Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
And despite what he thought, she had no intention of stopping their interactions now. She had faith he’d be waiting for her downstairs to take her jet skiing, if only so she wouldn’t spend the day with Corey.
She could work with that.
Chapter Six
Asher showered and got ready for the day. Before heading downstairs to find Nikki, he called her brother to see the status of things at home. According to him, Nikki’s naked photo story had moved from the tabloids to the main newspapers, the focus less on Nikki the model and more on Nicolette Bettencourt, the potential presidential nominee’s daughter. Their parents were in a state of defensive PR, trying to get control of the narrative and furious at their daughter. In other words, Nikki couldn’t go home any time soon.
Knowing this whole situation wasn’t her fault, Asher’s anger at her parents grew. They’d left her to deal with this mess alone, uncaring that she was scared and hurt. Asher gave her credit for how strong she was, but obviously she’d learned the hard way. She only had herself to rely on. And Derek. But he wasn’t here.
Asher was. So he strode out of his room and waited. He intercepted Nikki as she came down the stairs wearing a bikini with double ties on the sides and a long, unbuttoned, men’s-style shirt that did nothing to hide all the bare skin beneath.
He shook his head and bit back a groan, refusing to latch onto the memories of how silky her skin felt, how wet she’d been for him, or how good she’d tasted.
“Maggie has breakfast in the kitchen,” he said in a gruff voice. “Let’s grab something to eat before we head out.”
“We?” She eyed him with a knowing smile.
When he didn’t take the bait, she shrugged.
“Sounds like a plan.” She swished past him and headed for the kitchen, leaving him to grind his teeth and hope Corey wasn’t in there looking for food.
A little while later, Asher found himself in the familiar shack on the beach where he often came with Zach and his siblings to enjoy a day of watersports. Although he could have his own equipment, there was something about supporting the islanders he enjoyed.
Unfortunately, the sailing company had one Jet Ski available for rental. They had two out already and another in the shop for repair.
Asher turned to Nikki. “Do you want to schedule a rental of two and come back another time?”
She shook her head. “I don’t mind riding behind you. It’s not like I’ve done this often, so it’s safer for me to be the passenger. So to speak.” Nikki vibrated with excitement beside him, so of course, he agreed.
“We’ll take the one,” Asher said to the man in board shorts, waiting for them to decide.
Which was how he found himself on a Jet Ski, Nikki holding on to him like a spider monkey, her arms wrapped tight around him. Though they both wore life vests, the entire ride still felt extremely intimate, and he liked having her close.
Water sprayed him in the face as he hit a wave and brought the machine down with the expected bump before soaring forward. Nikki screamed, then laughed, the sound echoing in his ear. Her enjoyment became his, and as he turned the Jet Ski around to head back to the rental shop, he slowed down and turned to her.
“Having fun?” he yelled over the sound of the motor.
She leaned closer, though the life vests made it difficult, and she put her chin on his shoulder. “This is the best!”
At the sound of her happiness, his heart sped up. “Hold tight!” he said and turned the handle, making the Jet Ski take off again.
He brought them back to shore, and he climbed off, helping Nikki steady herself on the beach.
She grinned. “That was incredible,” she said as she squeezed the water out of her hair.
They unhooked the vests and handed them back to the shop worker.
Nikki looked around, her gaze coming to rest on a dog lying in the sand in a shady spot. “He’s so cute!” She glanced at the rental guy. “Is he yours?”
He shook his head. “A stray. The island is full of them. They’re called potcake dogs.” He set about hanging the vests over a bar to dry.
“How did they get the name?” she asked as she stepped toward the obviously mixed-breed dog with the wagging tail.
“The name comes from a traditional Caribbean dish of seasoned rice and pigeon peas. When cooked, it leaves a cakey substance on the bottom. That’s what people feed the street dogs and that’s how they got their name,” he said.
The golden pup, with white on its ears and nose, had shaggy, cocked ears that stuck up and folded over. He rolled over onto his back on the sand, ready for a belly rub. “Aww. Such a good”—Nikki looked between the dog’s legs and laughed—“boy! Are you thirsty?” she asked.