Page 59
EDEN
I wake the next morning to the low hum of the air conditioning and a deep frown pulling at my lips. Because the first thing I remember is how West practically threw me out of his bedroom last night, right after unraveling me so completely I swear I can still feel the aftershocks. It’s as if his fingers are still inside of me. His mouth still hot against my neck.
With a frustrated breath, I throw off the covers and stomp to my own stupid bathroom. West said he’d have the housekeeper clean it first thing. Good. I’m annoyed enough not to care if the housekeeper figures out exactly what has happened between us.
By the time I’m dressed and walking into the kitchen, West is already on his first call of the day, his phone wedged between his shoulder and ear, his back to me as he pours himself a coffee. I’m barefoot, so he doesn’t hear me come in, and I’m thankful, because it gives me a moment to center myself as I take him in.
He has his back to me, his dress shirt sharply molded to his shoulders as he makes his coffee. The same hands that wrecked me last night are now casually pouring cream into his mug like he didn’t tear me apart with a flick of them.
He stirs the cup. Takes a sip. And he still doesn’t glance my way.
I clear my throat.
Only then does he turn, his expression unreadable as he lifts the mug to his lips. He nods at something the caller says, then mutters, “How long did they say it would take?” I don’t wait for him to finish his call. Instead, I brush past him, deliberately close, just enough for my bare arm to graze his.
He goes still. Ha, good.
I reach for the coffee pot, pouring myself a cup without saying a word. The silence between us stretches, thick and hot, like the steam rising from my mug.
I add oat cream, and stir slowly, letting him watch me do it. Then I take a sip and meet his eyes over the rim.
He ends the call with a curt, “I’ll be there in ten. Keep me posted,” and slips the phone into his pocket.
“Morning,” he says, like last night never happened.
“Yes, it is,” I reply, sweet as syrup. “Did you sleep well?”
He pauses, like he’s trying to figure out how to deal with me.
“Very well,” he murmurs. “I spoke to the housekeeper, she’ll be here in about an hour. And I called Bennett. I was supposed to pick him up, but there’s a problem at the resort. They need me there now.”
“I’ll go get him,” I say smoothly. “I assume we don’t want him around while the housekeeper is doing her thing.”
West shakes his head. “No, we don’t.” The way he sayswe, like he’s testing the waters to see just how pissed I am, almost makes me smile.
Yes, I’m mad at you. And at myself for still being stupidly turned on by you. But most of all, I’m annoyed that I can’t seem to stay furious at you.
“Sounds like you’re going to be busy this morning,” I say, brushing past him to grab a spoon. “I’ll take Bennett on a grand tour of the island instead of bringing him right to the resort.”
His eyes flick to my legs, then my hips, my mouth, like he’s trying not to look but failing miserably.
“Are you sure that’s okay?” he asks.
“Oh, it’s very okay,” I reply. “It’ll be fun. Bennett strikes me as someone who actually enjoys spending time with people. Doesn’t bolt when things get awkward.”
His jaw tics. Good. He deserves to feel bad. You don’t make somebody come then throw them out of your room. Have some manners, for goodness sake.
“I’ll take Bennett for coffee at Brewed Awakenings. Introduce him to Mylene and Eileen. I’m pretty sure everybody’s going to love him.”
West grunts, but there’s a flicker in his eyes. Something almost possessive.
I take a slow sip of my coffee. “Maybe I’ll set him up on a date with one of the locals. That’s if I don’t decide he’s worth keeping around. You know, since I’m clearly on the market.”
His voice cuts through the air, low and sharp. “You’re my wife, Eden.” He lifts a brow. “You’d do well to remember that.”
Yeah, well I didn’t feel like his wife last night. I felt like his problem. I stare back at him, just long enough to make him look uncomfortable.
“How could I forget?” I say lightly.
