- Kieran -

I thought I was heartless. But last night clearly proved me wrong.  

When I saw Alina crying in her sleep, the muscle in my chest actually ached. Some may say it broke my heart to see her in that vulnerable state.

Why was that?

I've never felt that way before.

I see girls cry all the time, mostly when I reject them without batting an eyelid. But I didn't feel anything.

Well then, why was it different for Alina?

It touched me in some way, seeing how her usual fierce demeanour was reduced to nothing but a crying mess in her sleep.

What exactly happened to this beautiful woman?

More importantly, why did I care?

She picked a cube of rock melon from her fruit cup and popped it into her mouth, looking out into the blue sea. The sun was scorching hot but it was crowded on Waikiki beach, as if the rays wouldn't deter anyone from their fun.

We sat under a huge umbrella at one of the fruit stalls, enjoying the cool shade before venturing out later.

"You puked your guts out at the front of the lobby yesterday. My shoes were ruined and the staff had to evacuate the whole area from the foul stench," I mentioned offhandedly and she choked on her fruit.

I laughed lightly, letting the unfamiliar feeling settle in me. I felt oddly lighter.

She smacked my arm, "I did not! Don't lie to me!"

Her cheeks flushed a bright pink and I smiled, God she was gorgeous.

"You can ask the front desk if you want, remember to mention to them that you refuse to believe what your husband said," I picked a chunk of watermelon from her cup and ate it.

She stared at me and groaned, "Fucking hell, not even one day here and I'm the resort's superstar."

I cocked an eyebrow, "This happens often for you?"

She looked at me and rolled her eyes, "I have a very- um- unique temperament."

"You mean a short temper?"

She swiped her arm at me and I caught her wrist, kissing her knuckles, "Easy tiger."

I've handled difficult men from the mafia, not that I've ever kissed their hands. But quick reflexes and defending myself were second nature. A little tip Alina didn't particularly need to know.

Her face flamed a bright red this time and I felt my chest expand. Watching her react to my touch was rather entertaining.

I wonder how she'll respond when I kiss her breathless and slide deep inside her-

"I'm starting to think you just want to hang around to annoy the hell out of me," she took her hand back and continued picking at her fruit.

"Isn't that the main goal for all husbands?"

"You clearly aren't husband material."

"You just don't know me that well yet."

"Who said I wanted to get to know you?"

I brushed my fingers across her soft pink cheeks, "If you knew the real me, you'll run the hell away from me darling."

She gave me a look, a curious one and leaned across the table. A small gap was all that was separating our hungry lips.

"Then I shall not get to know the real you. For now, I just want a decent replacement husband until my honeymoon officially ends," she whispered and her lashes fanned out sexily as she gazed at me.

This was something I could do. Just two individuals wanting some company to ease off the stress of reality. No commitment, no expectations, no responsibilities, no strings attached and most importantly, no emotional ties.

So when I held her face and kissed her sweet delicious lips, why did I have a feeling that I will have a hard time keeping to our agreement?

***

- Alina -

I had zero idea what this man's deal was. But I promised myself to not get involved.

His kiss was tender, too tender. I knew how much control he had and that he was only giving me a tiny taste of his love.

If we could even call it that.

The way he warned me about getting to know the real him. He didn't have to tell me twice. After this week, everything will be back to normal.

I'll be back home, learning the ropes of my company and spending time with my father. Life will be sweet and simple. 

Now though, I have a sexy husband stripping his shirt and pants off, leaving only his swimming trunks on and laying chest down on the beach mat on the sand.

Muscles rippled on his fit body and he faced me, "Mind helping me out with the tanning oil?"

Did he really need to ask? I was already digging into my bag for the oil before he finished his sentence.

Connor was fit but didn't have muscles anywhere close to Kieran's.

I squirted some oil on my good hand and massaged it onto his back. 

Good Lord.

He felt amazing.

I ran my hands down the muscles of his back, smoothing the oil over his skin. I slipped my hand up to his arms, shamelessly squeezing the taut flesh.

"What's going to happen to Connor?" He asked out of nowhere and I tensed at the question.

"Does it matter?"

He shrugged, "I don't think you'll appreciate seeing him still hovering around when you return."

"He won't be, Wilson will make sure of it."

"Wilson? Your butler?"

My forehead creased, "Yeah my butler, how do you know that?"

He shifted and used his elbows to prop him up, "Ignorance is bliss darling."

"I'm starting to wonder exactly how much you know about me."

"Enough to get by as your substitute husband," he searched the bag and pulled out some sunblock.

He sat up and took my hand, tugging me onto his lap.

If I wasn't so bothered by his fucking body I would have been pissed over the fact that he knew more about my life than I thought.

He smoothed the sunblock on the exposed parts of my body. Even though it was just my arms, legs and neck, my body felt like it was on fire. And it was definitely not from the sun.

