~REGINA~

The feel of his rock-hard body against mine sent rippling sensations through my spine. Worse still, I couldn't take my eyes off his well-sculpted biceps as he marched towards the vacation island with me in his arms.

His high chin was another thing that caught my fancy. He was so tall that I couldn't see the rest of his facial features at that moment. But I had already memorized them from staring at him while I was sprawled on the sands at the beach side.

This was the first time someone was showing me this kind of care. He didn't even mind that my body was all wet and Sandy yet he carried me in his arms, thereby staining his loose shirt.

I was so engrossed in drinking his sight that I didn't know we had gotten to his room until he carried me in one hand to enable him to unlock the door.

His men's cologne stuck to my nose, making me dizzy. Heck, everything about him had been spinning my head endlessly, and this just had to tip the scale.

Was I already attracted to this handsome stranger?

I mentally shook my head as he pushed the door open and balanced me in his two hands. Maybe it was the after-effect of nearly getting drowned, and he saved me just in time, right?

Or, perhaps it was because my heart was in a vulnerable state after getting literally crushed by Remy. It had to be one of them because why in the world of fuck would the sight of him and the contact of our bodies make my heart do a thousand backflips?

My mind hadn't fully wrapped around that thought when I felt myself being laid down against the bed, followed by the crashing of his body into mine.

A gasp escaped my lips and from his as well. We stayed in that position, gawking at each other. His lips were still parted and so was mine. Not just that, my clit was twitching from the effect of his length that was pressed to it.

I could tell it was huge and that made it all thrilling. I couldn't think straight anymore. The only thought circling my mind was the feel of his length against my already heated clit.

From his tanned complexion, I could guess his length would be tanned as well. I gulped at that thought. Gracious goodness! What was wrong with me?

Then he broke into a soft smile, his eyes darting around my face.

"You should see your face right now," his deep voice sounded so soft that if I wasn't trapped underneath I wouldn't have heard him.

His hand left my nape and landed on my face, trailing from my forehead and resting on my cheek, pinching me softly.

"God! You are gorgeous." He purred and the dizziness intensified. I forced my eyes closed because his green irises were doing things to my insides. And his words...

Gracious goodness! This seemed too good to be true.

I felt his breath fanning my lips and I knew he was close— so close! My eyes snapped open and a low gasp escaped my lips at the proximity of his lips. It was a breath away from mine.

Heat flared within me, and my mouth went totally dry.

"It seems you don't talk a lot." He half-whispered, his minty breath teasing my nostrils and driving more flames to my center.

Instead of replying, I gulped, but my imaginary saliva barely made its way down my throat when his lips crashed into mine, nibbling and sucking hungrily.

A soft moan escaped my lips as my hands moved on their own accord and found his cheeks, cupping them and parting my lips to allow him more entrance.

A low growl bubbled from his lips as he slid in his hot wet tongue, sending jolts of shivers through my spine.

His hands left my cheek and started trailing a path down my cleavage. A loud blaring of my phone halted his hand a few paces away from grabbing my breast.

I hadn't even given a thought to where my phone was until now. I thought it got lost on the beachside, where I dumped it before heading to play a savior with heels.

I only knew it was mine because of my Jennifer Lopez ‘love of my life’ ringtone.

"I picked it up because it rang and a picture of you displayed as the wallpaper." He answered my silent question as he eased his body away from mine— to my disappointment.

Gulping again, I reached for it on the bedside table. I already knew who was calling.

"Sweetie!!" Her shrill voice blared from the other end as soon as I picked up the call and placed the phone to my ears.

"I'm sorry I left you hanging, love. Your pretend boyfriend is on his way." I sighed on hearing her last statement but nodded anyway.

"I will be with you soon."

When the call ended, I looked up and saw him leaning against the cabinet pressed to the wall, his gaze pinned on me. He was now shirtless, giving me an unwavering view of his broad chest and well-sculpted abs.

'Christ! This guy is a temptation.'

I bit my lips at the way my insides were churning endlessly as a result of his kiss and now his exposed chest was sending flames of need down south.

I needed to go before I would launch at him and start from where we left off.

"You wanna go?" He asked softly.

I nodded as I got to my feet, ignoring my wobbling knees.

