Page 4 of Axe-identally Married
I’d donned a gorgeous hat, a sheer black-and-white caftan, and jeweled flip-flops. The outfit was magazine-worthy. But asthe moment where I’d have to take off the cover-up loomed, I was gripped by fear. Sure, other curvy girls rocked bikinis all the time and were gorgeous doing it. Even here, at this very pool, women of all shapes and sizes wore a variety of swimwear, each one as badass and sexy as the last.
But me?
Lila held out a champagne flute, wearing an expectant look. She didn’t carry even an ounce of self-consciousness about her appearance. Why would she? She’d been a freaking beauty queen and had been parading around in skimpy outfits since grade school.
Magnolia slid her sunglasses down her nose and raised an eyebrow.
Seriously, it was like my friends could read every negative thought that had swamped me since I stepped out into the heat. And the last thing I wanted to do was ramble about my pool-based body terrors on minute one of my well-earned vacation.
I was thirty years old. I had an MD, for God’s sake. If I couldn’t be brave now, what was the point? So I closed my eyes, said a silent prayer that a tit wouldn’t pop out of this top, and took off my cover-up.
And was immediately met by whistles.
Yup, my drunk friends were catcalling me.
“Fuck, you’re hot,” Magnolia said, raising her glass in my direction. “You’re giving sexy bondage, and I’m here for it.”
“God, you have the best tits. I’m so jealous,” Lila said, cupping one perfectly respectable C-cup with her free hand.
A heated blush crept into my cheeks. My friends were so kind to me. But as I took the flute out of Lila’s hand and scanned the pool area, determining that no one was staring, my pulse steadied. The villagers weren’t gathering with their pitchforks and torches to chase me away for looking like a troll in aswimsuit.Every body was a bikini body.I repeated the mantra in my head a few times.
It was what I’d so adamantly reminded myself of over the last couple of years. But that knowledge didn’t miraculously quell the seizing fear gripping me, telling me that I wasn’t good enough. That my wide hips and fleshy upper arms disqualified me from having a happy and productive life.
But I’d spent too much time and money in therapy to go there now. So I pulled my shoulders back, smiled at my friends, and downed the glass of champagne in two sips.
Empowerment flowed through me. I was with my girls, I looked hot, and I didn’t have to worry about work for a couple of days.
It was time to have some fun.
“You are so getting laid this weekend,” Mags declared. “Now drink up. Our girl Lila is engaged, and we managed to evacuate you out of Maine for three days. We’re celebrating.”
I stretched out on the fancy teak chair, working to calm the voice in my head that was yelling at me to cover up.
But I was rocking my bikini, and I’d just have to drown out the negative thoughts with another glass of bubbly. Because Magnolia was right. While I may have a mountain of work, a Maine winter, and my ailing father waiting for me at home, for now, I was on vacation.
And there was no telling when I’d have another chance to cut loose.
So I’d rock my bikini, and I’d drink and dance and gamble.
Watch out Vegas, Wild Willa was coming out to play.
Chapter Two
Cole
Iclimbed out of the pool and scanned the area, in search of a towel. Water was good for loosening up my hip, which was stiff and sore from the long flight. I’d been pushing hard in rehab and was making great progress. But folding my six-foot-seven frame into a commercial plane seat was uncomfortable on a good day, never mind after hip surgery.
I’d even sprung for extra legroom, but my knees had still been in my throat.
Halfway to where my brothers were camped out with beers and burgers, a woman across the pool standing near Lila caught my eye. When her form registered in my mind, I froze.
As I took her in, she pulled a flimsy dress thing over her head, revealing a black bikini.
She was stunning, her honey-blond hair falling past her shoulders and big sunglasses and a floppy hat obscuring her face. Medium height and endless curves. The bikini was insane, with skinny straps everywhere, drawing attention to her wide hips, the nip in her waist, and her breasts. Round, full, incredible breasts.
“Cole,” Owen barked.
“Stop staring at Willa,” Finn said, raking his fingers through his long hair and pulling it into his signature man bun.
