Free Twelve Days of Pleasure by Deborah Fletcher Mello

body froze, his muscles tensing. She suddenly lifted her eyes to his and his breath caught deep in his chest. He took a deep breath of air and then another, fighting to look everywhere but at her.
    â€œSorry.” Vanessa giggled. “That wasn’t very ladylike, was it?”
    Kendrick shrugged. “Clearly, you enjoyed your meal.” Amusement danced around the edges of his dark eyes and his tone was teasing.
    She giggled. “Like you’ve never licked your fingers before!” She shifted forward in her seat as he dipped his last prawn in the decadent sauce and drew it to his full lips. She reached for the cloth napkin and extended it toward him. Her grin was miles wide as her eyes dared him to take it from her hand.
    His own smile spread slowly as he looked at her. He reached for the napkin with his left hand as he slowly sucked one finger and then another from his right hand into his mouth. When he’d washed all five digits with his tongue, he swiped the cloth over his hands before dropping it into his empty plate. “The food was good!” he said, glancing at Vanessa. She seemed to be holding her breath as she watched him.
    â€œIt was divine!” she exclaimed as she reached for her wineglass, savoring the last sip. “Absolutely divine!”
    There was a moment of quiet between them as they paused to watch the light shimmer against the water. Small waves broke along the shoreline, the tranquil sound soothing. The temperature was perfect, stars danced in the clear sky overhead and the moon was casting just enough light to give the darkness around them a seductive ambience. Kendrick imagined that for those couples who were honeymooning, Pleasure Island couldn’t have been more perfect.
    Minutes passed before either spoke, Kendrick finally breaking the silence. ‘It’s good to see you relax at last,” he said.
    Vanessa smiled, an easy bend to her mouth that moved him to smile back. “This is the first time I’ve felt safe since...” She hesitated, meeting his gaze for a quick second before dropping her eyes. She took a deep breath before venturing to look back at him. “I feel safe and comfortable. I haven’t felt this way in a long time, even before all this mess happened.”
    Kendrick nodded, turning to stare back at the ocean.
    â€œI imagine your girlfriend isn’t happy about you being here,” Vanessa said, eyeing him curiously.
    â€œI don’t have a girlfriend.”
    â€œYour boyfriend, then.”
    He laughed. “Not that it’s any of your business but I don’t date men. Why are you fishing for information about my personal life?”
    She laughed with him. “Well, since I didn’t see a ring on your hand I didn’t want to assume you had a wife.”
    â€œWell, I don’t have either, a wife or a girlfriend. This isn’t the type of job that’s conducive to a relationship.”
    â€œIs that why Zak isn’t your partner anymore? Your sister said you two used to be partners.”
    â€œWe were. Now he wants to focus his time and energy on being a good husband.”
    â€œWhat about you? Would you give this up for a woman?”
    Kendrick met the intense stare she was giving him as he reflected on her question. “She would have to be a very special woman,” he finally said.
    She was still staring at him when Liam came rushing down the path, interrupting the moment.
    â€œSir, madam, dessert has been set up in your bungalow. Whenever you two are ready.” He gestured in the direction of their quarters.
    Kendrick turned to Vanessa. She seemed as confused as he was.
    Liam grinned. “Madam ordered the Honeymoon Special to be served in the bedroom when your reservations were made.”
    Vanessa’s eyes widened. “Oh...yes...I did...didn’t I...” she stammered.
    Liam didn’t look fazed as he gestured with his hand a second time.
    â€œMadam is full of