Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“I never thought I would. I mean, you know my track record with women. They all seem to be after one thing. But I’ve seen what you and Skye have.”
“But Tessa…”
“I’m not thinking of her that way.” I sigh. “At least I’m trying not to.”
“She’s off-limits,” Braden says in his big brother voice.
The voice that makes me want to punch him.
“I’m glad you’re no longer hanging with Apple, though. I’d prefer that we all stay as far away from the Ames family as possible.”
“Then you won’t want to know that I actually considered a relationship with Apple.”
He scowls at me. “Please be kidding.”
“I’m not kidding, but I don’t feel that way about her. She’s great, and she’s wildfire in the sack, but we’re just too different.”
“She did have one good quality.”
“Really?” I spear a piece of potato with my fork. “You’re going to admit that?”
“She has her own damned money, Ben.”
“Hey, like I said. No more gold diggers.” I sigh. “I’m not in any huge hurry. I’m going to concentrate on work. I’m not going to go looking for love. I’ll let it come to me.”
“I certainly wasn’t looking for love when I found Skye.”
“That’s my point. It will find me when it’s ready.”
The only problem is…I think it might have already. In the form of Tessa Logan.
“I can’t help but think,” I say, “that when I look back through Skye’s Instagram, and I see the pictures of her and Tessa, Tessa was an entirely different person then.”
“She was. If not for Tessa, Skye and I might not even be together.”
Right. Tessa mentioned that to me. “What was it about Skye that drew you to her?”
“The first thing that attracted me to her was her mouth.”
“She does have nice lips,” I say.
He narrows his gaze. “Right, and that’s the last time I will hear you say that. You’re not allowed to think of my wife-to-be that way.”
“I’m not, Bray. Jeez. Skye’s not my type anyway.”
“I know she’s not. She’s a little too girl-next-door for you, isn’t she?”
“Is it my fault that I go for the supermodel type?”
“I know your type, Ben. And I know someone who exactly fits that mold.”
“Tessa Logan,” I say without thinking.
“Exactly. Tessa is tall, gorgeous, with a body to die for. Precisely your type.”
“Don’t I know it.” I sigh. “But don’t worry. I understand that she’s not ready for anything like that. Besides, this weekend isn’t about me. It’s about you and Skye. I’m not going to go looking for action. I’m here for you, big brother. To make tonight a night you will never forget.”
Chapter Fifteen
Tessa
“Hiking? Seriously?” I say to Ben after I finish off something called ackee and about five slices of bacon before the dining room closes for breakfast.
“Hey, you told me to plan the whole damned weekend, Tessa.” He laughs. “And I planned for us all to hike up Dunn’s River Falls.”
I take a drink of orange juice. “But tonight is the bachelorette party. I don’t want everyone tired out from some hike.”
“This isn’t just some hike, Tessa. It’s Dunn’s River Falls. We’re hiking up a waterfall.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better about the whole thing?”
“Yes! It will be exhilarating. All that oxygen coming off the water. You’re going to love it, I promise. Everyone will.”
“So everyone is going?”
“Yup! I’ve got a guide all set up.”
“What am I supposed to wear?”
“Whatever you want,” he says, smiling, “but I’d suggest a bathing suit. It’s a waterfall, Tessa. You’re going to get wet.”
I shake my head.
“Hey,” he says again, “you told me to plan the weekend.”
“You could have told me about this on the plane ride, you know. Around the same time when you were telling me to get out and do something when I was feeling down.”
“Little did you know…I’d already planned for you to get out and do something.” His eyes crinkle.
My God, those eyes…
I almost think he could get me to do anything when he looks at me with those warm dark-brown eyes.
“I’m not going,” I say hotly.
“Have it your way,” he says. “But everyone else is going.”
“Betsy’s going? Kathy? Kathy Harmon would rather die than exercise.” She’s one of those naturally thin women who never lifts a finger and gorges on dessert but never gains an ounce.
“Everyone, even Kathy,” he says. “Except you, apparently. And it’s not really exercise. It’s…exertion. It’s more energizing than tiring.”
“Oh, well.” I sigh. “I guess I’ll find something to do.”
He stares at me then. Really stares at me, and—
I realize I must look and sound like a petulant child. One hike won’t kill me, I guess.
“Fine,” I say. “When are we leaving?”
“Limos are picking us up outside the resort in an hour. Be there or be square.”
“You did not just say that.”
Ben laughs. “Afraid I did.”
He is in entirely too good a mood today. And it’s contagious. I can feel myself catching it from him.