Page 60 of Mr. Aster
“Hey, cupcake,” he said, his voice cute, calm, and not what I expected after he found out he’d lost the butler for his fancy villa.
“That damn name,” I said, sipping the coffee I’d made myself in the room. “Can you please just call me something else?”
“At the rate your sneaky little ass is changing rooms on me, I prefer calling you Darcel,” he said, rightfully annoyed.
I watched as he walked around the terrace to grab a chair opposite where I sat. “Now, how do you plan to remain comfortable inthisroom with me?”
“Easy, you sleep on one bed, and I’ll sleep on the other.”
“I wasn’t planning on us sharing that king-sized bed in thelargevilla I purposefully booked,” he smiled, almost as if this joke was backfiring on me as the Billionaire Bachelor Auction had.
“What, then?”
“The sofa folds out into a bed, and I was planning on using that,” he smirked. “It seems you almost thought of everything.”
“Shit,” I said, annoyed at myself. “That was a gorgeous room, too.”
“I know,” he said, chuckling. “I guess mynewly engaged bride-to-beis fearful I might take advantage of the bed she could’ve been snoring happily ever after in.”
“Well, what was I supposed to think?”
“I have no idea. I thought I’d made it clear that there was to be no romance involved in our little deception.” His forehead wrinkled in humor, and his brown irises, which were naturally dark and cold, looked like the color of smoky quartz. They dazzled in their warmth, and I couldn’t resist smiling.
“You did, but what was I supposed to think with a one-bedroom suite, especially when I know that when rich folks like yourself come here, they aren’t found in these common rooms? You all have those private villas to ensure your privacy, so no one knows you’re staying here.”
“That’s the point exactly,” he said, standing up, sweat beading on his forehead from the weather.
Sure, it was hot on the balcony, but even hotter if you’re wearing a button-down shirt?—
Holy shit. He’s taking it off.
“Oh, so you’re just going to strip right here with the excuse that it’s hot and there’s no pool?”
He pulled the shirt off, revealing his tight, white undershirt and biceps, which werewaylarger than I expected and not something I thought a man like him would have. His t-shirt paled against the dark tint of his tanned skin, and his sleeves looked like they might rip if he flexed his arm. That’s not even mentioning how the dampness of his sweaty body made the shirt tighten against his abs. The man was in perfect muscular shape, and I was starting to wish we had that villa so I could watch him swim laps in the pool without his shirt on.
Jesus H. Christ, this man was a glorious sight to behold.
“Of all the rooms you could switch us to, you picked the one with the hot afternoon sun, eh? I thought you hung with the rich and famous and knew a thing or two about which rooms to book?”
“They usually book the room for me,” I smiled. “Sort of like you did but without trying to share the room with me. I don’t typically feel the need to change my room, so forgive me for choosing the one with thehot afternoon sun.”
“Well, I’m sure you’re pissed you changed rooms without calling me first. And now,” he looked around, “look at our little vacation room. It’s all quite adorable.”
“Why didn’t you book your own private villa? The one you requested isn’t very secluded.”
“I need people like those inconsiderate passengers on the plane to invade my privacy,” he said. “I chose that villa becauseit’s upgraded and nice while keeping us around the general population.”
“Why, so people can video us in our room while you’re sleeping on the sofa?”
He chuckled. “No, we can’t fight while on a lovely vacation in Mexico, and most certainly not while we are newly engaged. It was to ensure everyone knows I’m spoken for and by you. There is no way now that I’ll be a part of that auction.”
“See, that’s cheating. You’re ensuring that you don’t go up for auction before I get my story.” I raised my eyebrows at him in reprimand, “And now that I think about it, it looks like I won’t be breaking any news about your private life before anyone else. You let those kids do it.”
“No,” he said without apology, “they haven’t broken anything personal aside from the fact that I’m dating—well, engaged—to you. I probably helped you and Juniper gain popularity by allowing that to happen today.”
“Yay for me,” I rolled my eyes, ready to ditch my coffee for tequila. “I would’ve rather gained popularity by doing a good write-up about you.”
“Well, that’s up to you. I’m just trying to put you on the map, is all.”
