“Yes, we’ve seen your guest bathroom.”
It’s fully equipped with manly toiletries. She’s a germophobe and makes her hookups shower and brush their teeth before they’re allowed to fuck her. Good job she’s stunning or she’d never get laid.
“Are you drinking every day?” Felicity asks, not waiting for the answer. “Lay off the damn wine and try again. You said he turned into the Hulk when you asked whether you’d had sex together after Express Dates. Maybe he just won’t touch you while you drink.”
“Oh please,” Ruby snaps. “No man isthatprincipled. I mean, she sounds fine, doesn’t she? She’s not slurring or swearing, so she’s not drunk. When have you ever seen a guy turn a girl down because she had a glass of wine?”
“Two beers,” I correct quietly, looking around to see if anyone’s paying me any attention. “Maybe he has someone.”
“And what? Left his girl at home to go cruise the Caribbean with you? Don’t be stupid. Instead of coming up with idiotic theories, justaskhim what the problem is.”
And make a bigger fool of myself than I already have?
It won’t change much. The damage is done.
That’s true. My ego is damaged beyond repair. I kind of understood why he sent me back to the guest bedroom when I paraded into his room in nothing but a towel, but tonight... I don’t get it. Like Ruby said, I’m not drunk. And the way he looks at me sometimes isn’t how men look at women they’re not into.
He likes me, I’m almost certain he does. And I... God, I’m beyondlikeright now. Every moment we spend together pushes me deeper and deeper into feelings I can’t comprehend.
Not this fast.
But no matter how much I try to slow down, I’m way past just desire. There’s more there. So much more.
Everything about him turns me on. Everything about him is my type. From the way he walks, talks, and looks, down to how he smells, frowns, and acts. Attentive, caring—dominating. Fun. Smart. The list goes on, and it’s growing fast.
I love his hands on me. His lips pressing against my head. I love how he pulls me into his side, and how he holds me.
“I know!” Ruby cheers proudly. “You told him you wouldn’t pay him with sex. Maybe he’s respecting your wishes so you can start right when you get home?”
“You’re an incurable romantic,” I say on a sigh. “Whatever it is, it’s big enough to make him backtracktwice.”
“What if he’s just not comfortable fucking you on your dad’s yacht?” she suggests.
“Okay, that’s it,” Felicity huffs. “I revoke your right to an opinion, Ruby. And, Addie? Stop fucking guessing, grow a pair, and ask him why he won’t fuck you.”
We started this conversation withColt doesn’t want to kiss mebut it somehow turned todoesn’t want to fuck me. Whatever. One doesn’t rule out the other.
Ben plops down on the couch opposite mine, bursting the small privacy cocoon I locked myself in when I chose the seat furthest from everyone’s ears.
“I’ve got to go,” I tell the girls. “I’ll keep you posted.”
“You better! I’m invested now.”
We say our goodbyes and I pluck out my AirPods, eyeing my brother. “What’s going on?”
“We’re playing truth or dare,” he explains. “You’ve been on the phone for an hour, sis. Come play with us.”
I glance over my shoulder toward the bow, glad to see it’s just the younger generation playing. Amara, her maid of honor with her husband, two groomsmen with their dates, and... Grant.
“Fine, let’s play,” I say, rising to my feet.
“Look who decided to join.” Grant beams when we come closer, patting the seat beside him.
I purposely plop down in the only empty loveseat, pretending not to notice Grant’s invitation.
His smile slips, but he recovers fast, staring me down. “This can be your turn, and we’ll go clockwise.” He leans over to grab a card from the table. “Truth or dare, pumpkin?”
“Don’t call me that. And I’m not playing. I’ll watch.”
