My Cruel Lover (Wicked Poison #3) - T.L. Smith Page 0,20

the cocktail in my hand and swims over. “How are you feeling?”

“I just ordered some water.”

“Oh, let her be,” James’s wife says, pulling on me.

Hannah, I think her name is. She’s nice. Friendly. And very drunk.

This is mostly a man’s trip, with only two other wives.

“We’re here to have fun, after all.” Hannah pushes a cocktail toward me, and I take it, holding it awkwardly as I don’t plan to drink it. Thankfully, Beckham takes it from my hands.

“Thank you,” I say in a hushed voice, hoping Hannah doesn’t hear me.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asks while standing in the water next to me.

I have to remember not to look down. His chest, from what I can see, is tanned and toned. Did I expect any less from him, though?

Why are all the amazing, good-looking men assholes?

Because that’s what he is.

A complete asshole.

“Yes, but I need some food,” I say, realizing how late it’s getting.

“Food will be sent to your villa.”

I smile at his words. Hopefully, I can eat and pass out and start a new day tomorrow. Maybe with fewer cocktails. I sip the water, and when I’m finished, I can feel his stare on me. So when I look up, it’s confirmed.

“Thank you.” I swim off after saying goodnight to everyone.

When I walk back into my villa, I call Oliver, and Rylee answers, “Tell me he isn’t being an ass,” are her first words.

“No, he isn’t. I swear.” She sighs in relief before I hear August. “Tell her to call back later, we’re building.”

“I heard,” I say, smiling. Oliver would be so happy right now. He loved helping August around the old house we stayed in. “Thanks again for all of this.”

“It’s no issue. We keep telling you this, yet you keep thanking us,” Rylee says.

“I know.” I chew on my bottom lip. “Anderson’s father came around before I left to meet Oliver. He offered to help as well.”

“And how did that make you feel?” Rylee is probably the only person I can truly speak to about Anderson with no judgment because she’s been there.

“I felt he was sincere, but I just don’t know.”

“From what I gather, I think he is. He helped you get full rights and even kept that awful woman at bay. Maybe he sees the error of his ways.”

“Maybe,” I say more to myself.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Shandy is arriving tomorrow.”

“That will be nice.”

“Yes, one of her clients is out there, and they had an extra villa booked. So, I gave it to her. My brother may not be aware yet.” She laughs.

“Right. So, that’s going to be fun.” I giggle.

“Oh, you have no idea. She loves to annoy him. It’s her favorite hobby.”

The next morning there’s a knock on my door, and when I open it, an extremely blonde, almost white-haired, pretty woman is standing there with a suitcase.

“Shandy.” I smile.

“My villa is being prepared. Can I come in?” I pull the door open for her, and she looks around.

“Well, shit! You got yourself one of the good villas. Though, from what I hear, all are amazing. But yours has pool access.” She steps out, and I hear her laugh. “And your neighbor is your boss.” She pauses, looks over her shoulder to me, winks, then turns back to who I am guessing is Beckham. “Good morning, Beckham.”

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to play with you. Aren’t you excited?”

“No,” he answers curtly.

She flicks her hair over her shoulder and steps through until she’s on his balcony. I follow and see her reaching for his food.

“How come you get all the good stuff?”

Beckham’s wearing sunglasses, but I know his eyes are narrowed on her.

“Because I pay for it.”

“Why do you sound like that, ‘because I pay for it,’” she mimics him. Her eyes find mine, and she smirks. “Want to join us for breakfast?”

Both sets of eyes are now focused on me.

“No, I have to get ready for today.”

“Are you sure?” Shandy asks with an expression I don’t recognize on her face.

“I am. Are you coming to the beach with us to do activities?” I ask them both.

Shandy places her hand on the back of Beckham’s chair and looks down at him. “What do you think, lover boy? Should we?”

“You should, for sure,” he bites out. “Leave me the fuck alone.”

Shandy looks up at me, her hand touches Beckham’s shoulder, and she digs her nails in slightly. “Loverboy here and I may do our own thing today. So you