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Duke paid for their meal and she got annoyed. She knew she didn’t have nearly the money he did. “Why won’t you let me pay for anything?”
“Because I’m old fashioned that way,” he said and they walked to his SUV.
Hadley knew she shouldn’t argue over it. There were times in her life when she would have loved someone to do that for her. Those nice things and put her first.
Eddie never did. They split everything while they dated and she was fine with that. Other men she’d dated did the same thing early on and then later they just took turns but never kept score.
If she was keeping score she’d be down big time with Duke.
They arrived at their hotel a few minutes later. “It was nice you could get a place so fast. Though I suppose midweek there are openings.”
“There are,” he said. “But in this case, my father and a cousin own this hotel.”
“What?” she asked. Duke had told her that his father had all sorts of investments on and off the island, but she didn’t ask details and didn’t care that much.
“It’s not as big or as posh as many on the island. But this one my father has owned for about fifteen years with Stephen Bond.”
“Stephen Bond, of The Retreat?”
“Yes,” he said. “Stephen’s grandson, Skyler Stone, bought his grandfather’s share about six years ago. I think. Not sure. I don’t keep track. Skyler owns some B&Bs on the island, some rental homes, et cetera. I think he might have shares in other hotels off the island. Again, that’s his business.”
She could only imagine but didn’t make a comment other than, “I can’t believe he had to buy it off his grandfather. I mean I know that side of the family is one of the wealthiest.”
Duke laughed. “I’m sure it wasn’t for a lot. You know The Retreat could only go to a male Bond member. With that last name. Kind of stupid, but Stephen had two daughters. Melanie Stone, Skyler and Grace’s mother, and Melissa French, who is Roark and Emma’s mother. Their brother is Charlie and he has The Retreat with Hunter now.”
“The sisters didn’t care?” she asked.
“It’s an old family thing, but my guess is Melissa and Melanie got bought out of The Retreat, and there are plenty of other family businesses.”
“Hence Skyler getting this hotel?”
He smirked again. “I don’t know that he got it. And remember it’s only half. My father has the other half.”
Which meant that Duke and Kelsey would probably get this too. Sometimes she forgot the wealth Duke came from.
“Oh,” she said.
“Put it from your mind. I don’t care about anything other than my restaurants. Don’t let it get to you.”
“Some women would be thrilled,” she said.
“But not you. You’re too independent and proud. I get it.”
He was laughing and she smiled back. At least he understood that about her.
They checked into their room. It was nice and modern and clean. The type of hotel she’d book if she was going on a vacation and it didn’t feel as daunting.
But as he said, she wanted to put it from her mind so she went right over to him once he put his bag on the floor with hers.
She reached up on her tiptoes and put her arms around his neck. “Do you know what I want to do?”
“What?” he asked, his mouth lowering to hers.
“Get you naked and have my way with you.”
“That sounds about like what I want to do too,” he said.
She tugged his T-shirt out of his shorts and pulled it over his head, his hair falling back down. He’d left it down today and she’d been surprised, but it didn’t seem to bother him as hers did in the wind. Maybe because his was heavier and didn’t blow around as much.
