Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
“I learned everything I know from you,” he says as he stands to dump his tray in the trash.
I let out a laugh. “So what you’re saying is I’ve created a monster. Great.”
Most of the day passes, and we spend it exploring other parts of the island. I’m no fun because all I want to do is go back to the hotel, pound on River’s door, and ask her if we can talk. The more I think about this morning, the more bothered I become. Call me a hypocrite because of my track record, but it all feels wrong.
Once we’ve basically explored every inch of the west side of the Keys, and I grabbed some tacos from a food truck, we decide to Uber back to the hotel. Just as I see the hotel in sight, my palms become sweaty and my heart races. I have to figure out exactly what I’m going to say to her because I will see her again.
“Apparently, there’s a volleyball tournament on the beach tonight at six. Wanna go play?” Dylan asks.
“Do you think it’s a good idea? I’m afraid you’ll break something or hurt yourself.” I joke with him, though I’m halfway serious.
“You only live once, right?” Dylan smirks as he thanks the driver and gets out of the car. We enter the hotel lobby and round the corner only to find Jessica waiting impatiently by the elevators with a big smile on her face. Dylan turns and looks at me with wide eyes, and all I can do is laugh.
“You chose it.” I smirk, patting him on the back and giving an encouraging push toward her. I should be a good friend and save him, but I don’t because it’s funnier this way. He deserves it for all the shit talking he’s done today, and at least, he’ll have a good story to bring home.
“We actually have plans tonight.” Dylan turns and looks at me.
“Nah, we don’t.” I give her a wink as his face turns blood red.
“See, that means we can do the boat tour and watch the sunset!” She shrieks in excitement.
When I make eye contact with Dylan, he whispers, “I’m going to kill you,” before he’s whisked away to the beach for a romantic afternoon. He’s too much of a gentleman to tell her no, and if he’s learned everything from me, then I’ll take that one as a compliment.
Considering I’m alone and the night is still young, I make my way through the lobby, past the pool, toward the cabana bar that overlooks the beach. I order a beer and stare out at the water as the sun begins to set in the distance. Chatter echoes from the pool, and I’m lost in my thoughts before I realize my name is being called in the distance.
Just as I turn, I recognize the voice.
Natalie.
“I’m really sorry my friend is such a sour puss,” she says with a smile. She’s alone, and her mouth is the color of the blue drink she’s sipping. Drunk Natalie just might be my ticket to finding River.
I smile and pretend like I don’t know what she’s talking about, but I’m sure she already knows everything. I’m not the kinda guy who kisses and tells because some secrets are better left buried, and Mama raised a gentleman.
“I’m going to fix this, I promise,” Natalie says before flashing me a wink as she stuffs her phone into her pocket and waves bye before I can ask any questions. Curiosity gets the best of me as I watch her walk away.
I don’t know what she’s up to, but I kinda like her style.
She’s fierce with a side of no fucks given.
CHAPTER TEN
RIVER
I feel completely relaxed after Natalie and I had massages this afternoon. The masseuse really worked out the kinks of having rough sex last night. Afterward, we parted ways, and I went up to my room where all I did for the next few hours was lounge around. I decided to read one of my romance books because someone should get a happily ever after on this vacation even if it’s living vicariously through fictional characters.
About halfway through my book, I decide to take a nap, and it felt good to actually do nothing for a change. Instead of meeting Natalie and Adam for dinner, I decided to order room service and stay in, hoping to detox my mind and body of everything Mr. Southern ’n Dirty. Reading a steamy romance was probably not the smartest choice to help me forget about last night, but I don’t think I could ever forget…even if I tried.
Once my food arrives, I sit up against the headboard and flick through the TV channels, inhaling my food in the process. I stop once I come across an old black-and-white western. Just the sound of the man's deep, gravelly voice has my mind back on that damn cowboy. I turn it off and finish my dinner in silence, but everything in my head goes back to him and the way he cherished my body. Gah! It’s ridiculous.