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Emrys simply looks away from me, ignoring me completely.
It’s Wyatt who meets my gaze head on, though a small tick in his jaw gives away his discomfort. “It’s our job to find out everything we can about who our employer is ahead of time. The form you filled out is thorough, yes, but not quite as well as it should be. At least, not enough to be a convincing boyfriend.” He adjusts his tie as my stomach bottoms out.
That means…
They’ve seen all the tabloids. They’ve read all the rumors. They know exactly what kind of wicked witch I’m portrayed as in the media.
Fucking great.
Wyatt’s eyes narrow as his gaze flicks over my face before understanding seems to settle on his features. “No, Kat. I’m not stupid enough to believe every piece of gossip we come across. I’m far more thorough than that.”
“So…” I don’t know why, but I trust what he’s saying. He seems far too refined, upfront, and honest to fall for something like The Dish–a trashy gossip column site that has its own magazine that focuses on dishing on the lives of the rich and successful.
“It’s quite easy to see the person you are beneath all the layers of idle gossip and rumors that surround you.” He steeples his hands as he peers at me beneath his dark lashes. “For example, one article that tried to say you were sleeping with the owner of a smaller vets office. They even had a photo of him gazing lovingly down at you while you were on your knees in front of him.”
I groan, remembering that stupid piece. It came out only like two months ago.
“But after a brief search looking into the office, it was easy to find photos from another direction that showed you holding a lion cub who had an injured paw while you were on your knees. The man wasn’t even looking at you, he was looking at the cub while you showed him what was wrong with it.”
The tension that had coiled around me like a snake ready to strike slowly starts to unwind as Wyatt's words sink in. He doesn't think I'm an evil, man-eating succubus like the tabloids proclaim. I mean, he doesn't actually know me well enough to say for certain I'm not, but still. It's a start.
"Well, I suppose we'll all just have to get to know the real Kathryn then," Wilder drawls with a flirty wink and I narrow my gaze at him, considering he’s so suddenly awake now.
Before I can respond, Avery's announcement cuts through the charged moment. "Sharpes, we are beginning our descent into Cancun. The local time is two in the afternoon and the weather is a sunny eighty-two degrees. Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts."
As the pilot announces our impending descent, my mother and Annabelle return to their seats.
"Your father and Ethan already texted that they’re waiting for us at the resort," my mother titters anxiously as the plane hits a small patch of turbulence. "Wasn't that just so sweet of them to go early and handle all the final details?"
As the plane angles into its descent, her shrill voice somehow rises further in pitch. "Oh, Dad will be so delighted to finally meet your men!" She clasps her hands together, smiling brightly at all three men surrounding me.
I freeze in place, grimacing as I realize that I will indeed have to introduce my boyfriends–plural–to Dad. Which was not at all on my mind when I so boldly decided to announce that tidbit to my mother. I enjoy pushing my mother’s buttons. I did not, however, anticipate doing anything to make my dad uncomfortable.
Shit.
Touchdown is silky smooth, the plane gliding to a halt on the runway, giving me only a slight bit of anxiety until we’ve fully come to a stop. The second we do, Wilder is on his feet, offering me his hand to help me stand.
"Allow me, darlin'," he says with an exaggerated bow. I have to bite my cheek to keep from grinning at his antics.
As we disembark, the sticky tropical air envelops me, saturated with the scent of sea salt and exotic flowers. I slide my sunglasses down just as Wyatt appears at my side, his steel eyes piercing me behind his shades.
"Shall we?" He gestures towards one of the gleaming black SUVs waiting nearby, his palm hovering temptingly at the small of my back. Before I can lean into it, Emrys muscles his way between us, his massive body radiating heat. Wyatt's jaw clenches almost imperceptibly.
"I've got her, mate," Emrys rumbles, his voice dripping with implication. Wrapping a possessive arm around me, he guides me toward the car. I catch a glimpse of Wyatt and Wilder exchanging loaded looks behind his back.
The testosterone wafting around me is palpable as we get in the SUV. I end up sandwiched between Emrys and Wilder, hyper aware of their hard muscles and woodsy scents.
As we cruise along the coastline, azure waves crashing against sugar sand beaches, I feel the weight of three intense stares. It's like I’m caught at the center of a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any second. I have a feeling things are about to get wild.
My pulse thrums. Let the games begin.
* * *
The gleaming facade of the Oceanfront Oasis Resort comes into view as our rental SUV pulls up, the driver instantly jumping out to open the trunk and grab our bags. A valet opens our door with a polished “Welcome Ms. Sharpe”, even as he is instantly brushed aside by Emrys, who turns and offers his hand to me. I take it as I step out onto the circular driveway, but then quickly drop it as soon as I’ve found my footing.
My other two Book-A-Boyfriend companions emerge from the SUV behind me, drawing curious glances from onlookers. Completely unfazed, Wilder greets them all with a charming grin. Their eyes then find me moments before my sister appears, looping her arm through Wilder’s and Wyatt’s as she leads them inside, chattering enthusiastically. Emrys stays resolutely by my side, his imposing presence both thrilling and unnerving.
At the front desk, the attendant easily locates my reservation after I give her my name, and she smiles respectfully at me. “You’re all set, Ms. Sharpe. Our second premier honeymoon suite in the east side building has been prepared just for you.”
