Free Justin by Kirsten Osbourne

is amazing,” she whispered to Justin.
    He grinned at her, squeezing her hand. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
    It wasn’t just the show, but the entire atmosphere. Sitting on the torch-lit beach, just after dark, while eating outside was an experience she wouldn’t have missed for the world. She leaned around Justin to catch the faces of the other women, and they seemed just as awe-struck as she felt.
    After the show, she talked to both of the women, and they agreed to meet at the villa for breakfast before going whale watching. Their boat was set to leave at nine in the morning, so they would meet for breakfast at eight.
    Sarah had worried about feeling out of place during the trip, but all of the others made her feel as if she were part of the team. It was hard to believe they’d all known one another around the same length of time, especially Bailey and Steven, who seemed as if they’d been a couple for a long time.
    *****
    On their last full day, Sarah was feeling sad and hating the idea of going back. She was sure her brief fling with Justin would have to end as they returned to reality. When she brought up the subject, he became annoyed.
    “ Why would it have to end?” His eyes narrowed as he watched her. It was obvious he wasn’t ready to end their relationship.
    She shrugged. “Well, it’s not like I can work with you and sleep with you without the whole office gossiping about us. I can’t live that way.” She wished she could, but she couldn’t stand to be the subject of gossip. She’d give up her relationship with him before she’d subject either one of them to that.
    “ Fine. Marry me then.” His words were spoken in a calm voice as if getting married were something he did every day.
    “ What?” She was stunned. Why would he say that? He didn’t love her. They couldn’t get married just because they wanted to avoid gossip, could they?
    “ You heard me. You don’t want to be gossiped about then marry me. We’ll stop at Vegas on the way home.” His face didn’t let on what he was thinking.
    “ Are you crazy? You don’t marry someone just because you don’t want to be the target of office gossip.”
    He sighed. “I’ve been thinking about this ever since we got here. You’re not the type of woman to just sleep with someone. Are you?” She shook her head. “Well, I’m not going to be the man you regretted having a relationship with. Let’s get married before we go home. It’ll solve everything.”
    She couldn’t believe she was actually tempted. She loved him, of course, or she never would have entered into a physical relationship with him. But what would he get out of it? She couldn’t just ask him that, could she? Well, why couldn’t she? “What would you get out of it?”
    He smiled. “I’d get you in my bed every night, and I’d get to not feel guilty about having my way with my sweet assistant on a trip that she never needed to go on to begin with.” His hand cupped her cheek as he spoke. She had no doubt he felt tenderness toward her, but would it be enough?
    “ Why would you feel guilty? It’s not like you coerced me in any way. I was a willing participant.”
    Justin pulled her into his arms. “Every time I look in your eyes, I see an innocence there that I’m afraid I’m ruining. Marry me.”
    She looked up at him contemplating. “Are you serious?” Could he possibly be serious about it? How would she feel when he was tired of her? Was it worth the risk of heartache to have a few months of happiness?
    He grinned. “I’m more serious than I’ve ever been about anything. Cody and Amber will stand up with us. I’ll be the best husband you’ve ever dreamed of.”
    She stood for a moment, just thinking about it. She wanted to marry him. She loved him and knew she always would. If he wanted it too, whether he loved her or not, who was she to say no?
    Finally, she nodded. “Yeah, I’ll marry you.” Maybe she was crazy for agreeing, but she’d never