Naia glanced around the elegant, yet understated room, hardly believing her current circumstances. She was on a private island, sharing time with an enigmatic, gloriously handsome vampire who should frighten her. Instead he warmed her blood like melting chocolate over an open flame. A simple look from him had her blushing, which normally was a rarity considering she worked at a seedy club where catcalls were practically a form of currency. A simple touch from him had her skin heating up, her body willing to burn for him. A simple kiss nearly drove her out of her mind. She couldn’t get enough. No, he didn’t frighten her. He excited her.

Conversely, when they weren’t making love, he behaved more gentlemanly than she ever expected from a man like him, making sure she was comfortable and fed and content. If one was doomed to be stranded on a deserted island, it might as well be this one. The ocean was a crystalline feast for the eyes, the fine sandy beach was like stepping through powdered silk. The estate was a state-of-the-art, automated, nerd-paradise with a remote for just about everything from the window shades, accent lighting, and surround sound music in whichever room one desired. And the kitchens—count them, two! One on the first level, and one on the third—were stocked with enough goods for a doomsday scenario.

She changed into one of the dresses Kenzi (his assistant of sorts) had purchased for her, a sexy stretchy number that wrapped her torso like it was to be worn by her. The bottom flowed freely, allowing a side slit to reveal her right leg as she headed down to the cozy den where he now sat, a drink in his hand and a glass of wine waiting for her on the sidebar.

Cortez watched her intensely as she crossed to pick up her glass. She thrilled at the thought that he might jump her on the spot. She could tell he wanted to, but he restrained himself.

She suspected just barely.

The room was dimly lit, giving the ambiance of something that resembled warm candlelight. A sofa and coffee table took up the middle of the room. Cortez sat in one of the two armchairs, looking regal and edible at the same time. Soft music fluttered through unseen speakers, and a set of French doors were opened, allowing in the exquisite ocean breeze. The sun had dipped behind that watery expanse, leaving behind only traces of its dying light, not yet night, but no longer day. “This place is beautiful,” she sighed.

“I think so too.” He was still watching her, seemingly content in doing so.

The silence suddenly made her feel a little awkward. She was alone with a man she’d known for all of two days. A man she’d been hired to spy on, or rather, on his business, an assignment she still wasn’t sure how she felt about. Especially considering the wild turn her relationship with Cortez had taken. Did he always seduce women with the speed and undeniable expertise he’d shown her? How long had the others lasted in his bed before he tired of them?

“How often do you entertain?” she asked, pretending to gaze out to the ocean, not really seeing it. She wasn’t sure if she was trying to sound interested, interesting, or if she just wanted a distraction from her thoughts. Maybe what she really wanted was insight into how regularly he brought others to this dazzling bachelor-pad paradise.

Not that she should care.

“It’s not a place I think to invite people.”

She faced him, taking in his cryptic smile. “Uh-huh?” she murmured, disbelieving. She waved her glass around the sitting room. “This crème de la bachelor pad goes untapped? I’m so sure.”

He raised a brow at her sarcasm. “I keep the bachelor pad at the other end of the island.” His tone was teasing.

“I just bet you do. And it’s probably magnificent. The Taj Mahal pales in comparison? Meanwhile you bring me to this dump.” In a haughty tone, she added, “I’m afraid I must insist on gold flecks in my bath water and diamonds for breakfast.”

Amusement lit his features. “I can see I’ve already spoiled you.”

She nodded happily. “I’m afraid you might be right. Now where is the pile of gems we’re meant to sleep atop? I think I’d like to show my appreciation.” She smiled coyly.

His grin turned carnal. “One pile of gems coming up.”

Taking her glass from her, he set it aside and then hefted her over his shoulder barbarian-style. She squealed with laughter as he bound up the stairs to the master bedroom. After lightly tossing her on an impossibly soft mattress, he crawled over her, his gaze intent. When they kissed, his lips were a perfect mix of give and take, his tongue delving to follow the path of her lower lip before retreating and then repeating the process, just enough to tease and make her crave more.

