Page 77 of On The Beach

Mia? The ex?

"Come on, after that project of yours failed big time, I know what happened to your career. You had to leave your own company, or you'd lose funding."

My heart beat faster. Did that happen? I'd have heard about it if it had. And in any case, who gave a shit if that happened, how dare she bring it up?

"I did leave and ended up on the sexiest beach in the world. Is there a point, babe, for you to seek me out?" Mick sounded nonchalant, disinterested.

"Did you ever find any other woman to put up with you?" she continued. Mia had a lot of pent-up bitterness, I deduced. "You worked all the time. You had time for no one."

"True that."

"You know I never loved you. I felt sorry for you."

"Why?" he sounded befuddled.

"Because you were lonely, sad, and pathetic. You'd tell me how scared you were all the time about losing, failing." Mia's tone dropped with anger. "You had the best thing in your life and bed, but you didn't have time for me. You were just a lab rat."

He didn't seem at all angry that his ex was shitting all over him. But I was plenty annoyed on his behalf.

The bitch! He had opened up to her during their relationship, and this was how she talked to him about his vulnerabilities? He was trying to save lives by innovating and she called him a rat? Well, fuck this.

Before I could think it through, my feet carried me toward them.

"Oh, there you are, darling." I slipped my hand around Mick's arm, giving him an affectionate squeeze. Hiseyes widened, surprise flashing across his face before he quickly masked it.

Mia raised an eyebrow, giving me a once-over. "And you are?"

"Belle Volnay," I said smoothly, giving her a warm, overly sweet smile. "I'm his girlfriend…well…almost fiancée."

A slow grin crept onto Mick's face, but he stayed quiet, letting me take the lead. I cuddled into him, and he held me. "You're the ex, aren't you?" I faked sympathy. "I'm so sorry it didn't work out between you and my Snuggle Bug."

Mia looked taken aback. "Excuse me?"

"My Sweetie Pie told me everything about you." I went on tiptoe and brushed my lips against Mick's very amused ones. I turned big, round, innocent eyes at Mia. "He understands why you cheated on him. I mean, he gets it. You were lonely because he was always working. He thought about forgiving you and not leaving you, but then he felt it would be wrong to tie you down to him. I'm so proud of Mick to set you free to live your dreams."

"Shh," I heard someone say and saw my sister and friends were eavesdropping. What a shitshow!

"Ilefthimand…who's Mick?" Mia wasn't expecting me, obviously, and looked annoyed at my intrusion. The evil witch inside me cackled at her discomfort.

"My Snooky Bear now goes by Captain Mick Bottom." I could feel Mick's body shake with repressed laughter.

"Captain?"

"He sails." I leaned into Mick, my tits rubbing against his chest. "He's such a good sailor and so sexy when he commands his ship." I stroked my hand up and down Mick's shoulders to prove my point that he was sexy—and he was theson of a bitch.

"Sails?" Mia was having trouble formulating words.

"But he's taking a break." I leaned toward her like I wasgoing to drop a secret. "He's working withme…I'm a scientist." I straightened and held out my hand. "Dr. Isabelle Volnay."

Mia didn't shake it and looked at it like it was diseased.

"Oh." I pulled my hand away and set it on Mick. "You're still upset about the breakup? I mean, we met years after you two were done. He'dnevercheat on you."

"I'mnotupset about the breakup," Mia retorted.

"Then why are you throwing shade at myCaptain Cuddlepants?"

Even I had to suppress laughter at the Cuddlepants. Mick was shaking with mirth.

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