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I tilted my head back to peer at the ceiling. My reflection stared at me along with a whole lot of cleavage. That probably did the trick for Andres. He was a boob guy. I knew by how he salivated over my chest whenever I wore a top that revealed even the slightest cleavage.
My heart sank when I raised my glass and noticed my ring finger was empty. Right, how were fake engagements good enough without a decent ring? Andres had told me to pick one ages ago, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. And then after his mother gave me such a sweet gift, I didn’t feel right trying to figure out the ring situation.
An empty finger didn’t feel right either. But the guilt was hard to wash away. Maybe I should have stuck with the champagne.
Andres returned wearing swim trunks with bananas on them. I covered my mouth to contain my laugh—and totally failed.
He sighed while planting his hands on his lips. “Sue me. I like bananas.”
“That explains your smoothie preference.”
“Fresh fruit is the key to a good smoothie.”
I rolled my eyes and pointed to the tub. “You ready to get in?”
“After you, my lady.”
“Don’t call me that. It makes you sound like a bro.”
He cackled his way to the dresser that held our gifts baskets, drinks, and snacks. I headed for the tub, crouching next to it to turn on the bubbles. Heat sprang along the surface and made it look like a pot of boiling water.
I couldn’twaitto get inside.
After testing it with my toe, I eased my way in, hissing as I got used to the hot water licking my skin. Peace flooded my system. This was really the life, right? I could get used to this. Maybe being in a mutually beneficial arrangement like this was something we could keep going.
“You sure you don’t want more champagne?”
I waved. “No, thanks.”
Bubbles tickled my sides and cradled my arms, making me feel like I was floating on air. Champagne was a nice idea, but I preferred the sparkling grape juice the staff had left for us. It was nice being here, even nicer to see Andres walking toward me in his swim trunks.
Crystalline spotlights hovered over me. That was what his eyes looked like right now, glowing against the backdrop of purple light edging his form. Above his head was my reflection staring back at me in evenly cut squares. If I had truly been his bride, this would have been romantic.
I nipped my lower lip.Why can’t I find a guy like this?
Andres stepped into the tub next to me and settled into the water. “Penny for your thoughts?”
I huffed and let my head loll to the right. I didn’t lose sight of him exactly, but at least I wasn’t looking at him anymore. His eyes made me feel exposed in ways I didn’t want to think about.
“It’d be too expensive,” I joked. “Besides, we’re basically on vacation. Why would you want my thoughts?”
“Because you’re supposed to be my wife, remember?”
Water sloshed around me as I sat up. “But it’s fake.”
Those words seemed to cut a cord between us, snapping it so hard that I felt the backlash of it whipping me right in the mouth. Sheesh, how could I be any more irritating? The guy was giving me a whole honeymoon without the contract of marriage to give me some peace of mind away from my mother and I was reminding him how it wasfake.
I leaned toward him. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
“You’re right.”
Solemn silence hit me, causing me to drift under the water a bit. Andres turned and changed his expression so startling quick that I almost thought it was a mere dream for me to remind him of how we were playing pretend.
He stroked my cheek. “It doesn’t have to be fake tonight, sweet Sadie.”
Shivers ran along my spine in both directions. “I…I don’t…”
“It’s on your mind.”
