Page 43 of One Night in Hawaii

“What the hell?” Penelope asked when she saw me emerge from the water. “Where did you come from?”

I was pissed at her. “The boat.”

“Where’s Shiloh?”

“On the boat,” I replied and walked past her to one of the ice chests. I grabbed a beer and went to sit on the log I’d been on earlier.

“What the hell happened?” Penelope asked. “When did you guys go to the boat?”

“We swam out there without you guys knowing because we wanted some time alone.”

Her face lit up. “Oh really. Is she going to be coming back or did you leave her exhausted?”

I glared at her. “She’s not coming back. And she won’t be talking to me again. She told me to tell you to keep your fucking money.”

“What?” she gasped.

“Please tell me she was lying,” I said. “Tell me you didn’t pay her to hang out with me.”

“I paid her to be your personal tour guide,” she said. “But not to sleep with you. The connection you guys have is all you.”

“You think so?” I scoffed. “You paid a woman to spend time with me. Do you think I’m that worthless I can’t get a woman without paying her?”

“That’s not what it was,” she said. “I paid her to show both of us around the island. It’s no different than paying those sightseeing tour guides.”

“Were you trying to push me toward her?” I asked. “Did you think I would have sex with her and everything would be all better?”

“Not at all.” She shook her head. “I never expected you guys to do anything, but the first time we were together, the chemistry between you was obvious. Why not have a little fun?”

“You paid her!”

“Technically, I haven’t paid her anything,” she said.

“Just leave me alone,” I muttered. “You went too far.”

“What happened?” she asked gently.

“What happened is Ashley called,” I said. “She’s not going to leave me alone. Shiloh overheard me talking to Dad earlier and now Ashley. She kicked me out but not before she told me about your little arrangement with her. I can’t believe you did that. You’re supposed to be my sister, not my fucking pimp.”

“I wasn’t pimping you out.”

“Fine, you were pimping her out,” I shot back. “Same thing.”

“The only reason she’s pissed is because she likes you but you still have one foot in New York.”

“So, you decided to have her sleep with me to prove I have options?”

“No,” she said. “Yes, I wanted you to get the hint, but I had no intention of having her sleep with you. I just wanted you two to spend time together. I thought you’d have a good time.”

“I was having a good time,” I said. “Pip, you don’t understand what you did.”

“Okay, I should have known that would happen,” she said. “You fell for her. I never thought I would see the day. I’m sorry. I’ll talk to her.”

“You’ve done enough. Please, just leave me alone. I want to get really drunk and pass out right here.”

“Why don’t I have Ryder take me back to the boat and we’ll get some blankets?”

“I don’t need a fucking blanket.” I got up and walked back to the ice chest to get another beer.

---