His solid frame cocooned her in deliciously hard muscles. Her fingers flew to the top-most button of his shirt, working it free before moving on to the next. As if he were as impatient as her, he simply shrugged the fabric off and tossed it aside.

Almost reverently, she ran her hands along the planes and dips of his chest, his shoulders, and muscled arms, marveling at the dichotomy of silk over perfectly sculpted stone.

“Your body is unbelievable,” she gasped between kisses.

“Ditto,” he growled. His head dipped to run his lips along her jaw, down past her collarbone and over the tops of her breasts, straining against the fabric of her dress. His hands scooped around to her back and grappled with her zipper. Fearing he might forego the zipper and rip the fabric clean off her like he had before, she shimmied it halfway down her body, leaving her torso naked to his gaze. He groaned at the sight and then leaned down to trap one of her nipples between his hot lips.

She cried out, raking her fingers through his hair, though it was difficult with her arms half restrained by her dress.

His attention moved to her other breast, languidly swirling his tongue around the sensitive peak. “Oh, God!” Her spine arched. She struggled to squirm the rest of the way out of her dress. Deciphering her need, he gripped the fabric and yanked it down her hips. She didn’t think she’d heard anything rip, but then, at this point, she didn’t really care. She was left in only her panties while he was still fully dressed. It was titillating, being so vulnerable and exposed. She might have been embarrassed if he wasn’t taking her in like she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever beheld.

Kneeling over her, he let out a low, husky sound that could have had several meanings. Something along the line of: fuck me/all mine/ gorgeous! Whatever the translation was, that sound poured a hot steaming aphrodisiac directly into her brain, making her feel drunk on lust. Her cheeks flushed, heart hammered, body ached. Why wasn’t he fucking her already?

Gripping her by the ankle, he pulled her body to the edge of the mattress, tore off her panties, and dropped to his knees between her thighs, giving her one long mind-numbing lap of his tongue. He groaned; she moaned. Then he pulled back to watch her as his exquisite fingers played her like a flute.

Arching into his touch, she let out another soft moan.

“Is this where you need me?” His voice sounded so rough, on the verge of losing control.

“Yes!”

He increased his pace, circling her swollen bud with his wicked thumb. Rendered nothing more than a pile of sensation, she mindlessly undulated her hips to his rocking finger. Sharp pressure began to build, build, reaching incomprehensible heights, gathering tightly in her loins, readying for—

She cried out as pleasure overwhelmed her, arching her back and causing her breaths to come in short, fast spurts. Her erratic heart pounded against the inner wall of her chest.

Just as she was about to come back to Earth, he delved one thick finger inside, finding a point that made her scream. “Cortez!” A second finger joined the first, extending her pleasure. Her body trembled, on the verge of release once more.

“That’s it,” he murmured darkly. “Come for me.” His roughened voice unrecognizable, and so damn sexy it sent her over the edge. Ecstasy quaked through her, making her shake. Then the heat of his mouth descended on her.

“Uhn! Oh, God. Don’t stop!”

Soon she was once more tripping toward orgasm. She screamed as he sucked hard on her tender flesh. Maddening. When his hot tongue penetrated her core, he forced another scream from somewhere deep inside her.

Head thrashing, body writhing, fingers laced through his hair, her hips shamelessly sought even more friction.

So good. Can’t take it. Too much. Need more.

“Ahh!” Another scream tore out of her as she experienced the most forceful climax yet. This one stole her vision and had her clawing at his shoulders. The ruthless waves of pleasure seemed never ending, and all the while he continued his relentless licking and sucking. He intended to drive her insane from an ecstasy overdose.

When the sensation became too much to bear, she pushed at his head, but he coiled his arms around her thighs and nuzzled her with a growl that skittered through her body. Savage rapture seized her, pushed ferocious shrieks from her lungs as her body shook wildly. Finally she shattered into a trillion tiny pieces of glory and divine bliss that surely would never fit back together in the same fashion again.

