Jamison’s eyes narrowed. Of course he minded!

The elevator doors opened. This time, instead of sweeping her into his arms, he used his height advantage to simply lift her off her feet and carry her out like a plank of wood.

Once they were in the room, he kicked the door shut, his hands already roaming over her pliant body as he kissed her deeply.

Ivy met his passion with her own. Freed from the constraints of their familiar environment, they were both uninhibited. The fruit wine, it turned out, did have a kick, and she felt light-headed, giddy with a joy she couldn’t explain.

His kisses were intoxicating, as if he were trying to draw the very soul from her body. She was starting to feel dizzy when she finally managed to push him away, pounding on his chest with her small fists.

He was flushed with excitement, his nose touching hers. “From now on, no dancing with other men,” he said, his voice a low, seductive growl. “Or you’ll have to face the consequences.”

Ivy laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “I thought you weren’t jealous.”

“Hmph. I’m the king of jealousy.”

“Hahaha…” She burst into a peal of delighted laughter, which was promptly smothered by another kiss.

The party on the beach continued, but the one in their room was just getting started. Outside, the night slowly grew quiet, the sounds of the party replaced by the gentle, rhythmic shushing of the waves…

Ivy slept until she woke up naturally.

She opened her eyes to a breathtaking view of the blue sky and the sparkling sea. Their room had a private terrace with a small garden filled with exotic flowers, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the brilliant blue of the ocean. It was paradise.

“You’re awake.”

She turned to see a vision of male beauty. Jamison, wearing only a pair of pants that hung low on his hips, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his chiseled abs, was pushing a breakfast cart toward the bed, a lazy smile on his face.

Ivy’s own smile stretched from ear to ear. “When did you get up? I didn’t hear a thing.”

“I’ve been up for about an hour. I was starving,” he said, parking the cart next to the bed. “After all, I was the one doing all the work last night. I needed to refuel.”

He sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to touch her.

She playfully slapped his hand away. “Don’t blame me for your lack of self-control.”

He just laughed and stroked her cheek. “Get up and eat something.”

“I don’t want to. I feel all weak and sleepy…” She let out a long yawn.

“That’s fine. I’ll join you. We can stay in bed all day.”

That woke her up. Last night had been indulgent enough. A whole day in bed? She shook her head vigorously. “No, no, I’m getting up. Let’s go explore.”

But he was in no hurry. He pulled her back down into his arms, his lips brushing against her ear. “I liked you last night… you almost killed me…”

Ivy’s face went up in flames. She clapped a hand over his mouth. “Don’t say another word!”

“What’s wrong with talking about it?”

“Just shut up! I was… I was drunk last night!” She couldn’t admit that the wild, uninhibited woman from last night was also her.

But he wasn’t going to let her off that easily. “It was fruit wine. It doesn’t get you drunk.”

“Says who? I drank a whole pitcher by myself! Of course I was drunk!”

“Alright, alright, you were drunk. That wasn’t you last night, it was drunk you. Better?”

“…” Ivy groaned in frustration.

They lingered in bed for a few more minutes, but Jamison, worried the food would get cold, finally got up and urged her to get ready.

“What’s the plan for today?” Ivy asked as she ate.

“What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know.”

Jamison had planned the entire trip, even arranging for her passport. She was just along for the ride.

“Have you ever been scuba diving?” he asked.

Ivy looked up. “Is that what we’re doing today?”

“That’s the plan. The weather is perfect for it. The sea is calm, and the visibility is great.” He had a whole list of activities planned: parasailing, hot air ballooning, scuba diving, a yacht trip. But it all depended on the weather. Fortunately, today was a perfect day for diving.

Ivy frowned. “I went once, a long time ago. It wasn’t a good experience. My equipment malfunctioned, and I almost drowned…”

She had been sixteen, on a summer trip to Southeast Asia. Emma had been the one who wanted to go diving, but she had been too scared to go alone with the instructor and had begged Ivy to go with her.