Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
He curls his lips into a dazzling smile. “My pleasure.”
I walk along the edge of the courtyard, watching a movie that I’m not a part of. I was…until Brett ditched me to dance with Heather.
That’s me. The woman who gets ditched.
I’m a wallflower again. The wallflower who was dumped by her hottie ex-football player fiancé for a stripper he met one time.
I take a sip of the bourbon, let its caramel smokiness warm my throat.
My heart rate increases, and my neck feels tight, like my muscles are knotting up. The dance music becomes increasingly louder, and my palms sweat, nearly causing me to drop my glass of bourbon. I hold it tight and take another sip.
But still, I’m back there…
Back at that horrid balloon-filled gymnasium where I’m plastered to the wall in my light-pink number with braces on my teeth and no tits to hold up the front of my dress.
I’m an observer—an observer whose anxiety is triggered by feeling out of place.
I take another sip of bourbon and then down it all. I only had two sips of champagne plus the Pappy Van Winkle’s Alex got me earlier. With all the food I’ve consumed, I’m not even close to buzzed.
Get a grip, Sienna.
I’m not the wallflower of years ago, and I’m sure as hell more than Leroy Robinson’s ex.
I’m Sienna Costello, damn it. I’m a bitch who can dance.
I place the empty glass on the table and march toward the dancefloor. I’m tempted to cut in on Heather and Brett, but Brett didn’t like it when Misty did it to us.
Who cares? I bust a move better than any of these people. Thank goodness Evangeline didn’t bring a professional dancer to the island, or I’d be sunk.
Emboldened, I grab Alex when he strays across my path. “Let’s dance.”
“Sure thing.” He smiles.
The music is hopping now, and I execute my best moves while Alex watches me with his wide hazel eyes. In a more subtle way, he’s better-looking than Brett. Brett is flashy—he looks like a billionaire with all the charm and charisma you’d expect. Alex isn’t quite as polished, though he’s not rough around the edges like the rancher, River Barrett, is.
I ran away from Alex once tonight. I won’t make that mistake again.
“I saw you dancing before,” he says loud enough that I can hear over the music. “You’re the best out here.”
“Thank you.” My cheeks are warm, and electricity surges between my legs at his praise.
I glance around. Brett is still dancing with Heather, his arms around her waist even though it’s a fast song.
Ginger and Misty are dancing, and Sebastian Tate and Emily Kensington are at the edge of the dance floor, but they’re not dancing. They’re talking—or rather she’s talking, and she doesn’t look happy.
Are any of these men for me? Am I even ready after being so recently jilted?
Evangeline knows about Leroy, but I assured her I wanted to come to the island and meet the guys. I’m out of practice, though. Leroy and I were together for four years. Four freaking years…
Wasted time.
But maybe not. Maybe it was all leading me to this moment.
To this island.
To these men.
“I want to apologize,” Alex says.
“For what?”
“For earlier. For freaking you out. I don’t know why I tried to come on strong like that. It’s not me.”
“Then why’d you do it?”
“I don’t know. You’re so beautiful, and I remembered the comment Ginger made about the bourbon not being the best thing you ever put in your mouth.” He sighs. “So my words weren’t even original, but I was thinking I could pull it off.”
I wrap my arms around Alex’s neck when the music slows. “It’s okay. I’m sorry I ran away.”
“Hell, I’d have run away too if I were you.”
We laugh together then, and my soul lightens.
He leans closer to me. “How’d you like to go on a walk?” he whispers, his breath hot against my neck.
I pull back, meet his gaze. “A walk?”
“Yeah. On the beach.” He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “We’ll get a couple drinks, take off our shoes, let the sand squish between our toes, and…”
“And what?”
“And…whatever you like…dancing queen.”
EPISODE 10
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT
River
I draw in a breath, willing my cock to behave as Rachel leaves. The burgundy mini dress she wears perfectly accentuates her gorgeous ass as she bolts away from me, the searing kiss still burning my lips.
If she weren’t interested, she wouldn’t be here…but I may not be her intended target. Still, she kissed me, and she opened up about her feelings while she was stargazing, told me some of her philosophy.
And God, her lips are soft like suede…
But she ran away.
Fine. I’ll deal. I’m here to get to know all the women, not focus solely on one. I may not be quite as introverted as Alex, but I’m sure not outgoing like Brett and Seb. Still, I should run through all the women, talk to each one, get to know what makes each of them tick. Only then will I know for sure if any of them are my perfect match.