I stared at his bulging biceps as he gathered coconut palms and tried not to lust after him too obviously. I watched the muscles in his back flexing and swallowed hard. The hot sun was already deepening his tan, and I could see sweat glistening on his skin. Hard work had never made a man look so sexy before. After Jakob had kissed me, we’d noticed piles of fallen coconut branches and stopped to pick them up to take back with us to the sand. I had no idea how we were going to put them together to make a shelter, but I’d leave that up to him to figure out.

“You okay?” He looked back and caught me staring at him.

“Uh, yeah. I was just looking for the ass,” I mumbled as I stared at his butt.

“You’re what?” He grinned and turned toward me.

“I was just . . .” I stopped talking as I realized what I’d said. “I’m gathering stuff for the house.” I looked down at the ground with a red face. Damn you, jelly brain.

“What house?” He walked toward me.

“You know what I mean. The shelter.”

“I see. I thought you were gathering keepsakes for when you get back home.”

“Not quite.” I rolled my eyes and then swallowed as I looked up and saw his crotch right in front of my face. “What are you doing?” I sputtered, and jumped up.

“I came to make sure you were okay.”

“I already told you, I’m fine.”

“I wanted to make sure.” He gave me a small smile. “You’ve been gathering branches for a while now, but you have only one in your stack.” He looked pointedly at the pathetic coconut limb beside me, and I frowned.

“Why don’t you pay attention to your own pile before worrying about mine?”

“I’m concerned about both of our needs, Bianca.” His tone dropped, and his eyes moved to my heaving chest. “You should put your shirt back on when we return to the beach.”

“It’s too hot.” I shook my head and straightened my shoulders. I was no longer self-conscious that I was only in my bra and panties.

“Or you can take them off.” He grinned and licked his lips. “I wouldn’t tell you that’s a bad idea.”

“It’s not your place to tell me anything,” I snapped back, annoyed.

“I’m just concerned about you.” He took a step toward me and ran a finger along my shoulder. “I don’t want you to get sunburned.”

“And being naked will help prevent that how?”

“My body will shield you from the sun. I can make sure that all you have is a healthy glow.”

“That sounds really comfortable.”

“I don’t think you’ll be complaining.” He took another step toward me, and I could feel his chest brushing against my breasts. “In fact, you might even find that you like it.”

“I don’t think so.” My words were barely a whisper as I stared up at him. My fingers were aching to reach out to touch his taut stomach. His abs were mocking me with their perfection.

“I can take your mind off your worries.” His eyes crinkled as he stared at the top of my breasts. “You have so little on, yet still I feel you are teasing me with your modesty.”

“My modesty?” I laughed. “I’m in a bra and panties.”

“A full-coverage bra and panties.” He sighed.

“Sorry I didn’t wear my thong and half-cut bra in anticipation of getting kidnapped and meeting you.”

“That’s okay.” He smiled at me. “The anticipation is what makes it sweeter.”

“The anticipation of what?”

“Seeing your body.” His tone was gruff. “When I finally see all of you, it will—”

I cut him off. “You’re not going to see all of me!”

“No?” He laughed as his arm reached around my waist and pulled me toward him. This time, my breasts were crushed against his chest and I could feel his growing manhood pressed against my belly. “You’re so hot,” he whispered against my ear as his hands fell to my ass and pulled me to him.

“Thank you.” I gazed up at him, barely able to hide my lust.

“Why did you have to be so hot?” His voice deepened as his fingers massaged my behind. “I like a girl with a big butt.” His lips whispered against mine as he squeezed.

“I don’t have a big butt,” I muttered back indignantly.

“It makes doggie style so much more enjoyable.” He winked down at me as his fingers moved up my hips and held on to my waist. “Don’t you think?”

“I don’t know.” I was starting to feel feverish by his closeness. I wanted him to make a move, but I didn’t want him to know how badly I wanted him to touch me. “Wait, what?” I glanced up at him. “Did you say ‘doggie style’?”

“Don’t you like it?” He cocked his head and grinned.

“You’re disgusting. Do you really think I’m just going to sleep with you? Do you think that I—”

“I like it when you’re feisty.” He took a step back. “Now that you’ve gotten your energy back, it’s time to work.”

“Excuse me? I was working, I was just—”

“Try not to stare at my ass too much this time.” He walked away, laughing, and I turned away with a red face before starting to gather more branches.

“Ass,” I muttered to the ground, and tried to ignore the rumbling of my stomach. I was starving, but sick of bananas, too. “It’s starting to rain.”