"I hope I see you again." He said as I got to the door. I turned, my gaze trailing over his tall and muscular build. I nodded again before sprinting out of the door.

~~~~~~~~~~

I had already freshened up and changed into another dress and headed to Karina's room— even though I wished I never had to take my bath so soon, so I could bask in the remnants of his musky scent that clung to my body.

I unconsciously lifted my hands and trailed my fingers over my lips, recalling the way he had handled my lips so softly and hungrily.

"Earth to Gina!" Karina's shrill voice dragged me out of my daydream.

My head whipped up to look at her, my brows arching questioningly.

"Where were you just now?" Karina asked, peering closely at me with raised brows.

"I was just lost in thoughts," I replied, my mind working at what I would tell her I was thinking about because she would definitely ask.

Her nose scrunched. "I hope you are not thinking about how to go back to that lousy boyfriend of yours?"

I couldn't help chuckling as I shook my head. Funny how my thoughts had already been occupied by this attractive stranger, leaving no room for Remy.

Karina smiled. "Great. My brother is on his way—" A soft knock interrupted her and her gaze snapped to the door and back to me in a split second.

"He must be here." She said gleefully, springing to her feet and heading to the door.

When she opened the door, I lifted my gaze to behold her long-awaited brother, and my eyes widened, threatening to bulge out of their sockets as a soft gasp escaped my lips.

~REGINA~

Tossing endlessly from one end of the bed to the other, and ended up not getting enough sleep. I was yet to wrap my head around the fact that I kissed Karina's brother, plus the fact that he was freaking engaged!

But why the hell did he kiss me!!

"I mean who goes about making out with another woman when he's engaged?" I muttered

I still couldn't get over how shell-shocked I was.

"He... he's your brother?" I had stammered, and Karina nodded vigorously, totally oblivious to the shocked look on my face.

I could still remember the way his eyes danced around my face before he broke into a soft smile of recognition.

"Glad to see you again!" That smile had my heart soaring. The fact that he didn't pretend not to know me like my asshole ex gladdened my heart, despite being disappointed that he only mentioned the saving from drowning part.

I sighed for the umpteenth time since the day dawned, sliding tiredly out of the bed to open the large curtains and send the sun rays in.

The first event of the Yuletide Getaway would be starting tonight—a dinner, according to the schedule and tour guide that was handed to us at the reception area.

Despite having a pretend boyfriend to attend the dinner with, heaven knew I desperately wanted to bail out of that dinner because, just like Karina pointed out, his acclaimed fianceé would be present at dinner.

I shuddered when I remembered the knot that might likely twist my stomach all night.

"Get your ass to the bathroom, Regina!" I helplessly yelled as I left the window and headed to my wardrobe. This certainly wasn't the time to be gazing absentmindedly at the beach that was some distance away from the vacation house.

Brandon, my pretend boyfriend would be here any moment— not that I was looking forward to meeting him. But I had no choice. Just when I thought my life was getting better, boom! It went downhill again.

After I slid out of my nightie and wrapped my towel around my chest, I headed to the bathroom, tugging on my red hair with another dejected sigh.

'Time to start the day in the most boring way ever.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Karina finally came over to our booth at the milkshake bar to announce the time for dinner, I couldn't be more grateful.

Sitting here, with a milkshake drink, and listening to Brandon gloat about his charms like he was some teenager was heartbreaking.

"You should see the way girls flock around me and the endless list of girls that called me to pretend to be their boyfriends this Christmas." He had been gloating in that Russian accent of his from the moment I arrived here till now.

"I only chose you because you are exceptionally gorgeous with curly red hair." He had shot me a wink, heightening my irritation. I held back a scoff. Like, was I supposed to be grateful for that?

Saved by Karina! I hopped out of the booth gleefully with the excuse to prepare for dinner.

"I will come pick you up for dinner!" Brandon called out, prompting me to roll my eyes endlessly as I walked briskly towards the vacation house to prepare for another excruciating moment of my day. Oh heavens!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I gave myself a final check out in front of the mirror, making sure my curly red hair was perfectly styled to the side and that my strapless silver knee-length gown fitted my shape perfectly.

Even though I wasn't looking forward to the events of tonight, I managed to smile at my reflection in the mirror.

"Not so bad," I commented, grateful for Karina. This was another gift from her, and it came with shiny black heels with silver designs to match my gown.

Giving myself a final twirl, I headed to the bed to grab my clutch purse and phone before a knock sounded, halting my movement halfway. That must be Brandon.

Sighing, I boycotted my movement to the door, but when I opened it, I came face to face with who I never expected to see— Kristen!

Yeah, I was able to catch his name when we were introduced by Karina last night.

I couldn't help trailing my gaze up and down his large masculine frame. He looked yummy in that black dress shirt that accentuated his broad chest and shoulders. Plus, the well-tailored trousers that made his finest talk legs obvious. I gulped before turning my gaze back to his face.

To my shock, he was checking me out too. My heart double-flipped but sank when I recalled his marital status. Bummer!

"You look so..." His voice trailed off and his gaze came back to my face. "... breathtakingly gorgeous." He completed in a voice that was pure seduction, his lips stretching in a side smile.

I wanted to say the same to him, but I knew what would happen if I opened this mouth of mine. I might end up begging him to take me to dinner instead, so I simply nodded.

"I'm sorry about yesterday..." He began, causing my strayed gaze to drift back to him. "I don't want you to see it that I used you or..." His voice trailed off again as he ran his finger through his perfectly combed midnight-black hair, roughening it a bit.

"It's fine. I kissed you back. So, we are both guilty."

He smiled again as his gaze swept through me. "That's a relief. I will see you at dinner?"

I nodded. "Sure."

As he walked away, I snatched my gaze away from his perfect ass, just before he took to the adjourning hallway.

A few minutes later, I was sitting beside Brandon in a large fancy dinner hall, alongside other couples that came for the Yuletide Getaway. And, of course, Kristen and her acclaimed fianceé, who, from her Gucci dress, proved to also be one of the creams of society. Someone I couldn't compete with.

"Hey..." Karina tapped me, snapping my back to reality. "Are you okay? You have been stabbing that chicken lap for three minutes straight. Is something bothering you?"

Of course, I was trying my best to keep my churning stomach at bay while Kristen's fianceé perched around him endlessly. Or was it the sight of my ex-boyfriend, who was also perching around Valentina while giving me suggestive gazes?

Gosh! I would do anything to get out of this table.

"I am fine. Just not hungry." I muttered instead. Karina narrowed her brows.

"I am fine," I repeated and she slowly nodded.

A middle-aged woman whom I got to know owned this resort and was the prime host of this getaway arrived at the table.

"I trust you are enjoying your dinner ladies and gentlemen." She began with a smile.

"But we do have a surprise change to the events. The games that would be played by y'all, but not with your partners."

A pin-drop silence descended on the table, a confused look etched on each of our faces.

Just then, a waitress arrived bearing a fancy card which she handed over to her with a smile and a slight bow.

"You are going to be paired with another partner for this game. Listen up..." She cleared her throat and focused on the card.

"The first game is... Fake dating for a week. Now that's a crazy game right?" She let out a soft laugh. But I didn't know why my mouth suddenly went dry.

"The new partners for this game are..." She darted her eyes around us before refocusing on the card. "Regina Eldridge and Kristen Summer..."