Author's Note: Hey everyone! Well, now that Second Time Around is completed, I can spend more time on this story. And, as always, there's a lot that I want to do with it. Thanks so much for all the awesome reviews! You guys rock! I just hope you like this chapter too. It can't be all fluff, but I'll try and get in some for you.

Courtney scratched her head with her pencil before dropping her head down on the picnic bench at the beach. She couldn't for the life of her, find anything to write about for her article. Sure, the natives were willing to give interviews, Puerto Rico had beautiful beaches and many sports and activities for travelers looking for a good time, but what would she write about the casino? The only things she had so far were, "The San Juan Casino is across from the glistening waters of the South Atlantic. It's a large and beautiful contrast against the blazing blue sky."

And the man who owns it is hot.

Really hot.

And Courtney couldn't get Jason Morgan out of her head. Everything she did, everything she thought about, led back to her and Jason. Sighing, Courtney gave up and began to pack her things back into her briefcase. She saw a camera flash out of the corner of her eye, but ignored it. Probably some tourist snapping photos of his family on the beach.

They'd kissed, oh yes. After Courtney had admitted, foolishly, that she saw her dreams when she looked at Jason, he'd kissed her with a passion she'd never known with Kent.

Thinking about the man, Courtney rolled her eyes. She was so much better off without him. He'd found her at a time when she was ready to give up on the world, he'd comforted her, and she'd fallen head over heels for him. Because, she thought, finally, someone cared about her.

She'd only been 23. And Kent really didn't care that much.

Courtney brushed a hand through her hair as she grabbed her sandals and threw them in her bag, planning to walk back through the sand barefoot. As she turned around, she went smack dab into Jason.

"Oh, hello." Courtney stammered, forcing herself to look up into his gorgeous, know all eyes. Eyes that could see right through her.

"Hey. I was looking for you," Jason said as he took her briefcase from her and began to walk with her back to the hotel.

"What for?" Courtney questioned as she felt Jason's arm slip around her waist. Instinctively, Courtney pulled away, not wanting her emotions to become even more tangled up in this man.

"I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go scuba diving. I'm certified and everything, so don't be nervous. I'd be right with you the whole time." Jason smiled when Courtney stopped walking.

"Scuba diving?"

"Yeah, you know, with like tanks and masks…"

"I know what it is!" Courtney said, probably harsher than she meant to, because Jason backed up a step.

Looking over Jason's shoulder, she saw a man peering out of the sea grass at them, holding a camera in front of his face. Courtney's expression grew worrisome and Jason put his hands on her shoulders, blocking the suspicious man from view.

"Courtney, we don't have to go, I just figured that it would be good for your article if you had first hand experience to write about."

Courtney shook her head to clear the image of someone following them and taking pictures from her head, she was probably just seeing things. She had just been thinking about Kent…

She was just a little edgy…right?

"Courtney, are you okay?" Jason brushed his fingertips down the length of her neck, exposed as her hair was swept up in an untidy bun.

"What? Oh, yes. I'm fine. Scuba diving sounds lovely, yes. Do you think that you could give me a formal interview after?" Courtney looked up at him, and smiled slightly. She was still a little pale, and that concerned him.

"How about I cook you dinner, while you interview me?" Jason suggested as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "Then, after that, you can tell me what's got you so scared."

Courtney pulled away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're a horrible liar."

Courtney rolled her eyes at him and changed the subject. "Where's this scuba diving place anyways?"

Jason sighed and followed the blonde up the beach and towards the hotel. They'd only known each other a few days, how could he expect her to tell him anything?

Courtney broke the surface of the water and smiled brightly. Seconds later, Jason appeared next to her.

"I told you I'd beat you." Courtney teased as she pulled herself into the little Boston Whaler.

"You had flippers on, I didn't. Obviously you were going to win." Jason took off his wetsuit to reveal the most masculine and gorgeous chest Courtney had ever seen.

"Yes, uhm, well…"

Jason smiled and perched himself on the wooden plank, his elbows leaning on the edge of the boat.

Courtney gulped down a moan, and tried her hardest not to stare. Jason was deliberately teasing her, knowing that she wanted him and using it to his advantage. Well, two could play at that game.

Courtney released her hair from her ponytail and shook it out, glancing over her shoulder at her companion, who was watching her with a grin.

"What?" she questioned, stepping out of her wet suit, to reveal her own assets. Courtney had purposely chosen her pink bikini for their scuba diving expedition.

"You're beautiful, that's what." Jason watched Courtney flush pink and he laughed.

"It seems like you're always laughing at me." Courtney sat down next to Jason on the wooden plank.

"That's because I am."

"Right," Courtney murmured.

"So, are we still on for dinner?"

"You're the one cooking; I'm just going to ask you lots of questions." Courtney cocked her head to the side and looked at Jason. "You won't mind will you?"

"Not in the least," Jason whispered before he kissed her.

Courtney abruptly pulled away, eyes closed and thoughts pounding through her head.

"What's wrong Courtney?" Jason asked, reaching out to her, but she pulled back.

"I think we should start to head back. It's getting dark." Courtney got up to wrap a towel around her and sat on the opposite end of the boat, putting as much distance between her and Jason as possible.

As Jason motored the boat towards shore, Courtney sat thinking. The way he had kissed her stirred up feelings inside that Courtney hadn't know she still possessed. She knew what it was to want, and she didn't choose to want again.

Jason helped Courtney out of the boat and held her arm until they got off the deck, then he pulled her to him, rougher than he meant to.

Courtney immediately writhed to get out of his arms, and when he wouldn't let go, she began to sob. He pulled her flush against his chest and let her cry. He smoothed her hair and rubbed her back, and wondered why the hell this woman was so sad. She was so beautiful, so charming, and so intelligent. Who had caused her to suffer like this?

"I wish you'd let me show you what it could be like." Jason whispered as he took her hand and led her back to the hotel.

Courtney knew what it could be like. She would give herself. After he was done with her, he'd walk away whistling and leave her shattered. Not again. Not ever again.