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JAMIE
Shoot me, mount me, stuff me, and toss me into the most fiery part of hell. I deserved that for drooling over Lincoln’s ex-girlfriend who he was here to win back. In my defense, I had no idea that the delectable woman I’d spotted across the room was Lincoln’s Charlotte.
When he approached her and wrapped her in his arms, my jaw nearly hit the white tiles in the lobby. That was Charlotte? Holy fuck. His descriptions didn’t do her justice. The moment I stepped inside, she’d had my attention.
My gaze had landed on a goddess with sun-kissed skin, flowing hair that looked like golden sunshine, and the longest, leanest legs I’d ever seen. The way her white floral print dress hugged her curves made my mouth water… Then my lascivious thoughts came to an abrupt halt when I realized that she was the Charlotte whom my friend spoke so fondly of.
Fuck me. The one time a woman commanded my attention, had me completely intrigued, and made me feel a spark of… something, she turned out to be a woman I couldn’t have. I’d gone through a series of emotions watching Charlotte and Lincoln’s warm embrace—shock, dismay, jealousy, and guilt.
And how did I handle the rapid fire of emotions that assaulted me? I was a jerk to Charlotte, that’s how. Lincoln now stared at me as if he planned to murder me later for being a prick to his lady. I didn’t blame him. I wanted to kick myself in the ass for my behavior. I mean, I was hesitant to shake Charlotte’s hand as if I was a toddler afraid of touching a girl with cooties. It was the guilt after practically undressing her in my head… I was afraid to touch her, fearing that Lincoln would somehow see that I was into her.
Now, as Charlotte wrinkled her cute little nose at me and my friends watched me with disbelief, I was embarrassed. Clearing my throat, I grumbled, “So are we going to check in or what?”
Since my friends still stared at me as if I’d sprouted another head, things got awkward. Charlotte jumped in to quell it. “Welcome to Pacific Paradise, guys. You’re going to enjoy your time here, I promise.”
God… her voice. It had a velvety cadence, smooth and cool, each word dripping with contagious enthusiasm. The sound danced in the air, and it was utterly captivating. And that smile… it was carefree, stretching her full lips and lighting up her entire face. Even Michael, the professional scowler, smiled back at her. It was as I’d thought. She really was a fairy sprinkling love and happy dust.
“I’m holding you to that, Char,” Lincoln said. “You’ll be a major player in ensuring that we do, right?”
She laughed. “Definitely. If you want fun and adventure, I’ve got you covered.”
“Great.” Lincoln rubbed his nape. “So, can I see you later or will you be busy?”
She beckoned us with a wave and moved toward the receptionist counter as she replied, “I’m free for the rest of the evening.”
“What do you say about dinner to catch up?” Lincoln gave her a hopeful glance.
“I’d like that.” Her response was easy with no hesitation. She must have entertained thoughts about rekindling their romance too.
Bile rose in my throat and my jaw tightened at hearing how familiar Lincoln was with her. I shook my head to get my shit together and to stop gawking at Charlotte. I didn’t want to be attracted to my friend’s ex-girlfriend. As Charlotte chatted with the receptionist and told her to take care of her friends, I kept sneaking peeks at her.
She was so exuberant and sweet. She turned to Lincoln with her incredible smile. “While you guys settle in, I’ll head back to my room and prepare for our dinner, okay? Give me a buzz when you’re ready.”
My gaze followed the hand she placed affectionately on Lincoln’s arm. That feeling of longing for an intimate connection with someone that hit me earlier reappeared. No, no, no. Not with her. Never with her. What the hell was wrong with me? I never desired… romance before. All of this had to stem from all the emotional unrest caused by my upcoming birthday. Yeah, that had to be it. I wasn’t really attracted to Charlotte… right?
“Of course,” Lincoln said. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
Charlotte walked away, her very gait radiating energy. When she was out of sight, Lincoln turned to us with a boyish grin. “What did I tell you? She’s great, right?”
“That she is, mate,” Spencer said.
“I like her,” Michael said.
That said a lot. He didn’t take to many so easily.
“Dude, your ex is hot,” Alex remarked, still staring at where Charlotte had disappeared to.
Lincoln’s eyes narrowed to slits in warning.
“Jeez-us, Alex,” I growled. “Keep it in your pants.” My words were a tad too vehement because I didn’t want him to have the same thoughts I’d had of the intriguing Charlotte.
“You’re one to talk,” Lincoln hissed when the others stepped up to the counter and were paying us no mind. “What the hell was that back there?”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
“You were so rude to Charlotte.”
“Was I?”
