Ellie’s Guide toProfessional CuddlingBeing a Fake Fiancée, Tip #9: If you have to share a bed with your pretend fiancé, you might as well cuddle him, too.
Being on a yacht surrounded by wealth and luxury was bizarre enough, and now a couples retreat was thrown into the mix.
At least Whiskey’s surgery would be worth it.
Dr. Lovejoy kept us after the icebreaker to do enough personality and love language quizzes to make my head spin. But once she set us free, the next part of Cade’s plan involved the two of us strolling along a walking path that wrapped around the main deck of the yacht. The boat was moving now, and a cool sea breeze teased my loose braid while I took in the grandeur of the ocean around us.
Cade’s plan didn’t involve talking during our walk, though, and his “stroll” was more of a speed walk that I struggled to keep up with.
He didn’t appear pleased with how the day had gone so far, but I decided not to broach it yet.
The other guests seemed interesting. Vlad mostly kept to himself, like Cade, while Piper and Madison had drilled Dr. Lovejoy with questions. Fletcher and Candace seemed to already be over the whole couples retreat, and Harrison was clearly playing along with it for his wife.
My people-watching stopped when a chef brought out treats for all of us. Fancy finger foods, including strawberry chocolate tarts that I could’ve cleared a platter of just by myself. But I’d made myself behave since my actions now reflected on my fake fiancé as well.
The walk was still a good idea to combat the four tarts I had surreptitiously inhaled, though.
By the time Cade and I made it to our cabin, I was ready to take a bath, put on my pajamas, and pass out.
There was just one thing I hadn’t accounted for.
…The room only had one bed.
Maybe that should’ve been obvious, but I came to a halt so suddenly that Cade stopped an inch away from barreling into my back. “What’s wrong?”
I was still processing the sight. “Well, there’s only one bed in here.”
“What did you expect?” he asked dryly.
“I don’t know. I’ve never been on a boat before,” I admitted, looking at the giant bed with its fluffy pillows and soft cream blanket. “I guess I was picturing bunked hammocks or something like that.”
Cade snorted and brushed past me. “It’s not a pirate ship.”
I shrugged. “It made sense in my head.”
The cabin itself was gorgeous—did yachts usually have crown molding? The bedroom was very spacious, and there was even a separate sitting area with a cute little kitchenette.
My favorite part was the large glass doors leading from the bedroom to an exterior balcony. We had a view of the ocean from right here.
The first thing I did was set Whiskey’s backpack on the bed and let him out.
“I’m sorry you’ve been cooped up so long, buddy,” I murmured, even though he’d happily napped the whole time he’d been in the backpack. “Want to go exploring?”
Whiskey flicked his bushy tail and eyed his new domain while I unpacked his red velvet pillow. Cade leaned against the dresser with his arms crossed, watching Whiskey—who promptly turned his back on Cade and ventured further onto the bed.
Ouch.
“He’s usually more of a loner,” I said, trying to ease the sting of Whiskey’s snub. “It can take him a minute to warm up to people.”
I subtly scratched an itchy spot on the back of my neck.
Cade’s eyes narrowed on me. “Why do you keep scratching yourself? You’ve been doing it since we got on the yacht.”
“Sorry.” I winced, dropping my hand. “Lying sort of gives me hives.”
A muscle fluttered in his jaw. “You didn’t think to mention thatbeforeI hired you?”
I smiled guiltily. “Well, I was a little distracted by all that money you offered.”
