I never should have kissed her.
Not because it isn’t amazing or a lack of chemistry but because we sure as fuck don’t. All I want to do is haul her to me and kiss her for hours, make her leave my freaking mind for good.
Her hands grip my face, holding me to her as I tangle my fingers in her hair. Our tongues push against each other’s, and I swallow her breathy moans. Jesus Lord, there is no way I’m going to survive this.
I never want this to stop. If this is fake, then she’s winning an award.
However, her father is waiting and I’m expected to walk outside to meet him for the first time.
How am I supposed to do that now that I’ve tasted the mint on her tongue, felt the heat of her breath? And am going to have to deflate my, er, semi.
Maren’s eyes are glossy as we struggle to catch our breath. “Wow,” she says, her fingers pressing against her lips.
I put on my normal, everything-is-sunshine-and-nothing-bothers-me façade in case that was her faking it. “And that wasn’t even me trying.”
She lets out a breathy laugh. “Thank God for that, I guess.”
Josh yells out again. “Dude!”
“We’re coming!”
I extend my arm to Maren, doing everything I can not to shove her against the wall and kiss her again. “My love.”
Her hand tucks into the crook of my elbow, and she sighs deeply. “Here goes nothing.”
We walk out toward the front entrance, passing the cleaning crew, who are wiping things down to get rid of all the construction dust. Our floors were delivered late last night, and by tomorrow, the contractors should be done with the installation in the entire resort. Stella has planned out which rooms will be done at certain times, and we’re to stick to the parts of the resort that have been completed. Right now, they’re finishing the guest room her parents will be staying in. If all goes well, that’ll be done within the hour.
The passenger door opens, and Maren rushes forward to help her father out. At one time, he was a tall man, probably stockier too. The man before me is frail with almost leathered skin, but his eyes, they’re kind and full of unshed tears.
He and his daughter embrace, and then she wipes the tears on his cheeks. “Daddy,” she says before holding him tight to her again. “I’ve missed you so much.”
He laughs a little but doesn’t release her. A woman exits the driver’s side and walks over. “That’s enough now, Patrick. You have to let her breathe.”
This must be Linda.
Maren steps back, the joy that was in her gaze dimming at her stepmother’s interference. She doesn’t say anything to her, though, she just guides her father toward me. “Daddy, I’d like you to meet someone.”
“Mr. McVee.” I extend my hand to him. “I’m Oliver.”
He smiles, shuffling his feet forward. His voice is barely there, but I hear each word. “Thank you. Thank you for loving my girl.” He doesn’t shake my hand, instead, he pulls me into a hug. I hear a gasp and what sounds like a soft sob from Maren. He pats my back twice and then pulls back, looking at me with a smile. “I am so happy to meet you, son. You’re a good man and smart to see the treasure she is.”
I’m a fucking liar, but I force myself to remember why we’re doing this.
He’s clearly overjoyed, and this might just bring him the peace his daughter is hoping for. It doesn’t really sit well that it’s all bullshit though.
“I don’t think anyone can look at her and not see how special she is. I’m just lucky she thinks I’m worthy,” I say with an easygoing grin. Thank God for the years I spent perfecting this persona.
Maren takes my hand again. “This is Linda, my dad’s wife.”
I shake with my free hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yes, likewise. It was a very long drive, do you happen to know if there’s a place my husband can rest? He’s very sick and requires a lot of breaks. It’s also time for another breathing treatment.”
“Of course, Linda,” Maren says with ease, but her grip tightens just a bit, portraying her true emotions. “We’ll take you into the lobby.”
“We’d prefer to just check in to our room.”
I glance at my watch, knowing we need at least another forty minutes before I can put them in the room.
I give her my most charming smile, the one that all the ladies seem to love. “Mrs. McVee, I’d love to show you there, but first, allow me to give you a short tour. I’m sure that you all will love Melia Lake, the views from the back deck are stunning and we can have some food and drinks out there. With you all just getting here, I’d like to have some time to talk and take in the fresh air.”
Linda blinks a few times and then shakes her head. “Oh, but . . . I . . .”
Patrick speaks before anyone else can. “I’d like that. Some fresh air would be nice.”
“But you need your medications.”
He nods. “And I can take them on the deck.”
“No other guests are at the resort yet,” I explain. “So, we’ll have complete privacy other than my siblings, who are still working to get everything ready for when all the guests get here.”
“Your siblings?” Linda asks.
“Yes, my family owns this resort.”
Her eyes widen. “You didn’t say that, Maren.”
Maren tilts her head toward me, resting it on my shoulder. “It’s why it was so important to have the wedding here. Oliver and I wanted something that brings both our families together.”
Her father smiles widely, and we all walk toward the back.
“Wow, this is amazing,” Linda says as she takes in the view of the lake.
It really is. My siblings and I have done a damn good job here. With our architect and design team, we were all able to use the land to help in every way. I’m proud of this place and all the work we put into it.
Now, we just need it not to tank.
“We’re going to expand that dock area in a few years, but we want to keep it in line with the rest of the resort. Down that trail”—I point to the one on the left—“my brother-in-law, Jack, has a cabin where he does all kinds of wilderness retreats and excursions. Families can take overnight trips or daytime hikes.”
Maren’s father nods. “And what about that area?” he rasps as he points to another cabin that was not a planned addition.
“That’s a children’s area. My niece thought there should be a place for little kids to go when they don’t want to be with their parents anymore. My brother, who can’t seem to tell the kid no, thought it was a great idea. The inside of it is amazing and should be experienced, but I’ll leave it at that so I don’t ruin your experience of seeing it for the first time. We also have a teen area on the property.”
“So, you help your family and also work full-time with Maren as well?” he asks.
Maren steps in. “Oliver is more of a silent partner in the resort. He’s just helping while they’re starting up.”
“You said he was just on a mission,” Linda adds.
“Yes, he was.”
Linda turns to me. “How are you going to split your time?”