False hurt entered his eyes as he pouted. “Maybe it’s just me who cares about what happens outside of the bedroom. I think goofy nicknames and staring lovingly at each other is important too.”
“Sure, big guy. Let’s get that photo and leave the nice lady in peace, shall we?”
Blinking away the pained expression on his face, he laughed and handed my phone back to me. “Just use yours. Unless you want to go digging in my pocket.”
“Nope. I’m good. I can just message it to you later.”
We took the picture, thanked the poor woman, and let her be.
Hours later when we were headed back to the hotel after a jampacked day, I was a little sunburned and had aching feet, but I was also relaxed and happier than I had been in a while.
It was like someone had lifted a giant weight off my shoulders that I hadn’t even realized I was carrying. While I still didn’t really know what to make of Jaxon, he was fun to be around and made me laugh much more than I was used to.
Somehow, he managed to challenge me but be a comfort all at the same time. He didn’t pretend to be someone he wasn’t, and he didn’t want me to either.
A straightshooter with a good sense of humor and a talent for give and take. I liked all that about him.
“What’s on the schedule for dinner?” he asked just before the driver dropped us off outside the lobby.
I leaned my head back on the rest and shook it. “I didn’t have a plan for dinner. Do you want to go back to Big Mac’s restaurant downstairs? It was the best meal I’ve had in ages.”
“Agreed.” He took my hand once he’d paid the driver—again insisting—and tugged me into his side as we made our way to the elevators.
We walked back to our room in a comfortable silence, our hands swinging between us as I leaned just a little into his side. No doubt we looked like a real couple right then, and the weird thing was that we’d both just gravitated into the position. It hadn’t felt unnatural at all.
When we got to the bungalow, my suitcase was waiting on the made bed and I let out a whoop of joy to see it.
Jaxon laughed from the lounge. “I’m assuming you want to shower and change before we go out?”
“Yes, please,” I called before closing the door and getting cleaned up.
Choosing a light yellow casual dress and sandals I’d bought specifically to match it, I was in such a good mood to have clean clothes that I even sprayed on some perfume after I got out of the shower.
Jaxon came out of the bathroom shortly after I emerged from the bedroom, stopping in his tracks when he saw me. He wore a pair of faded jeans and a black T-shirt that hugged his muscled frame perfectly once again, but this time, I wasn’t the one caught staring.
I also didn’t blush this time when I caught him staring. Propping my hands on my hips instead, I copied his move earlier and turned in slow circle. “Well?”
He swallowed heavily. “You clean up nicely.”
“Is that your way of saying you didn’t like my outfit before?” I teased.
“Nope, it’s my way of saying you look nice.” Moving past me to deposit his dirty clothes in his bag, I noticed how he folded them and tucked them into one side before zipping it up again.
So some of that famous military structure and discipline are left inside him after all.
He took my hand again when we left, tugging me against him and slinging his arm around my shoulders. We were still in that position when we walked into the dining area.
Big Mac spotted us immediately, coming over and starting to chat up a storm to us while also barking orders at people about what he wanted for our dinner.
He sat with us for a while, telling us about his time at the hotel and insisting we try everything he ordered for us. We got back to the room much later than I’d thought we would, and I was dead on my feet.
Jaxon released my hand once the door closed behind us, staggering to his bed to pull off his shoes. “Good night, honey bunch.”
“That one sucks. It’s not sticking.” I pulled a face at him. “Good night, pumpkin.”
He was still laughing when I shut the bedroom door. “That one’s not sticking either.”
“We’ll see,” I called in reply.
I got settled in bed after changing into the lacy pajamas I’d bought to try spicing things up on my honeymoon. I found my thoughts quickly drifting to Jaxon. I wondered what he’d think if he saw me in them. What would come out of his apparently shameless mouth if I walked out there right that very second?
I didn’t do it, though. I liked that he was still sleeping on the couch, even though he could’ve been a dick about it and insisted we take turns.
Also, I needed to take a minute to think about the insane chemistry I had with him. I’d parked the thought earlier, but it needed my attention before I drifted off.
It felt like it was way too soon to feel anything like this with another man, and yet it wasn’t something I’d felt before. Not with Will and certainly not with anyone before him. I was drawn to Jaxon—certainly attracted to him on a completely different level.
Why hadn’t I felt this with Will? Is it okay for me to feel it with Jaxon? Why do I even care? Will left me at the altar. I was single again, and just because it was fast didn’t make what I felt any less real.
Nor did it dampen the excitement for tomorrow. That was new too, and I really fucking liked it.
Chapter 12
JAXON
When I woke up the next morning, it was with the feeling that someone was looking at me. I opened my eyes to slits, finding Lindsay sitting awake and dressed in the chair next to my couch.
“I’m ready for the day,” she said when she noticed me stirring. “Tick tock. We’re burning daylight.”
“What time is it?”
She checked her watch. “Six a.m.”
I groaned and turned over so my back was to her, pulling my blanket over my head. “It’s my day, and we’re sleeping for at least another thirty minutes.”
