I must have made a sound because Thunder laughed, tilting his head in my direction. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.” It came out too quickly, and when he laughed harder, I knew he hadn’t bought my excuse.
“Tell me. We’ve got about twenty-minutes until we’re there.” He said it so casually that I didn’t process I was walking into a trap. Maybe at one time I would have been good at keeping secrets. I had sufficient experience. Unfortunately, the minute he scrambled my brain, I was putty.
“Bed?” I asked, hoping he would understand.
“What about it?” He smirked. “Are you tired?”
“Yes,” I answered hesitantly. It was true. We’d had a long day, starting with an early morning, and now the sun was setting over the water. I tried to fake a yawn, but it wasn’t convincing.
“There’s only one bed, if that’s what you’re asking me.”
“You…enjoy...this.” While I relished watching his face light up, I didn’t like it when I was the source of his entertainment.
“If you had just asked me, I would have told you, but I have a feeling Bear and the other Old Ladies said something that’s got you reeling. When I watched you from across the yard, they were yucking it up, but you didn’t look like you were having a good time.”
“Help…me.” I waved my hands around. They thought they’d been helpful, but in reality, they’d only brought up questions I didn’t have answers to. We were friends. Was I supposed to be attracted to him? Was I? There had been no reason to think about any of this until the other women hadn’t let it go.
“Do you need help, or were they trying to…be supportive?” He chuckled. “I’ve known them a long time, and they’re not shy.”
I clasped my hands in my lap, staring down at where my fingers interlocked. “Club…girls.” It was the closest I could come to actually answering him.
“We’re friends, Liz. There’s one bed in the room because I told them we were celebrating our honeymoon. That’s it.” He held his hand out for mine, and I didn’t hesitate. “You stay on your side, and I’ll stay on mine, and if we touch, it’ll be innocent.” He smirked, and I braced for some innuendo. “Now, if you want to use me in the middle of the night, I’m okay with that.”
Chapter 10
The Honeymoon Phase
Thunder
She was staring at me. I could feel every inch of her gaze, but I kept my eyes shut, willing my body not to move. Did I pretend to wake up slowly? Did I reach out for her, tuck her against me, and pretend to fall back asleep? I wasn’t sure.
“You’re up, Bob…by.”
She caught me, and I couldn’t help the smile that formed as I slowly opened my eyes. She was sitting, propped up against the pillows next to me in bed. Her blue pajamas were a stark contrast against the white sheets, as the duvet lay across her lap. The best part was the small smile she gave me. “Good…morning.”
“Did you sleep well?” My voice was gruff, but she didn’t shrink away from me.
If El Sombra Roja wanted to announce his presence, he had to do better than blood-red roses. If we were really in danger, I wouldn’t have brought my bride here. It was only a few days. We weren’t far, and if we needed backup, I could always call.
“Yes. Do we…have…plans?” she asked, pulling the duvet with her as she shifted.
“What are you thinking?” I let myself sink into the mattress. The bed in my room at the clubhouse was comfortable enough, but hers downstairs was a little better. Neither held a candle to this one. Maybe it wasn’t the bed. Maybe it was her.
“It’s early.” She pointed towards the French doors that led out onto the balcony.
“Do you want to watch the sunrise?” I hadn’t even finished the question before she was nodding her head. “Alright, go grab a seat, and I’ll be out there in a minute.”
She reached over, combing a piece of hair off my forehead. “Hurry.” With that, she shuffled out of bed, leaving a cold spot where she’d been sitting. She didn’t wear her hip brace to bed, and I watched her hobble across the room before disappearing out onto the balcony. Rolling onto my back, my arm came across my eyes, and I let out a low groan. I was so fucked if she ever decided our marriage was over.
The resort had advertised the view, and I’d picked a room on the east side. There were two lounge chairs with a small table between them. Her head turned in my direction as I shut the door, and I caught her shiver.
“Are you cold?”
“No.”
I didn’t want to push, so I took my seat, stretching out and crossing my legs at the ankle. This was the life, and I made a promise to always take Liz on vacation. One a year. Just us. “The only thing that would make this better is coffee.”
