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First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2014
Copyright © Aimee Duffy 2014
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Ebook Edition © August 2014
ISBN: 9780008106270
Version 2014-07-25
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It didnât 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 Muirsâ properties, she was treated to more styles of bikini than sheâd 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 couldnât tell what nationality they were. But they were very pretty to look at.
âTomorrow weâre hitting the beach,â 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. âIâve got rebounding to do.â
Ciara bit her lip to stop the giggle waiting to burst out. Elle wasnât as subtle and her laugh had Gem whipping her head around.
âWhatâs so funny?â Gem demanded.
Elle pulled it together. âCome on, Gem. Hollywood megastar Aiden Price was never yours so you canât rebound.â
Gem lifted her chin. âRejection still hurts and what better way to get over him than with one of those guys.â
Elle smiled. âIâm not saying itâs a bad idea. I think a few nights with a guy like that would be fun. What do you think, Ciara?â
They both turned to her with scrutinising eyes. Her face flamed. She knew she should say yes, why not, letâs go grab one or something like that. But the words refused to come. Images of Zack flooded her mind instead. He wasnât 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.
âI think sheâd 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,â Gem said with a sly grin.
The blood in Ciaraâs cheeks burned so hot she was sure it would evaporate.
âWho? Zack?â Elle said, her mouth gaping. âAw Ciara heâs⦠ewww.â
He was anything but, though she wasnât about to tell his cousin just how hot and amazing in bed he was.
âTo you, maybe,â Gem said. âBut we donât share his blood â thank God. We can perv all we like.â
Elle sighed. âYou two have no taste.â
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 â okay not quite. Sheâd wanted him more than sheâd wanted anything and didnât regret taking it. But it was definitely a one-time thing. There was no way she could start something with Zack when she couldnât guarantee sheâd be able to stick around, and with her track record and her maâs, the odds werenât good.
And to make sure she wouldnât be tempted for a second round, she left his number in her room back in LA.
âWeâre here,â Elle said as the taxi pulled into the grounds of a massive beach condo with its own private pool.
She thought that after the shock of the previous mini-White House at the bottom of Hollywood Hill sheâd be used to luxury by now, or at least learn to stop gaping. But Elleâs granddadâs beach house was like something out of the movies. One wall was completely glass and she could see right inside to the open plan kitchen and lounge area.
Outside, there were padded sun loungers galore, an Olympic sized swimming pool and a sitting area with rustic style chimneas dotted all over. This was definitely a house for pool parties that went on to the early hours. She wondered if sheâd get any sleep at all before they left for Europe.