He came up behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure. It was close though, any deeper and you’d have had no choice but to get stitches.”
I instinctively leaned into his touch. “My tooth hurts.”
“I’m sorry.” His deep voice rumbled around me like a comforting sound of thunder. “I should’ve noticed the dumbass would draw back like that.”
“Yeah, well. No worries.” I shook my head. I glanced up at him, and the question that had been burning in the back of my mind fell out. “Where’s Delilah, by the way?”
His hand left my shoulder, and a disappointed sigh escaped me. “She went home.”
My brows bumped together. “Why?”
He ran a hand over his face. “She had feelings for me. I didn’t feel the same. We parted ways.”
My heart fluttered at his confession, but I knew it had nothing to do with me. Luca was just like that. He didn’t get attached, and I felt bad for any woman on the other side of that. “Oh.”
“Are you feeling any better?”
“I feel like shit still but better than five minutes ago.” I hesitated. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“Well, I’m qualified for accidents like this.” He rubbed the nape of his neck.
“Can you take me back to the resort? I don’t want to hang around.” My lips parted as I readjusted the paper towel.
“Of course, Mags. Let’s get you back to rest. Dinner’s not until five.” He checked his watch.
Surely, Faith wouldn’t mind if I skipped dinner after the brutal attack of the golf club?
Day One
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM - Unplanned Free Time
The ride on the boat back to the island was silent. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the tension or the pain she must be in. I had a difficult time not punching the fucker. He should’ve paid attention to his surroundings.
“We’re here,” Tom, the ferryman, said. He had the whitest hair peeking from under the battered navy-blue hat. He must’ve been in his sixties and was probably the nicest person I’d met here yet.
“Thanks, Tom.” Mags nodded her head to him, holding a bloody paper towel to her lip.
“You sure you don’t need to head to the hospital?” A southern twang that reminded me of home accompanied his words.
She nodded and thrust her thumb in my direction. “This guy’s an ER nurse. He told me I was fine, and I’m inclined to believe him.”
Tom shrugged and gave me a slap on the back. “Take care of this girl, son.”
I grinned. “I fully intend to, sir.”
Mags rolled her eyes as I helped her off the boat. Our feet sunk into the sand as we hopped off and waved goodbye to the old man.
Waves crashed over the golden sand, spreading the foam on the beach. The ocean wind blew, tumbling Mags’ tousled blonde hair behind her. The bloody towel was barely noticeable in contrast to her sun-kissed skin and beautiful hair.
“Luca?” She waved a hand in front of my face.
I blinked. “Yeah?”
“Does it look that bad?”
I shook my head. “No. It really doesn’t. I do think we should get an ice pack though. Head on up to your room. I’ll meet you there.”
She paused and stared at me. Her light-green eyes filled with hesitation. “Okay,” she mumbled.
Once it was decided, I made my way to the kitchen in the resort. I grabbed my phone to text Asher.
Me: I took Mags back to the resort. She’s in her room.
I slid my phone back in my pocket and scooped up some ice in a big cup before I went to her room. My phone vibrated as I stood in the hall outside her door.
Asher’s name flashed on the screen.
“Yeah?” I answered.
“Is Mags’ okay?” Faith’s voice was filled with concern.
I shook the ice in the cup. “Yeah, she will be. It’s a miracle she didn’t need stitches. She’s got a deep gash down her lip to her chin though. I’m bringing her ice now.”
A breath of relief left her. “Thank goodness. Declan’s on his way back now. Poor thing feels awful.”
I clenched my jaw. “Should feel awful.”
“Luca, do me a favor?”
I stayed silent.
“Don’t fuck with her. She’s been burned twice by you already. Third time is not the charm here. Unless you can pull your head out of your ass, don’t get close to her.”
I blew out a steady stream of air. “Yeah, I got you. Talk to you later.” I ended the call in a huff and knocked on the door. My cousin didn’t need to be sticking her nose into my shit. I wasn’t stupid. I wouldn’t get close to her.
Mags opened the door a few seconds later. She had changed out of the sportswear and had on a big t-shirt that hung off her. I could barely tell she was wearing shorts. Her hair was twisted up in a mess on top of her head, and she no longer had the bloody paper towel from the bathroom.
I gulped. Maybe Faith’s words were warranted after all. “It stopped bleeding?”
She nodded and opened the door wider for me to come in. I stepped into the room, and she closed the door. “Finally. It looks awful though.” She pouted, and the gash on her lip stretched open. She winced, hovering her hand over it. “Ow.”
My chest twinged as I saw her in pain. “Did you take pain medication?” I walked over to the sink that was on the opposite side of the room and opened a drawer. There were bright white hand towels folded neatly within.
I grabbed one and poured some ice into the rag and folded it.
She stood behind me. “Yeah. I took two. It hasn’t kicked in though.”
I turned and handed her the make-shift ice pack. She reached out and grabbed it, her hand brushing against mine. It sent tingles up my arm, and I
