Chapter 10 #2
“A pillow fort?” His lip twitches. “What is the fort keeping in or out?” He stands up and I watch as he walks over to the large French door and opens it.
He steps out onto the balcony and I follow behind him.
We both stare out at the ocean in the distance and the swaying fronds of the palm trees that run down the side of the property. It’s a beautiful night.
“I don’t know.” I shrug as I lean back against the wall and then my eyes catch the hammock. “Ooh, look.” I head over to it and glance back at him. “Want to give me a push?”
“Right now? He steps toward me and I feel his fingers on the slight of my back. “You want to sleep there tonight?”
“No, of course not.”
“It would protect you from my morning wood.” He winks and all I can do is blush. “Better than even a pillow fort.”
“Really, Luke?”
“Isn’t that what you’re worried about?”
“No.”
“I mean it would be awkward if there was no pillow fort and you work up and I was pressed up against your ass, all hard. Or maybe that’s okay? Makes it all the more real right?”
“Luke, really?” I swallow hard. I know he’s just joking, but I’m starting to feel hot.
I’m about to make a joke to cut through the sexual tension when the phone inside the room rings, and I hurry back inside to answer it.
It rings off before I can answer it, but I decide to call down to order some food instead of going back onto the balcony.
A pleasant-sounding lady answers within seconds.
“Room service. Can I help you?”
“Hi. This is Mia in—”
“You’re in the Lincoln Suite, correct?”
“Yes, yes. I was wondering if I could place an order for room service, please. I’m kinda hungry.” I don’t know why I’m telling her this information, but maybe I’m just trying to stop my mind from thinking about Luke sleeping next to me, naked. He has to be crazy because there is just no way.
“Sure, Mrs. Haverbrook. What would—”
“It’s Bishop.” I interject quickly. “I’m Mia Bishop. My, uh, well, my friend—boyfriend, I mean, is Luke Haverbrook. He is also staying in the suite, but we aren’t married. I mean, not that we won’t ever—”
“Mia.” Luke gives me look.
I let out a low moan. I am blowing it. Thank God it’s only with the room service lady.
“Sorry, I’m sure you don’t care about our relationship status. I’d like to get two cheeseburgers, two fries, a portion of onion rings, a Coke, and a side salad.”
“You never eat the salads, Mia.” Luke gives me a knowing look. “And I know I don’t want it.”
“I will eat it tonight. I actually always eat my salads now,” I lie smoothly. “You don’t know everything about me, Luke. You’ve been gone, and I’ve changed.”
“Haven’t changed your habit of picking the wrong guys though.”
“Anyway, sorry about that, ma’am. I would like two cheeseburgers, two fries, a Coke, and a large salad with ranch dressing, please.”
I give Luke a pointed look, and all he does is laugh as he turns around and heads into the bathroom. I already regret my decision to add the salad, but I’m going to make sure to eat it.
“So, four cheeseburgers, four fries, two Cokes, a side salad, and a large salad with ranch? What dressing would you like with the side salad?”
“Huh? I just want two cheeseburgers, please. With two fries, one Coke, and a salad with ranch.”
“I see. And you’re charging it to the room?”
“Sure, thanks.”
“You’re welcome. That will be up within forty-five minutes. Thank you.”
We hang up, and I once again look around the room. Luke is doing something in the bathroom, and I’m glad to have a moment to myself while I wait for him to come out.
I grab my phone to text Juniper so I don’t think too much about what I’ve gotten myself into.
Mia
I’m thinking I may be crazy. What do you think?
Juniper
What happened?
Mia
Luke and I had to check in to the hotel room tonight, and we have no change of clothes or anything, and I’m just like, can we do this?
Juniper
You two have shared beds for years. It’ll be fun.
Mia
Yeah, true. I just … well …
Juniper
Well, what?
Mia
He has abs now, Juni.
Juniper
Abs? Wow. Who knew he’d start working out? Good for him.
Mia
I guess.
Juniper
Wait … are you admiring his abs?
Mia
NO! Of course not.
Juniper
Okay, so then what’s the problem?
Mia
What are we going to sleep in?
Juniper
Underwear.
Mia
I suppose. :(
Juniper
Do you want me to bring you some PJs?
Mia
Aren’t you in bed though?
Juniper
No, I just got home from Hidden Cove. Rafe and I were talking, and he just dropped me off.
Mia
Rafe, as in my brother?
Juniper
Do you know another?
Mia
Why did you go to Hidden Cove?
Juniper
He offered me a ride home, and then we decided to go up to see the stars. I guess there was some unique constellation that we could see tonight or something.
Mia
Weird. He’s such a nerd.
Juniper
So, you okay? You going to stay the night?
