"So, come on, Hollywood. What do you say we take that movie star smile up to my room? As sensational as it is, I'd love to replace it with something a whole lot filthier."

He appreciated her straight-forward approach-he did-but maybe what he needed was a work-out, a hot shower, and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow he'd start fresh.

Just then Jake bustled up to them. "Hey, how's it going?" But before either could respond, he clapped a hand on Ryan's shoulder. "Can I talk to you for a sec?" Then, he turned to Carrie. "Will you excuse us?"

"Sure. We'll catch up later." She smiled and headed toward the dance floor.

Jake led him to the side of the outdoor bar. "How's it going?"

"Great, why?"

"Looked like maybe you were gonna bail on that very nice young woman."

And that's the problem with knowing someone all your life. "I might work out. Been traveling all day."

"That's pretty much what you'd be doing if you were at school. But isn't that why you called me? To get a break from all that shit? Yeah, you could go to the gym like you always do. Or, I don't know..." He gave a chin lift to Carrie, who'd already turned her attention to another guy. "You could motorboat the bodacious tits of that woman who clearly wanted to climb you like a tree."

"I'll probably do both."

"Maybe she's not your type? Not a problem, since you've basically got a Babes-R-Us selection here. But, hell, man, look around. Every woman you see wants the same thing we do. That's the whole point of coming here-everyone gets what they want without the bullshit. So, come on. Who you bangin' first?" Jake gestured to the crowd like a game show hostess.

He took a step into Jake's space. "When I said I needed a break, I meant a break from the pressure. Six days to do what I want when I want. That's why I'm here."

Jamming his hands deep into his pockets, Jake looked thoughtful for a moment. "You wanna know why we'd let you blow off spring training?"

The reminder hit like a fastball to the gut. Christ. He'd never lied to a coach in his life.

And, come on, his family emergency happened to fall the week of spring break? Coach Harding deserved better than a cheap lie from the captain of his baseball team.

"'Cause you're gonna blow. That's why. You're on the edge, and it's better to pull your ass out of there than let your coach, your agent, the scouts, watch you fuck up." He squeezed Ryan's shoulder. "Number one shortstop in the country."

"I hear you. But I'm going to have to do things my way. I appreciate you guys coming out here with me, but..." Ryan blew out a breath. "You gotta give me room, all right?"

Looking thoughtful, Jake scrubbed his jaw. "Not tellin' you anything you don't already know or you wouldn't have called me." He stabbed his finger into Ryan's chest. "But you need to go hard this week. Trust me on this. You're too fuckin' controlled. Yeah, all that discipline and focus is great-you wouldn't be a first draft pick without it-but you gotta hit that release valve sometimes, man. You got one week here to blow it all off, and to do it you need some good, hard fucking to get you loosened up and relaxed."

Damn, that rang true. Just hearing the words relieved some of the pressure. His friend was right. He did need to go hard.

Jake spun around. When he spotted Dixon at the bar, he waved him over.

Dix gave a jerk of his chin in acknowledgment, then whispered in his date's ear before making his way to them. "What's up?" He glanced over his shoulder, as if to make sure the woman he was talking to hadn't moved on to someone else.

"Our man here needs a little help selecting tonight's entertainment." Jake shoved his hands in his pockets and turned to the dance floor. He elbowed Dixon. "Who's a good starter chick?"

"Cut the shit." Ryan had ended things with Emma over Christmas break. "I've been single for three months."

They ignored him, as Dixon checked out the dance floor. "You want someone like Emma? Blonde, skinny?"

"I've been with other women besides Emma. We've broken up a lot over the last six years."

"Not the point. You always had Emma in the back of your mind. This time, you're totally free." Jake turned to him. "You are totally free, right?"

"Completely."

"Let him find his own girl," Dixon said.

