“Ah. I see.” I peek up to see a couple with matching frowns marching our way. I leave my board standing in the sand and cup her waist with my hand, thoroughly invading her space. “So, we need to make them jealous?”
“I...uh...well, not jealous. They just need to get that I’m over him.”
I smile when she doesn’t push me away. I am starting to love the way her body feels pressed against mine.
“Are you?” I ask impulsively. I am more relieved than I should be when she nods. “Does he happen to be the black guy with a low haircut and wearing electric blue shorts?”
Her eyes roll toward the sky in annoyance. “Yeah. Is he with a smug-looking bitch in a white bikini?”
I saw the girl earlier. She looks high maintenance and vapid. I am beyond tired of theMaterial Girltype.
“Heaven. Heaven. Heaven!” I hear the guy yell when they come into speaking distance. I feel her flinch.
“Your name is Heaven?” I try to suppress the amusement in my voice.
“Yes.” Her response is a sign that she is just as bored with the Heaven jokes as I am with the Thor comparisons. “Before you ask…yes, that’s my real name. What is your name?”
“Axel. Axel Behr. What’s your last name, love?”
I know it is a good one the moment she lets out a long, suffering sigh. “Leigh.” She mutters quickly.
I can’t help it. I chuckle. “Heaven Leigh? Like Heavenly?”
Heaven is giving me an impressive stink eye, but I can’t respond because the couple she is trying to avoid is now standing less than a yard behind her.
“Heavennnn,” the other woman coos. “I know you can hear us. We’re right behind you, darling.”
I’ve never heard such condescension in one sentence. I instantly hate her. I wink at Heaven before I turn her to face the assholes. My arm encircles her waist as I pull her back against my chest and rest my chin on top of her head.
“Who are these people, babe?” I lay on the sugar.
“Babe?” the ex repeats. His light brown eyes flicker to my arms wrapped around her waist and back to our faces.
She relaxes against me. “Hello, Dre and Ashley. What are you doing here?”
Ashley smiles like a predator while Dre sizes me up. I have about four inches on him in height and probably in other places too.
Did he just scowl at me?
“Don’t be silly, sweetheart. Youknowwe’re getting married this week.” Ashley’s words drip with disdain.
“Actually, we’re just as surprised to see you as you are to see us. When or where you two are getting married is thelastthing I care about.” I can tell it’s the truth. I squeeze her tighter.
“Heaven? Is this Dre—as in your ex?” I say it as if it just dawned on me. “I wish I could say I’ve heard a lot about you…” I let it trail off on purpose.
I hold out my hand for him to shake it and hit him with a one hundred-megawatt, friendly smile without the slightest hint of jealousy or concern. Dre tries to squeeze it to showcase his strength. I smile bigger. We have a case of the jealous ex.
Ashley continues as if I hadn’t spoken. “You expect us to believe you didn’t follow us to Hawaii?”
“For what purpose?” I counter, feeling the need to play the offended boyfriend.
“To sabotage my wedding of course!” Ashley’s eyes flicker to me as if she’s just now noticing my presence. “Who are you?” she demands. Her long hair waves and flows in the wind. She has light brown eyes, fair skin, a cute button nose, and glossy, yet thin lips. She would be pretty if she wasn’t such a bitch.
I extend my hand to her. “Hello, I’m Axel,” I pause for effect. “Heaven’s boyfriend. I booked the trip to surprise her, and I don’t know you, so there goes that theory.” I look both of them in their eyes. “If it makes you feel better, I’ll make sure to keep her naked and occupied during your wedding.”
I grab my board and Heaven’s hand. “It was nice meeting you two. Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have an appointment in the bedroom. Surfing makes me horny.”
It’s not a lie. I have been raring to go in the past. I wasn’t horny this time—well, if I’m being completely honest. I wasn’t horny when I emerged from the water, but having Heaven’s soft body pressed against mine, did have some of my blood moving south.