A soft sigh sounded in the room, and it sure as fuck hadn’t come from me. I could practically hear her impatient thoughts, but she didn’t say anything or go anywhere.
It didn’t take me long to realize she wasn’t going to go back to sleep. I rolled my eyes at her as I sat up. “You do realize the sun is only rising now, right?”
“Yes, but we talked about this yesterday.” She leaned forward, giving me a way too tempting view down the front of her loose, flowing top thing. “I like getting an early start because it allows me to make the most of the day.”
“Go get dressed for the beach then. It’s a shame we haven’t spent much time out there and I’m definitely going to need a dip to wake up properly.” And to cool down, but she didn’t need to know that.
With her reacting the way she did to mere comments, I shuddered to think what she would do if she had to see the serious morning wood I was sporting. Probably try to drown me in sterilizer or holy water.
Just as she got to the doorway to the bedroom, she turned around and fixed me with a serious expression. “What are we going to do on the beach? Obviously if we’re taking an early-morning dip, I need a bathing suit but are we going to be walking and keeping active, or lounging? As in, do I need a towel and a book?”
“We’re flying by the seat of our pants today. If you want a towel and book later, I’ll come get it for you.”
She frowned, looking like she wanted to argue before she lifted a shoulder. “It’s your day. If you want to spend it running up and down to get things we could’ve just taken with us to begin with, that’s your business.”
Disappearing into her room, she gave me all of three minutes before she came out wearing a very skimpy white bikini and a sheer black coverlet. I sighed internally, convinced that I was being punished for something to have to live with a woman who looked like her without being able to touch her.
What was more was that I actually liked her despite her more compulsive tendencies. Maybe because of th
em. She was an enigma with her easy smile. She was willing to try just about anything—even having Fijian iguanas crawling all over her—while still not being at all carefree.
She planted her hands on her hips and stared at me. “Why are you still in bed?”
Because I need a fucking minute before I can get up. “I sleep in my underwear. You might want to wait for me outside. I’ll be right there.”
Her gaze dropped automatically to the sheet covering me, lingering there for a second before she jerked it away. “Don’t take too long.”
Swiping the blackout drapes away from the window with her arm, she didn’t look back before practically running from the room. Once it was safe to get up without showing off my raging fucking hard-on, I scrubbed my hands over my cheeks and willed my body to get over it.
Thankfully, after thinking about nothing but sea urchins and the severe injuries they can cause while brushing my teeth and changing into swimming trunks, I was finally ready to go. Lindsay was standing on the small patio outside the bungalow, facing the ocean and leaning with her shoulder against a pillar.
Her arms were crossed loosely over her chest and her expression was thoughtful. Intentionally not taking the time to check her out in that ridiculous fucking scrap of a bikini, I strode past her and tossed her a grin over my shoulder.
“You’re burning daylight, Flinn. Swim now. Think later.”
She pushed off the wall and rolled her eyes when she caught up to me. “As if I’m the one burning daylight. What are our plans for the day anyway? You couldn’t seriously have meant it when you said we’re flying by the seat of our pants.”
“Oh, I meant it.” We passed the hedges to the beach, the sand soft and still cool beneath our feet. “Whenever we see an opportunity, we’re going to take it. Until something comes up, we’re just going to do whatever we feel like. Right now, I feel like a swim in the ocean.”
“What if I feel like coffee?”
I glanced at her when she stopped walking. “If you feel like coffee, go get some coffee. The dining room does breakfast as well. I’m sure they’re open by now.”
“Want anything?” she asked after chewing on her lip for a few beats. “Breakfast is included and we haven’t really made use of it so far. We might as well eat before we get stuck doing nothing on an empty stomach.”
“We’re not going to do nothing. I’m going for a swim and you’re going to get breakfast. That’s something, right?”
“I guess.” She released her lip and gave me a cheeky smile. “I have some ideas for later in the day if you need any help. In the meantime, do you want anything for breakfast?”
“If they let you take food away, I’ll have a ton of bacon and a coffee. Thanks.”
“Coming right up.” She started to turn away from me, pausing at the last second to add, “I’ll put something healthy on the plate too. I wouldn’t want you having a heart attack on our honeymoon, baby bear.”
“Baby bear, huh?” I rubbed the stubble underneath my chin. “I don’t like that one either, but I can live with it.”
Melodic laughter rang out after her when she completed her turn and headed off to the restaurant. She took her time before coming back juggling a plate piled high with crispy bacon, one piece of lettuce on the side, and two takeout cups of coffee.
When I saw her walking back to the beach, I swam to the shore to meet her and took the plate and a mug off her hands. She eyed my wet trunks before sitting down. “You’re going to be covered in sand. You should’ve just let me bring a towel.”
I dragged my hands through my hair to slick it back and keep it from dripping into my food while I ate. I lowered myself down beside her without a second thought. “I’ll be okay. It’s just sand. It’ll come off when it dries. Where did you find the lettuce?”
“It was garnish on one of the platters of cold meats. Told you I’d bring you something healthy.” Her eyes shone with amusement. “I’m all about taking good care of my husband.”
