Page 16 of Tropical Inferno

“I wanted to make sure you were okay, get the scoop on the hotel change and say hi.”

“Well, hi. I’m better than okay, the hotel is fantastic and I appreciate you checking on me.”

“Do you need money?”

“I…” She paused. Jamie was her older brother, practically her twin, and her very best friend in the world. Why was she being stubborn?

“What is it, honey? Did you run out of money? You can tell me.”

“No. I…” She took a deep breath. “I’m training for a triathlon next year and I need a bike. I realized since I’ve been here that I’m never going to be able to afford it on my own and that my big brother probably wouldn’t mind lending me the money to get what I need to keep training.”

“Lending you the money?” He laughed. “We’ll talk about it when you get home, but I’m not lending you shit—you can have anything you need. Pick out the one you want and I’ll have it delivered. Maddie, why didn’t you tell me you were training for a triathlon? That’s amazing.”

“I wasn’t sure I could do it, you know, without a bike and all the stuff I need…but I really, really want to try.”

“Whatever you need, just ask. Don’t ever be afraid to ask me for something, Mad. What good is all this money I make if I can’t use it to make the people I love happy?”

“You have a mortgage, a family… It’s not your job to support me.”

“I’m not supporting you—I’m helping you achieve a goal. It’s not like you sit on the couch all day and ask for beer money or something.”

She smiled, remembering what Garrett had said. “Someone else actually said that same thing.”

“Sounds like your vacation hook-up is a smart guy.”

“He’s a great guy.”

“Have fun, kiddo. Just promise me you’ll be safe.”

“Always.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too.” She hung up and turned to see Garrett standing in the doorway.

“Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I was checking to see how much longer you need to get ready.”

“I was talking to my brother.”

“I know.”

Their eyes met for a moment before she headed towards the bathroom. “Fifteen minutes. I need to dry my hair and put on a little makeup.”

“Wear the black dress,” he said softly.

She hesitated. “Where are we going?”

“Little gastropub I know.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “Fifteen minutes.

* * *

When she came out of her room wearing the black dress and high, strappy heels, Hawk wasn’t sure they would get out of the house. He’d had a lot of women in his day, but not a single one had ever affected him the way Madison Teller did. He wanted to be a gentleman and focus on something other than how beautiful she was, how much he wanted to be with her, inside her, all over her…but they only had two more days and he didn’t think that would be even close to enough of her.

“You look beautiful,” he said, reaching out to bring her hand to his lips.

A faint flush covered her cheeks as she smiled up at him. “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”

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