You're The One (Very Irresistible Bachelors #1) - Layla Hagen Page 0,75

while I smeared sunscreen on her back. She insisted on applying it religiously.

“I don’t remember you being such a huge fan of sunscreen.”

“Now I’m addicted to it. I think it has something to do with the person applying it.” She looked at me over her shoulder.

“Glad I’m contributing.”

“Always.”

I leaned over, biting one ass cheek. She winced, almost falling off the lounge chair. I steadied her, laughing as I straightened.

“Hunter! You can’t scare me like that.”

“Yes, I can. You’re cute, all puzzled.”

Shaking her head, she let out a soft hmpf before resuming her position on her belly. She got out a book too, laying it in front of her. I pinched her arm.

“What are you doing?”

“Scoot over, wife. I want to read too.”

“Now?”

“Yes. Otherwise, you’ll tell me that it’s so good I have to read it too. You keep telling me what happens while you read it though. Spoiling everything.”

She laughed, throwing her head back. “I do, don’t I? I’m a terrible fiction reader. Nonfiction comes so much easier to me. Probably the lawyer in me just needs to dissect everything I read.”

She made space for me, but we were a little crammed on the lounge chair. Our sides were touching. Total unexpected perk.

“We’re gonna get weird tan lines,” she said.

“I don’t care.”

“I do.”

I brought my mouth to her ear, tugging at it. “No one’s going to see them but me.”

She laughed, leaning into me even more. When it became clear neither of us would do any reading in this awkward position, I sat up, allowing her to be more comfortable. I couldn’t believe the beauty of this place: the clear, turquoise water, the green foliage around us. The smell of salt water and rush of waves instantly relaxed me.

“You’re reading a lot for someone who’s obsessed with trying out everything the resort has to offer.”

“Are you saying that you’re up for skydiving?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.

Fucking hell. That escalated quickly.

“Absolutely not.”

She kept batting her eyelashes. I sensed a trap.

“How about Jet Skiing?” she suggested.

“I can be talked into that.”

Josie grinned, shimmying a little on the lounge chair. “Ha! I’m good.”

“What do you mean?”

“I knew that if I brought up skydiving, you’d agree to Jet Skiing.”

I bit her earlobe again, fondling her ass just so she didn’t get even more ideas.

“You’re playing with fire, wife.”

“I know, but it’s so much fun that I can’t stop.”

I tickled her before she even took her next breath. She shrieked with laughter. I drank up every sound. I enjoyed everything with her: the quiet times and the adventures. Josie made me feel whole in a way I’d never even thought was possible.

***

I was completely tired when I went into the office the following week, but I had to get my act together fast, because I had a mountain of work ahead of me.

Cole also reminded me that the rest of my cousins were dropping by for lunch.

“It’s a council this time,” he added. More reason to wake up.

Ryker, Tess, and Skye were chatting animatedly when we joined them in the meeting room. We looked over spreadsheets with the funds the Ballroom Galas had gathered so far, brainstorming about potential new activities we could integrate throughout the evening, especially since not everyone wanted to dance. I was in such a good mood that I was willing to entertain even the more... extravagant ideas.

“Someone’s happy,” Tess remarked. “Second honeymoon went smoothly, by the looks of it.”

“It was great. Didn’t even want to come back.”

“So, now that Josie knows how you feel about her, is she giving the name change more thought?” Skye asked.

“Haven’t discussed it.”

Tess laughed, drumming her fingers on the desk. “Told you he didn’t bring it up. I think he’s afraid Josie will stick to her guns.”

Skye shrugged.

“My money’s still on Hunter convincing her,” Ryker said.

“You’ve talked about this?” I asked, perplexed.

“Just... exchanged opinions,” Skye said.

I couldn’t help but notice that Cole wasn’t his usual self. He was quiet, not joining in on the fun. I didn’t want to ask him if anything was wrong in front of my cousins, not wanting to put him on the spot in case he had any kind of troubles.

After everyone left, I asked, “Cole, is anything wrong?”

“I didn’t want to bring this up during your first day back, but your case worker was here in the building last Friday, asking questions.”

I felt as if someone had just thrown cold water in my face.

“What kind of questions?”

“About you and Josie... your marriage, your life before. The days before