“Shh.” He grabbed me and pulled me into his arms. “Steve is looking over at us.” He kissed the side of my neck gently as his fingers ran down my back and cupped my ass. I felt my anger subsiding at his touch and I felt strangely bereft when he pulled away from me.

I tried to ignore how glorious his body looked in the moonlight. He was so virile and strong. If he wanted to take me, all he would have to do is pin me to the ground and kiss me. His strength would be a big turn-on, especially if he just ripped my panties off. I could feel myself growing wet at the thought. If he wanted me, he could have me.

“It’s not anything bad to be impressed by wealth, Bianca. Plenty of women and men have been blindsided by the allure of money. I’m not saying this as disrespect to your character, but it’s something I’ve noticed. I mean just earlier, look how quickly you recognized my Rolex.” He continued talking about money as if he had no idea at the inner sexual turmoil running through my mind.

“Only because my ex had one.”

“Exactly my point.” He smirked.

“How is that your point?”

“You dated a man rich enough to own a Rolex.”

“Are you kidding me? David’s money didn’t matter to me. I didn’t even know David was rich when I first met him.” I shook my head at him. Though, only part of that was true. I did know that David was rich, but his money had been the last thing on my mind when I met him.

“Really? How’s that possible? Girls like you seek out rich men.”

“Girls like me?” I gaped at him.

“Women who try to use their looks and body to trap a man.”

“Are you joking? This isn’t a real-life remake of How to Marry a Millionaire.”

“What?” He looked confused.

“It was a movie with Marilyn Monroe and—”

“I don’t need the details.” He cut me off. “Why did you bring it up?”

“Because you insinuated that I’m trying to use my looks to catch rich men, as if I can’t provide for myself. I’ve never tried to date a guy because he has money.”

“My apologies,” he shrugged. “I guess I’ve been around too many beautiful women that have tried to use me and then tried to trap me for my money.”

I stared at him in shock for a few moments. I’m embarrassed to admit that a part of me was flattered by what he’d said. I didn’t consider myself any great beauty, and I knew I didn’t have the skinniest or hottest body out there. I was pretty sure that, even if I’d wanted to, I wouldn’t have been able to trap a rich man.

“You’re an asshole,” I finally muttered. “I didn’t trap anyone.”

“So you don’t want a man with money?”

“No.” I walked to the water’s edge and stared at the illuminated ripples of water as they ebbed and flowed.

“I’m sorry if I offended you.” Jakob walked up next to me, reached out, and touched my shoulder. “Like I said, I’m accustomed to many women in the city approaching me because I have money. I didn’t mean to displace that onto you.”

“It’s fine.” I shrugged but didn’t look at him. I was so angry that he would associate me with a gold digger, when I was anything but one. I felt so hurt inside. I’d trusted him enough to tell him part of my story. The fact that I was attracted to him made me feel like I’d made a mistake in telling him anything. Maybe I was letting my physical attraction to him override my gut instincts.

“Stand still,” he whispered. “Steve is watching us. I don’t want him to think we’re arguing.”

I nodded and remained still.

“It’s a gorgeous night, isn’t it?” he asked softly, and I just nodded again in response. “I love the water.”

“So do I.”

“This is exactly the sort of place I’d choose to be lost in if I had a choice,” he continued, and I looked at him for a second. There was a strange tone in his voice, and I realized that he looked sad.

“You okay?” It was my turn to touch his shoulder, and he looked at me with dark eyes.

“That’s the ultimate question, isn’t it?” He gave me a wry smile. “How do we ever really know if we are okay? I’m physically okay. I’m mentally okay. I’m emotionally okay. Yet I’m stuck on an island with someone I don’t know and I have no idea what’s going to happen. That should scare me. That should have me freaking out.”

“And it doesn’t?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I really don’t know.”

“I just don’t understand why we’re here. Why us? Why you? Why me?” I cried out. “Why him?” I whispered and nodded toward Steve.

“And why bring us to this island?” His eyes narrowed. “There has to be a reason.”

“Do you think we’re going to die?”

“Not if I have anything to do with it.” He pulled me toward him, and I rested my head on his shoulder, enjoying the feel of his body against mine.

He was warm and hard. He felt solid, and that’s what I needed. His hands slid around my waist, and I felt them on my ass, softly stroking and pulling me toward him. I looked up at him, and he was already gazing down at me with open, questioning eyes.

“I see what you were talking about with your eyes before.” He spoke lightly. “They seem to be changing from green to brown right before me.”