Lost in Paradise (Paradise Club #2)(26)

“I like this,” he says, those green eyes dipping to my lips before looking back up at me. “I’ve never met a woman who I can talk to about business.”

“Seeing as you said you don’t really date, by the sounds of it you might be picking the wrong women,” I tease.

“You could be right there.” He chuckles. “A beautiful woman on your arm looks great in a photo, but outside of that if there isn’t much substance, it’s not going to work. I also haven’t been looking for substance either,” he says, rolling his eyes which makes me chuckle.

“I get that. You want someone who is there for a good time but not a long time. Also, that they understand you don’t have any more to give to her other than the night. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, as long as people understand the rules going in.”

“When you say it out loud, honestly, it sounds bad.” He groans, rolling over onto his back.

“Hey, I’m not having a go at you,” I say, reaching out, now worried I’ve offended him.

Alex pulls me on top of him, which makes me squeal in surprise. “I know,” he says, brushing the hair away from my face as I straddle him. “Don’t know how but you get me.” He muses while one hand grips my ass and the other caresses my cheek. “You see me, not the person behind the Lewis name.”

“Maybe because that’s all you have shown me. I don’t know Alexander Lewis, the real estate heir, I only know Alex, the silent partner in his brother’s sex resort,” I say, then grin down at him.

“Alex is a lot more carefree than Alexander.”

“Ivy in Paradise is a lot more carefree than Ivy in Chelsea,” I reply.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’m one uptight bitch,” I joke.

“We have responsibilities back home, but here we don’t have to worry about that.” He smiles.

“I’m such a control freak at home, but I’m surprised by how much control I’ve given up on the island. How much I’ve gone with the flow here.”

“Me, too,” he agrees as he continues to caress my face.

“Maybe it’s what we both needed … this trip.” I sigh as I lay my face against his chest.

“I think you might be right,” he muses as he begins to stroke my hair.

Silence falls between us again. The beating of his heart thumps against my cheek, the steady beat slowly lulls me to sleep.

“I’m so happy to have found you, Ivy Starr,” Alex whispers as his lips press against my temple.

My lids feel so heavy that I’m unable to hold them open anymore, but I know I fall asleep with a smile on my face.





9





IVY





As I roll over in my bed, I stretch, letting out a loud groan.Wait. In my bed? I sit up and focus on where I am. I look around and see that I’m back in my bungalow, alone. Last night I remember falling asleep under the stars wrapped around Alex, so how on earth did I get here? I roll back over and grab my phone and pull up his number.

Ivy: Did you put me in my bed last night?

As soon as the message is sent to Alex, the bubbles appear right underneath it.

Alex: Great minds. I was in the middle of sending you a message letting you know I dropped you home last night.

That’s awfully sweet of him. Dammit! Why? Why did I have to meet this guy at a sex resort? Why couldn’t I have met him back in London? Because you wouldn’t have given him a chance.

This is true. Urgh.

Ivy: How did you get me home? I don’t remember waking up to walk home.

Alex: I carried you.

Ivy: What? That was a long way and I weigh a ton.

Alex: Please you’re as light as a feather. Plus, have you not seen my guns? I’m offended that you haven’t noticed them. Have you even checked me out at all?

Alex makes me laugh.

Ivy: I have eyes, of course I’ve checked you out.

What are you doing, Ivy, flirting with this man when you’re about to have a threesome with two other men in thirty minutes?

Alex: Good because I was worried that I had lost it.

Ivy: You haven’t lost it.

Ivy stop!

Alex: Noted.

Alex: What time’s your massage this morning?

Why is he asking me about that?

Ivy: In 30 why?

Alex: Wanted to wish you luck, that’s all. I hope you have a blast.

Ivy: Isn’t that weird?

Alex: No.

Alex: I’m having one too.

My stomach sinks at the thought.

No.

This was the plan all along to have fun—no-strings-attached sex. You’re starting to get attached. I’m not sure what to say.

Alex: I was kind of hoping later, if you might be interested, in exploring more of the island?

Ivy: You still want to hang out?

Alex: Yeah. We have fun together. And like I’ve said many times before, I like you.

Ivy: We’re both about to sleep with other people, isn’t this weird?

Alex: And we’re having a relaxing massage too, so no.

Alex: I don’t want it to be weird, like I’ve always said. What happens on the island stays on the island.

Ivy: I’m so far out of my comfort zone my brain is finding it hard to catch up with my body.