“Trust me. It’s fucking delicious. I get hard just thinking about it.”

“You’re a pig, aren’t you?”

“Perky, you have no idea. I’ve been holding back, trying to be a gentleman since you seem a little more refined than I’m used to.”

Carter handed a wad of cash to the driver and toted my carry-on bag on top of his wheeled suitcase as we walked up the driveway. After he rang the bell and we were standing on the doorstep waiting, the taxi drove away. It was at that moment that he decided to let me in on a little information.

“Don’t let Maria Rosa scare you. She’s not really as crazy as she seems.”

CARTER WAS A LIAR.

“Meu filho Americano!” Maria was wearing a bright-colored house dress as she took Carter’s face in both of her hands, planting kisses on each of his cheeks. An aroma of saffron and other herbs and spices filled the air.

Carter introduced me. “Maria, está é a minha amiga, Kendall.”

God, he sounded sexy. Even if the only thing I understood was my own name. He’d even used an accent to say, Kendall, lingering on the L a little at the end.

Maria looked me up and down, a thin black moustache expanding across her upper lip as she smiled. “Aha! Você nunca trouxe um amigo antes…”

I turned to him. “What did she say?”

“She’s pointing out that I’ve never brought a friend here before.”

“Exactly how often do you stay here?”

“About every other time I come to Rio. This place feels sort of like a home away from home to me.”

The chattering sound of an animal suddenly registered. Before I knew it, a weight landed onto my back, nearly causing me to topple over from the impact. Then, I felt a spray of warm liquid on my neck.

I stiffened and waved my hands erratically. “What is on me? Get it off of me!” I screamed. “Get it off!”

The creature let out a series of high-pitched screeches as its nails started digging into me. Carter was laughing hysterically as he lifted the thing off of my back.

When I looked over at him, I discovered the animal was a tiny…monkey. Maria Rosa was shaking her head almost dismissively and saying something in Portugese.

Carter couldn’t contain his amusement. “Maria apologizes. Capuchin monkeys sometimes piss on people to mark their territory.” The monkey let out a loud squeal as if to agree with Carter.

“I have monkey piss dripping down my Roland Mouret. This is just fantastic.”

“That shirt needed to be washed anyway. Don’t worry. I’ll clean you off nice later.”

His words sent chills through me. As much as this situation was freaking me out, I couldn’t help my attraction to Carter as he stood there towering over me, still dressed in his pilot’s uniform. The monkey was now comfortably perched on Carter’s shoulder.

When Carter smiled at me, I again took notice of the dimple on his chin, and my demeanor softened. “How come he’s not pissing on you, Captain?”

“Because we’re old friends. Aren’t we, Pedro?” The animal flashed his teeth. I could have sworn it laughed before hopping away to the other side of the room.

Maria seemed upset about something as she spoke to Carter.

“What is she saying?”

“She didn’t realize I was bringing a guest, wanted to make sure I knew that the only other spare bedroom is being rented out. She says we’ll have to share a room.”

“I’m not okay with that.”

He whispered, “We’ll figure it out.”

“There’s nothing to figure out, Carter.”

“Let’s just go to the room and relax for a bit. I need to get out of this uniform and take a nap. Then, I want to show you the beach before dinner.”

“This isn’t going to work…sharing a room. I need to find a hotel.”

“Perky…you didn’t follow me all the way to Brazil only to leave me now. You can say you’re going to get a hotel, but the fact of the matter is, you don’t want to be alone. You wouldn’t be here if you did. Now calm your tits and come with me to our room. Believe me, even if I wanted to take advantage of you right now, I haven’t slept in eighteen fucking hours. I need to crash.”

As I quietly followed him down the hallway into the corner room, I cursed at my inability to argue this. He’d safely flown that gigantic plane all the way to Brazil. My life had been in his hands the entire time. He had a point; he needed to sleep. Honestly, I was tired from the flight, too, and I hadn’t even piloted the plane.

The room was small but charming. A bright red bedspread with embroidered purple flowers made of yarn was draped over the queen-sized bed. A single window letting in a cool breeze displayed a nice view of the water in the distance.

There was a bathroom off of the room with an antique white ceramic tub. I noticed fresh flowers on the edge of the sink along with a variety of soaps.

“This is cute. How did you ever find this place anyway? It’s really off the beaten path.”

“I was driving around one day, exploring Rio. I got out of my car to take a walk and smelled Maria’s cooking through the window. I basically followed my nose. When I discovered she rented rooms, I cancelled my reservation at the other place and stayed here. I’d choose this any day over a hotel.”

“You said you only stay here half of the time. The other times, you opt for the big hotel?”

He hesitated. “I come here when I’m alone. I go to the hotel when I—”

“Never mind.” I held out my palm. “I get it.”

The hotel was his fucking ground, probably with the stewardess of the week. I didn’t want to hear anymore.

“Why did you bring me here then?”

“I wanted to show you the authentic side of Rio. I feel responsible for you being here. The least I could do is be a good tour guide.”

“How long are you here before you have to fly again?”

“Two days.”

My stomach sank. That wasn’t very long at all.

“Then where are you off to?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t checked the itinerary.”

“Two days here…” I repeated.

“Yeah. So, let’s make the most of it.”

Carter began to unbutton his crisp white captain’s shirt. He hung it up in the small closet. His bare chest was just as perfectly contoured as I’d imagined it. I got the sudden urge to lick a line straight down from his chest to his navel and down the thin happy trail of hair leading into his black dress pants. He was bigger than most of the guys I’d dated. I could only imagine how the weight of his body might feel pressed down over my petite frame. I wanted to feel the weight of him on me, and that was not where my head should have been. I’d almost forgotten that the purpose of this trip was to try to straighten out my life, not complicate it further by falling for someone I couldn’t be with. It wasn’t going to be possible to be with any man in the near future if I went ahead with my plans.