“You’re the best, angel face.” I grinned and popped a piece of bacon into my mouth, chewing while she moved her lips from side to side.
“I can live with that one if you can live with baby bear.” She flicked a hand up and pointed at the signs of life starting up all around the beach. “Should we have a look around at the available activities?”
I looked over in the direction of the cabanas she gestured toward. My gaze snagged on the nearest one. “No need. That sign says parasailing, so we’ll start with that and see what happens after.”
“Parasailing?” Her brows jumped all the way up. “Uh, no. I’m not great with heights.”
“Just not great with heights or do you have a genuine fear?” I cocked my head while chewing the next bite of my breakfast. “There’s a big difference.”
“If I say I’m just not great with it but not genuinely afraid, you’re going to make me do it, aren’t you?”
“Yep.”
She sighed, her head shaking as she burrowed her toes into the sand. “I’m not deathly afraid. I just prefer to keep my feet on the ground.”
“Well, I’d prefer to sweep you off them, so we’re doing it.” I grinned. “I’ve done it a million times. We’ll go tandem. I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”
Her blue eyes were filled with doubt when they met mine, searching for something that she must’ve found because eventually she nodded. “Okay, but if I want to, I’m keeping my eyes closed the entire time.”
“I’ll even keep them closed for you. If that’s what you want, I’ll keep one hand clamped over your face until we get back to the beach.”
“I really might take you up on that.” She motioned to my almost empty plate. “Eat up. We’ve got parachutes to fly and drowning to get to.”
“I won’t let you drown.” I polished off the last of the bacon, stood up, and offered her my clean hand to help her up. “Trust me, okay? We’re both going to be just fine.”
She slid her hand into mine, not letting it go once she was standing next to me. “Can I? Trust you, I mean.”
“You can.” I held her gaze for a beat, letting her see the resolute determination in mine. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Linds.”
“You used my actual nickname there.” She squeezed my hand. “I’m guessing that means you’re serious.”
“I am.” We walked to the parasailing booth where we talked to a guy with dreadlocks who got us geared up. Lindsay’s eyes were wide with fear as the boat took off, contrary to her expectation of keeping them shut.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her to me even though her harness was also fastened to mine. Bringing my head forward, I spoke into her ear once we were in the air.
“You’re doing fine. Just breathe. Take a look around. It’s fucking beautiful up here.”
I felt her chest expanding as she followed my instruction, then heard her gasp when she noticed what I was talking about. Floating above the crystalline blue waters with the sun only just starting to warm us up and the gentle breeze, we had a view only seabirds used to get. It was absolutely majestic, and her breathing evening out told me Lindsay thought so too.
“This is incredible.” She whooped, relaxing against me as she took it all in. “Doing what you want to do might not end up being so bad after all.”
“Just wait and see. The day is only beginning now. By the end of it, I think I’ll have converted you.”
She laughed before starting to point out landmarks on the hill behind the resort. Our ten-minute trip flew by, and when we landed, my supposed wife was smiling wider than I’d ever seen her smile before.
Throwing her arms around me when we landed safely on the beach and returned the gear, she pressed her body to mine and let out an exhilarated laugh. “That was amazing. What are we doing next?”
I hugged her back, holding her tight for a long minute before stepping away and taking her hand. “Follow me, young thrill-seeker. I think I know exactly what we’re doing next.”
; Chapter 13
LINDSAY
Jaxon led me back into the main part of the hotel, not even bothering to go to the room to get a shirt. Although there were a lot of shirtless people moving around between the various pools and the beach all the time, he still garnered stares on our way to the lobby.
Mostly from women, but some from men as well.
He didn’t even seem to notice it, but I sure as heck did. Jealousy reared up inside me when I caught other people looking at him like they wanted to climb on top of him.
He might not really be mine, but I straightened my spine and gave them all “back off” glares anyway, tightening my grip on his hand. I’d never thought of myself as a jealous person before, but Jaxon was bringing a lot of different things out in me.
Besides, he wasn’t really mine, but they didn’t know that. It was rude to look at another woman’s husband like he was a lollipop to be licked. Not that I would’ve minded licking him either, but that wasn’t really the point.
Lifting our joined hands, I slung his arm over my shoulder and cuddled deeper into his side when one woman actually swiped her tongue across her lips when we walked past. Jaxon didn’t even hesitate when I wound my arm his waist.
As if it were a natural action he’d done a hundred times before, he adjusted his stride to mine now that we had to walk so close to one another, angled his body slightly toward mine, and held me to him.
An amused smirk appeared on his lips when he glanced into my eyes. “You’re getting mighty comfortable there, aren’t you?”
“Yep.” I wasn’t about to make any excuses about it either. “No one’s eye-screwing my husband on my watch.”
“No one except you, you mean.” He laughed but dipped his head so his cheek was resting on top of my hair. “Don’t worry, baby. There’s no one for me but you. I wouldn’t have bound myself to you for the rest of our lives if there was any doubt about it.”
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