Seven Nights by Jess Michaels

“No, thanks. It’s so sweet that you want to help so that we can get back to our real business, but this is my resort and I’ve got to handle it.”
    With a sweep, he gathered up the blanket and scattered remains of their lunch. He hardly looked at her as she pulled her shorts back on and dug around the sand for her half buried sandals.
    “Ready?” He slung the bulging blanket over his shoulder and motioned to the path back up to the beach.
    “I guess,” she said as she took one last look at the gorgeous waterfall and soft, sandy beach. Paradise. And paradise lost. “I have a question before we leave.”
    “Anything,” he said. “Ask away.”
    “Is your business going to interfere with the rest of my visit?”
    She searched his face as she asked the question, hoping he’d understand. She wasn’t trying to be bitchy. The island meant the world to him. After all his hard work, she understood that completely. But she wanted to feel like she meant something, too.
    His eyes softened. “Leah, I only have you for five more days. I’m not going to let anything come between us. Tonight is your second fantasy, I hope you haven’t forgotten that.”
    He took her hand as he spoke and a curious sense of peace filled her. No matter what, Sean was sacrificing for her. It might not be perfect, but she couldn’t and wouldn’t spoil it by trying to get more than she could have.
    “I haven’t forgotten,” she said softly as they headed up the pathway. “And I’m looking forward to it. Probably more than you know.”
    ***
    “The spa is down this hallway. The door at the very end.”
    Leah glanced at her watch, then back at the desk clerk who was looking at her with the serene smile that seemed so common in all of Sean’s employees. For a brief moment, she wondered if it was part of their training. “It’s ten at night. Isn’t the spa closed?”
    “Yes, ma’am. But there have been special arrangements made. I’m sure it will all become clear to you when you arrive.” The young man gestured down the hall again.
    Special arrangements? As Leah made her way down the hallway toward the ominous closed door, she wasn’t sure whether to be nervous or excited. So far, Sean’s surprises had been an equal mix of control and pleasure, and after this afternoon… well, she didn’t know what to think.
    Except that maybe things hadn’t changed as much as she’d hoped. Sean had let business interrupt them, even though they’d been so close to making love, which he claimed to want more than anything. Not only that, but he’d shut her out of whatever problem he was having. He wouldn’t even talk to her about it in the jeep on the way back to the resort.
    That stung.
    With a shake of her head, Leah reached for the spa door. None of that mattered. This wasn’t about long-term solutions. It was about tonight. One moment. Sean had promised nothing would interrupt them and Leah had no choice but to hope that was the truth.
    It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dimly lit spa. The front desk was lit only by a candle, though the firelight reflected off an envelope that was propped up there.
    “Spa attire is waiting for you in the changing room. Then go to room four. Sean.”
    Leah shoved the note into her jeans pocket as she entered the dressing room. A long, white robe was the only thing waiting for her there. She smiled as she shrugged out of her clothes. It looked like this fantasy would involve a lot more than dinner.
    Her hands shook as she pulled the robe over her shoulders and checked her appearance in the mirror. Her cheeks were a little flushed, but she didn’t look bad otherwise. Sean wouldn’t guess that her heart was pounding so hard she could hardly think over the rhythm. No, she would be cool, calm and collected, just like he always seemed to be.
    In a few skittish strides, she found herself outside the door to room four. She drew in a deep breath, then shoved it open, ready to strike a sexy pose and