Chapter Four

      It didn’t take Ciara long to figure out why Elle had starved herself for days. On the way from Miami International Airport to yet another of the Muirs’ properties, she was treated to more styles of bikini than she’d ever seen.

      And the women who wore them were thin and toned enough to be models.

      The guys, on the other hand, were mostly huge, muscled up and tanned to the point she couldn’t tell what nationality they were. But they were very pretty to look at.

      ‘Tomorrow we’re hitting the beach,’ Gem said, her gaze glued to a group of guys that reminded Ciara of the rugby players back home, only less rough and more buff. ‘I’ve got rebounding to do.’

      Ciara bit her lip to stop the giggle waiting to burst out. Elle wasn’t as subtle and her laugh had Gem whipping her head around.

      ‘What’s so funny?’ Gem demanded.

      Elle pulled it together. ‘Come on, Gem. Hollywood megastar Aiden Price was never yours so you can’t rebound.’

      Gem lifted her chin. ‘Rejection still hurts and what better way to get over him than with one of those guys.’

      Elle smiled. ‘I’m not saying it’s a bad idea. I think a few nights with a guy like that would be fun. What do you think, Ciara?’

      They both turned to her with scrutinising eyes. Her face flamed. She knew she should say yes, why not, let’s go grab one or something like that. But the words refused to come. Images of Zack flooded her mind instead. He wasn’t as ripped as those men on the beach, but he had definition that made her drool and she could still feel his skin under her finger tips just from remembering their night in LA.

      ‘I think she’d prefer someone a little darker haired. Maybe a man who likes to strip his shirt off and get all sweaty while pushing those thick, muscly thighs to the limit,’ Gem said with a sly grin.

      The blood in Ciara’s cheeks burned so hot she was sure it would evaporate.

      ‘Who? Zack?’ Elle said, her mouth gaping. ‘Aw Ciara he’s… ewww.’

      He was anything but, though she wasn’t about to tell his cousin just how hot and amazing in bed he was.

      ‘To you, maybe,’ Gem said. ‘But we don’t share his blood – thank God. We can perv all we like.’

      Elle sighed. ‘You two have no taste.’

      Actually, he was the most delicious thing Ciara had ever tasted. Again, not something she wanted to share with Elle. Despite what Zack said, their night together was a mistake – okay not quite. She’d wanted him more than she’d wanted anything and didn’t regret taking it. But it was definitely a one-time thing. There was no way she could start something with Zack when she couldn’t guarantee she’d be able to stick around, and with her track record and her ma’s, the odds weren’t good.

      And to make sure she wouldn’t be tempted for a second round, she left his number in her room back in LA.

      ‘We’re here,’ Elle said as the taxi pulled into the grounds of a massive beach condo with its own