Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Play the ultimate game of love and money!
Four powerful billionaires, bound by their Montana roots and one devastating secret, escape to a secluded tropical island to find love. Eight stunning women, harboring their own secrets, compete for the men's affections. The Bachelor meets Yellowstone in this high-stakes, pulse-pounding story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Helen Hardt. Heat sizzles among the men and women, but beneath the sun-drenched surface, mysteries simmer, ready to explode
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
EPISODE 83
FAREWELL, DANCING QUEEN
Sienna
Evangeline told me earlier that the ferry will be here by lunchtime. I’m honestly not even sure what time it is. So much has happened these past three days, and part of me feels like I’m in a time warp. I’m not sure anyone slept much last night. From my date with Brett to my late-night tryst with Marc to my talk on the beach this morning with Brett, to more Marc in the pantry… I feel like I’ve lived a lifetime on this island.
I’m alone at the hot tub, sitting with only my feet in the warm water. The bubbles tickle my toes as I wiggle them.
I look up when the screen door opens. Heather walks in, looking fabulous as usual in a denim skirt and blue crop top, and June looks like the model she is wearing a flattering red halter and a black mini.
“Hey, there you are!” Heather smiles. “Feeling better about things?”
I return her smile…or try to, anyway. “I think so. I’m ready to face what’s waiting for me.”
“I’m so sorry about your friend,” June offers. “I hope she recovers.”
“I hope so too.” Or at least I hope she waits until I get there so I can tell her how much she means to me and say goodbye.
“We just wanted to wish you well,” Heather says.
“And tell you that we hope you’ll come back,” June adds.
“I may. I honestly haven’t made any decisions yet. I just know I need to see Lavonne.”
“We’re going to grab some lunch.” Heather leans down and gives me a hug. “You want to join us?”
I shake my head. “Thanks, but the ferry should be here any minute. Evangeline knows where I am and she’ll come get me.”
“Okay.” June hugs me as well. “We’ll miss you.”
The two women leave the pool area, only to pass Ariel coming in.
“Hey.” Ariel flips off her sandals and sits down next to me, dangling her toes next to mine.
“Hey, yourself.”
“How are you?”
I sigh. “Been better.”
“I know. I’m so sorry about your friend. It’s good that you’re going to see her. Will you be back?”
The question that everyone asks…and the one that has no answer. At least not yet.
“I don’t know, Ariel. I just don’t know.”
“I was thinking about leaving earlier today,” she says.
“And…?”
“And I’m staying.”
“What convinced you?”
Her cheeks redden. “Let’s just say I finally found what I was looking for.”
I gasp. “One of the men fell for you?”
“Oh!” She clasps her hand to her cheek. “God, no. Not yet, anyway. I just finally decided not to second-guess myself anymore. I’m here, and I want to make the most of it.”
I pat her hand. “That’s a good attitude.”
She rises. “I’ve loved meeting you, and I hope you come back, but if not, look me up on social media. I want to keep in touch, okay?”
“Okay. Sure thing.”
I’m never on social media, but maybe I’ll get on and find Ariel and the others. Who knows?
Ariel is no sooner out the door when Evangeline finally enters followed by River, who is escorting me to the mainland. Must mean my ride is here. I rise, dry my feet with a small towel, and slide into my shoes.
Evangeline looks like she’s been crying. Her cheeks and nose are red and her eyes are swollen.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She nods. “Change of plans. Brett’s decided to accompany you to the mainland. He’ll see you from here to the airport and make sure you get on your plane.”
I look to River, but his expression is unreadable. He seemed hellbent on taking me, and I was actually looking forward to spending some time with him. I’ve really only spent time with Brett and Alex.
Speak of the hazel-eyed devil. Alex enters along with Sebastian and Brett.
“Hey, beautiful,” Brett says with a smile. “You ready to go?”
“I suppose.”
“It’ll be my pleasure to spend the day with you and get you where you need to be.”
Sebastian’s jaw drops. “You’re taking her? I thought River was.”
“Change of plans,” River says dryly.
Sebastian’s gaze flicks to River and then to Brett and back to River.
Meanwhile, Alex approaches me and gives me an extra-long hug. “I hope you’ll return,” he whispers in my ear.
I can’t help it. My body reacts. Alex was my first connection on the island, and his kisses…
And his fucking cock…
Big dick energy, Ginger said. Damn, she was right.
But coitus interruptus in the form of the tide and Alex’s three friends, and he hasn’t given me much of a look since.
Sebastian hugs me next. “We want you back,” he reiterates. “And if you need anything, you call, you got it?”
“Thanks.” I kiss him on the cheek, wishing I’d gotten to spend some time with him as well.
River and Brett haven’t hugged me, and River makes no move to because Sebastian walks toward him and the two of them move off to the side, conversing in whispers.