Free Falling From Grace by Alexx Andria Page A

do.”
    He nodded and then shaking off the seriousness of the moment, brightened with a grin that did terrible things to her insides. Was he the most adorable man on the planet? “Ready for that burger I promised?”
    “God, yes. I’m starved.”
    “All right, let’s do it then. Drop your bags and let’s hit the town.”
    He didn’t have to ask her twice. At this point, she was ready to feel normal again, even if it meant ignoring every instinct telling her to beware… that way lies heartache .

 
     
    -6-
     
    After finishing the world's best burger just as Miles had promised, Dani was ready to see more of the island. She knew it wasn't a vacation but it was hard not to be completely taken in by the exotic locale. “I know I said I wanted to try to boiled bananas but I think I'm too full to stuff another thing in my mouth just yet so can we hit the beach and maybe work off some of this lunch?”
    “Sure,” he said, grinning. “ Do we need to go back to my place to get your bathing suit?”
    “ Nope, I'm going to buy a new one,” she decided. “I saw a cute little shop just around the corner. You mind if we pop in there so I can take a look?”
    “ Lead the way. Far be it for me to get in the way of a woman shopping.”
    She squealed and did a little tap dance with her toes, more excited than she’d been in years. She was dangerously close to jumping up and hugging Miles but she held back the impulse, not wanting to ruin the moment. Miles paid the bill and they walked to the shop that she’d seen. Within moments she had a new bathing suit, a beach towel and even some sunscreen and they were ready to hit the beach.
    “ The island isn't very big but it has some of the top beaches in the world,” Miles explained as they drove. “And because it’s the off-season, we should have the beaches to ourselves.”
    She smiled, ready to dunk herself in the water. “I can't wait.”
    Within the blink of an eye they were parking along the side of the road and picking through the dense undergrowth to get to the beach. Just as Miles had promised, the beach was empty. All she could do was stare in wonder. “This is amazing. Even in the off-season in Hawaii the beaches have people on them.”
    “ Not here. Technically it's hurricane season. Not many people want to brave the potential weather.”
    “Hurricane weather?” She looked up at the blue skies. “If this is hurricane weather, I'll move here in a minute.”
    “ The weather can change very quickly. But I've yet to be scared off by whatever weather has pummeled this island. We'll be fine.” He stripped off his shirt and Dani forgot what they were talking about. She hadn’t averted her eyes quickly enough and caught the glorious image of Miles’ perfect physique burned into her brain. Well, two could play that game, she mused with just a hint of wickedness. “Turn around,” she directed making a swirling motion with her finger. “Since there's no one here I’ll change right now.”
    Miles swallowed but nodded and quickly turned around to give her some privacy. She hoped he was thinking of her naked because she didn't want to be the only one suffering from scorching memories. She quickly donned her bikini and announced it was safe. Miles tried his hardest not to look affected but she could tell that he liked what he saw. She purposely picked a color she knew would bring out the golden tone of her skin and the keyhole bikini top gave a teasing glimpse of her cleavage. “What do you think?” she asked innocently.
    “ I think you know what I think,” he growled but his eyes didn't quite leave her body. “I think you did that on purpose.”
    “Did what?” s he asked.
    “ Picked the skimpiest bikini on the rack.”
    A s low, shy smile found her lips. “And if I did?”
    “ I think you like playing dangerous games,” he answered and she wondered if his fingers itched to touch her. God she hoped so. She took a brave step forward, closing the distance