Claim My Baby (Crescent Cove 2)

“I would never room with him. Who knows, I might look at him and get designs on his penis.” Sage pretended to shudder while the driver’s shoulders shook in not-so-silent laughter. “Next thing you know, I’d whip out my Easy-Bake Oven and try to pie him into submission.”

“Oh, you wouldn’t have to pie me. I have a feeling I’d be quite willing.” I gave her my friendliest smile, all the while plotting how to get her back for this latest indignity.

My penis didn’t want her to have designs on it. So there.

Liar.

“Of course, you would. Manwhore to the rescue once again.” I heard manic tweeting from her phone that indicated she was playing some game.

I chose to ignore her. Asinine conversations like this one could be had in the privacy of our suite, or better yet, not at all.

“Oooh, manwhore. She just dissed you, man.”

“Usual thing for her.” I smiled thinly and returned to my contract.

If she decided to flirt with this latest stranger, I wouldn’t interfere. I’d acceded to Ally’s wishes and come on this trip at the last minute because I truly did care about Sage’s well-being. Most likely, she would’ve been fine on her own. I wanted to make sure of it.

As for her hooking up with someone? Not my concern. I might have to grit my teeth a few times, remembering how perfectly she’d curved against me on the plane, but pleasures of the flesh were fleeting. And she’d probably never even shut up long enough for us to have sex anyway, were I interested in daring such a thing.

Jesus, a virgin. I hadn’t even been with a virgin when I was one myself. My first lover had been older than me by a decade, and quite experienced. Something every virgin deserves for their first time.

You mean like Sage deserves someone with your experience for her first time?

I wasn’t debating with myself. I was going to finish reviewing this contract and send it off to Shelly, our admin at the real estate office. Then I was going to imbibe heavily in the libations available at the hotel while escorting Sage on her “super fun vacay”, complete with air quotes.

The driver finally pulled into the circular driveway in front of the Golden Apple and we disembarked. Check-in went quickly, though Sage was oohing and aahing enough that even the other tourists seemed entertained by her. The place was pretty blinged out, I had to agree. Faux gold was everywhere, and the chandeliers were so huge that the prismatic light was blinding.

We were ushered into a gold elevator and to our connecting suites with enough fanfare that I was glad I’d sprung for the extra expense. Sage’s beaming smile was worth it as she commented on every amenity.

Alas, her glow disappeared the minute the door of her suite closed behind the porter who’d dropped off our bags. I’d have to cart mine next door to my connecting room, but no matter.

“Ugh, I need a shower. That flight was so long.” She flung herself on her bed, spreading her arms wide. One shoe dangled off her foot and her clingy leggings were definitely doing their job.

“We traveled from one coast practically to the other.” I picked up my bags, prepared to head into the other room. I needed to freshen up a bit myself. “Take a shower and maybe a nap. I’ll pick you up for a late dinner at—”

She popped up on the mattress. “No way. I only get one vacation like this. I’m not sleeping it away. And hello, marble tub big enough for two. Forget a shower.” She tugged off her cardigan, revealing a tiny cami beneath with straps that kept tumbling down her arms.

Fuck, did she not have on a bra? She had to. With all of that nature’s bounty going on, no way could she stroll around freely. Maybe one of those shelf-bra thingies? Hmm, or—

“Hey there, earth to Oliver.” She snapped her fingers. “You gonna hang around in here all day so I can’t try out the Jacuzzi, or did you want to join me?” She asked the question with a smirk, fully intending for me to say no.

She didn’t have a bathing suit after all. And I was a gentleman.

Except maybe not right now. I was still smarting with annoyance from the car and perhaps I was curious to see just how far she’d go.

To see how far I would go.

“You know, I could use some water therapy myself.” I set down my bags and undid the button on my suit coat. My winter jacket from home had been tucked away the moment we stepped off the plane, and even my suit felt stifling in this heat.

Going from minus-five to eighty-five in one day was inhumane, so why not hop into a sizzling Jacuzzi while I was at it?

Especially when Sage was now staring at me as if I’d just sprouted horns and fangs.

“You can’t use the Jacuzzi right now. I’m going to use it.”

“Didn’t you just offer to share?”

She swung her legs over the side of the bed. “You can’t be serious.”