Free Through The Lens (Creative Hearts Book 1) by K.M. Jackson Page B

say something, then closed it again, seeming to rethink himself. Finally he said, “I’ve got to use the bathroom, and then we need to talk.”  
    Mika watched him stalk off, standing as steady as she could, but once the bathroom door closed, she ran—not her proudest moment, no—to find some solace in her own hut. Her heart raced as she sat on her own bed, legs shaking. This was not the way she wanted this morning to go. They had two more days together before the crew arrived.  
    There were two options here. One: Spend the remaining days in heaven, enjoying Alejandro like she did last night, or Two: Tell Alejandro about the job at Stylist now and end everything. That’s it, close the door. See ya, mister. She rubbed at her tired eyes, willing the truth away. Who knows, maybe if she told him, she could still end up happily in his bed. Her mouth twisted. No way. She knew him better than anyone, knew that wasn’t true. He would be furious about the Stylist job. Her leaving would be an inconvenience and take away the security of his well-ordered life. This news would break the island spell, for sure.  
    But she was already ruining things by acting like a nervous child. Telling him to put on clothes and cover up! She was sure one of his more experienced leggy models would be telling him to take it all off, not cover up.
    She groaned and fell back on the bed. His models. They would be here in two days. That was the real world. His real world. What was she to him, anyway? What could he possibly want from her? This thing was not just a seduction on her part. He was the one who kissed her first. The thought was crazy, and the more that she tried to wrap her mind around it, the more confused she got. Was this really just because it was the two of them alone? A strange hormonal thing and nothing more? It couldn’t be anything else. Plain Jane Mika Walters was not in his league.  
    She closed her eyes, letting her body sink further into the bed, now feeling all the aches of making love on the jungle floor. And sleeping on that couch was not her best idea. There were knots in her shoulders from lying in an uncomfortable position and aches in her thighs that weren’t entirely unwelcome. Yet another reminder again of the amazing afternoon and night with Alejandro. A night she couldn’t deny she wanted to repeat all over again. She knew that type of thinking was only making it that much harder to close herself off the way she would need to in two days when the crew arrived.  
    She turned to her side and curled into a small ball and tightly shut her eyes. Right now, this was what she wanted. This, and Ale wrapped around her. She sighed, surprised to feel wetness on the side of her cheek. Again. It was so much safer when this was all just a fantasy. Now it was a memory, something she’d never be able to forget. The feel of him against her skin. The taste of him on her lips. The way he looked at her, said her name. Called her beautiful.  
    “Are you all right?” She heard his voice and threw her arm over her face. Shit. She hadn’t heard him come in. And he was close. Too close.
    “I’m fine. Are you done in the bathroom? Because I really need to go.” She fought to hold her voice steady.
    “Yeah, sure,” he said, his voice full of uncertainly. “It’s just, um, I brought your dress.” She could feel him staring down at her, and her skin prickled under his gaze.  
    “Ale,” she started, “do you mind? I’m not the best morning person. I’d like a little privacy, please.”
    She felt him hesitate then take a step back. “Sure, that’s fine. Take whatever time you need.”
    Mika raised her head slightly and looked at his retreating back with confusion. Did his voice actually squeak? Nah, Ale didn’t squeak. Must have been the floorboards.  
    As she fell back, she reached for the wrinkled sundress that Ale had gently placed next to her head. She pulled it close to her and recalled how it felt when he slowly