Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47223 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47223 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
“If you haven’t seen her in a decade, she must be—”
“Fresh out of college.” He grins like he knows this payback will be both easy and sweet as hell.
I frown. “That makes her…what? Eighteen years younger than you?”
Nathan shrugs. “It makes her an adult—and fair game. Besides, your husbands are fourteen years your senior, right?”
He’s not wrong. Honestly, I don’t often see Nathan’s ruthless side, but when I do…watch out, world.
“Stop giving me the judgmental side-eye,” he drawls. “I’ve waited a long time for answers and retribution. Besides, she’s always free to turn down the job.”
His acidic smile says he knows that’s basically impossible, just like the likelihood that he’ll leave her alone now that she’s landed on his radar.
I shake my head. “Be careful, my friend.”
“Always am. But I’m hardly in danger from a spoiled twenty-three-year-old.”
Probably not, but someday, some woman will topple his restless heart. If that someone was Bella, it would be delicious irony. “We’ll see.”
“Places, everyone!” Savannah shouts to the small crowd of Force Financial executives, investors, construction brass, and local press. “We’re ready.”
Chad Force exits a limo that’s just pulled up and saunters to his wife, dropping a peck on her cheek and rubbing her distending belly. “Looks like I made it just in time, sweetheart.”
“I’m glad.” Her glance back is equally filled with devotion before she slips her professional mask back in place. “Shall we?”
“Yes,” Marcus quips as he and Josh approach again. “Our wife is dying to see the inside of this place.”
“I’m sure you are, too,” Chad tosses back, scanning the grounds. “Not that I blame any of you. This property looks incredible. Pictures don’t do it justice. We’ve already got months’ worth of bookings, but after today I’ll bet reservations go crazy.”
“I suspect you’re right.” I smile his way.
Savannah gives my hand a quick squeeze. In the last three years, she’s become one of my best friends. Her presence beside me from the first meeting about the hotel all the way to this ribbon-cutting has been crucial. “I’m so excited!”
She grins. “Me, too.”
To my shock, she hands me the ceremonial scissors and nudges me forward. I turn to her wide-eyed.
She nods. “You do the honors. Chad and I both agree. You’ve put your heart, soul, and devotion into this project for the last three years.”
I have. Not only did I want to do a good job for the employer I’ve become distinctly loyal to and do the beautiful land justice, after Marcus, Josh, and I conceived our son on the property next door, I wanted to enshrine some of our most beautiful memories in this new place.
Moments later, Chad Force joins me at the ceremonial ribbon for the photo op. He and Savannah steady the strip of red silk on one side, Josh and Marcus hold the other. With a simple snip, it falls and we all dash inside to ooh and aah over the gorgeous redesigned lobby with unobstructed views all the way from the front door to the shimmering Pacific. The restaurants, spa, and conference spaces are all top-notch and state-of-the-art.
After some quick interviews and the opportunity to give Maleko’s grandmother a personal tour, the afternoon winds to evening and the scheduled cocktail party thankfully breaks up early. Most people here have come from the mainland, so it feels late to them. Turning in early suits me just fine.
Smiling, I take my men by the hand and lead them to the elevator. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Good. We have one for you, too,” Marcus murmurs, palming my ass the instant the elevator doors shut behind us.
“And we can’t wait to give it to you.” Josh kisses his way up my neck until I shiver.
It seems to take forever before the elevator opens on the seventh floor. The views to the outside are probably stunning since so much of the hotel is glass, but my fear of heights kicks in. So I cuddle myself against Marcus’s protective shoulder and let Josh take my mouth as we wend our way down the hall and stop in front of the appropriate door.
“We’re here,” I gasp as I pull away from my husband’s kiss and pull the key card from my purse.
“The Lovers’ Suite,” Marcus reads aloud the etched plaque on the door. “You designed this? And we’re staying here?”
I nod with excitement. “This room is an homage to the one we stayed in together during our first trip here. I wanted to pay tribute to the place that has so much meaning for us. But…this new version of that old suite has significant upgrades.”
Without further explanation, I open the door and let the paradise unfold. The two lumpy queen mattresses have been replaced by a huge, four-poster king-size bed. Beautiful vistas of the pool, park, and ocean should be visible through every window. There’s a cozy sitting area, a love seat, a desk, and a kitchenette with a sleek new microwave, a high-end coffeemaker, and a pristine sink. The bathroom is all marble with an enormous walk-in shower, a clawfoot tub, and romantic blush-colored accents everywhere.