Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
The hotel is located a few feet from the beach. The resort is a tropical paradise, and the staff makes sure that you feel like a VIP.
Not just me, but all the guests. I watch for a few minutes before checking in, taking mental notes about the procedures.
I’m hiding out in the alcove of the hotel, so Spencer and Derek can’t see me trying to work. I secretly want to know everything there is about how this place operates.
I notice that each person that walks in has on a flower lei. I received one at the airport, but two beautiful island girls are handing more out at the door. The aroma of my lei makes me giddy with excitement.
“Are you enjoying the view?”
I jump. I didn’t know Derek was behind me. Last I talked to him, he was getting a drink from the bar and settling into his room. I hope he doesn’t realize what I’m doing.
Derek puts a fruity island drink in my hand, moving around to stand next to me.
“This is a vacation, Julia. I know that you want to work, but not now. We brought you here to enjoy yourself,” Derek says.
I sigh, knowing they did, but I’m the type of woman who always thinks about how I can make improvements to something or someone.
I can’t stop thinking about moving the plant from the check-in desk to the other side or putting more pens out with the resort name on them. It’s making me uncomfortable seeing the minor things that would take a simple fix to make them optimal.
“I wasn’t thinking about anything other than the how beautiful this place is.” I smile innocently as I say it, but a part of me knows he saw through my lie.
Maybe it’s that he moved closer to me, taking the space away from our bodies, and I can feel his breathing increase on the back of my neck. Every hair on my neck is standing on end.
Derek is a bright man and already knows me well enough know to tell that I’m itching to do something, fix something.
“That lie will get you spanked one day when you least expect it,” Derek whispers over my shoulder.
For a few days after they all fucked me, I questioned everything that happened. I tried to rationalize the entire day and couldn’t. Maybe that’s why I’m here.
They said I would vacation, and look at me now standing in a hotel lobby with a lei on my neck, looking like a tourist with my long hair pulled back, sandals, and Hawaiian flower print sundress.
Fucking sandals. I haven’t even worn sandals since I was a toddler.
Now I’m dressed like I just fell off a bus of Midwestern tourists.
I feel Spencer’s presence as he joins Derek behind me. He’s tall and wears a scent that I could walk into a room and identify. I’m not sure of the brand, but it has a hint of coconut in it.
If I’m ever alone in his bathroom, I’m going to check so I can get some to spray on my pillows.
“Ready for a real tour of the place instead of a virtual one?” Spencer asks.
“I’d love to. I have so many questions about the hotel,” I say, smiling—and then wondering right away if that was something I should’ve kept to myself.
Spencer and Derek look at each other. Both shaking their heads, they let me know that this trip is indeed a vacation.
“No fucking work,” both Derek and Spencer announce.
I almost drop my phone in shock. I knew they caught on what I meant.
Ugh.
Okay, I have bad habits that I’m trying to break, but change doesn’t happen overnight. I’ve lived my entire life this way.
All my life, I’ve been the overachiever, the honor student, the valedictorian—and now the owner of a fairly successful business.
I see in black and white. Trying to toss in color is hard.
I am trying, though. I swear.
“Fuck, this place is gorgeous,” I say the moment we walk between the doors. Fifty feet in front of us is the beach, vibrant blue waves crashing on the shore, the salty ocean spray hitting my face, and the sound of island drums overwhelming all my senses.
This resort is the kind you see in all the best travel magazines. I need to catch my breath for a moment.
“I could live here forever!” I exclaim.
I hear a giggle come from very nearby.
I look around for where that annoying sound came from.
Was that…
No.
I do not giggle.
I have never, ever done something like that. Not even back when it was acceptable did I make those childish noises. Was that…
Me?
Spencer laughs, pointing out the different places for the guest to enjoy within the resort.
“Look at those waves crashing,” Spencer whistles. “And check out that party over there on the beach. We have a daily luau for the guests.” He looks at me to watch my reaction. “There are five bars on the property, a full-service gym, three Olympic-size pools, and a concert venue. Rad, yeah?”