Tempted by Two (Bundles from Lara Flare #5)

Chapter one

ONE

“Just you, this week Mr. Renolds? Your reservation was for two.” Jaxson stood on the other side of the desk with his duffle bag and the bag that carried his tan suit and white shirt.

“I had a, uh, change of plans,” Jaxson explained. “It’s just me this week. Here, I mean. My family’s down the road.”

Jaxson wasn’t sure why his cousin had insisted on a destination wedding, but he was loyal. If she wanted her whole family to fly six hours away for her wedding, he would do it.

Unfortunately, a year ago, when Jaxson had made the reservations, he had thought his girlfriend Mandy would be with him. They’d spend a few days on the beach, party with his family, and enjoy the warm nights in a private villa, just the two of them.

Mandy broke up with him two weeks ago.

“Sorry to hear that, Mr. Renolds,” the woman behind the counter said, sympathy on her face. It was as if she had read the whole story on his face. It probably happened a lot. The private villa Jaxson had booked was nonrefundable. It was fine.

She passed the keys over the desk and Jaxson took the blue keyring labeled with a #4.

“Your villa is across the street, through the garden. The pool and beach access are that way.” The woman gestured behind her.

“Thanks.” Jaxson pocketed the key and gathered his luggage.

He hauled his bags across the empty street.

Flowers bloomed everywhere in the garden.

Big pink and yellow flowers bloomed from bushes and trees, and patio furniture and lounge chairs peppered the spots of shade. He scanned the small villas for #4.

The “villa” was more like a very small studio apartment. He liked the idea of having space between the units, but it didn’t really matter when you were a solo guest. He dropped his bags at the end of the king-sized bed and unzipped them.

He hung up his suit first. Wrinkles had already formed in the suit’s brief time folded inside the garment bag. He hoped they would relax out quickly, or he would have to call the front desk for an iron. He hoped they had an iron.