Leaving me alone and shivering in the shower with way too many emotions swirling in my head.
That had been a lot. And I didn’t know what to do with it.
I just knew I wanted to do it again.
And again.
Lunch was buffet style. Chaffing dishes lined the buffet tables with a selection of sandwiches, fresh fruit, and chips. I loaded my plate and followed Mal to a large table in the corner.
Sliding into the seat next to him, I looked around the dining area. It was…surprisingly empty. “This is kinda weird, isn’t it?”
“Hmm?” Mal mumbled through the large bite of his sandwich.
“Just how empty it is. We’re the only ones here. I’d suspect zombie apocalypse if I didn’t know better. I mean, we’re literally on an island. How would they get here?”
“Same as you, I suspect. Boat.”
I snickered as I picked up my club sandwich. “Bet.”
“On what?”
It was my turn to roll my eyes. “It means I agree, old man. But seriously, where is everyone?”
It wasn’t a huge island, but there were usually a dozen or so guests around at any given time.
Jone came out of the kitchen to set out some water pitchers. “Ah, you back early?”
Mal shook his head. “Back from where? We literally just woke up.”
“Yeah, where is everyone?” I asked.
“Oh, sorry.” Jone crossed the dining room to stop at our table. “I didn’t realize you didn’t know. We did a tour of theTaveuni Falls. Samu took most of the guests over a few hours ago. Did no one mention it to you?”
Mal and I shook our heads mutely.
I could tell Jone wasn’t pleased. “I am so sorry. That is a major oversight. I’ll talk to Samu and see what we can do to make it up to you both.Vosoti au.”
Jone bowed over us then practically sprinted from the room. No doubt to lay into someone.
I turned back to Mal and gave him an innocent look. “Totally worth it. No regrets here.” I surreptitiously looked around then finished in a whisper, “Daddy.”
Mal’s eyes narrowed on me. “Someone’s acting naughty.”
I caught my breath. His voice was so low and rumbly. All bass and just…yummy.
“You eager for a punishment, baby girl?” Mal tipped his head. “We’ll have to see what we can do about that.”
I opened my mouth to reply when Jone came crashing out of the kitchen doors again, muttering something in Fijian under his breath. He wasn’t paying us the least attention, but still, the moment was broken.
Mal’s hand slid onto my knee and gave it a little squeeze.
I smiled at him and turned back to my sandwich. “So you never said…what was the bet that left you with a tattoo of Plankton on your butt?”
Mal choked. Coughs wracked his body, and Jone came running over to make sure he wasn’t dying. I would’ve been concerned, but I could hear him breathing.
“Choking to death isn’t gonna get you outta answering the question,” I said as he collapsed back into his chair after waving off a hovering Jone.
“Have some pity, woman.” He groaned. After a few more shuddery breaths, he took a drink of water and coughed a little more.
