“Yeah. New Jersey won’t ever be as good now that we’ve been here.” His soft chuckle surrounded her like a familiar blanket.
She liked it when he was relaxed. When it was obvious that he wasn’t pretending. He always seemed to have a certain persona that he was trying to keep up. It was nice when he let it down and was just himself.
“How are things in New York going?”
His gaze moved to her, and he stared at her for a moment. “Good. Why are you asking?”
Anna raised her hands. “It’s something a friend does. Asks about the other person. Why? You didn’t kill someone and are trying to hide it, did you?” She studied his reaction. Something was up. He was trying to hide it, but he was definitely nervous.
“Nothing. Just the normal practice and games.” He ran his hand through his hair and turned his attention to the water.
“You know, if I’m going to help you as your PR person, I kind of need to know all the dirt.”
He pressed his hand to his heart. “Dirt? Who says I have dirt?”
Anna stopped so she could study him. “Did you just ask me that? Michael Eugene Jones, dirt follows you wherever you go.”
He feigned hurt as he glanced down at her. “It does not.”
“You were at the center of every scandal at school. I have a feeling that didn’t change after you hit adulthood. Besides, I’ve seen enough magazine articles to know that you have more skeletons in your closet than a mortician.”
A worried expression passed over Michael’s face, but as quickly as it came, it disappeared. Anna knew she’d been right. Michael was hiding something from her. It was only a matter of time before she pulled it out of him.
“Hey, aren’t we here to help McKenna and Sam? Not delve into my sketchy past?” He offered her a hopeful smile as if he was ready to move the conversation forward.
Anna narrowed her gaze and held up a finger. “Mark my words, I will find out. You can’t hide it forever.”
Michael held up his hands. “Sounds like a dare.” He leaned forward. “I’d like to see you try.”
Anna folded her arms. “Alright. It’s a dare. If I win, you. . .” She tapped her finger with her chin as she thought. What could she make him do?
His eyes widened. “Should I be worried that you are taking this long to think of something?”
Anna shot him a mischievous grin. “I just want it to be good.”
Michael held up his hand. “Then by all means, take your time.” His expression grew serious as he steadied his gaze. “I’ll give you my terms now. If I win, then I get to take you on a date.”
Anna stared at him. “A date? Like, here?”
He shook his head. “Nope. In New York. As my new PR person. I get to take you out and show you the city.”
Anna swallowed. Why did he want to do that? She started down the path, keeping her gaze on the ground. “You don’t want to do that. I’d hurt your publicity. You don’t want a nobody on your arm, dragging you down.”
A hand grasped her elbow, halting her steps. Michael came into her line of vision, but she was too scared to look up. Too scared of what he was about to say.
“Anna Short, don’t you ever say that about yourself again.” He moved closer to her, reaching out his two fingers and pressing them against the bottom of her chin, forcing her to look up at him.
She hesitated, before meeting his gaze.
“You are incredibly beautiful,” he said. His voice was low and his stare intense. As if he wanted her to see just how he felt about what she had said.
“Michael, I—”
“You don’t believe me, do you?” he asked.
She dropped her gaze and shook her head.
He inched closer to her. He was a breath away from her. She could smell his cologne and feel his heat. She wanted to run her hands up his chest and entwine them in his hair. She wanted to drink in every aspect of Michael Jones.
“Of all the women I have ever seen, you are the only one who has stuck in my brain. I can’t forget the gold flecks in your eyes or the way you tuck your hair behind your ear when you’re nervous.” He stooped down to meet her gaze. Unable to fight it, she met it head on.
“And your lips.” He moved to cradle her cheek with his hand and then reached out his thumb to caress her lips. “They bring this grown man to his knees.”
Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she watched his gaze fall to her lips and then make its way back up. He inched closer to her as if he were waiting for permission.
Not sure what to do, she let instinct take over and leaned closer to him. Her mind was screaming at her to back away, but her heart and body were aching to stay. She wanted him to wrap her up in his arms and never let go.
She’d be lying if she said this wasn’t exactly where she wanted to be. And Michael was exactly who she wanted to be with. He knew everything about her and yet stayed. She didn’t have to worry about putting on an act. He cared about her, no matter what.
With their lips inches apart, she hesitated.
“Are you just trying to get me to forget what I’ll win if you lose?” she asked.
Michael let out a soft chuckle as he leaned closer. “Is it working?”
She shook her head. “Never. I have the memory of an elephant.”
“Elephant?” He raised his eyebrows.
Of course, he would fixate on that. She moved back to swat his shoulder, but he caught her hand and using the momentum, pulled her toward him. She crashed into his chest, bracing herself with her hands. His muscles felt tight against her palms.
But nothing could take her mind off the feeling of his arms around her waist. Her skin tingled at every point. And all she wanted to do was lean in. To press her body against his and take him in.
“Anna,” he said. His voice was so low that she wasn’t sure she heard him. But when she glanced up to meet his gaze she knew he had spoken.
“Michael,” she whispered.
“Can I kiss you? For real?” He looked unsure, and that made her heart swell. He wanted to do the right thing.
