Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
We’ve spoken about her strained relationship with her dad, but she hasn’t said anything about how she feels with him being married. I know she was close with her mom, so I imagine it’s hard to see him with someone else. And because Selene is literally the nicest person, it’s impossible to hate her.
We have a seat across from her dad and Selene, and I drape my arm across Ana’s shoulders. I’m not sure how she’ll react since we’re no longer in the heat of passion, so I’m shocked when she snuggles against me and rests her head on my chest, letting me hold her.
The music dies down, and the DJ announces that the show is about to begin, so we turn our attention to the stage. It’s dark outside, but the lights around the area and on the stage create a glow to showcase the dancers. The music kicks on, and they start dancing.
The performance is entertaining, and at one point, they convince Ana to go onstage and join them. She shakes her hips like a pro, and I can’t take my eyes off of her.
When the show ends and everyone claps, they encourage us all to get up and dance.
“Dance with me,” Ana asks, tugging on my hand.
“I’m nowhere near drunk enough to embarrass myself like that,” I say with a laugh.
“Please.” She pouts, showing me a new side of her—the cute, playful side.
“Not happening. I’d rather watch you.”
Her pout deepens, and then she leans in and whispers, “I wonder how my lipstick will look on your cock,” knowing damn well she’s got me.
“You play hardball, Red,” I groan, standing and taking her hand in mine.
A beautiful smile spreads across her face, and I can’t help staring at her.
“What?” she asks. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You look different,” I tell her, pulling her into my arms and swaying to the music.
“Different how?” she questions, her brows furrowing in confusion.
“You look happy. Watching you genuinely laugh and smile all day has made me realize how much you tamp down your emotions on a regular basis. Or maybe you haven’t had a reason since you arrived in Rosemary to laugh and smile like you do here.”
I cup the side of her face, and she sighs into my hand.
“Regardless,” I tell her, dipping my head so our mouths are only centimeters apart, “I’ve decided that my new goal in life is to make you laugh and smile like that every day.”
Without waiting for her to respond, I kiss her softly, making no move to deepen it. With her in my arms, I’m perfectly content with our bodies and mouths simply being connected.
When they announce dinner will be served soon, we have a seat. Ana stays cuddled into my side, and when Samuel notices, he smiles at me and then at his daughter.
“Selene is right. Hawaii looks good on you both,” he says with a grin. “Did you have a good day?”
“We did,” Ana says. “I love it here. We spent the day going back and forth between the pool and the beach. I’m not sure which one is more beautiful, but I’m just glad I don’t have to choose. We had lunch at Ocean 101, and it was so delicious,” she gushes, making her dad and Selene both smile. “You guys should try it.” She glances up at me. “I don’t know what we’re doing tomorrow, but maybe we can meet for lunch there.”
“We have plans in the morning, but we can do lunch.” I kiss the crown of her head, and she sighs back into me.
“You guys look relaxed as well,” I say to Samuel and Selene. “Did you enjoy your spa day?”
Ana doesn’t know it, but I have a couples massage scheduled for us tomorrow. She mentioned wanting to get one earlier, so I booked it from my phone.
“We did,” Selene answers. “Tomorrow, we might brave the pool for a little bit. Right, Samuel?”
“Maybe,” he says, smiling at her. “But I much prefer the time we spend indoors.”
He shoots her a wink, and Ana glances at me, her eyes going wide.
“They’re like that all the time,” I whisper so they can’t hear. “Like a couple of horny teenagers. You’ll get used to it.”
She snorts out a laugh and shakes her head. “I’d rather not.”
“I think they’re closing down.”
Ana glances around for the first time in hours, as if just realizing we’re one of the few couples left. Since dinner ended and everyone was encouraged to join the dancers, we’ve been dancing and drinking. Her dad and Selene took off a while ago with the promise of meeting us tomorrow for lunch.
“They are,” I agree, making no move to leave. Leaving means letting go of Ana, and I’m perfectly content, having her in my arms. “We should probably let them clean up.”