Page 12 of Island Guardian (Brookwell Island #7)

“Not really.” He sat up straighter. “We can play it by ear. Once we have the license, we can marry at any time.”

She managed not to sputter. This was all moving so quickly. “I shouldn’t take more than three days,” she said. “Not that anyone would question it.” Especially when she returned with her husband . “The board is easy to work with. It’s just my own professional preference.”

Her biggest concern was the likelihood of Luca putting her staff through hell in her absence. They deserved better from her.

“That’s plenty of time to hit the high spots around town,” Rhett said.

“Ilsa works miracles on weddings all the time, whether she has days or weeks to plan.” His fingers were tapping again, this time on the seat.

“Do you want your own suite or do you want to stay at my place? It’s not much different than yours,” he added.

“But I only have the one bedroom. If you’re okay staying with me, I’ll take the couch. ”

Guilt niggled at her yet again. “When this is over, I’m really going to owe you big time.” A thought occurred to her. Was he in this for some favor in the future? “Is that what you’re counting on?”

“Maybe a little bit.” He was joking, his eyes gave him away. “You really don’t owe me a thing. I’m happy to help and I figure we might actually have some fun.”

“In a pretend marriage.” Assuming she could pull it off.

“No one will question our romance or commitment with a wedding planned by Ilsa.”

She’d have to take that on faith.

“How about this?” He sat forward. “It’s obviously bugging you. Whenever we’re not convincing people we’re happily married, we can brainstorm ways to increase business for your property and mine. More of that co-working, cross-training experience.”

“That’s a fabulous idea.” Suddenly she was much more excited to see both the Ellington Cove and Rhett’s role within the resort as well as his family’s system. She started peppering him with questions about events and management and growth projections.

After a hearty laugh, he was generous with his answers, something she never would have expected after butting heads for so long. It was almost a disappointment when the flight attendant announced they were preparing for arrival.

“I do need to ask one favor up front,” Rhett said as the plane touched down on the runway.

“Anything,” she replied instantly, meaning it. She owed him so much for his help with her parents’ disastrous attempt to marry her off.

“When we get back to Brookwell, please gush as much as possible over Ilsa. Especially to Harper.”

“Oh.” She bit her lip. “I shouldn’t jump in the middle of your sibling rivalry like that.”

“Not even for your husband?”

He really didn’t play fair. “Rhett.”

“It’s not a sibling rivalry,” he protested. “It’s a business rivalry. I have the best wedding planner on the East Coast and I need her to be jealous.”

The emphasis gave him away this time. He was teasing again. Besides, she was confident Ilsa was just as good as he claimed. “Fine. You have my word. I will talk her up until Harper wants to bash me over the head.”

Rhett’s lightning-quick grin was worth it. “I won’t let her hurt you.”

She caught herself smiling as they deplaned and he led her toward a waiting car, courtesy of the Cove.

At some point, she needed to analyze why she took him at his word about everything.

She didn’t trust anyone this easily. Maybe it was because they’d met when she was younger.

Or maybe it was seeing the way he doted on his sister.

Whatever it was, Rhett had a profoundly positive effect on her.

She worried that the way he steadied and soothed her would be a problem someday soon.

Though the relief from her typical anxiety was huge, she couldn’t expect it to last. In the meantime, she decided to enjoy whatever magic he was creating in her life right now.

As he drove them toward the Cove, he mentioned some of his favorite places that he wanted her to see. “I know you can’t see much of the views in the dark, but I think you’ll love the quirky charm.”

He would probably be right about that too. “This is my first big tourist moment since I came to the States,” she blurted.

“No kidding?”

“I threw myself into the Inn as soon as I arrived,” she explained.

“With excellent results,” he said.

His sincerity was lovely. “Thank you.”

“Wow,” she said as they turned up the long drive to the Ellington Cove. “How do you manage to make people feel welcome before they even get out of the car?”

“That’s a family secret,” he joked. Parking in the designated space, he cut the engine. “Then again, you’re about to become an Ellington so…”

“Stop teasing. You know I don’t expect any insider information as your pretend wife.”

“As my real wife,” he reminded her. “We’re doing this the right way.”

Her heart skipped and twirled in her chest. “You surprise me every other minute.” She wasn’t sure it was a compliment .

“I could say the same thing.” He’d shifted in his seat and enough light filled the car to show her he wasn’t teasing.

Her breath seemed to slow even as her pulse kicked up. “Well, um.” She was a surprise to him? She only meant to be herself. “That’s probably because I’m desperate.”

He plucked his phone out of the cupholder, turning it absently in his hands. “I don’t want you to feel desperate ever again.”

