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“Sure you do. You just need to let go for once, Ivy. I think you should—” Her voice stopped abruptly as her eyes widened. “Whoa! Now we’re talking! Who isthat?”
I looked over my shoulder toward where her gaze had fixated. The moment my eyes clapped onto him, I started wishing I was the wild sister, and I could march over and throw myself into his arms... and his bed.
At least six feet of tanned, toned walking sex moved toward me. His tousled brown hair looked effortlessly stylish with its soft waves like he’d just gone for a swim, and it had dried that way. Relaxed. Sexy. It fit perfectly with the casual stubble wrapping around his square jaw. He looked like a surfer or laid-back beach guy, but with his perfect chiseled bone structure and vibrant, amber-colored eyes, I wondered if he was one of the celebrities known to frequent the Paradise Isles. He was too beautiful not to have a film or modeling deal.
My heart palpated in my chest as my gaze roved over every inch of him, his loose white tank top giving me a perfect view of his muscular biceps and the curves of his broad pecs.
“Holy shit,” Iris blew out. “One night withthatand you’ll forget everyone and everything that has ever caused you pain. Come to mama, pretty boy.”
I couldn’t even argue with her. Images of our sweat-slicked naked bodies sliding together invaded every single corner of my mind. How could anyone feel sad with that man in their arms?
Jealousy about not being Iris snaked up my spine and bit me. If I possessed her effortless seduction skills, I’d already be marching over to him to shoot my shot. He’d succumb instantly to my charms, and before I knew it, my fantasy would be a reality.
But I wasn’t Iris. I was Ivy. The boring sister. The sister who’d never had a one-night stand and never would.
“Go talk to him!” Iris whispered. “Do it! Go!”
I watched him moving toward a bar stool on the opposite side of the bar. “No. No way,” I sputtered out.
“Do it,” she egged on. “Just go talk to him and tell him you need to sleep with him to find out if you’re bad in bed.”
Alec snorted at her comment as he passed by on his way to the newest addition.
“I’m not sleeping with anyone, Iris. For God’s sake. I just found out my boyfriend is married. Fifteen minutes ago, I was in a relationship. I’m not going to go hit on some guy.”
Iris rolled her eyes. “Prude.”
“Smart. Safe.” I countered. “He could be a serial killer for all we know.”
Iris peeked at the man as Alec took his order. “He could serial kill me any damn day of the week.” She let out a long whistle.
I ignored her last comment and focused back on my drink, taking another hefty swig.
“Need another shot? I can call Alec over,” Iris said.
“No. No more shots. I haven’t done shots in years, and I’m already feeling the effects of the first one. I need a clear mind to figure out what the hell I’m going to do now. I have no boyfriend, no hotel room, no luggage, and all I want to do is jump on the next plane and get the hell out of here. And that says a lot since you know I’m practically phobic about flying.”
“I can start looking for hotel rooms you can switch to,” Iris said.
“You won’t find any,” Alec replied as he walked up. “With the conference and tourist season heading into full swing, everything is booked. Hotels in the Paradise Isles book up at least a year in advance.”
“Well, shit,” I sighed. “So, I guess I’m sleeping on the beach tonight.”
“My girlfriend and I can put you up.” Alec leaned on the bar. “I saw what went down. I wouldn’t want you to go back to that room tonight either. You can crash with us, and we’ll get you a flight out tomorrow. If you tell me where you’re staying, in the morning, we can swing by and grab your stuff. You don’t even need to go in and see that douche again.”
“Wow. What a nice guy!” Iris smiled. “You have one lucky girlfriend.”
“Are you serious?” I asked. “I really wouldn’t want to put you out, but I also have no idea what the hell to do here.”
“Of course,” he added. “I’ll call Leslie and let her know. She’s bartending down the beach at the Palm Hut tonight, so you’ll have to hang out here until we get off in a few hours, but you’re welcome to come home with us.”
My shattered heart swelled at the kindness of a stranger in my time of need. “Thank you, Alec. So much. I am so lucky such a nice bartender was working when I got my life obliterated. Ugh. I feel like a stray dog. Where is Sarah McLachlan when you need her? Just cue her sad singing as I sit alone beside the ocean looking pathetic?” I palmed my face. “How is this happening?”
He pushed my margarita toward me. “Happy to help. And this will too. And since I know you’re not going to be driving anywhere, I can serve you as much as you need to erase all the agony of your night.”
“Yay! Bottomless tequila!” Iris cheered.
“Well, don’t let me die from alcohol poisoning.” I laughed. “But other than that, serve away.”