My nerves tingled with excitement at his gentle caress and I shivered. He looked into my eyes and pulled the sleeve of my shirt down. Just enough to press his lips to my now exposed shoulder.

"You don't need to know much Mr Knight, you don't even have to be a pretend husband. A tasteful companion is enough for a fake one week honeymoon."

"About that, I wanted to ask you why you decided on such a short honeymoon. Many have at least a month or two to enjoy their new marriage, not that I'm judging or anything," he snuggled close to me, burying his face in the crook of my neck. 

I tilted my head to the other side, letting him breathe down my sensitive skin, "I have work to get back to, I don't have the luxury of time."

"You don't seem like much of a workaholic."

Butterfly kisses up my neck to my cheek, I was losing it. But I wouldn't tell him the reason I planned such a short honeymoon was for my father.

I couldn't leave him hurt and vulnerable to those stupid gangsters. If I didn't get rid of Connor from our lives, my father's life will be in danger. And I barely scraped through after my mother passed away.

If Connor was smart, he would leave, far away from me and whatever family I have left.

"Just shows how much you really know me," I whispered as his kisses stopped at the side of my lips.

"Don't pique my interest Alina, you wouldn't want that."

I pushed my body away from his, I need to clear my head and he wasn't helping.

"I wouldn't, so I suggest we remain this way. An equal standing, I won't pry into your matters and vice versa. Can you keep to that Mr Knight?"

His gaze shot through me and I felt exposed in his presence, was this even a good idea in the first place?

"As Mr Knight, I make no promises, but as Kieran I can."

I stood up and ran my hands through my hair, my head hot from sitting in the sun, "Then keep to it Kieran."

***

- Kieran -

I screwed up, didn't I?

She left the beach and me alone. I sat there soaking in the sun with my thoughts.

I'd never felt particularly alone before, but the moment she walked away, I felt a sickening hollow space within me. The alarms in my head went crazy, telling me to abort mission and get the hell off this island like I was supposed to after a weekend of drinking and sleeping with strangers.

How did I end up spending a whole day making sure Alina was fine after she passed out in the lobby of a hotel?

It was almost evening, the sun was going down and Lucy told me that Alina hadn't left the swimming pool. She's been there for at least three hours now and I had to resist the urge to go and check on her.

Alina in a swimsuit? I don't think my dick can handle it.

I'd already showered off the sand and heat from my body and was dressed in a simple black dress shirt with black slacks. I hoped that I had the chance to bring Alina out for a walk to watch the sunset before having a nice candlelit dinner.

I let out an impatient breath and stared out the balcony that overlooked the sea. I fidgeted with the gold tube, opening and closing the magnetic lipstick case.

Come on Alina, come back.

The door to the suite clicked open and I spun around to see Alina in the doorway, a thin see-through bathing suit kimono covering her bikini-clad body.

Her hair was a damp, ruffled mess and her bloodshot eyes told me she'd done a good deal of crying.

Oh man.

I slipped the lipstick back into my pant pockets and strode over to her, taking the towel she was using to dry her hair away from her. I dropped the towel to the ground and captured her lips with mine.

She gasped at the sudden contact, the heat from my body shocking her cold one. I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her body flush against mine, feeling her arms circling around my neck.

She kissed me back with a raging ferocity, as if dumping all her emotions into it. If I could take her sadness and anger away, then I'll kiss her every moment I can get.

I detached my lips from her plump ones and trailed kisses down her neck, sucking, pulling and dragging my teeth on her soft flesh. She moaned into my ear and my cock twitched with anticipation.

"What do you want darling?" I growled lowly and she shivered.

She had to hold my face and push me back to look at me properly, "I want you to close the door before we become scandalous."

I grinned and lifted her, her legs wrapping around my waist. The door clicked shut and I latched it before kissing the life out of her.

I staggered into the bedroom, our lips never separating.

I laid her down on the huge bed, recalling how innocent she looked under those sheets. I kneeled over her and she ran her fingers down my chest, realising she got rid of her bandage and was unbuttoning my shirt.

I grabbed her hand and checked her wound, it was still raw but at least it wasn't bleeding any more.

"It got wet when I went for a swim," she pushed the shirt off my shoulders and I let it slide down my arms.

I kissed her again as she fumbled with my pants. Her hands were shaking and I looked into her eyes, she looked tired, broken.

I leaned over and pressed my lips to her forehead, knowing if I asked her 'what was wrong' she would give me the silent treatment again. By leaving me alone to drown in my own dark thoughts.

She seemed to appreciate my lack of questions, from the look in her eyes, she just wanted to get lost. A kind of wild abandon she hoped I could provide.

I'll give it to her.

For tonight, I'll replace all her sorrow with raw passion.