“Too late, I already signed on the dotted line.”
“We can get an annulment.”
The mere word made me sad. What was up with that?
I tried to sound playful as I said, “And miss out on the Maldives?”
“After we get back. It’s easier to get a marriage annulled during the first fourteen days,” he said in a low voice, barely a whisper.
“It’s generally not easy to get an annulment.”
“It’s doable. So if you change your mind after we’re back, you can still get out of this.”
“But that wouldn’t help you at all,” I protested.
“I’ll deal with the fallout. I just....” He shook his head, as if he couldn’t find his words, which was so unlike Hunter. “I’m just afraid that this is going to change things between us, all the pressure, the expectations. You’re my best friend, Josie. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t. Who’s overthinking things now?” I tried to sound playful again. Yesterday, I’d felt so connected to him. His kisses had felt so real. And last night... he’d probably had a little too much to drink. That was all. I’d been projecting my own feelings onto him.
I spent the rest of the journey watching movies. Midway through the flight, Hunter turned his chair into a bed and slept like a rock. He was used to flying. I, on the other hand, grew restless after only a couple of hours and didn’t sleep a wink. When we landed in Dubai, I was already done for, and we had yet another long flight ahead of us.
“If you lie down, you might fall asleep eventually,” Hunter suggested.
But lying down made me even more restless. Eventually, the exhaustion won.
I woke up when the stewardess leaned in to say, “The plane is starting the descent. Please put your chairs in an upright position.”
I rubbed my eyes, then scrambled into a sitting position, glancing out the window.
“We’re over the ocean,” I told Hunter, who was still lying down, rubbing his eyes. “The water is dark blue. I suppose it’s because it’s still deep here. I wonder if it’s really as turquoise as it always is in pictures. With all the filters and effects these days, you never know.”
Hunter was grinning.
“What?” I asked.
“Your enthusiasm is adorable.”
“Why aren’t you enthusiastic? You’ve never been either.”
“I am enthusiastic. But clearly, there’s normal enthusiasm and Josie-level.”
“Don’t make me poke you this early in the morning.”
“You’re welcome to try. I think I know how to win this argument.”
He looked at my lips. I blushed, returning my attention to the window. I tried to remember all the activities one could do on the Maldives.
“I can’t wait to take scuba diving courses. Do you think our hotel offers them? You bad man. I would’ve researched if you had told me beforehand.”
“The hotel staff will fill us in. Already told them you’re eager to try everything.”
I turned around to face him. “We are going to try everything.”
“No, thanks. I’m good at the beach.”
“What if I take off with the instructor?”
His eyes flashed, and he leaned in a tad. Just enough that I could feel every exhale on my lips.
“I’ll have to sharpen my seduction skills, won’t I, wife?”
I swallowed, looking away. “What kind of husband are you, leaving your wife to go off on her own?”
“One who thinks she can take care of herself even though she is crazy enough to go underwater with an air tube strapped to her back. Do you know how much can go wrong? And it’s all out of your control.”
It suddenly clicked in my brain why he was so against it.
“You know what I think?” I asked.
“What?”
“You need to learn how to give up being in control a bit. It’ll be good for you.”
“No chance.”
“I’m going to change your mind.”
“You haven’t managed that in fifteen years.”
I grinned saucily. “No, but... I’m your wife now. I can use so many more tricks, just wait and see.”
Chapter Sixteen
Hunter
A car picked us up from the airport, driving alongside the ocean to the hotel. Josie had her nose pressed to the window the entire way.
“I cannot believe it actually is so turquoise. I feel like I’m in a movie.”
I’d forgotten how excited Josie could get about anything, how vividly she lived life. Perhaps I’d forgotten because it had been a while since we’d done anything new, whether together or apart. She spent most of her time in that office of hers, which I thought was a damn shame. I’d see what I could do to change that. Having money made a lot of things easier. For example, on weekends, I could have a jet ready to fly us to a new destination when needed. I had three years to give Josie what she hadn’t let me do in fifteen years, and I had a good excuse.
“This is so extravagant,” she exclaimed when we entered the hotel. Marble and glass surrounded us, decorated with exotic plants as well, giving the impression that we were outside. Plates with fruit and drinks were placed at strategic distances, so the guests would never be without.
“Mr. Caldwell, Ms. Gallagher, welcome to our hotel.” A tall brunette greeted us, holding a tray with four glasses, two with champagne, two with orange juice.
“Can I offer you a drink while you wait to be checked in?”
She led us to a leather couch next to reception. We clinked glasses, sipping our orange juice while the receptionist filled out forms. Josie inspected our surroundings with wide, wonder-filled eyes. Fuck, she was cute. Especially when her lips parted as she realized there were parrots in one of the trees.
She’d applied gloss before we’d descended from the plane, but as far as I was concerned, her lips looked best without any kind of makeup. They were dark pink and full, and so damn tempting. I’d kissed her far more often than necessary during the wedding. I hadn’t been able to stop myself. And no matter what I told myself, I couldn’t wait to do it again.
When the receptionist excused herself, saying she’d be back after scanning our passports, Josie went to the restroom.
I thumbed some of the brochures in front of me until a blonde approached, placing two glasses of water on the table.
“Thanks.”
“I hope you enjoy your stay here. Can I get you anything else?” Her smile was suggestive. It pissed me off. I had a wedding band on.
“I’m good.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ll ask my wife when she returns if she wants something else. Look, here she is.”
Josie glared at the woman as she sat next to me.
“Josie, do you need anything?”
“No, thank you.”
The woman blinked, straightening up.
I chuckled after she left.
“What?” Josie inquired.
“You were cute, going all territorial for a moment. Thanks for saving me.”
“What are wives for?” She batted her eyelashes. Was she really jealous or was she just playing her part? Damn it, I wanted her to be jealous. I was screwed.