Mia
Yeah, ordered room service, and maybe I’ll watch a movie. I’ll see you at Salty Pages after the breakfast activities tomorrow, okay?
Juniper
Sounds good. Have fun.
I grab the remote control and make myself comfortable on the bed, curling my legs up under me as I turn the TV on.
I settle back against the pillows and flip through the channels, not looking for anything in particular, but hoping for a rom-com.
The bathroom door opens about ten minutes later, and Luke walks out with damp hair, a towel around his shoulders, and only wearing a pair of black briefs.
What on earth? My eyes immediately fly to his crotch, and I feel heat rising in my face. He’s not hard or anything, but the outline of his business is very easy to see.
The bulge sits comfortably in his briefs as he makes his way over to the bed and towels his wet hair.
Stop looking, Mia. Are you out of your mind?
“What are you watching?” he asks innocently.
My eyes fly to his. Did he notice me staring at him in a totally not innocent way?
“Huh? What do you mean?” I frown and grab my phone. “I was just texting Juniper and was thinking about her messages. I wasn’t watching anything.”
“Oh, okay. So, I can grab the remote then and change the channel?”
“Wait, what? No.” I squeeze the remote control close to me. “I want to watch a rom-com.”
“Oh, no,” he groans loudly and drops onto the bed beside me, his eyes beseeching as he gazes up at me. “Not a rom-com, Mia.” He pouts like a cute little puppy dog begging for a treat and love. “Anything but a rom-com.”
“What? We haven’t watched a rom-com together in years. Like, maybe not since we were fifteen.” I continue to flip the channels. “And then I seem to remember you falling asleep after about ten minutes.”
“I mean, I figured a movie called Sleepless in Seattle gave me permission to also get some sleep.” He moves up the bed until he is seated next to me.
“Sleepless, Luke, not sleeping.”
“Aw, yes, well if we’re remembering things, I seem to remember you falling asleep as well.”
“How can you remember me falling asleep when you were asleep, Luke? That doesn’t even make sense.”
“I woke up because I was going to watch the movie, but then I saw you snoring your little ass off, so I figured it was fine for me to go back to sleep.”
“It was a good movie. Maybe I can even find it now, and we can watch it.”
“Oh, no.” He makes a face and then chortles as I hit him in the shoulder. “I mean, oh, yay, I really hope you can find it.”
“Yeah, right.” I try to ignore the way his smile is making me feel. Like I’m in a cozy cabin, in front of a fireplace with a hot chocolate in my hand. “We should talk about our plan before the food comes. I don’t know what you think, but I’m not sure that tonight went amazing.”
“Because my brother is a huge douche?” He shakes his head, and his eyes survey my dress. “You keeping that on all night?”
“I have nothing to change into.”
“You have on underwear, right?”
“Yes, but …”
“And we’re doing a pillow fort, so it’s not like I’ll accidentally wake up in the middle of the night, feel your almost-naked body, and think to myself, Ooh, a warm, sexy piece of meat for me to snuggle up with.”
“Really, Luke? I take offense to that.”
“To which part?”
“Being compared to a piece of meat.” I giggle, though I kinda want to ask him if he finds me sexy. Or if he was just saying that generally. Not that I would ask him that. “Do you think I’m sexy, or was that just a general statement?” I ask seconds after my brain told me not to ask.
Who cares, Mia? He’s your best friend. You can ask him these questions. It doesn’t mean anything.
It doesn’t mean that you care about his answer.
“Do I find you sexy?” He bursts out laughing. “What sort of question is that?”
“You just said—”
“Is this you needing me to validate that you’re beautiful and sexy and that every man on this earth wants you?
” He cocks his head to the side and grins.
“I mean, we both saw that Rex was trying to get his flirt on, though I wouldn’t be shocked to find out that was because we said we’re together and he wants to take what’s mine. ”
“I’m not yours. I’m not a piece of property.” I poke him in the chest. “Even if we were dating. Also, what do you mean, he only found me attractive because—”
“That’s not what I said, Mia.” He sighs. “I’m sure every guy there tonight noticed you, including Rex. But let’s be real; his sudden admiration and crude comments coming now? Sus. He just wants what he can’t have.” He frowns suddenly and looks me up and down. “You don’t still want him, do you?”
“No. Ugh, of course not.” Though I can tell from the look on his face that Luke doesn’t believe me. “Do I want him to want me so that I can make him take back the rude words from the invitation? Why, yes, but not because I actually wish I were his blushing bride.”
“If you say so.” He peers at me. “So, what’s the plan? We just act lovey-dovey and hold hands?”
“Sure.” I nod, thinking hard. “We can hold hands. That’s not going to cross any personal lines.”
“And I guess we can hug as well,” he says. “You’re always hugging me anyway.”
“That’s true.”