Page 125 of For Better or Hearse

Nathaniel.

She sits up and scans her surroundings.

It’s not her room, but it’s the spitting image of it. On the nightstand is a bottle of water, a mini bottle of orange juice with the cap missing, two ibuprofen and her phone. A flash of memory hits her. Nathaniel waking her, cradling her in the middle of the night, making her take a few sips of juice.

Phone in hand, she checks her blood sugar. Her texts.

Tessie: Can you talk?

“Shit.” Ash rubs her eyes. It’s her day to call her cousin and catch up on the trip.

Footsteps snag her attention. She looks up.

Nathaniel appears at the doorway to the balcony.

His lovely mouth quirks.

Ash smiles as her heartbeat thunders. He is a beautiful man, and she is never getting over him.

“How are you feeling?” he asks.

“I hate my liver, the sun and myself.” She wrinkles her nose. “Listen, about last night—”

He holds up a hand. “You don’t owe me an apology for last night.”

Setting her phone down, she studies him. “I don’t?”

“No. You don’t owe anyone an apology.” He half grins. “Don’s probably rightfully banished from the family for a day or two.”

He pours her a cup of coffee, comes to the bed and sits beside her. “But you know what I would take?”

Ash grins. Her attention dips to the waist of his boxers. “Rough, wild sex?”

“Later.” He stills her hand when she reaches out to cop a feel. Searches her eyes, his look blistering and concerned. “How about an explanation about Maui?”

Fuck.

She forgot about that part.

Heat climbs into her cheeks. She glances at the window, then down to the sheet covering her. “I want to let you in…”

She does. She truly means that. But can she get through it without falling apart? Or feeling weak? Those are the parts she hates.

He taps her chin, bringing her back to him. “While you’re considering it, let’s go.”

Her breath hitches. “Where?” Her eyes go wide. “Wait. What time is it?” She shifts, gaze landing on the nightstand clock. “Shit. We missed the tour.”

“We haven’t missed anything. Plans have changed. Our plans, at least.”

She narrows her eyes in suspicion. “Where are we going?”

He smiles. “Pack a bag. I’ll show you.”

The helicopter takes them from Maui to Kauai. A picturesque four-hour thrill ride where they’re gifted perfect views of the lush scenery of Hawaii. She and Nathaniel talk about everything—exceptMaui. When they land, they take a taxi from the airport to the tip of Kauai’s northern shore.

When they arrive, backpacks in hand, she gapes at where he’s brought her.

“Nathaniel,” she says softly, shocked. In the distance, Kilauea Lighthouse stands tall, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.