Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 74005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Where are Gina and Lavender?” I ask.
“They went to the little girls’ room.” He looks. “Here they come now.”
“Hey, Daniela,” Gina says, smiling. She looks adorable in a white jumpsuit that enhances her dark skin. Lavender is, of course, wearing lavender. The girl knows how to stick to her brand.
“Gina, Lavender, this is Hawk Bellamy.”
Lavender’s jaw nearly drops as she scans him from head to toe.
They all shake hands.
“So there’s a problem then,” Jordan says.
“What’s that?” I ask.
“Most of the rides take two people. So we have an odd number now, and someone will be the odd one out whenever we go on rides.”
“Don’t be silly,” I say. “It’s a waterpark, right? So won’t most of the rides be on big rafts?”
“She’s right,” Lavender says. “This is no big deal.”
“I’m happy to be the odd man out,” Hawk says.
I grab his hand. “No way. You’re my partner on the rides.”
Jordan huffs. “Fine. It’ll all work out. We’ll take turns if we have to.”
His eyes tell a different story though.
A story that haunts me, because it reminds me of the look my father got whenever he found out I was pregnant again with one of his friends’ babies.
15
HAWK
Already I hate this Jordan motherfucker. He’s clearly interested in Daniela, and that rubs me the wrong way.
But Daniela is clearly not into him, and she invited me today. Probably to act as a buffer between her and Jordan.
Besides, she grabbed my hand and said I’ll be her partner for all the rides.
“Let’s go change,” Daniela says.
“Follow us,” Gina says. “Hawk, you can go with Jordan into the male locker room.”
Great.
Alone with the guy who wants to get into my woman’s pants.
I watch my back as I change out of my jeans and shirt and into my trunks and flip-flops. I steal a glance over at Jordan.
Seriously?
He’s wearing a bright blue speedo that shows off his junk.
There are kids here, for God’s sake. We won’t be going near the kids’ area, but still…
Without saying a word to him, I leave to regroup with the ladies. And then—
Fuck.
Daniela.
I mean, I’ve seen her naked, and she’s a freaking work of art, but this white string bikini?
Gina and Lavender have great bodies too, but they pale in comparison to Daniela.
“Let me put some sunscreen on you, Hawk,” Daniela says.
“Absolutely.”
Daniela and I both have naturally tan skin, but I grew up with sunscreen, working on a ranch every day.
Her touch sends tingles through me as she rubs the lotion over my back and shoulders.
“Next,” Jordan says, winking at Daniela.
“Gina or Lav can get you,” Daniela says, not missing a beat.
I rub the sunscreen into Daniela next, loving the feel of her silky skin. Fuck.
Good thing I’m not wearing a speedo. Everyone would know exactly how Daniela is affecting me.
“What ride should we do first?” Gina asks.
“How about the water slides?” I suggest, not really caring about the ride.
Daniela grins, her eyes sparkling. “Great idea, Hawk.”
“Jordan, Hawk, why don’t you guys race?” Lavender teases.
Jordan gives a wide smirk. “A race? You’re on!” He turns to me. “Care to back out now?”
“Nope,” I shoot back, my competitive side kicking in.
We line up at the top of two identical water slides. Jordan has this irritating sneer on his face, like he’s already won. But I’m not one to back down. Not now, not ever.
“On your mark, get set…go!” Gina yells.
We’re off, plunging down the slides. The world blurs around me as I rocket down the twisting, turning chute, water spraying in my face, laughter and screams echoing in my ears.
I can’t see Jordan. I have no idea if I’m ahead or behind, but it doesn’t matter. I’m racing for Daniela, to prove to Jordan that he can’t just waltz in and take what’s mine.
When I shoot out of the slide and into the pool at the bottom, I’m hit by a wave of cool water and the raucous sound of cheering. Spluttering and blinking against the chlorine, I glance across to see Jordan emerging from his slide a moment later.
I won. I beat the smug prick.
A surge of triumph courses through me as I swim to the edge of the pool, dragging myself out just as Daniela rushes over. Her eyes are wide, her smile brighter than the sun.
“You won!” she exclaims, throwing her arms around me in a hug that sends waves of warmth through me.
“And with style, too,” I reply, pulling back to look at her.
Her eyes are sparkling even more now, and I can’t resist leaning in to capture her lips in a kiss. It’s brief, just a quick press of our lips, but it’s enough to send shockwaves down to my toes.
Jordan comes up behind us, water dripping from his hair and that self-satisfied grin wiped from his face. “Well, you got lucky this time, Hawk.”
I look at him and shrug. “Luck had nothing to do with it.”