"Now that's what I'm talkin' about." Jake pointed to a curvy woman striding around the perimeter of the dance floor. "And see, the thing is, you can have fun with her tonight and not have to hang out with her tomorrow. She won't want to." His finger shifted to a woman who looked very much like Emma. Slender, long blonde hair, fragile. "Look at the way she's eyein' you, bro. Hungry little minx. I'll bet she's a tiger in the sack. What do you say? Feel like kickin' back and lettin' her do the work?"

Jake had no idea how appealing that sounded. Six years with the same woman. Ryan had had enough of the dead fish routine. He'd loved Emma, of course, but begging for sex? Never again.

"That one." Jake's feral gaze landed on a sexy blonde with an hourglass figure, half-lidded eyes, and shiny red lipstick. "Now that's my kind of woman."

Irritation whipped through him. He'd had enough. "Have at it, man." He stalked off.

With all this energy barreling through him, he needed to hit the gym, blow off some steam. The moment he headed out, he saw a dark-haired woman kneeling on a bar stool, surveying the area with a concerned expression. In her white shorts and pale pink tank top, she didn't look anything like the other women in the bar. The oversized white sweater she wore drooped off one shoulder and didn't cover the ample breasts straining against the top. Her round ass stretched the cotton of her shorts, and when she licked her pink lips, biting down on the bottom one, a jolt of energy blasted through him.

Her.

He knew the rules now, understood no one wanted conversation. That suited him just fine.

Bailing on spring training might've cost him the respect of his teammates and coach. Bailing on his ex might've cost him his lifelong relationship with her family-and her dad was practically a father to him. Even he could see that, for the first time in his life, he wasn't making the smartest decisions. But just then?

This woman with her rosy complexion, sexy as fuck mouth, and body so ripe he wanted to sink his teeth into her ass? He knew exactly what he wanted.

With every step he took toward her, his heart beat faster. When he reached her, electricity flashed across his skin. She was beautiful and undoubtedly the sexiest woman he'd ever seen.

It went against his nature to be so blunt, but what the hell. He'd play by the resort rules. He stroked a finger down her thigh.

She jerked, looking down at him. "What the hell?"

Holding her fiery gaze, his breath froze in his lungs. "I want you." And, oh, man, did he want her.

"Excuse me?"

Not exactly the reaction he'd expected. A little outside my comfort zone here. But he wouldn't give up. "You. I want you."

"Are you high?" She let out a huff of breath, yanking the sweater back up her shoulder. "Wow. That was super classy." Confusion turned to humor. "Yeah, for sure. Let me just shuck off my clothes and we can do it right here. Or did you want to drag me by my hair to the nearest table?"

Yes. But the outrage in her eyes doused his lust, leaving him flustered and uncomfortable. "Take it easy. I didn't mean..." He lowered his head, shaking his head. "What a night."

She laughed. "Well, if that's been your approach, no wonder your night's not going so well. Little tip for ya? Start off with a simple hello. Then maybe offer to buy a girl a drink. Jeez."

Ryan dropped his head back, and he dragged a hand through his hair. What the hell was he doing here? He'd rather be sitting alone in his room working on code than trying to navigate the waters of a pervy singles resort.

"Fuck it. Never mind." He struck off, thinking he'd lift weights. Or maybe run along the beach. But he didn't get more than a few feet before he realized he'd been a jerk. He turned back to apologize and found her climbing off the stool, her round ass hoisted high, her leg reaching for the floor. He took her arm, helping her.

Once she had her footing, she looked up at him. "Thank you."

Her long, dark hair gleamed in the yellow lights, and her blue eyes were lit with intelligence and an irresistible spark. And suddenly he felt like a total ass for treating her the way he had. "Look, I'm sorry for touching you. I don't...I'm not like that." He let out a breath and scratched the scruff on his chin. "Can I buy you a drink?"

Her good humor seemed to fade. "Three things. I don't drink, I have zero interest in a one-night stand, and I really need to find my friend right now." Her phone clattered to the wood floor, and they both crouched at the same time to retrieve it. When she leaned forward, her breasts plumped in the top, and a surge of lust rushed him so hard his dick pressed uncomfortably against the buttons of his jeans.

