Page 31 of Royal Pain

“Oh, yes. Perfection,” Ashley told him and she wasn’t talking about the fruit.

I rolled my eyes, returning my glasses. The day was bright and beautiful, the light breeze an added benefit. While I settled in, all I could think about was Gage. The intimate moments had been so unexpected, which had made them seem forbidden and that much more delicious.

When the bartender had left, Heidi was still leaning in my direction. “Tell us everything about him. If you won’t divulge his name, you must tell us what happened.”

“I’m not the kind of girl to kiss and tell.”

All four of them exhaled. “How about a hint of how hot he was?”

I glanced at Rachel. Her luck with men over the past few years had been as shitty as mine, although her ex hadn’t been abusive, just a man with no sense of fidelity. However, I’d seen her parents in action, the young man being groomed to take over another company. It was just a matter of time before another bachelorette party was here, this time in her honor.

Now I leaned toward them, doing my best to keep my voice down. “I will tell you this. He is the hottest man I’ve ever laid eyes on, so tall with the broadest shoulders and my God, the man’s muscular legs are utter perfection. I could easily spend hours running my fingers through his thick hair and down his sinewy body. He is an incredible kisser, the kind who makes you forget everything else around you exists. And he makes a woman feel as if she’s the most special creature in the world.”

They all sighed, fanning their faces again. Only Ashley had to keep pushing. “What about the good stuff, his cock?”

I knew I wasn’t getting away from this without confessing. “Long, thick, hard, and delicious.”

They were basically screaming by now, nearly knocking the drinks from their hands. When Heidi suddenly lifted her head, looking behind me, lifting her sunglasses as her eyes opened wide, my entire body nearly exploded from electricity.

And embarrassment.

As I slowly turned my head, catching the sight of Gage standing in light linen trousers and an emerald green polo, I was forced to swallow. Hard.

“Oh, God,” Kristen breathed.

He crouched down next to my chair, doing his best not to concentrate on me alone. Fortunately, he was also wearing dark shades. “Good morning, ladies. I assume everything went well with the festivities last night?” While he glanced at each one, he still concentrated on me. Shit.

“Fabulous,” Heidi cooed, flirting again. “I hope we didn’t cause too much trouble.”

He laughed that deep, throaty, way too husky sounding laugh, and the girls were about ready to have orgasms. “Not at all. I do appreciate you attempting to help keep the noise down. How is your stay?”

“Fantastic. We love it here.” Rachel was gleeful, her voice unrecognizable.

“Thank you for allowing us to crash your private island.” Heidi was trying to be a little more formal.

“No problem. Let me know if you need anything else to make your stay more comfortable.” He finally gave me another look and I shivered to my core, doing everything I could to keep my cool.

Ashley sighed. “We will. Trust me. We will.”

He nodded and stood, taking another few seconds before walking away. When he did, I was certain the girls would start drooling or worse, chase after him. Dear God, the man was hotter than I even remembered. Or maybe the sunlight was providing the best highlight of his incredible physique.

“That man is so damn hot.”

“Not bad,” I told Kristen.

“You obviously need glasses. Plus, I think he likes you.” Heidi was fishing. I knew her style.

“Of course he wasn’t. He’s the owner. Remember?” I did risk lifting my sunglasses as he walked toward the bar to talk with the bartender. When my phone rang, the heat scorching my body quickly turned into frigid ice. I grabbed it from my little bag, unsure if I wanted to bother but I knew my ex too well. If I didn’t talk to him, he’d keep hounding me. “I better take this.”

There was no sense in waiting for anyone to acknowledge me. I headed away from the girls, trying to find a good spot so if an argument ensued, I wouldn’t bother any of the guests. “What do you want, Joseph?”

“You bitch. Do you really think a restraining order is going to keep me from my son?”

“Not only did you threaten me with another lengthy court battle, but you insinuated bodily harm, including on my mother. What kind of horrible freak does that?”

“What kind of mother leaves her own son alone while being a slut in the tropics?”

“He’s with his grandparents. That’s hardly alone.” It was getting tough not to lose my cool but I had to remember this was just another one of his tactics. He loved making threats he never followed through with.

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