Three
HOLLIE
The sun is starting to dip and we’re still lazing by the pool.
We’ve spent the day alternating between taking a dip, eating unhealthy food that tastes amazing, sipping on Bajan Rum Punch cocktails—the islands signature drink—and devouring our blind date books.
It's been the perfect start to our trip.
Unfortunately, I haven’t seen Beau again, but hopefully I get to see him again before we leave. After reading about a vacation fling, my earlier decision to have one has been locked in.
And said fling is going to happen with Beau.
As if fate is on board with my fling plan, Beau and his friend walk back into the pool area.
My eyes follow him and when he passes my lounger, he winks. He doesn’t say anything, but that wink speaks volumes—he’s been thinking about me too.
Picking up my Bajan Rum Punch, I wrap my lips around the straw in a seductive manner and take a sip. Licking my lips, I notice he stumbles and I can’t help but grin.
“What’s got you grinning?” Lace asks, placing another cocktail for me before sitting down next to me.
“Nothing in particular,” I reply with a shrug, hoping she doesn’t pick up on what, well, who, I’m smiling over. “I’m just super chillaxed, a lil tipsy, and happy to be here with my sister from another mister.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
We each raise our cocktails in a salute and drink. I moan as the icy cold concoction dances across my taste buds. “These are the best cocktails I’ve ever had.”
“Amen to that,” Lacie salutes me with her glass, then picks up her device to continue reading about cowboys and the shenanigans they get up to on the ranch.
Placing my drink down, I lie back and close my eyes. I’m just about to drift off to sleep when a splash from the pool drenches me.
A squeal breaks free and I sit bolt upright. Looking to the pool, I see a grinning Beau staring at me. He shrugs his shoulders in a sorry-not-sorry way. Without uttering a word, he turns and swims away.
Pulling off my hat and sunglasses, I stand up, walk to the pool’s edge, and dive in, aiming for him. From below the surface, I wrap my arms around his legs and pull, dunking him under the water.
Surfacing first, I wait for him to come up when someone taps me on the shoulder. Turning my head, I see Beau behind me, smiling brightly.
My eyes widen when I realize, I just dunked some random person. Beau begins to laugh when a voice behind me hisses, “What the hell?”
Turning toward the voice, I sigh in relief when I see it’s Beau’s friend. “Soooorry,” I reply, drawing out the word.
He just stands there and I start to feel like I’m in trouble when, in the blink of an eye, he lunges for me and sings out, “Ohh, it’s on.”
A water fight erupts between the three of us. It’s two against one. I’m losing, but I refuse to concede defeat. Finally, the water fight winds down and I turn to his friend. “I’m really sorry about that…”
“Matt.” He offers me his hand and we shake.
“Pleasure to dunk you, Matt. I’m Hollie.”
“I know,” he nonchalantly says. His words cause my heart to stutter because that means Beau has been chatting to his friend about me.
“And, on that note, I think we need drinks.”
“I knew I liked you,” Matt singsongs before he swims to the edge and climbs out and heads to the bar, leaving me alone with Beau.
He wades over to me and I stare at the Adonis before me. “Sooo, what exactly have you told Matt about me?”
He steps closer and I can see the thrum of his heartbeat in his neck. He’s so close, yet so far. He’s not touching me and I want nothing more than for him to pull me into his arms and ravish me.
“Hollie,” he growls my name and it’s the hottest thing I’ve ever heard. “If I tell you, then I’ll have to kill you, and I need you alive for what I have planned.”
Without another word, or even touching me, he steps around me and makes his way out of the pool. Leaving me staring after him with my mouth open, both in shock at his words and upset he didn’t kiss me.
He climbs out and like earlier, my eyes rake over his body. Swallowing deeply, I continue to stare after him, watching as water droplets trickle down his toned and tanned skin.
Taking a deep breath, I slip below the water and let out the air in my lungs. The bubbles release all the tension—hormones—building within because I’m totally screwed when it comes to this man. After only a few interactions, I’m hooked.
When I break the surface, I grin because he’s still staring at me.
Standing here, I watch him, not knowing what to do. I’m not the girl who goes after the guy. I’m the shy wallflower who hides in the background, guess all I can do is make good use of the next week and see what happens. As Mom always says, “If it’s meant to be, it will be.”