“Winter…” I say so quietly it almost doesn’t make it across the space between us.

She turns, snapping her attention to me and smiles. The most genuine grin she’s given me since we met and fuck if it doesn’t make my chest tighten with a feeling I can’t quite place.

Her lips are red, making them look very much like the upside-down heart they’re in the shape of. Her big brown eyes are darkened slightly. She’s wearing makeup, but not so much her natural beauty doesn’t shine through like a goddamn supernova.

“Hey,” she says. “Whoa, you look handsome… In sweats.” She laughs, making her eyes twinkle under her long black lashes. “How do you look just as regal in joggers and a plain black T-shirt as you do in a suit?”

Words escape me. Being in this room with her, her smell, her long legs, her wavy and slightly messy caramel hair, blonde at the tips… I want to ruin her for all other men. I want to cut the shit on this little game we’re playing and wrap her body around mine like a pretzel and fuck, just fuck her into oblivion.

I want her. Bad.

I rub my hand over my scruff, desperate to survive this voodoo trance she’s put me under. “Uh… I don’t know. The better question is, how am I going to take you to a bar aptly named Fat Billie’s looking like that?”

She looks down at herself and her smile falls, sending a shock straight through me. I’ve made her lose her smile and it does not feel pleasant.

“You said to dress more formal, I—”

“I said to dress sexy and you did that. You look gorgeous, Winter.”

Our first compliment and I initiated it. Like I said, I’m losing my mind. Her smile returns tenfold. And that, that feeling is rewarding. It’s warm and achy at the same time… What the fuck is this voodoo bullshit?

“I look like a turd going out with you like this. You look like that and my pants are stretchy.” I’m not used to the feeling.

“It’s fine. We made a deal and we both delivered. And believe me, you still look every bit the stunningly handsome, rich, woman-killer you are, so no worries.”

No worries. This night is going to be a monstrous mistake.

NINE

ALECK

The walk to Fat Billie’s from the resort has been nice. The sun is lowering itself behind the ocean, creating a blanket of undulating light across its surface. The crisp oceanic night breeze is in the process of cooling the sun’s warmth from the atmosphere.

Approaching the bar, we walk past a couple of ogling douchebags smoking cigarettes on the sidewalk, and I suddenly feel protective of Winter. Their eyes are on her, and honestly, whose eyes wouldn’t be? But I don’t like it. Opening the door, I place my hand on her lower back to usher her in as she passes. Her skin is so smooth it feels electric under my fingertips.