There was also no point overthinking and trying to second-guess how this vacationthingthey were currently having would all pan out. Discussions about relationships never got her anywhere with Ryan. It was better to live for the moment.
And the evening was too beautiful to be tarnished by what she’d learned about Shane.
So what if he’d once been in love—for nearly ten years!—and been about to get married? It washisheart that had been broken, not hers.Hisdreams that had been shattered.
What must that feel like?
To not be living the future he’d planned to live this time last year. To have the woman he’d planned it with betray him so terribly.
Krista had had a taste of that kind of betrayal and disappointment when she’d caught Ryan kissing Zoey. But Shane had experienced it all on an entirely different scale.
His life must truly have been knocked sideways. But he’d rebuilt that “excellent” life now. He was proceeding, full speed ahead. Not licking his wounds and feeling sorry for himself.
She understood now why he’d refused her comfort. Okay, he could have done it more subtly, more diplomatically, but he’d apologized, and his arms around her now were making amends for his bluntness.
It was a good thing that they’d had this minor falling out. Those heated words had sparked a new fire between them. One that blazed a little brighter, more intense. She felt closer to him now. He was less of a stranger again.
She knew a little more about his life.
But where and how did Krista—a vacation fling—fit into it all?
She didn’t know.
And that was okay, wasn’t it? Because Shane had made no promises. He hadn’t lied to her; he hadn’t played any games. He’d given her the choice to walk away. But she’d wanted his body, his pleasure, and she’d given hers just as willingly.
It wasn’t his fault that she now wanted the rest of him, too. The whole boyfriend-girlfriend package.
And that’s really why she’d gotten upset. Girlfriends comforted boyfriends, and vice versa. But he hadn’t seen it like that.
Clearly, the whole Shane McDermit boyfriend package wasn’t up for grabs—and even if it was, it would only be for a patchy six months, in between his grueling training schedule and studies, before he returned to Australia.
Was it even possible for any kind of decent relationship to flourish between the gaps and cracks of his busy life?
Night was falling around them now. It was getting late. Shane’s hot lips grazed over her neck again, dropping little kisses here and there at the sensitive spots around her ears. Giggling, laughing, wanting more, Krista curled into him, offering her lips and receiving his. As they kissed, his right hand ran across her breasts, her stomach, her hips, and then slid down to massage the sweet, yearning spot between her legs—reminding her of exactly what she’d signed up for.
The fire burned even brighter. Hotter. Crackling and sizzling. Consuming all doubts andwhat ifsand leaving the question ofwhat will happen Sunday?simmering beneath the flames.