He handed her the phone, his whole world narrowing to this woman who smelled like vanilla and flowers and looked so round and luscious he wanted to squeeze her.

She gave him a distracted, "Thank you," before touching the screen of her phone as she stood.

Heading out of the bar behind her, he couldn't help catching her conversation. "Hey. I don't see Laura anywhere, and she's not answering her phone." She paused. "I said I can't find Laura." She was nearly shouting now. "Yeah, well, she's got my wallet." Another pause. "I was taking pictures when we got off the boat, and I handed her my bag. Anyhow, I'll go to the front desk and see if they'll loan me some cash, but then I'll jump in a taxi and come get you. Are you going to be all right until I get there?"

They were both headed to the lobby, so he couldn't miss the way her shoulders hunched and her arm wrapped across her stomach. "God, Kat. I can't believe this. Can you talk to the bartender? Is there someone there you can trust? Yeah, yeah, okay, don't worry. Let me get some money, and then I'm on my way."

Ryan stepped up to her. "What do you need?"

She lowered the phone from her mouth. "I'm seriously not interested. I mean, at all." Striding down the stone walkway, she continued her conversation. "You sure you don't want to call the police?"

"I'm not trying to hit on you. You obviously need help." But she ignored him. Well, Christ. When did he become the creep a girl had to get away from?

All right, enough. Time to put an end to this day. He'd head up to his room and change into gym shorts.

"Kat, I am hurrying. But I need cash for a cab, and I think town's at least twenty minutes away."

They'd reached the door to the lobby, so he held it open. Blocking her way, he pulled out his wallet, yanked out some bills, and thrust them at her.

She stopped, gazing up at him as though trying to figure out his motives. "Hang on a second," she said into the phone. "Are you sure? I mean, why are you doing this?"

"I'm paying for sex. How much will this get me?"

When her jaw dropped and her eyes went round, he gave her a disbelieving look. Really? She thought he was capable of that? "You need some cash. I'm happy to give you some."

"Kat? I'm good. I got it, so I'm on my way." She started to lower the phone, but then jerked the phone back to her ear. "Wait, Kat? Listen. Stay in the bathroom until I get there. Promise me you'll lock yourself in a stall. Okay, see you." She took the money. "I don't know what to make of you, but I need this, so, thank you. I'll pay you back tomorrow."

Ryan shoved his wallet back in his pocket. "Not necessary." He stepped aside, letting her go through the doors. She breezed past, leaving him in a cloud of her sweet scent.

"Is your friend all right? I heard you talking."

"She went into town with some guy she met here." She glanced at him over her shoulder, as she headed across the wide-planked wood floor of the vast lobby. "He dumped her for someone else, and now she's stuck in a really scary bar. You know it's DJ week on the island, right? So the town's jammed with people, everyone partying like it's the end of the world, and she's scared to death."

"Is she in danger?"

"A bunch of drunken idiots had her backed against a wall. She managed to run into the bathroom, but she's afraid to come out. She can hear them outside the door."

"Do you need me to come with you?"

"I...what?"

Why did she still look like she couldn't trust him? Him, for Christ's sake.

Right. Because he'd touched her. Told her he wanted her. Had he really done that? He was more fucked up than he realized. "Do you have a plan for how you're going to help your friend against those guys?"

Her features fell. "I didn't really think about it, but no, I guess not."

"Then I'll go with you."

"I don't have time to argue, and I really could use the help of those nice muscles you've got there, so I'm not going to argue if you want to come." She strode forward, heading outside.

A slight chill in the air had her hugging her arms across her chest. He couldn't help but notice the way her breasts pushed together, creating a mound he found ridiculously distracting. "I'll grab a cab."

As he headed to the valet station, he thought about all those women in the bar down to party with him right then. He could be pounding babes and brews, just like his friends.

Instead, he was heading into town with the one woman at the resort who had no interest in him.

And, strangely, there was nowhere else he'd rather be.

Titles by Erika Kelly.

YOU REALLY GOT ME.

I WANT YOU TO WANT ME.

TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT.