Hannah beams, glancing back at Brookes who is now in a serious golf-toned conversation with Happy. Turning back to me, she’s almost giddy, lowering her voice to a whisper as she says, “I am so happy for you guys. I knew Brookes would find his perfect one.”
She waggles her eyebrows, and takes my hand in hers, and as we walk deeper into the lobby, toward the check-in desk, I can’t help notice the way my heart sinks into the very pit of my ass.
“This place is insane,” I say on a gasp, standing in the middle of the villa and taking it in. It’s all white with dark wood floors and a huge bed in the center of the room, sheer netting draped down from the ceiling all around it, looking out over the view of the sapphire water glittering beneath the sun, right there through the palm trees.
Brookes walks out of the bathroom, freshly showered and in just his shorts, his glorious upper body snagging my attention because my God, the man is pure perfection come to life.
Stopping in front of me, less than a few inches away, his warmth radiates off him like a furnace, and I look up, meeting his eyes, finding something intense deep in his gaze. He lifts a hand and cups my cheek, ducking down and pressing a soft, slow kiss to my forehead that causes my eyes to flutter closed and my heart to skip a beat.
“Promise me you’re okay?” he whispers, his voice all low and gravely and delicious.
I nod, peering up at him through my lashes.
A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he drags the pad of his thumb over the curve of my cheek before tucking my hair behind my ear, the small act doing things to me that it shouldn’t. Brookes takes my breath away without even trying; it’s terrifying the things this man is capable of. He’s going to make one lucky woman very happy, and I hate that it won’t be me.
Brookes’ gaze flits between mine, and I can tell he wants to kiss me. And I want him to. More than anything and consequences be damned. When in paradise and all that. But, before Ican wrap my hand around the back of his head and pull his mouth to mine, the moment is interrupted.
“Knock, knock!”
I turn my head to find a beautiful blonde woman standing at our wide-open terrace doors, a heavily tattooed man with dark hair lingering behind her like her own personal bodyguard.
“Oh, hey, you guys.” Brookes squeezes my shoulder before walking out to greet our unexpected guests with hugs and handshakes, and I join them, smiling politely.
“Pops, this is Fran Keller and Robbie Mason.” Brookes places his hand on the small of my back. “Guys, this is Poppy. My… girlfriend.”
“Oh my God, Hannah told me you were adorable,” Fran gushes, practically launching herself at me with a hug. She’s about my height, curvy like me, but she has a very rounded belly that protrudes through her sundress.
“We’re neighbors!” she chimes, pulling away and pointing to the wall we apparently share. “Sorry in advance,” she says out the corner of her mouth, placing a hand on her belly. “Pregnancy hormones,” she adds in a stage whisper with a wink and a click of her tongue.
Picking up what she’s putting down, my face heats, but I just smile and wave a nonchalant hand like it’s no big deal.
“You’re looking good, my guy.” The man, Robbie, another hulking hockey player I presume, slaps Brookes’ shoulder. “Fit and healthy.”
Brookes nods, his gaze sliding to mine as he says, “Yeah, healthiest I’ve ever been.” And my stomach roils after what Blake said to me last night, but I maintain my most carefree smile.
“Good to hear.” Robbie smiles. “You ready to go? Tee time in twenty minutes”
“Yeah, just let me grab a shirt and my clubs.” Brookes turns and hurries back inside.
“I bought a new driver. I’m so excited to try it out!” Robbie calls out after Brookes.
Fran looks at me, making a face. “Let’s go before they start jerking off over golf stats.”
I can’t help but laugh as she snags my hand, pulling me with her, and we hurry off without even saying goodbye to the guys.
“So, how far along are you?” I ask Fran as we follow a path that leads through a tropical garden oasis.
“Eighteen weeks,” she says with a smile. “So, thankfully I seem to be over all the morning sickness and most of the gross stuff, and now it’s all sex, sex, and more sex. I swear, I’ve never been hornier. And that’s saying a lot because… I’m kind of a wild cat.” She nudges me with her shoulder, winking salaciously.
I can’t help but laugh. And normally I’d be thinking that’s a lot of private information to give for the first few minutes of knowing someone, but I get the feeling that’s just Fran. I really like her.
“What about you?” Fran asks. “How long have you and Brookes been… you and Brookes?”
“Oh.” I duck my chin, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Only a few weeks actually…”
“Stop it right now!” Fran guffaws, and I snap my head to the side, looking at her with wide eyes, worried I’ve done something wrong.
“The way he was looking at you back there when we rudely interrupted?” She snorts. “I thought I was atyourdestination wedding.”
