While glancing over the menu, I take a moment to peer around the room. Since I first laid eyes on Daisy, I haven’t been able to think of much else. Okay, so I screwed up with my asinine comment, but I’m more than willing to make up for that blunder. I’m close to giving up on seeing her at dinner when she walks through the door wearing a black shift dress that hits mid-thigh and drapes off one shoulder. Those strappy black high heels she’s wearing make her legs look sexy as hell—tanned, toned, and flawless.
I wait until she and her friend find their table, then I approach the maître d’ with a hefty tip to reassign my table to be beside wherever she’s sitting for the rest of the trip. Thankfully, the party that occupies the table beside them tonight hasn’t arrived yet, so swapping our seats doesn’t cause much of a disruption. At least not until Daisy looks up and realizes Kevin and I are appropriating the table immediately next to hers.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She pierces me with those deep blue eyes. Anger mixed with intrigue swirls in the depths.
“I’m here to have dinner. What are you doing?” I keep my tone friendly, no hint of being bothered by the earlier altercation. I’m fascinated by how she takes me to task without losing her cool.
“Well, I was about to enjoy dinner, but maybe I should order room service instead.” She moves to push her chair back from the table, but I reach over and gently wrap my fingers around her wrist, stopping her in place.
“Give me just a minute to apologize. My earlier comment was way out of line and disrespectful. I was trying to be funny and charming and memorable, but I failed miserably. If I’d heard some guy use that line on my little sister, I would’ve beaten his ass for it. You don’t deserve any less respect. I’m sorry, Daisy. Can we start over?”
She stares me down for several seconds, weighing her options and considering her next move. “You achieved memorable, just not in the way you intended. Apology accepted. But, for the record, I’m not interested in a one-night stand with you, so don’t even try. Got it? You’re sitting beside us for dinner tonight, and there’s nothing I can do about your table. But I can just as easily tip the staff to change my table.”
You try to convince yourself of that, love. Your body gives me very different vibes—from the way you look at me to how your pulse jumps when I’m near. Two sixty-second meetings in one day tell me more than your words ever could. Now all I have to do is earn your trust.
“I’m only trying to apologize and have a friendly dinner. I’ll leave you alone now. You won’t be bothered by me anymore.”
Tracy cuts her eyes over to me and hides a knowing grin behind her glass of water. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Rod, to apologize like that. You didn’t have to go to the trouble of changing tables just to say that, though. Maybe there’s more to you than just a well-dressed douchebag.”
So, the best friend is an excellent judge of character and can read people at first glance. Her tone and smile are playful, telling me she means no offense by her insulting jab. It’s no worse than what the guys and I throw at each other. This dynamic should make the rest of our stay interesting, to say the least.
“Rod and I thought it would be an excellent idea to help protect you two ladies from any creeps on the grounds. We need to be close to you to be more effective.” Kevin jumps into the conversation with a smile and a wink for Tracy.
She nods, a smile still playing on her lips, and continues to hold his gaze. I wonder if there’s something there between them, brewing under the surface. If I fan that flame, maybe it’ll help convince Daisy she should spend more time with me. I’m even willing to try a couple of double dates while we’re here, if that changes her mind.
“Well, we appreciate your concern for our safety and well-being. Don’t think we can’t kick your asses if we need to, though.” Tracy playfully bats her eyes.
“We wouldn’t dare make that mistake.” Kevin leans in, giving Tracy all his attention.
It’s sickeningly sweet, to be honest. The man is already whipped.
Kevin continues to flirt with Tracy, so I block them out and give Daisy my full consideration. I don’t know why I’m compelled to win her over and rectify how I insulted her earlier. There are plenty of other beautiful women at this resort who have already shown an interest in me, even on the quick walk to the dining room. But Daisy is the only one who’s expanding my attention span. Right beside her is exactly where I want to be… for now.
“So, what do you do for a living, Daisy?”
“Rod, I appreciate what you’re doing, apologizing and being friendly now, but I think it’s best if we don’t share any details from our everyday lives. I’m not playing hard to get when I say this—,” she gestures between us, “isn’t going anywhere. You can drop the charade and go find someone more receptive to what you’re looking for. I assure you I won’t mind.”
“And what is it you think I’m looking for?”
What is wrong with me? I love how she tests me and calls me out on my bullshit, but I’m not looking for anything longer than this vacation will last. That’s not exactly a one-night stand, but it’s not a lifetime commitment either. I think what attracts me to her the most is her self-respect. She doesn’t pretend to be something she’s not to get attention.
“You’re looking for a warm body to heat your sheets and bid you a quick goodbye
