Always(Time for Love Book 4)(55)

*****

Brenna breathed in the fresh air as she lifted her face to feel the warmth of the early morning sun. She looked around her in awe. She felt like she was in a magical clearing in the middle of a rainforest with just Ash and the birds for company. It was truly paradise.

She and Ash were in one of the seven private cottages that dotted the vast Carmichael Sanctuary. While the inside was ultra luxurious and modern, it was the outside environment that took her breath away. Each cottage was nestled amongst native trees, secluded from the rest, yet only a few minutes’ walk away from the main thirty-room hotel, which also housed a restaurant, indoor swimming pool, spa and gym. Even from the verandah, where she was now standing, she felt like she and Ash were the only two people in world—so much so that they’d been too naughty yesterday afternoon.

She was blushing at the thought when a pair of strong arms snaked around her waist.

“Maybe we can stay here for the morning and meet up with the guys at lunchtime instead,” Ash murmured in her ear. “We can have fun out here again.”

She giggled, caressing his arm. “You know, I’m still hoping no one heard us yesterday.”

“Fat chance,” Ash said. “You were moaning and screaming—”

“I did not scream,” she said, facing him with eyes wide with horror. “Did I?”

Ash chuckled. “I’m sure no one heard, sweetheart. The other cottages are far enough away, I think.” He cupped a breast. “Let’s do it again out here. Right now.”

“Sorry, honey. I’m going for a walk with the girls to explore this place further. I thought you were going on a bike ride with the boys.”

“Uh-huh. But I’m hard,” he breathed.

Ooh, and she was getting wet. Ash only needed to get a little bit amorous for her to react.

Her phone buzzed with a text message. It was from Gemma, who was waiting in the hotel, wondering where they all were.

“I’m sure she could wait,” Ash murmured, nuzzling her neck.

“No, honey. Even though Gem doesn’t show it, I’m sure she’s feeling kind of left out that she doesn’t have a special someone in an awesome place like this. She’s looking forward to this morning where it’s just us girls. I have to go.”

Ash sighed. “Okay, then. But next time don’t seduce me if we don’t have time.”

“Seduce you? I don’t remember seducing you.”

“Oh? You standing here showing me your neck and straining your chest out wasn’t meant to seduce me?”

She laughed. “I was breathing the fresh air and warming my face with the sunshine!”

“Yeah, yeah. Admit it. You want me right now, too.”

She bit her lip. Seductively. “I always want you, Ash,” she said provocatively. “Always.”

Ash’s eyes darkened further. “Brenna...”

She cupped his groin, making him gasp.

“I thought you have to go,” he said breathlessly, pulling her closer.

“You thought right,” she said, kissing him quickly, then escaping from his arms and running down the path. “I’ll see you later, honey!”

“You’ll pay for that!” Ash called after her.

“I hope so,” she answered, grinning widely.

*****

“Thanks for the walk, girls,” Gemma said as they came back from a two-hour exploration of the property. “Maybe next time we should wear our bikinis and go back to the beach.”

“I’m all for that,” Rebecca said. “Can you believe it’s already Christmas Eve tomorrow? Time for your engagement parties!”

“I know,” Amanda said. “I’m looking forward to it. But quite frankly, I’m more excited about Bren’s surprise for Ash.”

“Me, too!” Sarah said.

“I’m nervous,” Gemma said with a little whine. “I’m already feeling quite sick in the stomach. I hope I don’t let you down, Bren.”

“Oh, honey, you won’t,” Brenna said, putting an arm around her friend’s shoulders. “You’ll be so awesome.”

“I need to practice more,” Gemma said. “Bren, make sure you keep Ash away from the main hotel, especially the piano lounge, all afternoon, okay?”

“Yeah, no problem,” she answered, knowing full well how she’d keep Ash in their private cottage.

“You guys are so sweet together,” Gemma said with a swoon. “You do know that I’m so happy for each of you, right? But I can’t help but be a bit jealous. You guys probably do nothing but have sex in your private cottages, while I’m here with no date.”

“Oh, Gem,” the four cried, huddling around Gemma.

“What’s more, I’m officially the only one who didn’t meet our group New Year’s resolution.”

“Hey, you still have a few days left,” Rebecca said. “Who knows? You might bump into a guy who’ll turn out to be your soulmate. At a place like this, anything seems possible.”

Gemma snorted. “Bump into a guy? There are thousands of men in Sydney, and I haven’t bumped into one who’s a potential happily-ever-after. Now we’re here in this secluded sanctuary with hardly any single men. Unless it’s one of the staff, or a local...”