And across the street?
Cross Brothers Custom Garage.
Cody spray-painted the sign himself: bold block letters in matte black on burnished steel. The placelookslike them—gritty, fast, and a little dangerous. But underneath the oil stains and the heavy metal blasting from the speakers, there's heart. It’s more than just a shop. It’s redemption.
Sometimes, when I stand behind the bakery counter and look out the window, I see Damian leaning against the garage door, grease on his jaw, arms crossed, smiling at me like he still can’t believe I’m real. And I smile right back.
Then he lifts his phone and waves it at me. A second later, mine buzzes with a message that makes my knees damn near give out.
Back office. Legs open. Panties pushed to the side. I’m starving for lunch.
My face burns, but my pulse kicks hard and fast. Because I know exactly what’s coming—me. I’ll be coming.
I roll my eyes, fighting the grin that’s breaking out. I swear, just thinking of the things we do ruins my underwear. The thought makes me warm in places I probably shouldn’t be—especially now, in this rental van, with Bridger grumbling about Neve’s lack of clothing and Neve’s smirk.
The resort comes into view, towering and pristine, white walls gleaming like bone in the sun. Palm trees rustling above uslike they’re whispering secrets. The ocean stretches wide behind it, impossibly blue. Endless. And just for a moment, it all feels unreal.
The van slows to a stop in front of the main entrance, and the second the doors slide open, Neve bolts out like a kid on Christmas morning. She’s practically vibrating, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she spins in a slow circle to take it all in.
Beside me, Bridger climbs out and immediately stops short. I follow his line of sight—straight to Neve. Or more specifically, the enthusiastic bounce of her breasts in her very tiny bikini top.
Even Damian catches it. He raises a brow, and I smother a laugh behind my hand as we exchange a knowing look. One day, Bridger’s going to wake up and realize he’s been fighting a battle he already lost. Because Neve’s not too young. She just might be too much for him to handle.
Damian slides his arm around my waist and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “You see it too?”
“Oh, yeah.” I grin. “Poor bastard doesn’t stand a chance.”
We head inside and get in line at the check-in desk, the cool air hitting our sun-warmed skin like heaven. All of us are a little sweaty, a little dazed, but buzzing with the kind of joy that only comes at the beginning of a well-deserved paradise vacation.
Neve leans into my side, pointing out the open-air lobby and the wide view of the ocean just beyond it. “Snorkeling. That’s what I want to do first,” she says, eyes bright. “Have you seen how clear that water is?”
“I’ve never been,” I admit, resting my hand on Damian’s stomach. “But I’m in.”
“We should do it tomorrow,” Bridger says. “Let’s just chill today.”
“I agree,” Damian mutters against my ear, voice like gravel and sin, “if ‘chill’ means bending you over our balcony, pullingyour panties to the side, and making you scream my name while the whole damn resort listens.”
I elbow him gently, biting back a grin. “Behave. But yes, let’s do that immediately.”
We inch forward in line, everyone tossing ideas back and forth—sunset dinner on the beach, boat tours, drinks with little umbrellas, maybe even a couple’s massage.
Then it’s our turn at the counter. The woman behind the desk greets us with a warm smile. “Welcome to Coral Reef Bay Resort. Name on the reservation?”
“Cross,” Damian says, flashing his ID like he’s got a badge and not a criminal record. “There should be three rooms.”
She types something into her computer and then her smile falters. “Oh… It looks like we only have two rooms booked under that name.”
Silence drops like a bomb.
Neve straightens, voice sharp. “Only two?”
The woman nods, still trying to be chipper. “Yes. One king suite and one queen. I’m so sorry, we’re fully booked—there’s nothing else available.”
Damian and I exchange a look. A long one.
“Let me guess, each suite has only one bed?”
She nods again. “Yes, that’s correct.”