She nodded and in a matter of seconds, he stooped down and pressed his lips to hers. He was gentle at first, as if he was testing the waters. But when she slid her hands up his chest to the back of his neck and entwined her fingers in his hair, he pulled her closer to him, taking her breath away. It was as if he worried she’d slip away.
Her heart pounded, and she was sure he could feel it hammering against his chest. All she could think about was how right this felt. As if finally, the broken parts of her life were coming together and making her whole again.
Michael made her whole.
Right before she thought she’d melt into a puddle on the ground, Michael pulled back and looked down at her.
“Are you okay? I’m not hurting you, am I?”
Anna glanced up at him through her heavy eyes. Her lips felt puffy. But hurt? No. She shook her head, and a relieved look crossed his face. He pulled her close and placed a kiss on each of her cheeks, her nose, and then gently on her lips.
“Michael?” she asked, finally finding her voice. There was a question tugging at the back of her mind and she couldn’t quite get rid of it.
“Mhmm,” he murmured as he made a trail of kisses down her jawline and lingering in the hollows of her neck.
“You’re not dating anyone. You know, back in New York?”
He pulled back to stare down at her. “What?”
She waved to the very tiny amount of space between the two of them. “If you were dating someone, this would be cheating.”
Michael backed up and the cool ocean air surrounded her. It took all her strength not to reach out and pull him back.
“I’m not—I mean, there really isn’t anyone,” he said. But the tone of his voice had changed and for a moment, Anna wasn’t sure if she believed him.
“Really?”
He laughed and shrugged. “Why would you ask that?”
Anna studied him. “Well, you are a n
otorious playboy.”
He feigned shock as he stepped back. “I’m a saint.”
Anna raised her eyebrows. “Saint may be pushing it.”
He laughed, but it didn’t sound like his normal carefree one. This was more like an uncomfortable one—like she’d struck a nerve.
She hadn’t meant to make him upset. It probably wasn’t the most flattering thing to be called a playboy even if he was. She leaned closer to him, but as she did he moved away. Like the wrong sides of two magnets. When she glanced up at him, his lips were pursed.
“Did I say something wrong? I didn’t mean to call you a player. I just meant you date a lot of women.” Gah, why was she sounding like an idiot? She blamed it on his kisses. They confused her.
He smiled at her. “It’s okay. I think maybe it’s a good idea that we not push this. After all, it might be the romance of being on an island. When we get back to the states, you just might realize what a jerk I am and never talk to me again.” His laugh seemed forced as he turned and started making his way toward the boardwalk that led to their hut.
Anna stared at his retreating frame. What the heck had that been? One moment, they were kissing and she thought she might never ever be the same, and the next, he was walking away telling her they needed to slow down. It was McKenna’s wedding all over again.
“Hang on,” Anna said as she raced after him. “What are you doing?”
His body tensed when she touched him. He kept his gaze toward the ground when she moved to stand in front of him.
“Anna, I can’t. You shouldn’t care about me. I hurt people.” His shoulders hunched as he avoided her gaze.
“Hurt people? What are you talking about?”
He rubbed his face with his hands, straightening to look over her head. Why wasn’t he meeting her gaze? What secrets was he keeping hidden?
“What you said about me, back there.” He nodded toward the spot that they had stopped to kiss. “Was slightly true. I do date a lot of women. I can’t seem to settle down. I make promises that I can’t keep.” He flicked his gaze down toward her. “And I can’t do that with you. I need to protect you from me.” He stepped around her and kept walking.
Anna stayed rooted to her spot. All she could do was watch him leave. Once he disappeared into the hut, she found a nearby bench and collapsed on it. What was she supposed to do now? How was she supposed to fake a marriage with Michael when he’d broken her heart?
She wasn’t going to be able to smile and fake it like she hadn’t just had her heart handed to her on a silver platter. She’d allowed herself to feel things for Michael, and he’d rejected her. Again.
Anna buried her face in her hands and let the tears fall. She’d cry about him tonight, but tomorrow, she’d put on her big girl pants and move on. She was done with Michael, once and for all.
Chapter Eighteen
Michael
Sefina stared at them as they sat in their counseling session the next day. She had her pen poised as she glanced from Anna and then back to Michael.
“Well, you two are particularly quiet today,” she said. Her smile felt forced as if she could feel the tension emanating from them but didn’t want to come out and say it.
Truth was, he hadn’t really spoken to Anna since they’d kissed the night before. He’d gone into the hut and went straight to bed, sleeping restlessly on the couch. Anna had come in around ten and fell asleep pretty fast after that.
They managed to avoid each other all morning, picking activities that didn’t require two people. Sitting by her during their counseling session was the first time they’d been next to each other since he’d had her wrapped in his arms.
“We, um. . .” Michael glanced over at her and widened his eyes. Her body was turned, and she had her leg crossed away from him.
He’d hurt her. Bad.
He hated leaving her like he did. It just about ripped his heart from his chest. But there was no way he could lead her on as he had. Plus, he’d lied straight to her face. He hadn’t expected her to ask him if he was in a relationship. And when she did, he panicked. He wished he could fix this without hurting anyone.
