Lake Arrowhead is a vibrant, green parcel of land nestled between a majestic mountain range and a twenty-mile lake. Surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, it offers tons of outdoor activities and a retreat from the smog and pretentiousness of L.A.

As Colt drives down a winding road, I suck in gulps of fresh air from the open windows. It’s amazing how the stark difference of nature affects my mood. Already, my mind feels lighter, as though my problems are being magically lifted each mile we travel farther from the city.

When Colt woke me up in the wee hours of the morning and told me we’d be staying at a friend’s for a month, I had no idea this was what he had in mind. It’s the perfect prescription for the dysfunction we’re living in.

And a break from the media circus outside his home.

After checking with his former teammate, Ross, who owns a cabin away from the tourist side on North Bay Drive, Colt piled me and Cee into a rental car. The hour and a half drive has given us all time to decompress.

When the car turns the bend, my breath catches. An enormous log cabin looms in the short distance. Mountain chalet is more like it. The rustic pine structure presents an impressive picture with the mid-morning sun beaming against it. A stone chimney soars from the roof into the sky. Wraparound decks ring the top and bottom of the home. A Jacuzzi juts up from one.

Terra cotta pots overflowing with colorful flowers line the front porch like dancers ready for the stage. Oversized windows, no doubt built to enjoy the amazing views, flank all sides of the house. With a turquoise ribbon of cloudless sky as its backdrop, Ross’s home is postcard perfect.

“It’s beautiful!” I gawk, hopping from the back seat where I’d been playing a card game with Cee. Over the past two days, we’ve become chummier than spaghetti and meatballs.

Colt stands beside me. I try not to look at him. Only a few days ago, he’d lain between my legs. Kissed my shoulders. Slid his tongue against mine. Even now, my body warms remembering his sensual touch and the pleasure we used to give each other. Nobody handles my body like Colt.

“This place is amazing!” Cee exclaims, hijacking my erotic daydream.

“Sure is,” Colt answers.

She spins in a circle, arms wide, face uplifted toward the sun. “Can we live here?”

Colt laughs. “Yeah. For the next month, this will be our home.”

School is out for the summer. Cee didn’t realize we’d be moving soon, but it wouldn’t be here. We all stand staring at the magnificent cabin. I inhale, filling my lungs with the pine-scented air. Colt had already told us this place has four bedrooms, four baths, a media room with a 6o-inch big-screen TV, and a fully stocked kitchen. Not that we would need all that food. Colt said he’d planned to teach us how to fish—the same way his dad had taught him.

What was the old saying? Cook a man a fish and you feed him for a day. But teach a man to fish and you get rid of him for the whole weekend. I’m looking forward to eating fried fillets. Handling slimy worms and fish, not so much.

Cee shimmies her shoulders. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go check it out.”

Colt tosses her the keys to the cabin. She skips toward the front door. Sometimes, I forget she’s a kid. The face she shows me most of the time is the street-smart cynical girl I’ve come to like. Rarely does she do anything remotely similar to skipping.

I follow, unable to restrain a smile from stretching across my face. I know Colt’s eyes are on me as I stride toward the log mansion. Before I reach the first step of the massive porch, I whirl around and catch him staring at my ass.

I smirk. “Something wrong?”

“Nope. I just like watching you move.”

Always the charmer. I won’t fall for it today. I’d come dangerously close to giving myself to him. I have to stick to the plan. Sex is definitely not in the plan. Coming out here was a good idea. The more space I put between us, the better.

I change the subject. “Thanks for bringing us here. We need it.” I turn toward the front door.

“Shayla, wait. About the other night…” He calls me back.

“That was a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

“It wasn’t a mistake.” He caresses my face with the pads of his thumbs. “We’re husband and wife. We have every right to enjoy each other’s bodies.”

My eyes roam his athletic physique. He’s wearing an aqua polo and white shorts. Most guys wear their shorts long. Colt’s stop well above his knees; his muscular calves play show and tell with the world. He’s ripped everywhere. Sculpted thighs. Carved biceps. Chiseled chest. Every inch of his toffee skin exudes virility and sensuality. All I have to do is say the word and I can have him inside me, showing me the raw power of his stroke.

I step away, erecting an imaginary wall between us. “Ours is a marriage of convenience, Colt. Don’t forget, this is only for Cee’s sake.”

He bites his lower lip. “Whatever your reason, I’m glad you’re here.” His gaze conveys yearning and regret. “I wouldn’t want to be here with anyone else.”

I steel myself against the tides of emotion that threaten to capsize my resolve. “Good,” I say, offering him a tight smile, “because you’re stuck with us for the next month.”

Colt has an appointment to see a woman at Social Services in a few weeks. Until then, it will take every ounce of control I have to resist him.

Cee bursts through the front door and bounds down the front steps. “Omigod! Did you know there’s a lake out back?”

Colt chuckles. “Yep. That’s why I told you to bring your swimsuit.”

“I thought I was gonna take a dip in the pool. But this is waayyy better than a pool. Our very own lake!”

I laugh as Cee scampers forward and tugs at my wrist. “C’mon Shayla! Let’s go.”

I allow her to drag me toward the front door. “But don’t you want to pick your room first? Plus, I need to get changed.”

“Right. See you in ten minutes.” Cee races back into the house, belting out Pharrell’s Happy at the top of her lungs.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that girl move so fast.”

Colt grins from ear to ear. “You’re good for her, Shayla.”

“Thanks.”

“She never laughed this much until you came along.”

“Maybe you never said anything funny.”

He cocks his head to the side. “Woman, I know funny. I am funny. You won’t be saying I’m not funny after I’m done tickling you.”

I gasp. Before I can take one step, he scoops me in his arms, tosses me onto the massive outdoor wicker sofa, and starts tickling my stomach.

Laughing uncontrollably, I lunge onto my side trying to get away from his merciless fingers. He rolls with me, our bodies lumping together into a tangle of arms and legs.

I shriek. “Okay! I surrender!”

At the mention of our code phrase, Colt ceases his torture. “Didn’t I make you laugh?” A boyish grin splits his face. Curled fingers poise, midair, the threat of more tickling looming over me.

“Yes!” I breathlessly reply. My chest heaves, not only from the sudden physical exertion, but from the up-close contact. To my irritation and dismay, white-hot bursts of pleasure erupt throughout my body. I have no self-control around this man.

I end up trapped beneath his solid frame, my legs sprawled open with his muscular body wedged between them. Our hips grind automatically against each other. His eyes hold mine captive.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs.

I feel the same about him. No man should have such perfect features. Feathery, long lashes. Noble, broad nose. Chin with a dimple in the middle. His lips hover so close to mine, his minty breath fans my face.

His mouth descends closer. My heart thunders in my ears. My coochie throbs painfully, begging for release.

“C’mon, you two!” Cee yells through the open door, making my heart beat even faster. “Dang! You’re like two teenagers in heat.”

Colt slides from atop my body and helps me to my feet. His palm is warm and inviting. I hang my head in shame. If this is what a month in this cabin is going to be like, I’m doomed.