Page 15 of A Mutually Beneficial Proposal

Blake drags Cammie away from us, and I let out a shuddering breath. Owen’s fingers rub over my hipbone, and I try to step away, but his lips are on my ear in the next second.

“He’s still watching,” Owen whispers.

Damn this man for being so observant.

A few more moments pass before Owen loosens his hold. “So, who was that guy?”

“None of your business,” I reply while pretending I don’t find the smattering of hair on his chest sexy as hell that I can see from the undone buttons of his dress shirt.

Owen’s gaze lowers to mine. “On the contrary, Ella. I just saved you. I think I get to know why it was necessary. Answering my question is the least you can do in return.”

He makes a valid point, one I don’t really like, but I’m not a bitch. I can answer the question.

“His name is Blake Parsons. We were engaged for a short time about six years ago,” I say, hoping that’s enough to placate the stranger. I’m trying not to notice that he looks even better when he’s dressed down. On the airplane, he looked too uptight, but this relaxed version of him is…

I give my mind a mental shake. Nope. Not going there.

“Why didn’t you get married?” Owen asks, reaching for a coffee cup while waiting for the response I don’t want to give.

It’s a simple question, but that doesn’t make the answer any easier to share. Plus, I don’t know this guy. I don’t need to explain my past when I didn’t ask for his help. He intervened all on his own.

“It doesn’t matter why. I appreciate your help, but they’re gone now. I’d like to get my coffee and go find a place to lay under the sun where I won’t be interrupted,” I say as nicely as I can while joining him at the counter.

Owen’s light-blue eyes peer into mine. He’s searching for something I hope he doesn’t find. I came here to forget men. Not to find myself a vacation fuck-buddy. My increasing libido gets no say in the matter.

The determination rolling off Owen isn’t boding well for me, but he finally concedes and pulls his now full cup out from under the fancy machine spout. “Okay, Ella Danes. You enjoy the sunshine. Should you need my services again, given we’re now engaged, I’m in Room 2007.”

I smile because it seems like the polite thing to do instead of ogling him or flat out ignoring his words like I probably should do. “Thank you, Owen Porter. I’m sure that won’t be necessary, though.”

He tsks, the sound dripping in disappointment. “We’ll see.”

I watch him walk away, shamelessly checking him out and appreciating the way his charcoal slacks shape his ass. Yeah, I need to stay far away from that man. He’s trouble with a capital T.

Yet, the rising smile on my face is all thanks to him and the fact that he saved me from making an idiot of myself in front of Blake and his new wife.

I don’t know how Owen knew to interfere, or why, but I tell myself that neither of those things matter.

I get myself a Frappuccino from the golden contraption and reach for my phone that I have tucked into the corner of my swimsuit top.

There’s a message from Kenzie asking for an update on the trip, but instead of replying via text, I hit the video chat button and walk out the nearest exit with the needed caffeine in my other hand.

I’m mid-sip when her beautiful face appears on the screen. “That looks yummy,” she says.

“It is. Along with the view.” I reach my thumb over and flip the camera.

Blue skies, the pool, and palm trees grace the screen. “You lucky bitch.”

I click the button again so Kenzie can see me. “Ha! I don’t know about that. You’ll never believe who I just ran into.”

She frowns. “Who?”

I glance around me before answering. “Blake fucking Parsons and his shiny new wife.”

“You’ve got to be shitting me. Please tell me he didn’t have the balls to talk to you.”

I grimace. “He did, and I had no choice but to participate in the conversation.”

“Damn, I’m so sorry, El. I wish we were there with you. I would have punched that fucker in the throat. That had to be the most uncomfortable situation ever.”

Walking in on my boyfriend screwing another woman was worse, but I don’t need to say that out loud.

“It certainly wasn’t enjoyable, but I did have some help,” I say.

Kenzie points at the screen with raised brows and a smirk. “Girl, you’re blushing. You better spill the tea and tell me what happened.”

“Well, there was this guy from the plane that I didn’t tell you guys about in my earlier text.”

Her eyes brighten, and her grin grows. “Go on.”

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