Sefina tapped the pad of paper with a pen. "Let's start with something easy. When was the last time you two had sex?"
Michael just about choked on his tongue. Even though he had been expecting this question he hadn't thought that she would be so straightforward about it. As he sat there staring at her, he couldn't quite form the answer in his mind.
"We don’t—I mean, we only believe in sex for procreation," Anna said in a speed that could rival NASCAR.
Sophia stared at them and then turn back to her pad of paper. She wrote a few things down and the silence in the room felt as palpable as humidity in the summer. When she finally looked up she had an intense look.
"I don't want to step on anyone's personal beliefs, but sex in a marriage is extremely important."
Michael cleared his throat and shifted on his seat. He didn't want to be thinking about a physical relationship with Anna at this moment. Even though his body desperately wanted to reach over and wrap her in his arms, that wasn't a road he wanted to go down again. He wasn't good enough for her, and he never would be.
When he glanced over at Anna, her cheeks were so red that it looked like she was about to burst into flames. Seeing her reaction made him feel a bit better. Although he hoped her reaction had nothing to do with the thought of a physical relationship with him, and everything to do with the fact that they were discussing it with the resort’s therapist.
“I was an idiot last night,” he blurted out. Anything to get this conversation off the topic it was on.
Anna’s eyebrows rose as she stared at him.
“In bed?” Sefina asked as she clicked on her pen and continued writing.
“What? No.” Heat raced to his cheeks. Was that the only thing Sefina talked about?
“Okay. So, what was the fight about?” Sefina asked as she glanced from Anna and then back to Michael.
"I hurt Anna. I pushed her away." When he glanced over in Anna’s direction, he saw that her gaze was focused on her clasped hands in her lap.
"And why would you do that?" Sefina asked.
"Because I'm not ready for any relationship." The words tasted like vomit on his tongue. This was the last thing he wanted to say. If anything, he wanted to confess his feelings to Anna. But that was selfish, and he couldn’t be selfish. Not when he had made so many ridiculous mistakes in the past.
Sefina's eyebrows rose. "Then why did you get married?" Her gaze had turned icy as she studied him.
He didn't blame Sefina’s reaction. Only a jerk would get married just to turn around and back away. He was being a coward, taking the easy way out. And from the intensity of Anna’s kiss last night, he seemed to be winning her over which scared him.
He lost count of the number of times that he had done that with a woman. And even though he had decided to give up the dating life, he couldn't let Anna fall for him. She needed to know the real him. The one he been trying to hide since he got here.
Just as he opened his lips to speak, a knock sounded on the door. Sefina glanced over at it and then down to her watch. “Who would disturb. . .” She muttered under her breath as she set the pad of paper and pen next to her and stood.
She walked over to the door and opened it.
“Hey, Sefina.”
The voice grated on Michael’s nerves. Javier. Great.
“What do you need? I’m in the middle of a session,” Sefina said with annoyance clinging to her words.
“I think this is pretty important. Especially for this couple. I’ve brought someone with me,” Javier said.
“Who are you?” Sefina asked.
“Daisy.”
Michael’s blood ran cold. What was Daisy doing here? When he’d called her and left her a message telling her that he was going to the resort with McKenna, he didn’t expect her to follow him.
“And why are you here?”
Sefina kept her body wedged in between the opening, but Michael could see the top of Daisy’s blonde hair.
“Cause that’s my fiancé in there.” Her New Yorker twang hung in the air as Anna turned to stare at him.
Wishing a giant hole would swallow him, Michael sat, staring at the rug underneath his feet.
“I’m not sure I’m following you,” Sefina said.
“Is Michael Jones in there?”
“Yes.”
“He’s my fiancé.”
Sefina moved away from the door, and Daisy stepped in. When she saw him, she squealed and headed straight toward him. Before he could stop her, she plopped down on his lap and wrapped her arms around him, practically suffocating him with her arms and perfume.
When she leaned back, she pressed her lips to his. Michael finally got a hold of her and pulled her away.
“Daisy, geez,” he said. He could feel Anna’s stare on him, but he was too chicken to look.
Daisy grinned down at him. “I’m happy I found you. I got your message and have been in hot pursuit since.” She reached out and tapped her finger on the tip of his nose.
Having had enough of this reunion, he shifted and slid her onto the couch next to him. “I didn’t suggest that you come here,” he said.
Daisy pushed out her bottom lip. “Well, when your fiancé says he’s going to Bora Bora, you get on a plane and follow him.” She scooted closer and leaned her head against his shoulder.
Too afraid to look over at Anna, Michael kept his gaze forward. Sefina had come back over and was sitting on her chair, looking very confused.
When he met her gaze, she opened her lips as if she were about to start saying something but then closed them again.
After a few seconds, Daisy straightened. It seemed like she finally realized that they weren’t the only ones in the room.
“Who are these people?” she asked, staring from Anna and then over to Sefina.
Michael sat up and cleared his throat. It was time. He’d been spending so much energy avoiding this exact encounter that he might as well embrace it now.
“This is our marriage counselor, Sefina Lopez.”
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