“I love you too. In fact, why don’t I help you? I’ll go and grab you some water to start sobering you up.”
“Ooh, I’m getting the royal treatment, huh? I like it,” he says, playfully smacking me on my ass as I walk away.
There’s a line at the bar, so it takes me some time before I reach the front to order. As I’m carrying our waters back, I turn my attention in River’s direction and frown.
Someone I don’t know is perched on the end of River’s lounger, chatting him up with obvious interest.
“Not on my bloody watch,” I growl to myself.
I lengthen my stride and hurry back to River, setting down our drinks loudly enough to startle our unwelcome interloper.
“You’re back! I missed you,” River says, smiling up at me. Then he waves a floppy hand at our unwanted guest. “This is… I can’t remember. But his name sounds a lot like Anus.” He dissolves into giggles.
“I’m Saturnus,” the tool offers with clear amusement.
“That’s right. He’s also staying at the resort,” River slurs, listing to the side as he talks.
I hand him a glass of water, and he takes several deep gulps while I turn a steely-eyed look at Saturnus. He’s shorter than me, but wider and more muscular. I don’t like him one bit.
He shoots me a smarmy grin that raises my hackles.
“River tells me you two are here on your honeymoon. I happen to be here alone, and I’m entirely free and available if you’d like a third to join in on the fun.”
I cross my arms and glare at him. “No, thank you. Ours is not an open relationship.”
River reaches over a hand and awkwardly pats my thigh while I stand beside him in a protective stance.
“That’s right, hubby-boo, just me and you.” He starts giggling again. “Tee-hee. That rhymed.”
Through all this, Saturnus can’t hide his obvious interest, and just like that, I’ve had enough.
“It’s time for you to leave,” I tell him. “We’re not interested.”
He opens his mouth to protest, but I let out a tentacle that thrashes the air in warning. He jumps to his feet and hurries off.
I huff in satisfaction.
River stares at me with hearts in his eyes. “I didn’t know you could be so growly and intimidating. How downright alpha of you.” He fans himself. “Coming from you, that was super fucking hot. You can scare off skeevy guys for me any day.”
I’m pleased with his words but still quietly fuming inside. How dare anyone try to hit on my husband? I don’t care how attractive River is, he’s taken and I. Don’t. Share.
River’s eyes widen. “Ohmyfreakinggod! Don’t get mad, but this whole incident has given me a great idea for Vardox and Starblade.”
I sit on the edge of his lounger, eager to find out more. “Do tell.”
“Okay. So thus far, Vardox is always the one chasing off anyone trying to woo Starblade and being all jealous and stuff. But the shoe’s never been on the other foot!”
“Oh?”
“Meaning, Starblade’s never had a taste of what that’s like when it comes to Vardox. But now that they’ve admitted their feelings, what if someone shows up who’s trying to steal Vardox from Starblade?”
I instantly perk up. “That would be a refreshing new direction.”
“And long overdue, amirite?”
“Indeed.”
River throws his arms around my neck and gives me a lip-smacking kiss. “This next chapter will be epic!”
