The Convenient Wife

Right? His actions seem to suggest there’s more between us than just a contract.

They’re not. Why are you expecting any more than what you agreed to?

Exiting the terminal, there are men beating drums and hula dancers entertaining the passengers as they walk into the airport. We’re met at the end of air-bridge by a woman holding a Hawaiian lei with a huge smile on her face.

Placing the ring of flowers around my neck, she moves to Bolt, but he declines. “No, but thank you.”

“You don’t want one?” I ask, brushing my fingers across the petals. “It’s beautiful.”

“Eh, it’s itchy.”

“Is it real?” Touching the flowers, I lift one to my nose and smell it. “It smells real.” Holding it out, I’m blown away by how perfect each flower is.

Every flower looks identical, as if they all came from the same mold. The purple color is strong and vibrant, the petals feel like velvet, so soft and delicate against my skin.

“They just give you one of these for free?” I ask as I rub one of the flowers against my cheek. “It’s so soft.”

“Yup, welcome to Hawaii.” Bolt releases my hand and holds out his arms. “Yale, you’re still alive.” His voice explodes happily, with a teasing undertone as he walks forward. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”

“That makes two of us.” Yale smiles, then glances in my direction. “Starla,” he says with a nod.

Waving, I smile back. “Hey, Yale. Check this out, pretty, huh?” Tugging on my lei, I run my thumb back and forth over the string.

“Here,” Yale says, taking the lei off his neck and placing it around mine. “This thing makes me itch.”

“See, itchy,” Bolt says with a flash of a smile. Turning back to Yale, he grabs his shoulder and gives him a shake. “Let’s get this party started.” Wrapping his arm around my neck, he kisses the top of my head. “You’re going to love Hawaii, Star.”

I don’t doubt Bolt is right, Hawaii is fucking gorgeous. There’s nothing but thick, lush forest all around us. Tall palm trees tower over the resort, lining the driveway up to the front entrance. Everything is brighter and bigger than in the states.

Bright orange flowers, bold green leaves, exotic pinks and purples. The leaves are twice the size of my torso, birds flying around overhead that look prehistoric, and bugs on steroids. It’s a totally different world.

The sprawling trees open in front of us, and my mouth drops open. “Oh my God, Bolt.”

On the edge of a cliff stands a white hotel, with palm trees coming out of the roof and black glass windows. Two columns hold up a giant overhang like the pillars of Hercules.

Sitting in awe, my eyes are plastered out the window, unable to fully grasp that I’m actually here. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be here.

“You coming?” Bolt asks, his breath hot against my neck. “Or do you just want to stay here?”

Twisting to look at him over my shoulder, Bolt is standing outside with his hand extended. I’m the only one left in the car, the only one that has obviously lived in a bubble for most of her life.

The driver hands our bags over to a bellhop who places them on a cart. Bolt takes my hand again as he chats with Yale and leads us to the front entrance.

I can smell the salt in the air from the ocean and hear the waves as they crash. Just beyond the resort, my eyes catch a glimpse of a glistening ocean with the reflection of the sun dancing across the surface.

“Holy shit, this is incredible,” I say out loud, but I don’t think either of the men are captivated like I am.

Bolt and Yale are still talking, unfazed and unimpressed. But how can I expect anything different? Bolt has traveled the world, he’s seen things I’ve only read about in books. This is nothing to them, just another day.

The glass doors slide open, and we walk into the resort. There’s a giant painting of a man and a woman in the lobby behind the front desk. They’re both holding out their hands, and they look like they’re catching the ocean. The woman has a flower crown around her head and the man is wearing one around his neck.

Tipping my head back, the ceiling is nothing but glass panels. The sky is the bluest I’ve ever seen it, and the clouds don’t even look real. I feel like I stepped into a Bob Ross painting.

“This is insane. I’m dreaming, I have to be dreaming.”

“It’s real, Star, and you’re living it.” Bolt’s mouth presses against my ear, his voice cool and sexy. “It feels good when your dreams come true, doesn’t it?” The way he says it sends my body into a tizzy. My heart is racing, my stomach is flipping, and my pussy is watering like it’s hungry.