So what would it be?
Perhaps Zander didn’t have to make that choice just now. In fact, maybe there was a third option. Once he figured out where they were headed, he might be able to contact Duke and share the location. Duke could fly out and replace Zander during the honeymoon.
Something didn’t sit right with the idea, but he knew it was an option all the same. So the decision was to, well, wait and see which was best.
He could do this. Whether it was a few more hours or a few more days, Zander could play the part of Kat’s groom. When the opportunity came, he’d let Duke step into his rightful place.
He repeated the thought as they made their way to the airport. And once they stepped onto the private flight as well. This predicament was temporary.
But for a reason Zander couldn’t explain, the assurance did very little to ease his nerves.
Chapter 11
Kat stayed very quiet as she looked at her sleeping groom. Who knew that devastatingly handsome was a real thing? But that’s exactly what he was—so attractive that an odd sort of ache pulsed in her chest as she admired the perfect planes of his masculine cheeks. The chiseled angles of his strong jaw. And the shape of his full, angular lips.
A thrill shot through her as she recalled kissing those lips. Once at the altar, and then again in the limo.
She pulled in a deep breath and forced herself to step away from the couch and toward the bungalow’s patio door. It had taken over thirty hours to get from LA to the Maldives, but Kat would do it all again to be in a place like this.
She slipped onto the wood-slatted boardwalk and took in the endless view of glistening turquoise surrounding a long line of over-the-water bungalows like theirs. One path along the boardwalk led to the island’s resort, while the other encased the entire bungalow. At this end, a crystal clear pool shimmered beside a very inviting hot tub. The mere sight had her envisioning late nights beneath the stars with Duke.
A fresh wave of warmth zipped through her at the image alone. As far as Kat was concerned, she and her groom had a bit of catching up to do. Sure, they hadn’t said I do under ordinary circumstances, but she hadn’t pictured the first night and day following their wedding vows to be spent en route to the honeymoon destination either.
Even once they arrived, they’d been too exhausted to shower, unpack, and get settled. So they’d opted to catch up on sleep instead. Zander on the couch, Kat on the bed. Three hours had passed since then, and Kat felt rested and ready to get to know the man she’d just married. She spun in place once more, unable to believe that her surroundings were real.
With her back to the railing, Kat propped her elbows on the bar and took in the inside of the bungalow, visible through the glass walls surrounding the place. Privacy would be sparse in a place like this. Only the kitchen, with its wall of cabinetry, and bathroom were blocked from her view. But the rest was there for all eyes to see. A pristine bedroom with plush bedding and a gorgeous white rug. The front room, complete with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and white furniture with accents ranging from rustic beige to a soft, sage-based green.
Behind her lay the incredible ocean view, surrounded by coral islands as far as the eye could see. Before her lay a stunning display of artistic design and the promise of comfort and luxury at every turn.
Yet still, Kat’s eyes were drawn to the one sight she was interested in above all else—the handsome man sleeping on the couch, his impressive form making the furniture look rather small in comparison.
She ran her gaze over the nicely fitted polo shirt he’d picked up at a gift shop during their layover. In the same shop, he scored the golf shorts he wore. Kat had inwardly questioned the choice until he stepped out of the busy restroom, looking as if he were striding onto the set of his very own fashion shoot.
A sigh seeped past her lips, a combination of relief that the hard part was over and an odd longing for things to finally begin.
At this point, only a few details were certain. One—she was definitely attracted to her new groom. Two—there was decent chemistry between them. And three—after the chaos of the live wedding and the travel time that followed, she was dying to get to know who this man really was.
* * *
Zander flung off the couch once sounds of the shower kicked on. He’d spent the last twenty-four hours avoiding Duke’s new bride, and not because he’d wanted to, either; it was for the sheer reason that she was Duke’s bride, not his.
And for every impulse Zander had during the long flight and layover, all of the urges to start conversations, get closer, hold her hypnotizing gaze longer—he strengthened his resolve to call Duke the first chance he got.
He’d done that very thing once he caught wind of their destination. Nearly twenty hours had passed since then and, if all went according to plan, Duke should be well on his way and awaiting the name and location of the resort.
There had to be a landline somewhere. He hurried around the circular wall, past the kitchen and dining area and into the bedroom. There, on a nightstand beside the bed, rested a phone.
Perfect.
Upgrading their accommodations—something he’d privately talked the producer into during their final flight—had served Zander in more ways than one. Not only were they at a five-star resort instead of the 3-star the network was planning to put them up in, now he’d gotten one step ahead of the producers by getting a room with a working phone.
At least, he hoped it was working.
Zander picked up the phone, brought it to his ear, and tossed a look of gratitude toward the heavens when he heard a dial tone. Quickly he ducked behind the bed and tapped out Duke’s number. He’d memorized it since it was the same as Zander’s save the last digit.
Adrenaline pushed painfully through his blood as it rang once. Twice. And then a third time.
He was probably mid-flight, or getting very near by now. Hopefully the voicemail would pick up so he could give him the details.
