Page 45 of The Tropical Romance Test

“No kids?”

“Nope.”

“Want them?”

“Maybe.” I reply.

Reeve gives me a look. “Nomaybeabout it, as far as my sister is concerned. She and Lottie are a package deal.”

I pause demolishing my waffles. He’s talking kids, while I’m wondering if the woman will even talk to me again. “I think you’ve got the wrong idea,” I say carefully. “Me and Hazel are just… hanging out, getting to know each other.”

“Uh huh.” Reeve reaches over and steals a piece of my bacon. “A casual vacation fling, and then it’sadios, and you’ll never see her again?”

Never see her again…

The idea sticks in my gut, like my body is automatically rejecting it. Still, I take a gulp of juice and shrug. “Maybe.”

Reeve arches an eyebrow. “Well, you’re just full of ‘maybe’s’, aren’t you?”

I don’t say anything to that. I just eat my waffles, while Reeve keeps watching me, doing his ‘protective brother’ routine. “Anything else?” I ask, eventually. “You want my bank statements? Employment history? Character reference from my third-grade homeroom teacher?”

“I’ll take a rain check on that.” Reeve grins. “Since you’re already head-over-heels for her.”

“And how do you figure that?” I ask, amused.

Reeve stands, leaning to grab the last of my bacon. “Because you would never let me steal food from your plate if you weren’t,” he says with a wink.

He’s barely left the table before someone else slides into his seat: one of Avery’s friends, the redhead. “Well, hello stranger,” she coos. “I’ve been looking for you. Since I’m the head bridesmaid, and you’re the best man, we should really get to know each other, don’t you think? Whip up some fun surprises for the happy couple.”

“That sounds great,” I lie, rising to my feet. “But I was just heading out to see what the plan is for the day?—”

“Me too!” DeeDee says immediately, and trails me all the way to the lobby, chatting about movie premieres and parties, and who got fillers especially for this event – whatever the hell that means.

“…And then Lexi saidshewas going to wear the Cavalli…”

Her voice disappears, the minute I see Hazel, over by reception with her friends. I pause. She’s wearing a pair of loose silk pants, and a simple white tank top; smiling in the sun, with her hair pulled up in a sleek-looking bun that’s just begging to be unwound.

By me.

She’s beautiful.

Hazel glances over, locking eyes with me.Fuck. Suddenly I’m right back on that couch, having a damn-near religious experience as this woman rides me, her eyes bright with passion and her moans rising higher with every hot, slippery thrust?—

Down, boy.

I try to corral those dirty memories as I saunter over to join her, crossing my fingers that she’s cooled down after her blow-up last night.

“Good morning.” I flash Hazel a smile. “What’s on the schedule for today?”

She ignores me.

“Everyone’s driving up to a scenic lookout,” her assistant, Anna answers, looking curiously back and forth between us. “Robert and Avery have flown in a shaman for a ritual partnership ceremony.”

“A what now?” I blink.

“A blessing,” she explains.

“Is it?” I mutter, as the happy couple arrives. Avery is dressed in a long, flowy white sundress, with flowers in her hair like some kind of hippie.

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