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“Ew, no!”
“What?” She swallows the bite of cake down. “I was talking about this delicious cake.”
“Right.” I roll my eyes.
“Okay, I’m sorry I set you up, but I saw Alex in the lobby earlier and could tell he was looking for you before he went to the cabana. Whatever you two have is so obvious, and I knew if he could get one more opportunity to talk to you, he could help you see it, too.” She flashes a smile that tells me her plan was sincere, albeit manipulative. “Chemistry like that means the sex is bound to be out of this world,” she adds.
“Well…you’re right. I can’t deny there’s something there,” I say honestly. “He laid it all out for me and said we should have fun and basically get each other out of our systems because we enjoyed being with each other,” I explain to her, and the smile on her face grows wider.
“I like where this is going.” She nods her approval.
“That’s crazy though, right?” I ask, knowing I’m asking the wrong damn person right now. She’s totally Team Alex. “I just keep second-guessing it and thinking how wrong it’ll go.”
“Oh, honey. Casual sex is healthy,” she schools me. “In fact, you’re a nurse. You should know that.” She chuckles.
I roll my eyes but smile. “It’s the emotional stuff I’m struggling with, especially after Asshole. How do I just turn that off?”
“You do it like you do everything. You’ve gathered all the facts, and you know the expectations and outcome, which means there’ll be no surprises.” Her words are convincing, even though I don’t really need it. Being with Alex even for the week would be an experience of a lifetime. A very fun experience at that. “Hell, if I were single, and he was offering me no-strings-attached sex, I’d be naked the entire time and order room service between the sex marathon and sleep. In fact, the only time I’d see that beach is when my body was pressed up against that balcony window.”
I burst out laughing, my head falling back as I take in her words. I can’t deny how fucking great that all sounds.
“Let your inhibitions go, River. It’s just sex. That’s it. Fuck him out of your system, then go home and add the memories of it all to your rub club.”
I think about her words and really let them sink in. “See, that’s why I keep you around. You’re blunt with no filter.”
“I know! What would you do without me?” she asks, reaching for her drink and taking a sip.
“Have a full piece of cake left,” I tease.
“You love me! So you know what you’ve got to do, right?”
I nod with a smile. “I think I do.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ALEX
Dylan
We’re going out to find a bar and go dancing. Wanna join?
I shake my head at his dumb ass.
Alex
Guess that headache went away quickly.
Taking the elevator back down to the lobby, I decide to grab a drink from the cabana until they’re out of the room.
Dylan
Fuck you. Beer will solve that.
Alex
Beer Goggles. Good idea, man.
Dylan
Yeah, whatever. You comin’ or not?
Alex
Nah. Gonna grab a drink by the pool. Go have fun with the future Mrs. Hart.
Dylan
That’s not even funny! Damn, I thought you gettin’ laid would soften you up.
I blow out a breath of frustration.
Alex
Text me if you’re not coming back tonight so I don’t worry she’s kidnapped you.
Dylan
Yeah, I will.
Finding a seat at the bar, I order my usual and watch the people around me. Looking out at the water, I think about all the stuff I still want to do on this trip—jet skiing, snorkeling, parasailing. Lord knows I’m not risking Dylan in the water again. I’d love to do them with River, but now I’m overanalyzing everything I said to her and wondering if I pushed too hard.
I’ve never had to convince a girl to be with me, but maybe that’s why I’m so damn intrigued by her. She’s more than just a chase, and I know it would only be for the week, but fuck if she hasn’t consumed my mind since day one. But why wouldn’t she? Beautiful, intelligent, compassionate about her work. She’s the whole damn package.
And as long as I take my own advice and keep to the rules, what could possibly go wrong?
The sun has long set, but I walk down to the beach anyway. Lights from the hotel illuminate the beach just enough so I can see where I’m going. These views are stunning—something I’ll sure miss. Sitting on the white sand, I find it so peaceful out here. Most of the tourists are barhopping by now, but some of the hotel guests are still partying by the pool.
I stare out at the water for almost an hour before finally getting up to head back to my room. Adjusting my cap, I spin around and gasp when I see River standing there.
