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She closed her eyes and let the stress of the conversation leave her body as Colton held her in the darkness. She could imagine the two of them, alone in the universe, the sound of the waves quietly lulling them to sleep. But all too soon Colton pulled back. “We should probably go in. It’s late, and I need to get up early for breakfast.”
“All right.”
He stood, then held out his hand to her. “I think your laptop is still in my room.”
“Yep.” They walked across the beach, the sand no longer warm from the sun. Remi stepped on a sharp rock and almost lost her balance.
Colton reached out and grabbed her hand. “You okay?”
The spark of pain from stepping on the rock was worth it. His hand was warm and strong, and her breaths became shallow as she tried not to swallow her tongue. “Yes.”
He didn’t let go of her hand as they walked up the deck stairs. Remi gaped at all the sand he had stuck to his back. “Geesh, Colton, you look like a corn dog.”
He snorted, and then they both dissolved into a fit of giggles as Remi tried to wipe the sand off his shirt. “A corn dog?” he said as he opened the sliding glass door to his room. They both fell into hysterics again.
“Colton.”
The stern voice made Remi jump and she turned around to see Colton’s father standing there, his arms folded, a death glare piercing through her.
CHAPTER14
Colton jerked around, his throat tight. Why did he feel like he’d been caught red-handed? He wasn’t doing anything wrong, but still, his stomach churned. “Father? What are you doing here?”
His father’s gaze bounced between him and Remi, his eyes accusing. “What’s going on?”
Colton tensed, heat creeping up his neck. “Why are you in my room? Myprivateroom? Who let you in here?” Was the staff at this resort so easily manipulated?
“I have a key.”
What? Why? So he could barge in and check up on him whenever he wanted? That was unacceptable. He held out his hand, anger burning through him. “Give me the key.”
“Why is she here?” His father pointed to Remi, completely ignoring him. When he didn’t answer right away, his father blurted out, “Are you insane?”
Remi looked to the floor, her cheeks turning pink. Colton stepped between them. He could take what his father dished out—he was used to him—but he wasn’t about to let him bulldoze over Remi. “Leave her out of this.”
“How can I? You’re ruining everything. What are you going to do if someone catches you on camera fooling around with another woman?”
A wave of embarrassment washed over him. “Dad! It’s not like that. Don’t you remember?” He pulled her to his side, his arm protectively around her. “We’re friends from high school. That’s all.”
His father frowned and scrutinized them. “Remi?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, nodding her head in a greeting.
His father frowned. “Well, if someone had caught you on camera, they wouldn’t think you’re just friends. You’re not here on vacation, Colton. You can’t be with another woman like this.”
Humiliation burned in him. Who was his father to say who he could and couldn’t spend his free time with? There was nothing in the contract his father had made him sign about not spending time with a friend. He turned to Remi, the instinct to protect her swelling. She needed to leave before his father embarrassed her even further.
“I’m sorry about this,” he said, his voice low. “I need to speak with my father. Do you mind excusing us? I’ll call you later, okay?”
Remi forced a smile. “Sure. See ya.” She bolted to the door, probably all too happy to leave.
Once she was gone, he turned to his father. “How dare you treat Remi like that? I haven’t seen her in years. You completely embarrassed me, and you made her uncomfortable.”
His father scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m sorry. I was just startled. You can’t be seen with her. It would ruin everything we’re trying to do here.”
“Who are you to tell me who I can and can’t spend time with?”
“I’m your manager. And I think I know a thing or two. I’ve been able to get you all kinds of publicity these last few days. You and Liz are all over the media. You can’t ruin that with another girl.”