Stunned, she sat there, basking in the warmth of his words and the sincerity in his blue gaze.

He slipped the phone into his pocket. “Can I hold your hand as we go inside?” he asked.

She didn’t need him to tell her it would help sell their lie.

It would be strange to have two people suddenly get married without anyone spotting a single moment of affection.

Suddenly she wanted nothing more than to walk hand in hand with Rhett into the famous resort the Ellingtons had lovingly restored a few years ago.

“Yes.” Barely a whisper. “Yes,” she repeated more firmly, adding a smile.

He climbed out of the car, paused to get her suitcase from the trunk, and then opened her door. Standing there, he once again extended his hand, allowing her to complete the connection.

She wondered if he had deliberately made it easier for her by beginning the gesture at the point where she might like his support to get out of the car.

His hold was relaxed. Comforting. And still she felt the spark of his touch all the way to her toes as they walked into the building.

The doors parted on a whisper and they were suddenly surrounded by the grandeur of the lobby.

Even with the lights set lower for the late hour, the space was gorgeous.

A soothing tropical ease was her first impression.

Ceiling fans shaped like wide palm leaves stirred the air and lush, live greenery softened the necessary angles, breaking up the gathering areas and loosely framing a path to the front desk.

“Welcome back, Mr. Ellington!” A young man at the front desk beamed at them.

“Thanks, Dean. It’s good to be home,” Rhett replied. “Dean, this is Trina Bollani, my fiancée.”

To his credit, Dean didn’t blink or miss a beat. “Congratulations to you both. Welcome to the Cove, Ms. Bollani.”

“Please, call me Trina. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She gave Dean bonus points for his calm reaction. In the back of her mind, she wondered if Jacob would be as smooth when she broke the news to her staff.

“I’ll make the full announcement tomorrow at the staff meeting,” Rhett explained.

Dean straightened and his expression turned quite serious. “I’ll hold it as an honored secret until then, sir.”

Rhett chuckled. “Thanks, man.”

“Let us know if you need anything,” he called softly as they walked on.

Rhett guided her down the hall toward the main elevators. They rode up a couple of floors and then got off. He turned down another hallway and tapped a card to a security panel near a discreet service door.

“Will I be able to get in and out without you?” She’d made a mental note of the route, though that wouldn’t help if the card failed her.

“I’ll have a card ready for you in the morning. It’s a few extra steps and I didn’t want to bother Dean with it tonight. He’s never done one before.” Rhett smiled. “There’s never been a need until now.”

At the end of a service hallway that was pleasant, but not decorated like the front-facing areas, he tapped his card one more time to unlock what appeared to be a normal hotel room door.

He pushed open the door and she followed him inside.

His scent surrounded her, drawing her deeper into his residence.

When the door closed he threw the deadbolt. “Just one lock. But there’s no threat of anyone stumbling upon our door.”

She appreciated his assurance, even though it embarrassed her to need it so much. “How long have you lived here?”

“Two years now.” He wheeled her suitcase through the living area and past the kitchen, toward what must be the bedroom door. “Please, make yourself at home. I’ll grab a couple of things and hit the couch. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

She froze in the doorway, staring at the gorgeous, four-poster, king size bed. A familiar, unwelcome rush of nerves chilled her skin. As much as she wanted to be one of those confident women who could suggest they share the bed platonically, she wasn’t ready for that. “Thank you.”

“Do you need anything? I’ve got an inside line on high-end toiletries.”

This man. She chuckled. “No, I’ll be fine.”

She stood there feeling awkward as he gathered the things he needed. Lastly, he took a pillow from one side of the bed and wished her a good night.

“Good night,” she said, a beat too late. He’d already closed the door.

After checking to make sure there were no messages from Jacob, she quickly got ready for bed.

Sliding under the covers, it was obvious he’d asked the room to be serviced.

The linens were clean, the bed freshly made.

And yet the room itself still carried an unmistakable hint of Rhett’s masculine scent.

It was simultaneously wonderful and terrifying. He was the last person she would expect to come to her aid, but she couldn’t have asked for a more thoughtful friend.

Standing up to Luca, arranging for an impromptu wedding, insisting on an official marriage. The man was handling each detail with such decisiveness and compassion. She should probably have more to say about all of it, but she was too relieved.

Now that she’d had some time to consider, he was right about her parents. When they heard about the marriage, they would insist on seeing that everything was legal and in order or they would never be convinced.

Divorce might be an eventual scandal but that was future Trina’s problem. Anything was better than being married to Luca.

Closing her eyes, she coached herself to sleep. Tomorrow was certain to be another whirlwind of epic emotional proportions.