He moves his gaze toward the ocean and then back at me. “I want to explore what we have, see where it takes us.”

My pulse races and before I know it, I’m putting my hands behind his neck and kissing him.

We kiss for a long time. He gathers me close to him as if he’s trying to make sure I won’t leave his side.

“Wait,” I say, catching my breath. “You don’t like to take vacations.”

“For you…” He cups my chin, feathering kisses along my face while our eyes remain connected. “I’ll do anything for a chance to have a real date and a real chance to be with you.”

My best friends are too easy to buy. Not sure if I’m upset or grateful they took on the offer from Miller to go on a cruise through the Caribbean this week and return on Saturday to Colorado. It’s just the two of us—in the presidential suite—with a private pool, a breathtaking view, and a margarita pitcher.

“I might not want to go back to work,” I joke, as I dip my foot into the water.

“We can come back during the holidays,” he offers.

I glance over at him and shake my head. “You’re not using me as an excuse to skip Christmas with your family.”

“What if we don’t celebrate Christmas?”

“Ha,” I say unamused and submerge myself into the pool, swimming a couple of laps before he catches me with those strong arms I am starting to love.

“We could start a new tradition,” he suggests, his mouth close to my ear and I shiver.

I tighten my arms around his neck and my legs hug his waist.

“Another tradition?” I ask, rubbing myself against his hard length. “Not using condoms is plenty for this year, Mr. Archer.”

He kisses me as if he can’t get enough of me. His big hand cupping the back of my head while his other arm pulls me even closer to him.

“Thank you for trusting me,” he whispers, pushing my hair behind my ear.

My heart flutters. It’s his thick voice, the touch of his rough hands. Everything about him turns me into a puddle of mush and need. There’s so much more than lust between us. The emotions he stirs inside me confuse me. Will we survive at the end of this extended vacation?

“Are you going to tell me what happened with your ex?” I ask curiously.

He snorts. “She was more interested in how much she’d get out of the divorce than me.”

“Wait, I thought you said you two were only engaged.”

“Yes, and while we were working on the prenup agreement, she transformed into someone I didn’t know.”

“If you need a prenuptial agreement, that means you didn’t trust the relationship enough to last.”