I watched a tanned, twenty-something brunette bear down on Tessa with a wide smile. “I was hoping to catch you before we checked out. I wanted to thank you for making the last few days magical.”

Tessa smiled. The first real smile I’d seen since that night at the masquerade. My gaze locked on her face.

“I’m so glad, Jillian.”

The brunette threw out a hand. “This has been the best bachelorette trip ever.”

That’s when I noted the small gaggle of young women nearby. A couple of them looked at me, shooting flirty smiles my way.

“Those amazing cocktails you got the bartender to make for us. And calling the cocktail the ‘Bride to Be’ was the cutest.” Jillian beamed. “They were amazing. And the little veil and sashes for our spa day.” She gripped Tessa’s arm. “Thank you. You’re the best. This place is the best.”

“I’m truly happy that you’re happy. Now, safe travels, and we’ll see you in a few months for your wedding.”

“Thanks, Tessa.” The bride-to-be only now noticed me. “Oh, is this your man? Nice work.”

Tessa made a choking sound. “Oh no, he’s not mine. He’s a…work colleague.”

“Well, enjoy your work.” The woman winked, then hurried back to her group.

“Another happy customer.”

Tessa cleared her throat. “Yes. I want you to see what the Windward Resort means to people. It isn’t just fast check-in and a comfy bed.”

“Are you telling me that the bride and her friends wouldn’t like to see an expanded and upgraded spa?”

Tessa stopped and cocked her head. “Okay, that is an idea I could get on board with.”

“It seems we found some common ground.”

“Maybe. All right, next up⁠—”

The lights went out.

Tessa groaned so quietly I almost didn’t hear it. “Tessa?”

“Just a small power outage. Let me⁠—”

She turned and smacked into me. I caught her elbows.

We were plastered together. I felt her chest hitch, which pushed her breasts against my chest. Her hands clenched on my arms.

Shit. Right then and there, I was very, very aware of Tessa Ashford, and it had nothing to do with her skills.

Our gazes locked. Like me, I knew she was thinking of the last time we were this close. I lowered my head, and our breaths mingled, our lips barely an inch apart.

Then the sound of voices nearby brought everything back into focus.

She jerked back. “Sorry.”

Instantly, I missed the feel of her. “Does this happen a lot?”

Her mouth pressed into a flat line. “Not a lot, but it happens.”

“Old wiring?”

“Yes. But it’ll…”

The lights came back on.

“Thank you, Jesus,” Tessa muttered.

“Tessa?” a voice called from reception.

Tessa grimaced, then spun. “Coral?”

A gray-haired lady bore down on us. “The computer system didn’t come back online.”

Tessa rubbed her left temple. “Did you call Rupert?”