Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“What?” I pull up short and grab my chest. “I don’t think you understand. The green bikini is incapable of letting me down.”
She looks up at the cloudless sky. “I’ve had about forty minutes of sun already, and sunblock only goes so far. A redhead has to cover up. Or else I’ll look like a lobster tomorrow. And on the off chance that my family includes me in any of the wedding photos…” She shrugs.
It kills me that her fucking family treats her like an outsider. That’s not a problem I can solve. But the sunburn is. “You need to get out of the sun.”
She reaches for her beach bag. “I have a lot of SPF clothing in here. I’m used to this.”
“I’ve got a better idea. Come on.” I shove my feet into my shoes. “Come with me.”
“But you wanted some sunshine?”
“And I’m gonna get it. Just not here. Follow me.”
I take Darcy’s hand and walk her back inside the hotel. In the elevator, I hit the button for the penthouse floor. “We’ll hang out on your terrace. I saw an umbrella out there.”
“But the beach…”
“I’m still at the beach, Kendrick.”
Upstairs, she unlocks the room, and I march right out to the terrace and start rearranging the furniture. “Check the mini fridge? Did the Diamond Member get a refill on drinks and snacks?”
Darcy heads inside, emerging a few minutes later with some drinks and a bowl of giant strawberries. I’ve set up our two lounge chairs side by side, with one of them shielded by the umbrella, and the other not.
It’s glorious up here. Sunlight glints off the distant waves, and there are zero annoying family members in sight.
“You’re a genius,” she says.
“Nope. In spite of what our families think, it’s not actually that hard to give everybody what they need.”
She gives me a funny little smile, and together we relax on our respective chairs. The green bikini is on full display, and after a few strawberries and some seltzer water, I nod off to the sound of the surf and seagulls’ calls on the breeze.
When I wake up half an hour later, Darcy is lying on her tummy, her chair reclined. She’s flipping contentedly through a magazine.
“How much time do we have until the wedding rehearsal starts?” I ask lazily.
“Two hours,” she says. “Technically, we’re not required to go to the rehearsal, just the dinner.”
“I need to stop by to make sure my father turns up, because I promised Maribel I would give her away if my parents get squirrely.”
“Oh.” She gives me a soft look. “That’s really nice of you.”
“Being there for Maribel is the simplest thing in the world. I wish my mother could see that.”
Darcy looks sad. “I wish she’d figure it out. But some people never do.”
“I’m starting to catch on. You were right when you said that I can’t make my mother behave. I can only change my reaction.”
“Oh God.” She reaches over and gives me a friendly nudge. “Don’t take advice from me! I’m the one who lost her cool today.”
“Yeah, you did,” I say, catching her hand and kissing the palm. “You naughty thing.”
She sniffs. “Tessa had it coming, though.”
“Sure did.” We both laugh, but I don’t let go of her hand. I place it on my chest, instead. “That’s not the only thing you’ve done wrong, baby. You’re actually very naughty.”
She gives me an amused glance. “How do you figure? Have I not been a perfect wedding date? I’m fantastic at scouting out the best appetizers. I cheated in the hedge maze when you asked me to. And then I invited you on a very exciting tour of the local emergency room.”
“Uh-huh. But there are still some issues that need addressing. Let’s discuss, please. I’ll need you to behave and hear me out.” I swing my legs over the shady side of the chair, and then I pat my thigh. “Come here, honey. It’s lesson time.”
For a second, Darcy looks a little bit startled, and I wonder if she’s going to play along. But then she slowly sets her magazine aside and sits up to transfer her weight onto my lap.
“Captain,” she whispers in a husky voice. “What seems to be the problem?”
Christ. I inhale the scent of coconut lotion and sun-kissed skin, and my blood is already rushing south before I’ve even told her my plans. “We have plenty to discuss,” I purr, running a hand through her hair. “See, you play the part of a good girl, but you’ve actually been very bad.”
“Have I?” she whispers. “Last night?”
I shake my head immediately. “Last night you were perfect. An A+ student at the Tremaine School of Good Times.”
Her lips twitch. “Did I miss an assignment, then?”
“You did. And I’m kind of pissed off about it, to be honest.”
My delivery must be pretty convincing, because her expression turns uncertain. “What could I have possibly done to make you mad?”