After one last pass of his merciless tongue, he released her with a devilish smirk.

She struggled through her ragged breaths. “Not that I’m complaining,” she panted, “but I was supposed to be showing my appreciation.”

He stood to his full glorious height. His torso was a work of art, brawny arms, washboard abs, sculpted waist, lickable goodie trail that disappeared below the waist of his pants. He unbuckled his belt, then undid the button of his slacks. His movements fired a fresh explosion of lust through her. She scrambled to her knees, wetting her lips. His smoldering gaze was drawn to her mouth.

Leaving the zipper up, he spread his arms out in challenge. “Be my guest.”

She shuffled across the mattress on her knees, and slowly drew down the zipper, meeting his gaze with an I’m-about-to-rock-your-world, twinkle in her eyes. Pushing the fabric over his hips, the heavy belt thudded to the floor. Hard, rigid cock freed, she lovingly ran her hands along its length. His jaw tightened, gaze intense. He seemed to be keeping himself very still for her. As though any sudden movements would rile the beast within.

She shivered, wanting him riled.

Holding his gaze, she eased close and licked the bulbous tip. His expression tightened, but his husky groan urged her on.

“You want me to make you come like this?” she purred.

Adam’s apple bobbing, he replied with a curt nod. She smiled up at him and then drew him between her lips to the root.

He let out a ripe oath, his hips jutting forward. She took him to the back of her throat and played with him there.

“Uhn!” His powerful legs shook, just like he’d made her whole body shake. Inwardly, she smirked, loving the power of driving him to the brink.

Through ragged breaths he muttered, “How many men have you undone with this masterful mouth of yours?”

Huh? Why was he thinking about her with other men? She loved giving pleasure like this, the power of it. Unfortunately, her other lovers were more into taking than giving, making her grow weary of the act altogether. It was no fun when it felt like a chore. It wasn’t like that with Cortez. He gave as good as he got. Better even. She was going to have to step up her game.

To take his mind off his wayward thoughts, she sucked him harder; he let out a long groan and fisted her hair. She pumped him with her fist as she used her mouth on him. His every grunt and groan fed her own pleasure, making her grow slick and swollen. She moaned, imagining him driving into her the way he was sliding along her tongue.

His body stilled, and he pried her off of him.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, wanting her mouth back in place.

“You want me inside you.” It wasn’t a question. “You’re shaking with need.” Not giving her time to respond, he tossed her to her back, taking in the sight of her slicked sex. “Sucking me turned you on,” he marveled, like it was a foreign notion. “Tell me you need me.”

“Don’t tease me, Cortez. You know I do.” She ran her hands over her breasts, teasing him.

Excitement lit his eyes. “Keep acting like this and I might be tempted to give you whatever you want.”

Her brows drew together at his loaded words, but then he climbed over her, his glorious body scrambling her thoughts. She welcomed him between the cradle of her thighs. And then with one harsh thrust, his powerful body invaded.

Wondrous friction! Delicious pleasure. She wanted more. He obliged. Driving in and out, harder, faster, deeper than she ever thought possible, burying his thick cock to the hilt and vaulting her into a near-permanent state of nirvana. His pace was wild, wayward, nearly ferocious. She loved every second of it. Went a little wild herself, scratching her nails down his back before sinking them into his well-toned ass.

When her release came, she shattered all over again. As she screamed for him, her core squeezed his shaft while the rest of her body writhed under his toiling body.

Suddenly he went bowstring-taut and bellowed. Heat coated her center. One last thrust, one last cry of ecstasy from them both. He collapsed over her. She luxuriated in his weight, his sweat-dampened skin. For a brief moment she mused that he hadn’t bitten her. Then he rolled onto his back, pulling her across his chest. She melted into him, her lids growing heavy. Before she fell asleep, she thought, a week with this man would never be enough.