Billy's Baby - Annie J. Rose Page 0,2
really hated Me Before You, didn’t you?” I teased.
“Yeah. What’s not to hate. Sam Clafin is too pretty to suffer and die.”
“He didn’t have cancer.”
“Whatever. It sucked. And I will never forgive you for making me watch it.”
“It was a good movie, and the book was even better,” I insisted.
“I’ll take your word for it. I’m not saying you have bad taste, just that you’re a heartless shell of a person who doesn’t believe in love,” she said good-naturedly.
“I have nothing against love. I love my blog and my five-year plan. I even love you, you big whiner. I just don’t want to waste my time on some guy who’s going to screw with my head for a few months and then run off to the next girl. I don’t want to participate in that cycle that I see every other woman around me going through. Meet a guy, get all excited, be happy for a few weeks, and then be miserable and fight all the time or wonder why he won’t call back. Then the big break up or the ghosting happens, which takes months to recover from. Then they meet a new guy and it repeats. I love to travel and tell people about it. I want to spend my time and energy on that.”
“It all sounds so logical,” she laughed, “until you meet some guy who knocks your socks off.”
“I’m keeping my socks on. Thank you very much,” I said primly, “now I have brochures to look at so I can plan my itinerary. I’ll call you tomorrow. Bye.”
I had a handful of colorful pamphlets for local attractions that I’d found by the front desk. There was a bird sanctuary that looked interesting. I wanted to check out the rain forest, so I looked at a couple of day hike services. One of them really stood out as taking more of an exploratory approach instead of just cruising the easy trails with touristy photo opportunities. I picked up my phone and dialed.
Chapter 2
Billy
“O’Shea’s Hiking Excursions, this is Billy. How may I help you?” I said automatically when I picked up my phone.
“Hello. I was just looking over your brochure—" the voice said.
Damn. I sat up straight and listened. The voice was low and husky, sultry. It felt like the scrape of fingernails down my bare back or the tug on my hair when I coaxed her mouth open with mine. The sound was pure sex dialed up to eleven. I had to forcibly stay still and resist a shudder running through my body. I could have damn near fallen off my barstool. The fact was, three words in, she had me hard as steel.
“I just arrived on the island,” she was saying, “and I want to book a hike for Thursday morning. I’m looking to explore the rain forest and rock formations. I’m not here to post on Instagram or pose by a palm tree. I want to see the real island, what makes it unique.”
“You’ve come to the right place, then. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
“Morgan Thomas. I’m booked at the Scallop Reefs, but I’ll rent a car, so just tell me where to meet you and when.”
“I can come pick you up. It’s part of the hiking package. It’s your lucky day. I don’t take a lot of last-minute bookings. I was scheduled for Thursday, but the family’s flight got delayed so I’m free. Do you want a half-day or full day?”
“If you don’t take last minute bookings, why put brochures at hotel registration desks?” she asked. Her dirty voice was challenging me. I gritted my teeth.
“I haven’t had to pass out pamphlets in a while. They must be old. Like I said, you’re in luck because I’m free. So what sort of hike do you want to book? Half-day we can make it to one of the smaller waterfalls. It’s my most popular package. I have a longer trail I use for more experienced trekkers. Great views but it’s more rugged.”
“What’s the one nobody ever books?” she asked, her voice challenging.
“The backwoods. It’s what I call the trail that goes right into the jungle. You don’t get a lot of ocean views, it’s hot as hell, and most people hate the bugs more than they like the trees. It’s not an easy hike with all the dense undergrowth.”
“I want that one. I want the experience most tourists don’t take.”
“Are you sure?”
“Are you asking because I’m a woman? I took off the spring