Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Emily and June are sitting on the deck talking. I feel kind of sorry for them as they weren’t chosen in the drawing to have a date tonight. But they’ll have dates tomorrow night, and they’ll probably get to choose who they want, since Rachel and Ginger are no longer here.
“Having a good time?” Emily asks.
“Yeah.” I nod. “You?”
“Brilliant, actually,” she says dryly.
“Nice to see you ladies, but Ariel and I have a date for a movie.” Alex tugs me into the mansion.
We pass through the kitchen and down a hallway to the theater. Before the men arrived, we had a chick-flick pajama party here where we watched old rom-coms and ate popcorn in the red leather recliner seats with cupholders. It felt like we were really at the movies. I loved it, but…I’m not sure I’m in the mood for a movie tonight. I want to get to know Alex through his work, but why waste this beautiful night inside the house? Alex isn’t Brett. He’s much more subdued, but he responded to my kiss and he kissed me back.
And the kiss… God, the kiss…
The red letters flash in my head…
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.
“You know what?” I say quickly. “I’d love to see your movie. I would. But we’re here in the tropics, Alex. We should be outside, enjoying the scenery, the ocean. The stars. All of it.”
Alex pushes my hair off my forehead. “You really are beautiful.”
I suppress a shiver. “Thank you.”
“It’s your eyes,” he continues. “I mean, all of you is beautiful, but your eyes are so wide and clear—so inviting. They’re the color of maple syrup and honey combined, and they glow, Ariel. They glow with kindness and wonder. They light up for everything—from a glorious mansion to a simple fried green tomato. But they hold fire, too. Fire I’d love to explore.”
I swallow.
His words ignite me. It should be no surprise, as he makes a living with words. But he writes mystery thrillers, not romance novels.
“I like your eyes too,” I say, trying desperately to think of something poetic to add.
I can’t.
“Thank you.”
“In a way, it’s a shame to hide them behind your glasses, but something about those glasses, Alex…”
“I’m glad you like them.”
“I do.”
He holds out his arm. “Shall we?”
I take it, relish the feel of his corded muscle beneath his sleeve.
Together we leave the mansion, this time walking out the front door. “I thought we could be alone out here,” Alex says, “since Emily and June are on the deck.”
I nod and turn into his arms as his lips come down on mine.
EPISODE 41
RIVER AND MISTY'S DATE, PART TWO—SECRETS
While Misty heads to the changing area to deal with the cocktail sauce spill, I take another sip of the smooth bourbon.
Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?
That question caused her to drop the shrimp into her lap.
I’m on the right track.
Now…to get her to talk while making her think I know everything.
What does Evangeline owe Misty?
Why does Misty want me?
Did she have something to do with Rachel’s near drowning earlier?
Three questions I need answers to, as well as to find out exactly what Misty claims to know about my secrets.
She returns a few minutes later wearing a short satin robe rather than one of the sundresses I know are in her closet.
She’s coming on strong, and I want to know why.
She takes a seat and smiles sweetly. “I’d love another glass of that Dom, River.”
“Of course.” I take the bottle from the ice bucket and pour some into her flute.
She takes a sip but says nothing.
“Ready to talk?” I ask.
“I’m ready to do a lot more than talk.” Her tone says she’s trying for sultry, but to me it’s simply annoying.
I’ll fuck her if I have to, but first I’m going to try to find out exactly what she knows about me. And what her secrets are.
“You say you know my secrets.” I take another drink of bourbon.
“Some of them, I said.”
“Yes. Some of them. I know all of yours.”
Her cheeks redden as she sips her champagne.
“You see, Misty, the guys and I entered into this situation with full knowledge of all of the women we invited here.”
She swallows. I actually see her throat move.
“So rather than play coy with me,” I say, “I think you should just tell me everything. That way, it’s all on the table. When there are no secrets between us, we can truly get to know each other.”
Another sip of the Pappy Van Winkle’s helps soothe my throat from the lies.
“Tell me what you know,” she finally says, shaking her shoulders so her robe slides over them, baring her breasts.
“Oh, no.” I try for the swoony Seb vibe again, eyeing her chest. “Ladies first.”
She twists the stem of her champagne flute between her fingers. Her knuckles are white and tense, and for a moment I worry the crystal is going to shatter from the pressure.