Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Rhett holds his hand out for it. “Roll over.”
For some weird reason, my mouth goes dry. I roll over and hear the cap snap open. A second later, the cold lotion and the warmth of Rhett’s hands are on me. He rubs the cream into my back in slow hypnotic circles. Then his fingers dip along my sides and I moan quietly as his touch reignites last night’s fire within me.
“Stop that or I will take you right here, right now,” Rhett says in a low voice that makes my sex wet. God he’s hot when he’s commanding.
He carries on rubbing my back, even though we both know the sunscreen has been absorbed a long time ago, but I let him.
Finally, he slaps my ass gently with one hand. “All done,” he says thickly.
I roll back onto my back, and Rhett lies down beside me again. His eyes are closed and his expression is bland so I do not know what he is thinking. I close my eyes and enjoy the warmth of the sun on my face, and the light breeze like a lover’s caress across my body.
I’m just starting to relax completely when I hear footsteps crunching over the sand close to us. I glance up, and my heart sinks when I see Vanessa standing over us wearing a white bikini with a Chanel logo between her breasts and a pair of dangerously high wedges. Her posture is disdainful, and her expression is that perfected blend of superiority and disdain.
“Fancy seeing the two of you here,” she says.
“Vanessa,” Rhett says, sitting up, his tone polite and measured.
Vanessa glances between us, her lips curling up in a tiny, imperious smile.
“Pippa,” she says, as if acknowledging me is a favor.
Then her gaze slides back to Rhett, lingering in that calculated way she always manages, and I can feel my pulse speed up just slightly. Not that I’m jealous or anything. No, that would be … not allowed. I force myself to sit up, keeping my tone light, breezy, and entirely unflappable.
“Hi, Vanessa,” I say smoothly, deliberately giving her a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes, because honestly, I’m braced for whatever storm she’s about to bring.
Rhett stands up smoothly and nods his head towards a small shack that is selling cans of soda and bottles of water amongst other things.
“I’m going to grab a drink,” he says, his voice calm. “Do you want one, Pippa?”
“No, thanks,” I say, shaking my head.
Vanessa’s gaze slides to me, sharp and appraising, then back to Rhett.
“I’ll have one,” she says.
That means he’s going to have to come back before she leaves. Great.
Rhett nods, the briefest flash of irritation crossing his face, and he’s off, leaving me alone with her. Immediately, the air between us changes. The sun feels a little hotter, the breeze a little colder, and Vanessa’s gaze is sharp like a scalpel.
“Don’t get too comfortable, sweetheart,” she says, her voice low, clipped, and laced with that venomous charm she always manages to wear like perfume. “He’s just using you. He always comes back to me. You think you’re special, but you’re not. He’ll be back, just like he always is.”
I bite my tongue, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. I want to snap, to tell her that she’s delusional, that I’m only out here because Rhett wants nothing to do with her, but I force myself to stay calm. Calm, measured, and untouchable.
“You really think so?” I ask evenly, tilting my head, meeting her gaze without flinching. “What more does he have to do to tell you to fuck off?”
Her eyes narrow with fury. “Rhett is mine. He’s always going to be mine. You’re just a temporary distraction. You think he’s serious about you? Please. Don’t fool yourself.”
Something in me snaps. It’s not anger, not fear, but a sharp, bright need to assert myself. I lean forward slightly, my hands on the towel beside me, and I fix her with a gaze that’s steady and unflinching.
“He’s not yours,” I say firmly. “He’s mine now.”
She raises an eyebrow, clearly amused, as though this is some sort of charming little show. “Oh really?”
“Yes, really,” I continue, letting my voice rise slightly with conviction. “You think he’s coming back to you? He’s not. He won’t. Because we just got engaged.”
The words hang in the air like a sudden storm. Vanessa’s eyes flick around like she doesn’t know where to look, and then she gives me a split-second glance and inhales sharply. She goes pale, her composure faltering for the briefest instant. I watch her, feeling a surge of vindication, as her mouth opens then closes, and she says nothing.
I lean back slightly, letting the silence stretch out between us, letting the tide of triumph wash over me. Vanessa is caught out, for the first time unsure, unprepared, and I savor the mean feeling. The sun beats down on my shoulders, hot and accusing, but I tell myself I feel stronger for standing my ground, for not letting her intimidate me. Rhett won’t mind that I lied. Main thing is, I got her off his back. If anything, he should be grateful.