You're The One

by Layla Hagen

  “Tell me what you were up to.”

  “Or what?”

  “I can think about a few torture methods to lure the truth out of you.”

  His bare chest was almost touching my torso, and then there would be nothing separating us except my very thin cotton dress. My senses were completely assaulted by this man and it wasn’t even nine o’clock in the morning. Two full weeks in a romantic resort in the Maldives, where I’d be seeing enough of him shirtless to tempt me on an hourly basis? Things were not looking good for me.

  “Fine, I admit it. I admit it. I wanted to know the name of the hotel.”

  “See? That wasn’t so hard.”

  Was I imagining it, or was he looking at my lips? His skin felt so impossibly hot against me.

  “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  “How soon?” I grinned. I couldn’t help it.

  “Patience.” He motioned to my toiletries bag. “That’s all you need me to stuff in my luggage?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Go get ready, and I’ll pack it up.”

  “You don’t trust me, do you?” I rolled my eyes. “I wouldn’t peek.”

  “Think I’m going to believe you after catching you red-handed?”

  He had a point, so I turned on my heels, heading to my room to change into my travel attire—jeans and a polo shirt.

  Half an hour later, we were in the back of a cab, heading to the airport. Hunter was silent, looking out the window. From time to time he touched his wedding band—we wore identical platinum rings. I wondered if he felt the same panic and euphoria I did. The same attraction. I couldn’t think like that. It was silly.

  At the airport, the driver wheeled the carriage with our bags right inside the building.

  “I wish you all the best on your honeymoon,” he said.

  Hunter took over, pushing the baggage cart toward the business class check-in area.

  “Good morning, sir,” the check-in lady said, taking the passports Hunter handed her.

  She scanned them while a man took care of our luggage.

  “Would you like me to print out the tickets, or do you have them on your phone?”

  “Print them, please,” Hunter said. After we received them, we headed to the TSA checkpoint.

  “Still not going to tell me the name of the hotel? I want to do my research about the activities they offer.”

  “You’ll have plenty of time once we arrive.”

  The line advanced, and I moved with it, startling a little when Hunter wrapped an arm around me from behind, bringing his lips to my ear.

  “Told you I’d make these years the best, Josie. Just trust me on that.”

  I did trust him. The problem was, I didn’t know how I’d manage to go back to how things were once we divorced.

  “If you want me to trust you, that means you actually have to tell me things,” I teased.

  “We’ll get to that. Baby steps.”

  After security, we headed straight to the business lounge. “So, this is how you travel all the time?” I asked him, sitting cross-legged on a leather armchair big enough for two of me. “I could get used to it.”

  We were served champagne and canapes right before boarding began. I already had a happy buzz going on and was a bit mad at myself for that, because I wanted to experience everything.

  When we were shown to our seats, I immediately began poking every button and trying every single position for the seat.

  I only stopped when I caught Hunter staring at me with a strange expression.

  “What?”

  “I forgot how much you enjoy new things.”

  Unfazed, I checked every item on the menu, accepting yet another glass of champagne. Then I glanced at my ring, touched it. “Does it feel weird?”

  He gave me a small smile. “I honestly never thought I’d wear one. How about you?”

  “I freaked a little this morning,” I admitted in a small voice.

  “So did I. But I think it’s normal. It’s not a small thing, and the implications are... well... we both know them.” He frowned, then half turned, leaning in closer. For a fraction of a second, I thought he was going to kiss me, leave no doubt for everyone that we were in love, but instead he said, “If you regret it...”

  “Too late, I already signed on the dotted line.”

  “We can get an annulment.”

  The mere word made me sad. What was up with that?

  I tried to sound playful as I said, “And miss out on the Maldives?”

  “After we get back. It’s easier to get a marriage annulled during the first fourteen days,” he said in a low voice, barely a whisper.

  “It’s generally not easy to get an annulment.”

  “It’s doable. So if you change your mind after we’re back, you can still get out of this.”

  “But that wouldn’t help you at all,” I protested.

  “I’ll deal with the fallout. I just....” He shook his head, as if he couldn’t find his words, which was so unlike Hunter. “I’m just afraid that this is going to change things between us, all the pressure, the expectations. You’re my best friend, Josie. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “You won’t. Who’s overthinking things now?” I tried to sound playful again. Yesterday, I’d felt so connected to him. His kisses had felt so real. And last night... he’d probably had a little too much to drink. That was all. I’d been projecting my own feelings onto him.

  I spent the rest of the journey watching movies. Midway through the flight, Hunter turned his chair into a bed and slept like a rock. He was used to flying. I, on the other hand, grew restless after only a couple of hours and didn’t sleep a wink. When we landed in Dubai, I was already done for, and we had yet another long flight ahead of us.

  “If you lie down, you might fall asleep eventually,” Hunter suggested.

  But lying down made me even more restless. Eventually, the exhaustion won.

  I woke up when the stewardess leaned in to say, “The plane is starting the descent. Please put your chairs in an upright position.”

  I rubbed my eyes, then scrambled into a sitting position, glancing out the window.

