Free Heaven in Hedonism (The Sinful Series Book 3) by Emma Nichols Page A

incredibly attractive, but I couldn’t help thinking I should rush down to the car. It was just over there, all of five feet from the ladder I was standing next to. My thoughts were interrupted by a splash. Some water spilled over the side and pooled around my feet.
    “What the hell?” Looking up, I could see Mac peering over the side at me.
    “Come on in. The water is perfect. I won’t even peek. See?” He covered his eyes as proof.
    Laughing, I considered. The fear seemed to be subsiding. Maybe I could do this. Maybe it was time for a change, a new turning point. I didn’t have to be defined by the past. From now on, I could have a different life, a better one. The vacation could be the start of a whole new chapter for me. More than anything, I wanted to be at peace in my own skin again. With a sigh and a shrug, I stripped down to my bra and panties. Then, as I passed his pile on the way to the ladder up the side, I realized he had taken off his boxers when I wasn’t looking. Inhaling deeply, I turned and added my underwear to my pile.
    Climbing the ladder, I reached the top and looked for Mac. He was on the far side, facing out. True to his word, he didn’t even turn around when I climbed down the ladder on the inside rim and glided into the water. “I’m in,” I announced. “You can look.”
    Casually, he turned to face me. “This is amazing. I’m going to have to really thank Ben for this later,” he commented.
    Floating on my back, I gazed up at the stars. “Yeah, this is pretty perfect.” It almost pained me to admit it. Then I remembered that I had to be different to have a different life. I had to relax and trust. Mac seemed worthy of it.
    “So tell me about Hedonism,” he said as he floated nearby. “I didn’t have time to research and this time tomorrow we’ll be on a plane headed there.”
    My laugh had a slightly naughty edge to it, surprising both of us. “What do you want to know?”
    “What is there to do? What is the dress code? I still have to pack. And you mentioned our birth certificates?” He paddled closer so we could talk.
    Realizing my boobs were just above the water line, I sank below and decided to tread water instead. My feet couldn’t touch bottom and keep me above water. “I just glanced over the list of what we needed. Passport and birth certificate were at the top of the list.” Smiling wickedly at him, I added, “There’s a prude and nude side.” I watched for a reaction. He gave none. How I loved a guy who could go toe to toe with me without flinching. Dammit. Now he was earning my respect.
    Brushing those thoughts aside, I looked at him and continued. “It looks like there are theme parties every night. You really should glance at the website because I can’t remember what they are. I’ll be packing in the morning.” Then because I was tiring fast, I paddled over to the side and grabbed on.
    He followed suit. Once he had his hand on the side, he said, “Okay, I can do that.”
    “I think there’s a special workshop or something. We may need to partner up for it. You cool with that?” I smiled as I waited for his response.
    “What kind of workshop?”
    “Looks like tantric sex week. I figured it might be fun. Who couldn’t use some new techniques?” My look this time was pure challenge. It was time to see what he was made of.
    “Sure. Even if there is nothing wrong with my technique, who couldn’t stand to learn a few new tricks?” He met my stare with his own. “Let’s make a pledge right now.”
    “A pledge?”
    “Yup. We’ll treat it like Vegas. A week of decadence. We’ll play along with whatever they have planned, no questions, just pure abandon. Then it will be business as usual when we return.” He studied me for a reaction.
    Holding out my hand, I agreed. “Let’s do this.”
    We shook on it. After a few more laps, we headed down the ladder and struggled to dress our wet bodies in dry clothes again. Together we pushed the lid back