From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shayla Black comes a new story in her More Than Words series…

Can I convince her our hot but temporary engagement should last forever?

I’m Stephen Lund, confirmed bachelor…and son of a successful billionaire whose sins I can’t forget—or forgive. Though he insisted I get over his transgressions, I can’t. So I put space between us with a temporary getaway to Maui. My rental’s sexy caretaker, Skye Ingram, is a beautiful distraction. Yeah, it’s a terrible time to start a fling, but I can’t help wanting to give her every bit of pleasure she’s willing to take.

When Skye needs a date to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding, I’m game to play her pretend fiancé. The jerk should see what he passed up…and that I’m holding her now. But our pretend engagement begins to feel real. Our passion certainly is. So are the consequences. When I’m confronted with the reality that our lives are now irrevocably entwined, I have to choose between leaving Skye to return to the life—and wealth—I’ve always known or abandoning everything familiar to start over with the woman who awakened my heart.

Exclusive Excerpt: More Than Pleasure You

“I must be crazy,” Skye murmurs as we sit facing each other on the stools at the breakfast bar the following morning.

Since she agreed to let me be her fake fiancé for the weekend and my head no longer throbs, we’re going to spend the next two days getting to know each other. Score for me.

I probably shouldn’t pursue her…but I’m not inclined to stop myself, especially when she looks totally edible. Today, she’s wearing another pair of sexy cutoffs and a crop top that clings low on her breasts, hugs her ribs, and flashes me her flat belly.

I try not to stare…but I fail miserably. “Not crazy, crafty. We’ll convince Finn’s parents that you’re off the market, and hopefully they’ll start accepting Dana. Then you and your ex can both move on. Everyone is happy.”

“I sure hope so. Finn and I have always been friends, but we broke up months ago, and his mother especially won’t give up on the notion that if she gives us the right nudge we’ll get back together. It’s never going to happen.”

“Why don’t Finn’s parents like Dana?”

“Wait until you meet her.”

So she either doesn’t want to color my opinion or talk bad about her ex’s new squeeze. I respect that.

“We have roughly seventy-two hours between now and the wedding to give each other a crash course about our lives.” It’s the only way we’ll convince people we’re engaged.

“I’m nervous.”

I take her hand. To reassure her, yes. But it’s also hard to resist touching her. “We’ve got this. I searched the Internet for things prospective spouses should know about each other, so we’ll cover those. I emailed you the names and bios of my family members, as well as some bits about my childhood, schooling, and background.”

“I got it, Stephen Montgomery Lund. How cool that you were born in Paris and have visited six of the seven continents. I’ve only been off Hawaii twice.” She sighs wistfully as she leans in to prop her chin on her fist.

Holy cleavage.

I struggle to keep my tongue in my mouth and my thoughts on track. “You’re actually from here?”

She nods. “My dad was stationed on Oahu when I was born. I was a later-in-life baby, but when I was four the military made noise about relocating us to El Paso. He got out for my mom because staying in Hawaii meant the world to her.”

Wow. The man switched careers to make his wife happy. While it sounds impractical, the wistful expression on Skye’s face tells me she respects the hell out of her dad for his decision.

“And also because that place is nicknamed Hell Paso for a reason.”

That makes me laugh. “So what brought you all to Maui?”

“It was quieter here. And Dad could make a good living giving tourists helicopter tours.”

“Too bad he moved. I would have liked seeing the island from the air.”

“I miss my parents, but my grandmother isn’t well and couldn’t leave her home, so they went to take care of her.”

Family looking out for family. That’s something else I’ve never experienced. As far as I know, my dad stuck his own mother in a home and never visited. That seems cold since the woman gave birth to him.

“I’m curious… Since you’ve lived here your whole life, can you hula?”

She scoffs. “Any self-respecting girl from the islands can.”

Oh, I’d love to see that. “Show me?”

She rolls her eyes. “Maybe later.”

I’m going to turn that maybe into a yes. “All right. Since you’ve only been off Hawaii twice, tell me one place you’re dying to go.”

“Vegas.” Her eyes light up. “It looks so cool on the internet. I want to take a gondola ride at the Venetian, watch the water fountain show at the Bellagio, walk the Strip, catch some shows, and…oh, eat at one of those celebrity chef restaurants.”

I’ve done all those things, but I’d do them again to see that wide-eyed look of wonder on her face. “Don’t blame you.”

She gives me a self-deprecating grimace. “I probably sound ridiculous. And touristy. Sorry. I’m focusing now. I’ll put together my background information and send it to you as soon as we’re done here.”

“Perfect.” I’m not worried about the simple facts. It’s the other things that can trip us up that concern me. “Do we have a song? Something we can ask the deejay at the wedding to play for us?”

“No.” She shakes her head with a hint of contempt. “I’m not that kind of girl.”

I raise a brow. “What kind is that?”

“Sentimental. I live in the moment. I can’t fix yesterday and I can’t control tomorrow.” She shrugs.

“You don’t plan?”

“Not a lot. It’s as exciting as a dental appointment and as pointless as a concrete parachute.” She shrugs. “It almost never works.”

Her attitude blows my mind since I’ve made a very good living in helping people plan for the future. “Interesting perspective.”

“You think I’m wrong.”

“Yep.” I’m not going to argue…but I’m also not going to lie.