  “We’re over the ocean,” I told Hunter, who was still lying down, rubbing his eyes. “The water is dark blue. I suppose it’s because it’s still deep here. I wonder if it’s really as turquoise as it always is in pictures. With all the filters and effects these days, you never know.”

  Hunter was grinning.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Your enthusiasm is adorable.”

  “Why aren’t you enthusiastic? You’ve never been either.”

  “I am enthusiastic. But clearly, there’s normal enthusiasm and Josie-level.”

  “Don’t make me poke you this early in the morning.”

  “You’re welcome to try. I think I know how to win this argument.”

  He looked at my lips. I blushed, returning my attention to the window. I tried to remember all the activities one could do on the Maldives.

  “I can’t wait to take scuba diving courses. Do you think our hotel offers them? You bad man. I would’ve researched if you had told me beforehand.”

  “The hotel staff will fill us in. Already told them you’re eager to try everything.”

  I turned around to face him. “We are going to try everything.”

  “No, thanks. I’m good at the beach.”

  “What if I take off with the instructor?”

  His eyes flashed, and he leaned in a tad. Just enough that I could feel every exhale on my lips.

  “I’ll have to sharpen my seduction skills, won’t I, wife?”

  I swallowed, looking away. “What kind of husband are you, leaving your wife to go off on her own?”

  “One who thinks she can take care of herself even though she is crazy enough to go underwater with an air tube strapped to her back. Do you know how much can go wrong? And it’s all out of your control.”

  It suddenly clicked in my brain
why he was so against it.

  “You know what I think?” I asked.

  “What?”

  “You need to learn how to give up being in control a bit. It’ll be good for you.”

  “No chance.”

  “I’m going to change your mind.”

  “You haven’t managed that in fifteen years.”

  I grinned saucily. “No, but... I’m your wife now. I can use so many more tricks, just wait and see.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Hunter

  A car picked us up from the airport, driving alongside the ocean to the hotel. Josie had her nose pressed to the window the entire way.

  “I cannot believe it actually is so turquoise. I feel like I’m in a movie.”

  I’d forgotten how excited Josie could get about anything, how vividly she lived life. Perhaps I’d forgotten because it had been a while since we’d done anything new, whether together or apart. She spent most of her time in that office of hers, which I thought was a damn shame. I’d see what I could do to change that. Having money made a lot of things easier. For example, on weekends, I could have a jet ready to fly us to a new destination when needed. I had three years to give Josie what she hadn’t let me do in fifteen years, and I had a good excuse.

  “This is so extravagant,” she exclaimed when we entered the hotel. Marble and glass surrounded us, decorated with exotic plants as well, giving the impression that we were outside. Plates with fruit and drinks were placed at strategic distances, so the guests would never be without.

  “Mr. Caldwell, Ms. Gallagher, welcome to our hotel.” A tall brunette greeted us, holding a tray with four glasses, two with champagne, two with orange juice.

  “Can I offer you a drink while you wait to be checked in?”

  She led us to a leather couch next to reception. We clinked glasses, sipping our orange juice while the receptionist filled out forms. Josie inspected our surroundings with wide, wonder-filled eyes. Fuck, she was cute. Especially when her lips parted as she realized there were parrots in one of the trees.

  She’d applied gloss before we’d descended from the plane, but as far as I was concerned, her lips looked best without any kind of makeup. They were dark pink and full, and so damn tempting. I’d kissed her far more often than necessary during the wedding. I hadn’t been able to stop myself. And no matter what I told myself, I couldn’t wait to do it again.

  When the receptionist excused herself, saying she’d be back after scanning our passports, Josie went to the restroom.

  I thumbed some of the brochures in front of me until a blonde approached, placing two glasses of water on the table.

  “Thanks.”

  “I hope you enjoy your stay here. Can I get you anything else?” Her smile was suggestive. It pissed me off. I had a wedding band on.

  “I’m good.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’ll ask my wife when she returns if she wants something else. Look, here she is.”

  Josie glared at the woman as she sat next to me.

  “Josie, do you need anything?”

  “No, thank you.”

  The woman blinked, straightening up.

  I chuckled after she left.

  “What?” Josie inquired.

  “You were cute, going all territorial for a moment. Thanks for saving me.”

  “What are wives for?” She batted her eyelashes. Was she really jealous or was she just playing her part? Damn it, I wanted her to be jealous. I was screwed.

  The receptionist returned with our passports a few minutes later. “Your room is ready. I will go upstairs with you, and after you’ve made yourself comfortable or had a bit of a rest, you can let me know and I’ll review all of the resort’s activities with you.”

  I knew before Josie even opened her mouth what she was about to say.

  “Can you walk us through all that now?” She’d edged forward on the couch in excitement. “Usually, I love to research and look stuff up online beforehand, but my husband wanted to keep the name of the hotel a surprise.”

  The brunette looked between us with a knowing smile.

  “That’s very romantic. I’ll go through everything with you right now.”

  The woman placed a map of the resort in front of us, explaining where each of the twelve restaurants were and what kind of cuisine each served. When she proceeded to explain about the different activities, Josie slid even closer to the edge of the couch. On instinct, I placed an arm around her back to catch her if she slid too much and lost her balance.

