“We aren’t—” I’d started to say when Max’s grip on my hip tightened. I glanced up at him to find his brows furrowed. “Staying long. I hope that’s okay.” I smiled sweetly.
His mother raised her brow, and the princess behind the counter turned her smile into a scowl.
I threw my arm around Max’s waist and leaned into his hold. I was mean like that.
“Well then…” His mother’s smile faltered. “I hope you two will join me for breakfast.”
“We’d love to,” Max answered.
“We have that thing…” I glanced up at Max. “You know.”
“What thing?” his mother asked.
“Their spa appointment,” the woman behind the counter announced. “They’re scheduled with Raul at nine a.m.”
“We are?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“Of course. The spa has booked several guests during that time that you requested to see.”
“Right,” Max lied. “The spa. Sorry, Mother, but we’ll be busy.”
“Nonsense. I eat at seven. Both of you will join me before the appointment.” His mother turned and walked away.
“Of course, we will,” Max said on a sigh and dropped his hold. “Thanks, Megan. Do you have everything I asked for?”
“Absolutely, Mr. Pierce.” She pulled a package from beneath the counter and handed it to him. “We also have security watching him as you requested.”
“Thank you.” He led me by my elbow toward the pool area.
I glanced over my shoulder. “We aren’t staying in the hotel.”
“The owner’s suites are private with an ocean view.”
“That will make it more difficult to sneak around.”
“There won’t be a need to sneak.”
I followed him down a path and past a few private suites, until we reached the one that sat apart from the others. He opened the door and gestured me inside.
The suite overlooked the island shores. Everything was white and airy. Expensive Italian tile covered the floors. Exquisite detail lay in every design. Paintings I’d had only read about lined the walls. Yet, all of that became commonplace when I pulled opened the heavy draperies. The clouds parted, unblocking the moonlight. The breathtaking view of the island shoreline was worth whatever this room cost. The sugar-white sandy beach led down to the water. It was like having paradise in your own backyard. The sound of waves crashing against the shore would lull me to sleep with a false sense of security.
“Wait until you see the ocean at sunrise,” Max said.
“A view like this could almost make me forget why I’m here.”
“I doubt that,” Max said. I spun to follow him through the living area, past the kitchen, and into the bedroom. “There’s only one bed; I can take the couch.”
I chuckled and patted him on the arm as I passed. Turning, I plopped down on the bed. “This bed is the size of my first apartment. It’s big enough for both of us. Don’t worry, Counselor; I don’t bite.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about, Ms. Bennett,” Max said.
“Gwen,” I corrected him. “Since we’re shacking up together, you might as well call me by my first name,” I said, rising from the bed. I grabbed my suitcase and tossed it onto the mattress, unzipping it. I pulled out my black yoga pants, a black top, and my bag of toiletries. “And I’m not worried about you controlling yourself, Counselor.”
“Max,” he said.
“Max.” I grinned. “I can handle myself just fine.”
“If what Carter told me is true, I believe you.”
