After another moment of listening and agreeing, he hung up without letting her hear Sloane’s update.
“Why didn’t she call me?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know why Sloane Ellis does a single thing.”
“Well?” Jules pressed.
“We’re on, sweetheart.”
Her heart jumped.
“Don’t know when and where other than it starts tonight.” Rhys grabbed her hand as though he’d spent a lifetime lacing their fingers together. “Let’s do this.”
Her breathing did something embarrassing that she blamed on the ocean air.
They had a history of high fives and handshakes. A time or two, he’d physically carried her. Once, he knocked her down while slide-tackling someone who had jumped a rope line. The paparazzi had gone batshit for those pictures. Even more when Rhys scooped her up and placed her on her feet, using his tuxedo jacket to block the world while she readjusted her boobs and her halter top on the red carpet. What no one knew about that moment was that little whisper of “You look beautiful” before hestepped back and let the pops and flashes memorialize her next steps.
His thumb skimmed over her knuckles as they walked.
This was all for show. Though her hammering pulse said otherwise.
“I walked into your house last night,” he said. “After you said you had it handled and thought we left.”
Her chin snapped up. “You did? Why?”
He shrugged. “I don’t think it’s news that I’m protective of you.”
“I said I had it handled.”
Rhys laughed. “Woman, youdidhave it handled. If it wouldn’t have detracted from the moment, I would have clapped.”
“Mason messed up.”
“Yeah, he did. In more ways than one.”
“That fallout wasn’t going to land on me.”
“You handed him his ass. I hope it felt good.” He grimaced and released her hand. “No one’s going to believe this is a rebound hookup if Sloane keeps me on my phone.”
“Why’s that?”
He pulled out the buzzing phone again. “Because no one in their right mind would answer a single phone call if they had your attention.” He read the screen and returned the device to his pocket. “We have an itinerary.”
Her thoughts faltered. She had to process what he’d just said. Jules blinked.Erm.She cleared her throat. “What’s on the itinerary?”
“Times. Locations. A few suggestions.”
She blushed. “Do I want to hear the suggestions?”
Her professional life should have prepared her for this. But those situations had the benefits of a script, modesty garments, and intimacy coordinators ready to intervene as necessary. Even the staged photos had built-in safety nets. She and Mason hadn’tneeded that. They’d started as friends with benefits before business took over and they’d arranged for their nuptials. “Rhys, tell me Sloane’s suggestions.”
“Tonight? Nothing worse than sharing a cocktail. Location to be determined.”
“Oh.” Was that true, or had her reaction been enough that Rhys pumped the brakes? “That’s not nearly as devious as Sloane can be.” Then again, they had two weeks on an island. Sloane wasn’t an idiot. If she suggested they make out on the beach on day one, that wouldn’t happen.Right?
Kissing Rhys on the beach…
Wow.