  When the woman talked about scuba diving lessons, Josie looked sideways at me, smiling.

  “Go to town, crazy pants. I know you want to book lessons.” I kissed her forehead. What I really wanted was to kiss her lips.

  “Should I book them for both of you?” the woman asked. I stiffened. Josie laughed.

  “Just for me, for now. My husband is too afraid to try it.”

  She glanced at me again. Fuck. She’d end up convincing me to scuba dive too, I just knew it. I was man enough to admit scuba diving scared the crap out of me, but maybe I’d try it, just to experience it with Josie.

  Next, we were led to our room. I’d booked an oceanfront suite for us, which consisted of an enormous bedroom and an even more enormous living room. Despite that, the couch wasn’t fit for sleeping. Too short and narrow, and I couldn’t ask for an extra bed without raising suspicions. I hadn’t booked a suite with two bedrooms because I’d known that if the immigration services got wind of it, it would be a red flag, but I’d hoped the couch would do. Josie was too busy gushing over the view to share my concerns.

  I was going to leave the honeymoon with a stiff neck. Maybe I could buy one of those enormous water floaters and sleep on it.

  “I’ll leave you to change and make yourselves comfortable,” the receptionist said.

  The moment we were alone, Josie went out on the balcony, peeking over the railing, sticking her ass out a little. My cock twitched. I was so screwed.

  “I want to change into my bikini and go straight to the beach,” she exclaimed, turning around.

  “Sounds good.”

  Anything was better than being in here with her. I just couldn’t stop imagining all the things I’d do to her on that bed, hell, even the balcony.

  Only after she changed into her bikini did she seem to notice there was just one bed.

  “I thought suites were supposed to have enough sleeping room for a family.”

  “Only if you book ones with two rooms, but—”

  “That would’ve looked suspicious.”

  “Yes.”

  She peeked in the bedroom. “The bed’s huge. Won’t be a problem. You sleep on one side, right?”

  I moved right behind her and whispered in her ear, “But you don’t.”

  She turned around, and her eyes widened.

  “I’ll manage.” Licking her lips, she turned away, walking inside the room.

  Could she really be so close to me and not feel anything? Because I sure as hell would know she was in my bed. Especially because I was already picturing her bent over the edge, hands forward as I thrust into her from behind. Or on her back, thighs spread wide as I kissed down her body.

  I was losing it. I’d been married to my best friend for a little over twenty-four hours and was already fantasizing about making her come.

  We’d both slept a solid eight hours on the last leg of the journey, so we felt fresh. I changed into board shorts, and we headed to the beach. When we reached the sand, Josie bent, touching the sand with her fingers.

  “It’s so soft. And so white.” When she glanced at me, her smile was a bit wobbly. “Hunter? This was the best idea you’ve ever had.”

  “You’re not even going to roast my ass one bit? Progress.”

  “No, don’t mind me when I get like that. I secretly enjoy surprises.”

  “I’ll hold you to that.”

  She covered her mouth as she realized what she’d said.

>   “That came out wrong.”

  “Too late. You can’t take it back.”

  “Sure, I can.”

  I stepped behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist, lifting her up until her feet were dangling in the air. She half screeched, half laughed, kicking the air a bit but leaning all the way back against me. Her delicious little ass pressed straight against my cock. Fuck. This was not the moment to get hard. Not one of my finest ideas.

  She laughed when I set her down, and on pure instinct, I whirled her around and kissed her. She tasted like mint and the orange juice we’d drunk at the reception. I could have just given her a quick peck, but I couldn’t resist going all in, coaxing her tongue, needing to know if she’d respond again or if she’d only done it yesterday so we would be convincing for the guests. No one was looking closely now. No one would care.

  So, when Josie laced her arms around my neck, kissing me back, my entire body felt lighter. Keeping my hands on her waist took all the self-restraint I had. When I placed her back down, she made to move out of my arms, but I didn’t let go.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “Going into the water.”

  “Not without sunscreen.”

  “Come on. I’ll just put some on afterward.”

  “Josie, your skin is so white it’s almost translucent. Trust me, you’re going to need it. The sun here is stronger than you’re used to.”

  She tried to wrestle free, but I kept her close.

  “You don’t want to spend the rest of the honeymoon hiding indoors because your skin burns. Sunscreen. Now.”

  She stilled, turning around with a pout. “Fine. But as punishment, you have to rub sunscreen on me everywhere.”

  In what world did she think that was a punishment? All right, maybe it was, just not in the way she believed.

  I was very thorough. I started by rubbing it into her ankles and calves, massaging her legs up to her thighs. I was sitting on a lounge chair and Josie was standing between my open thighs. My head was level with her navel, and then her breasts as I rubbed the cream on her stomach.

  How I’d lavish them with attention, suck on those nipples until she squirmed, begging for more, begging for release. I tried to keep my gaze on her belly, but when I moved on to massage the cream on her neck, I couldn’t ignore the way her nipples had turned hard, peeking through the fabric.