Chapter 8
Colin
I barely got any resistance when I called the resort and said I needed cooking services. That’s one thing they offer, and a few minutes later, we have a menu and time for them to deliver the food. I did that after I told Malcolm off for mentioning my toxic ex around Honeybee. Now, he’s sulking in the corner by himself. Even Brody, with his infinite patience, is ignoring him.
By the time I shower, it’s been over an hour since Honeybee went home, and she’s still not back. I stick my head out the patio door, and the only one there is Malcolm.
“She’s not back,” he says. When I offer no response, he says, “You’re still being a bitch about it?”
“Fuck off. If you have a problem—” I stop talking when Ian comes outside. He frowns slightly when he sees Malcolm but doesn’t speak to him.
“When are the girls coming over?” he asks, and Malcolm stands at the question. He turns his head to Ian and narrows his eyes. Then he walks to him. I walk over to intercept if necessary.
“Why the hell do you care?” he asks Ian, who takes a step back at the question. “Does my sister know you’re here checking out women?”
I get between them and shove Malcolm before Ian can get his hands on him.
“Kayla never has to worry about that. I was hoping you’d be at the airport waiting for your flight to go home,” Ian says before he whispers, “No such luck, I guess.”
“What did you say?”
“I said I wish you’d leave because you’re ruining my fucking bachelor party.” Ian speaks loud and slow to make his point. “You’re a miserable fuck,” he adds for good measure.
“Come say that to my face,” Malcolm taunts and Ian goes around me to get to him, but I step between them again.
“I told you not to touch her,” Malcolm says.
“Mal, your sister is a grown woman. Let it go,” I say.
“ She touched me ,” Ian says. “She came on to me, not the other way around. You know this because she told you. I’m through making nice. If you have a problem with me loving your sister and marrying her, too bad. I’m gonna marry her in less than two weeks, and you can’t do shit about it.”
Malcolm won’t take kindly to that, and if they start fighting, I’m going to need Brody to help me pull them apart. The last thing Ian needs is a black eye this close to his wedding day.
“Calm down,” I begin, but the girls walk through the gate at that moment, and all I can see is my Honeybee in a white one-piece bathing suit with a sheer white dress over it.
No longer caring about the feud between Malcolm and Ian, I go to greet the only person I’m happy to see. I lift her off her feet, and she kisses me.
“Have a seat,” I say to her friends. “I’ll mix some drinks, and lunch should be here soon.”
“Are you going to get twisted like a pretzel over her like you did with Esme?” Malcolm asks. “Probably not. She’s not your usual type.”
“What the hell is your problem?” Raven asks.
I’m not the least bit surprised she asked that. Raven, if nothing else, seems like a protector.
“My problem is that my best friend went behind my back and got with my sister.”
“So?” Raven asks. “Did he take advantage of her? If not, your sister made a choice, too, and she chose him. Get the fuck over it.”
“Mind your own damn business,” Malcolm growls.
“I know you didn’t just say that to her,” Ian says. “You’re so damn rude.”
“Is your sister supposed to stay in a gilded cage, only to be looked at and admired but never touched?” Raven asks. “I get it. You’re that sibling who always has to be the center of attention. When the spotlight is not on you, you create some drama.” She tosses her hair and adds, “Boring.”
Malcolm huffs, and I step between him and the girls. He won’t do anything other than talk, but I’m worried they might have enough of him and toss him in the pool.
“That sounds about right,” Ian says.
Malcolm goes toward him, but I snatch his arm and pull him back. He yanks it away from me but makes no more moves toward Ian. From Ian’s stance, I know he’s ready to throw a punch. That would just lead to blood and bruises, which I don’t need right now.
“Should we go?” Honeybee asks as she looks at Ian and Malcolm. “We don’t want to cause any tension.” I want to tell her there was tension long before we met. The tension started when Malcolm caught one of his best friends in bed with his sister.
“Don’t worry. I’m leaving,” Malcolm says as he goes to the sliding glass door.
“Don’t come back,” Ian yells to his retreating back.
Malcolm doesn’t say a word, but he sticks his middle finger on his way inside.
I take Honeybee’s hand and pull her to my side. “So, remember how you wrapped your arms around me while I made coffee this morning? I want some more of that while I mix these drinks.”
She complies, and I sigh in contentment when she starts to kiss my shoulder like she did this morning.
The ladies are still outside with Ian when we return with a tray of drinks. Brody joins us, and no one asks about Malcolm, who I’m sure is staring at his phone or sulking in his room.
After a couple of rounds of drinks, we get in the pool while the resort staff fixes our lunch.
“You feel good,” I say to Honeybee. I push her to the edge of the pool and kiss her. I press into her and her stomach growls. “Let’s go inside and I’ll get you a snack.” I pull myself out of the pool and help her, admiring her backside while she dries off. Once she puts on her sheer dress, I take her hand and lead her inside.
“I’m jealous of that strawberry because it’s so close to your mouth,” I whisper in her ear a few moments later. She puts the fruit to my mouth, and I bite the entire thing, licking her fingers.
“Do you want to go to the beach today after lunch?” I like the idea of swimming in the ocean with her or lounging on a chaise in the shade. Whatever she wants to do.
“That sounds nice.” She tightens her arms around me and presses her face into the middle of my naked back.
I mix a batch of margaritas and pina coladas, and she opens the sliding glass door for me so I can step outside. Everyone is out here talking and laughing. Ian is passing his phone around, and I know he’s showing the girls pictures of Makayla.
“Is Malcolm the only one in her family salty about you guys?” Amira asks.
“Yup,” Ian says. “His parents and extended family love me. He has a younger sister, and she loves me too.”
Malcolm comes out moments later and takes one of the drinks. He then sits away from everyone and opens a book, completely ignoring us.
“He’ll get over it,” Amira whispers.