His lips parted, and it was as if he sucked all the air out of my lungs in one breath.
“New suit?” he asked, his voice huskier than before.
Maybe I imagined it.
“Yes,” I said, very aware of how close we were. My breasts were an inch away from his bare chest, and my traitorous body was about to combust. Our flirt-hate banter confused me, and it was easy to ignore those feelings when I would go weeks without seeing him. Now that we were in the same room for three days? It was in my best interest to end this conversation. “As fun as this chat was, I need a drink.”
He cleared his throat and jutted his chin toward the door. “After you, Daniella.”
If I was a better person, I wouldn’t have swung my hips more than normal as I waltzed in front of Cooper and out the door into the narrow hallway. The main deck with the all-inclusive bar was up a couple flights of stairs, and we went the whole way there in silence. As soon as we arrived at the main deck, the sun hit my face, and I stopped, closed my eyes, and took in a calming breath.
Three days of paradise. Three days of no work and no thinking about life, with only the sun and drinks as company. I sighed and stretched my arms over my head just as Cooper let out a disgruntled groan.
“Don’t ruin this for me. I wanted to go up here alone, and you followed,” I said to him.
I pointed a finger at his chest, but he already moved toward the bar where a group of beautiful women gathered. Good for him. Maybe if he got laid, he’d lose part of the stick up his ass and leave me alone.
Watching him flirt and charm the trio left me feeling prickly, which had nothing to do with jealousy and everything to do with my lack of a margarita. It was damn time to change that.
Chapter Three
Sam and Juliet found me an hour later in the lounge area with a margarita in each hand.
Juliet grinned and plopped down next to me. “Girl, you look like you’re finally relaxing.”
“I am. Cooper is out of my hair, and I get to do nothing but this for three days. I know I call you a dumbass twice a week, Sam, but this was your best idea ever.”
“Even though you’re sharing a room with Cooper?” he asked, a nervous look making his relaxed features tense up.
“Don’t even worry,” I slurred, the drinks getting to me just a little. “We’re very, very mature adults who can get along just fine.”
“No, you’re not.” Sam laughed and sat on the opposite side of Juliet. “You and Cooper are like teenagers when you’re together.”
“Then we shouldn’t be your best man and maid of honor.” I pursed my lips and tried to look authoritative. “We’ll likely ruin the wedding.”
“Who will ruin your wedding?” Cooper asked, joining our trio and sitting on the cushion right next to me. His weight made me slide down just a bit so our thighs touched. I clenched my legs together to avoid feeling any sort of heat. He was just a good-looking guy who I hated.
“You and my sister,” Sam said, eyeing his best friend for a second.
“Oh, no we won’t. We’re buds. Ain’t that right, Baby D?” He put his arm around me, bringing my body in tight against him. “We’re having fun as roommates, aren’t we?”
His warm embrace sent unwanted desire straight to my core even though the damn nickname made me want to push him overboard.
“Yes.” I nodded and tried my best to mean it. “Oodles of fun.”
Sam barked out a laugh and pulled Juliet onto his lap. “See? They’re fine.”
Juliet rolled her eyes but not before giving me a look that said she saw through the bullshit. She ran her fingers through my brother’s hair, and it was such a tender moment that an uncomfortable pang went through my chest. I was so happy for him. I really was. It just made me the smallest amount envious.
“Baby D, let’s leave the lovebirds alone. Come on.” Cooper stood and held out a hand, raising one perfect eyebrow in a dare. I could refuse his help and get up on my own, but the warning in his eyes made me take the assist. He pulled me up and put on a wonderful fake smile. “Are we meeting for dinner at the fancy place?”
“Yes! I made reservations. Black tie clothes,” Juliet said, already turning back to Sam and nuzzling him.
Yeah, it was time to leave.
Cooper didn’t let go of my hand until we got to the bar when he lifted two fingers and said, “Tequila shots.”
“Oh, we’re doing that then.” The loss of contact shouldn’t have weighed my stomach down with disappointment, but it did. I cleared my throat to try to rid myself of the emotion. It was stupid. He’d probably sleep with half the women on the deck, and here I was getting weird over holding hands.Not cool.
