Page 20 of Blue Hawaiian
Ignoring him, she turned and walked toward the elevator.
“Jess. Wait up.”
She continued to walk, giving him a delightful view of her tight, round backside. Damn, but that dress was tempting. Lance didn’t deserve her.
When she stopped at the elevator, he caught up with her. “You look great.”
She arched her eyebrows at him. “Not so much a kid anymore, right?”
“Definitely not.” If anything, she looked too sexy. Lance would consider it an open invitation. Connor cleared his throat, knowing he was venturing into dangerous territory. “It’s none of my business, but—”
“But what?”
“I met Lance two years ago. The guy goes through women like Kleenex.”
“Didn’t you just agree I was no longer a kid? What’s with the older-brother advice?”
“Because I don’t want you to go into tonight thinking it mightmeansomething, when all he’s after is a little tail.” He sounded patronizing as hell, but his concern was valid. She’d been through enough grief in Chicago with Simon. She didn’t need another guy jerking her around.
“Maybe I’m the same way. I want the fun without any strings. Great, mind-blowing sex with no commitment. Is that too hard to imagine?”
He smirked. “It is when it’s coming from you. I know you, Jess.”
“No, you don’t. Like you said, we haven’t seen each other in five years. A lot has changed.”
“Has it? Have you been with anyone since you broke up with Simon? Any one-night stands? Any flings?” When she didn’t respond, he felt vindicated. “I thought so. You haven’t changed that much.”
The elevator opened and they got in. Jess pressed the button for the lobby, then turned on him with a scowl. “Why do you care if Lance fucks me tonight and walks away tomorrow? Isn’t that exactly what you did to me?”
He clenched his fists. It wasn’t the same at all. They’d spenttwo weekstogether. And their attraction had stemmed from a ten-year friendship. What they’d shared had gone far beyond anything he’d ever experienced with any of his casual hookups.
“Well?” she said.
God, he was fucking this upagain. “Look, Jess, I—”
The elevator stopped and the door opened, ending the conversation. He caught a whiff of gardenia-scented perfume as Luisa entered the tiny space. Like Jess, she was clad in a sleek minidress and high heels. The silver bracelets around her wrist shone under the harsh fluorescent lights.
“Good timing.” Luisa beamed at him. “We must be on the same wavelength.”
He forced a smile. “Apparently so.”
Whyhad he agreed to this? The night had disaster written all over it.
Luisa turned to Jess. “Looking forward to tonight’s cruise?”
“I can’t wait. Gabi set me up with one of Marc’s college buddies.”
“Ooh. Is he cute? Or are you meeting him sight unseen?”
“I haven’t met him yet. But I’ve seen a few photos. He’s smoking hot. Apparently, he has this incredible workout regimen.”
“Mmm. I love a man with a good body.”
Connor could barely contain his revulsion. The elevator ride couldn’t end soon enough.
Marc was waiting in the lobby, and he directed them outside to a shuttle van emblazoned with the words “Island Excursions” in bright pink letters. Gabi stood next to the shuttle, handing out leis. Beside her was the infamous Lance. The guy was trying way too hard, rocking the full nautical look—navy blazer, blue button-down, white shorts, topsiders. Did he think he was going to sail the boat himself?Idiot.
But Jess bestowed him with a full-wattage smile. “Lance, I presume?”
