Before I can reach for it, I feel a towel being thrown over me, in time to see Antonio towering over the server as he grabs my drink. “Thanks, bud. Mind checking on that beer for me?”
“Y-yes, sir. Coming right up.” He scurries away.
“What the hell? Don’t be rude. And why did you throw a towel over me?”
“Because you’re cold.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Well, then care to explain those?” His index finger moves side to side as he points at my chest. Guess my hard nipplesare, in fact, visible in this top. Fabulous.
I clear my throat. “So, ground rules. Let’s discuss.” I nod and look forward.
He chuckles darkly as he hands me my drink while also nodding at my half-finished one on the side table. “Double fisting by noon. Can’t say I’m surprised,” he mutters.
I sit up straighter, forcing the towel to pool at my waist. “Okay, let’s hammer this out once and for all. What is your issue with me? And why do you think I’m some kind of drunk? Have Amelia and I had a couple of crazy nights where we’ve been overserved… by bartending for ourselves? Absolutely. But I am in no way in need of a trip to the Betty Ford Center anytime soon. I can promise you that.”
“Well, if a person tends to black out after drinking, that doesn’t exactly make them the poster child for responsible drinking.”
“Black out? Are you joking? That’s only ever happened to me a few times. And they were in my early college days when I didn’t know the rule about mixing drinks! And—”
Wait a minute. Could he be referencing the night we met? The clench in his jaw makes me believe I might be right.
But why? That’s ancient history. I would be surprised if he even gave that night a second thought. Especially after all these years.
“Doesn’t matter. Not my problem what you do on your own time back home, but since you’re sharing a room with me, I’d like to make sure you don’t get too wild.” He pointedly stares at my two drinks.
“Like I said, it’s not a problem. Besides, I didn’t even order that other drink. A guy at the bar sent it over with Kelsey, your new best friend.” I roll my eyes.
Antonio rubs his jaw roughly. “Unbelievable.” He shakes his head. “Hope this goes without saying, but no bringing random men to our room.” He stares off toward the beach. “Who knows, maybe you can room with the guy who bought you the drink and save us the trouble of cohabitating.”
I rear back as if I’ve been slapped in the face. “You’re a pig.”
“Not the first time I’ve been called that as a cop. Figured you’d call me something more creative.” He smiles humorlessly.
I blow out a breath as I place my sunglasses back on my face and stand to pick up my things. Didn’t anticipate storming off this early in the trip, yet here we are.
Before I make to reach for my bag, Antonio grabs my wrist. “Stop.”
“Let go of me right now.” He lets me pull out of his grasp easily and holds his hands up in surrender.
“Look, I went too far. I’m… I’m sorry. Just sit so we can talk. Please?” The sincerity in his voice brings me to a halt.
I was ready to wring his neck, but thepleasemade me too curious to walk away. I move in front of him and sit back down reluctantly. “Talk. Nicely,” I bite out.
He rubs the back of his neck nervously. I should be focused on the fact that all signs of cocky assholery have been erased. Instead, I’m hoping that my dark-tinted sunglasses hide the fact that I’m staring at his massive biceps.
“Fuck. I came down here so we could, like, I don’t know, make a truce or something. I’m sure neither of us wants to spend a week coming for each other’s necks. Let’s just try to be civil. Maybe even try to play nice?” He offers a small smile.
I snort at the idea of Antonio Nuñez being nice to me. “For the record, I have no problem being nice to you.” He gives me an unbelieving look. “Most of the time. The only reason I ever snap at you is because you’re a dick to me. It’s like you have this perception of who I am and treat me accordingly. You don’t even know me, Tony.”
“It’s Antonio.”
“And here I thought we were playing nice.” I fake pout.
Antonio closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “You’re right.”
Say what now? “Um, can you repeat that? I think I heard you say I was right?”
