Tempting Bride - Chapter 3 Pink Bikini

“You think I’m pretty …” she said on a dreamy sigh.

His mouth flattened. “That came out wrong.”

Her heart sank. “So, you don’t think I’m pretty?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think you look like. You shouldn’t give any more guys an IOU for anything. You’re so damn sweet and trusting, that guys will want to take advantage of you.”

She held back a sigh. That wasn’t what she wanted to hear.

“Anyway,” he said, “I’ll put your IOU someplace safe. Who knowsmaybe I’ll call it in someday … but not until you’re a lot older.”

“Like, when I’m twenty-five?”

He smiled. “That sounds about right.”

Twelve years from now? Oh my gosh. She couldn’t wait that long.

“Can’t put it in the pocket of my board shorts, since it’ll get wet.” He folded the paper. “Damn.”

“You don’t have to keep it,” she said, feeling ridiculous all of a sudden, and reached for the paper, but he kept it out of her reach.

“No take-backs.”

She let her hand fall. “You really won’t tell my grandparents what I did?”

“As long as you don’t tell anyone I rescued you,” he countered.

Well, that sucked. Her best friend would die if she didn’t tell her what had happened. But this was Drew asking her to do something for himshe couldn’t tell him no.

“Fine.”

He smiled, and her heart fluttered. “If you’re okay, I’ll go now. I promised Alexis I’d meet her at the pool.”

Her heart burst into flames. “Have fun.”

“You can come, too.”

Yeah, Alexis would love that. “That’s okay. I have to help my grandparents with dinner service tonight anyway.”

Standing, he held out his hand to her, and she took it. He pulled her to her feet, and she felt sand falling down the back of her legs. The bottom of her bathing suit now looked like a loaded diaper.

Awesome.

“Drew!” a shrill voice called out from afar.

Drew rolled his eyes. Hannah felt like doing the same.

“I said I’d meet you at the pool, Alexis!” Drew shouted back, but it was no use.

Alexis came into view, looking perfect as always, wearing a bright pink bikini.

“I couldn’t wait that long,” Alexis said, as she stepped closer.

He looked down at Hannah. “Sure you won’t change your mind?”

“Three’s a crowd,” Hannah said, stepping back.

He jerked his head back to her and lowered his voice. “Next year, she won’t be here, so we’ll have more time to spend together.”

Learning that Alexis’ family wouldn’t be coming back was the best news she’d heard all day, but she was pretty sure another girl would take Alexis’s place when it came to Drew’s affection. And that girl wouldn’t be her.

“I’ll save you a skimboard,” she said softly.

He grinned, his white teeth flashing against his tan skin. “Deal.”

“Dreww!” Alexis called when she was right in front of them. “Quit talking to the help. I’m sure little Hannah here needs to go help her grandparents with something at the resort instead of bothering you.”

Drew’s mouth flattened. He looked ready to say something, but he held back. “Better go,” Hannah said with a forced smile. “Told you I have stuff to do. You don’t want to get me in trouble, do you?”

“Yeah. No. Fine.” He walked away, tossing over his shoulder, “Later, Hannah.”

Alexis smiled triumphantly.

Hannah fought the urge to pick up a rock and throw it at her.

She watched as Alexis linked her arm through Drew’s and tried to grab her folded IOU from him.

“Nothing,” she could hear him say clearly. He shoved it into his pocket, and she frowned. Her IOU would be completely messed up nowthanks to Alexis.

Ugh …

She gathered her things and headed back to the resort. For the rest of the day, she let her mind replay the best part of her day, the moment when Drew scooped her up in his arms and carried her out of the water. Of course, she made sure to edit the part where she threw up in his arms.

Besides that one scene, it was still dreamy.

He was officially her very own Prince Charming.

When she had finished with her afternoon chores and sneaked off to the pool, she spotted Drew and the entire Montgomery dynasty standing near the resort’s entry gates. There was his thirteen-year-old brother Connor, their five-year-old little sister London, and their parents looking at their black-suited driver. Alexis sat a few feet over, pouting.

Suddenly, all of the Montgomerys turned and disappeared inside the hotel.

Hannah moved closer to the pool’s gate, wondering what was going on.

“He’s leaving early!” Alexis called out. “You ran him off. Thanks.”

Hannah said nothing, just opened the gate and headed to the resort’s side entrance. She wanted to run, but family staff rules dictated she couldn’t. Plus, she’d broken enough rules today as it was.

When she finally made it inside the resort, she broke out in a run. She had to say goodbye to Drew before he left, she had to see him one last time this summer.

Bag smacking against her side, she avoided crashing into people and service carts as she ran. But by the time she made it to the grand entrance, all she could see of the Montgomerys’ SUV was taillights.

Skidding to a stop, she took a big breath and watched the SUV until she couldn’t see anything.

“Next summer, you won’t see me as a kid anymore …” she whispered.