nose. “I won’t keep anything from you again.”

She smiled and he knew it was okay. “She’s going to be okay, you know?”

A question flashed in her eyes, so he told her about the last conversation he’d had with Sherri and all about Dr. Friesen, and why he was in Bocas Town in the first place, and the hope he had for their friend. When he was finished explaining everything, in the interest of not keeping anything from her again, he added one more detail. “You might have guessed by now that I have a bit of money tucked away.”

“A bit?”

“Okay. Quite a bit. After everything happened with Carlie, I sold my business and most of my shares. Let’s just say that…no matter what happens, I’ll be okay. In fact…I had an idea that I think you might be interested in.”

“What’s that?”

“Before we go there, I just want to make sure that we’re good. Everything that happened with Sara, you know it was nothing, right? Like nothing happened? I didn’t even know she was there and—”

She held a finger to his lips, silencing him. “I know. Ash, it’s okay. I was just in shock, I think, and seeing her there with you, like that…” She shook her head, not wanting to replay the image. “It hurt. But not as much as realizing, or thinking that I was realizing, that you meant what you said about not being able to love again.” Before he could interrupt, she kept talking. “But I know now. I heard you. I believe you. And I love you, too.”

He kissed her then and she didn’t think she’d ever get enough of him. There was something different in their kisses now that they’d declared their love for each other. An honesty, a rawness that wasn’t there before. It made her heart sing.

“Now, tell me. What’s this idea of yours?”