She could have his place, and he’d sleep on the front porch or a pool lounger. He’d hardly spent any time in his bungalow. Other than dropping his bag, changing a couple of times, and showering before dinner, the place was virtually untouched. Jules could stay as long as she needed. The resort was likely to have another bungalow nearby. He didn’t care so long as she was locked in, safe and sound, and waited for him in the morning before venturing off.
They followed the path to his place. He punched in the door code, and Jules breezed inside. She picked up the phone from the end table and sat on the small couch. “This shouldn’t take long.”
He wandered away but couldn’t give her much room. His bungalow was situated more like a hotel room, with no separate bedroom or dining room, just a sitting area, a kitchenette, and a king-size bed that he perched on the edge of as she spoke with the resort.
Three minutes later, she hung up and chewed her lip. “They’re completely sold out. But they offered to bring over a bed.” She winced. “Rhys, I’m really sorry. This is probably not turning out anything like you thought it would.”
He had to laugh. Nothing in the past two days could have been predicted.
Jules running out of her wedding? Nope.
Arranged marriage confessions? Another nope.
Her stalker showing up at the resort? Absolutely not.
Sloane suggesting a fake relationship PR stunt? Not unbelievable, though his agreement was unfathomable.
Abigail falling ill? That’d happened before, but the timing sucked.
“I didn’t have the last forty-eight hours on my bingo card. But…” He shrugged. “I’ve slept in far worse places than a rollaway bed.”
She straightened, making his jacket flop around her shoulders. “You’re sleeping in your bed. I’m sleeping on the one they’re bringing.”
“In what world is that going to happen? Give me a break.”
“This is your bungalow.”
He blinked. “This is your vacation. I’m working, Jules. I’ll sleep on the floor before I let you sleep anywhere but that bed.”
Swimming in his jacket, she crossed her arms. No matter how much she demanded, they both knew he wouldn’t sleep in that bed.
As if the universe were on his side, a knock sounded on the door. He grinned. “My bed’s here.”
Rhys opened the door. A young man pushed the squeaking bed, folded into a U, into the tight living space. It creaked and groaned as it was unfolded. The starched white linens and pillow were arranged. Every time the man touched the mattress, a coil sprang or the bed frame whined. For a resort that catered to movie stars and the wealthy, the rollaway bed didn’t seem up to five-star standards.
Rhys tipped the man and locked the door behind him as Jules laughed. “You’re going to break that.”
He went over and circled the bed, trying to decide how right she might be. But he patted the pillow and shrugged. Whatwere the chances it would collapse in the middle of the night? Probably fifty-fifty. “This thing’s calling my name.”
After another long, scrutinizing study of his bed, she slid out of his jacket and laid it on the back of the small couch. “You’re never going to forgive me for this entire trip.”
His mind flashed back to the beach. She had no idea. He might never forget this trip. But forgive her? That wasn’t even an issue.
She rifled through the beach bag she was using as an overnight bag. “Can I take a shower? I’ll be in bed and out of your way in no time.”
“I don’t care how late you stay up.”
“I’m imposing.”
“This is your vacation. Jules, really. I’m working. You’re…”Sister-mooning?“Relaxing. This isn’t a burden. It’s not a hardship. We’re in goddamn paradise. That won’t change if I sleep on a stupid bed and you keep us up all night long.”
All night long. That dress, on the floor, and her in that bed with him.Thatcould keep them up all night long.Jesus. Fuck.What was wrong with him? He scrubbed his hand through his hair then hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll go take a walk.”
“Oh, be serious. I’m not kicking you out of your—”
“Your,” he corrected her.
“Bungalow so I can take a shower. If you leave, I’ll throw a fit the likes of which you’ve never seen.” She waltzed toward the bathroom. “I’m using your shampoo.”
