The limo stops and we get out at paradise. I can hear the soft song of the ocean. Birds call overhead and the wind caresses the palm trees. The world is warm and made of liquid sunshine and green plants. I love the islands. A woman in a suit with a name tag comes out to greet us. Behind her is a large open air lobby. The building is made out of local materials, giving it a very tropical tiki look. The decorations inside are a subdued tropical design that reminds me of a fancy spa I once went to. “Welcome to the Ocean Retreat. My name is Anna and I'm here to help you with anything you need.” Her bright smile is warm and welcoming. “If you'll follow me, I'll take you to your room.” I grin over at Christopher as she motions us to walk through the lobby and out onto a boardwalk. The lobby is cool with fans blowing softly. There's several comfortable chairs and a large check-in area. A man stands at the desk and smiles politely as we pass. I gasp as we cross the boardwalk. It's an ove

“The boat's here,” Christopher says, clearing his throat and pointing.I look up in surprise. I thought we still had a few more minutes alone. Time went faster than I expected. Especially since I was contemplating telling Christopher I needed more sunscreen on my back.I greet the boat driver and he helps me climb aboard. Christopher is right behind me. The boat is small with a seat in the back and on the sides. Right now, the two side benches have snorkeling gear and a cooler on them, taking up most of the sitting space. The bottom center of the boat is made of glass and we can see all the way down to the bottom of the ocean. Fish dart beneath my feet. I point them out to Christopher and he grins.We sit next to one another on the small bench at the back. There isn't a lot of room in this small boat. Our legs are touching and once again, I can't stop thinking about his touch. I try to look around at the beautiful lagoon and not concentrate on his half naked body next to me.The drive

“What should we do now,” Christopher asks. “Shopping? Isn't there a jewelry store on the property?” We've finished lunch and are just sitting at the table, snacking on food we don't really need to eat but eating it because it's there. The sun beats down on the thatched roof, but the breeze off the ocean lagoon keeps us comfortable in the shade. I don't really have a desire to move, besides, I'm not really into jewelry. I know I'm here to keep me away from Jonathan. I don't need to be bought off in addition to being distracted. “I don't want your money, Christopher,” I tell him. “You don't have to buy me things.” “You'd be the first,” he replies. “Then you need different dates.” Christopher looks thoughtful. I shake my head a little at him. I stand up and stretch my arms before going over to the menu of things to do. There's so many options. Massages, bowling, fishing, jet skis, even something called water golf. They all sound too active or include other people. I'm comfortably f

The kiss is simple and sweet. Just our lips pressing together like they were meant to be that way. I like the way his lips feel against mine and tremble at the idea of more. I pull back, my eyes searching his face. My hand is still on his cheek. What am I doing? I ask myself. Does he feel this connection too? Or is this all just in my head? Was this day as magical as I think it was, or is Christopher just that skilled in keeping me busy? All I know, is that right now, I want to kiss him. I want to do more than just kiss him. Time resumes and the sun slips beneath the waves behind us, shadows growing longer with every passing second. My hand trembles as I wait for his reaction. “Nora,” he whispers. His pupils dilate, nearly swallowing up the blue of his eyes. His hand is suddenly on the back of my head, pulling me into a new kiss. This new kiss is better than the last. There is passion and desire in this kiss, a need that threatens to overwhelm both of us. This kiss is a little p

It's late afternoon when we get back to the mansion. The sun is hot and there isn't a cloud in the sky. It's smoggy in the city, but clear by the estate. I step out of the limo and into the driveway. It feels different to be here now. This is where I've loved Jonathan all my life. To be here now feels like I've betrayed that memory somehow. “Oh no.” Guilt pulls on me with invisible strings, making me heavy. “What?” Christopher asks. He slides his phone back into his pocket, but I can already hear it vibrating with some sort of urgent message. All Christopher's messages are urgent. “I promised Jonathan I would call him,” I reply. I wince, feeling shame and guilt roll through me. “I totally forgot.” I forgot to call him because I was too busy doing his brother. “I wouldn't worry,” Christopher advises me. “I'm pretty sure he was busy keeping my mother from freaking out. You were the least of his concerns.” For some reason, the comment stings a little more than I expect. “I should