Page 8 of One Week in Paradise

I have no doubt that The Video will likely become a topic of discussion at some point during the week; that is, if the girls haven’t already gossiped about it together on the flight. But not yet. Let me enjoy some of the Jamaican sun before I’m forced to revisit my greatest shame.

We wave goodbye to Bea and Marcus as the golf cart continues on to their suite and then make our way inside. Cash grabs my big suitcase, leaving me with just my carry-on.

‘I can get that,’ I say, following him up the pathway. ‘Seriously, you don’t have to.’

‘You’re tired,’ Cash says with a shrug. ‘I’ve got it.’

I absolutely don’t marvel at the way his muscles flex slightly as he pulls both mine and his suitcase up the pathway.

I clear my throat and rush ahead of him to open the door for him.

Penelope wasn’t kidding when she called the standalone suites the height of luxury.

The front door opens into a spacious foyer that’s probably bigger than my bedroom back at my parents’ house.

I step further in, my mouth falling open in shock as I enter an enormous room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sliding door that lines the entire back wall.

Beyond the confines of our resort, I can see the expansive and beautifully blue Caribbean Sea and a colourful barrier reef.

Just off the terrace, I can spy a large infinity pool that all the suites along this row must share.

Cash whistles as he enters the main room. He drops our suitcases to the floor and looks around. ‘Damn.’

Damn is right . There’s a giant canopy bed against one wall that’s at least king-sized, a flat-screen TV on the other wall, and a comfortable-looking living area with a six-person couch in it.

We peer into the bathroom. It’s impeccably clean and shiny, and I marvel at the large walk-in shower, imagining how good it’s going to feel washing off ten hours of travel in there.

‘Hang on,’ Cash says suddenly. ‘There’s just the one bed.’

I run back into the main room. I don’t know why I bother to check because he’s obviously right. There’s only the one giant bed.

Cash laughs, but it’s not his usual laugh. It sounds weird and almost a little choked. ‘You’d think they’d be able to fit another bed in here.’

‘We’re supposed to be a couple,’ I remind him, and I sound just as choked as he does. ‘It makes sense that they’d give us a suite with only one bed.’

‘I guess you’re right.’

I glance at him, but he refuses to meet my gaze.

‘I’ll sleep on the couch,’ he says. He walks over to it and plops down on it. ‘It’s big enough, and it’s really comfy.’

‘Don’t be silly,’ I say. I pad over to him and drop down next to him. He’s right. It is ridiculously comfy. Like sitting on a cloud. ‘You’re doing me a favour by coming here. I’ll take the couch. You take the bed.’

‘What kind of gentleman would I be if I did that?’

I raise a brow. ‘I didn’t know you were a gentleman.’

He clutches at his chest and pretends to be offended. ‘After I just carried your suitcase all the way here?’

‘Oh yes, that incredibly long and arduous journey up the pathway.’

‘I’m glad you agree.’ He flashes that grin again, then drops his voice and leans in close. ‘And you’re taking the bed.’

It’s a command. One that sends a shiver down my spine and makes my toes curl.

I force myself to meet his gaze. ‘No.’

Something flashes in his eyes. Is it shock? Intrigue? I’m not sure. He shifts slightly on the couch, angling his body away from mine.

‘ Bailey ,’ he manages to get out, his voice a low, borderline growl. ‘What else are we supposed to do?’

I lick my lips.

‘We can share,’ I manage to choke out. ‘We can take a side each. The bed’s big enough; I’m sure we can keep to our own sides.’

‘Are you sure?’ His voice is hoarse like it’s been hours since he last had a drink.

‘I’m sure.’

He gives me a jerky nod and then abruptly stands up. ‘Do you mind if I shower first?’

He doesn’t wait for my response before he grabs his carry-on and disappears into the bathroom. I wait until I can hear the sound of running water before I let out a deep breath.

There’s something between us. A weird tension that I can’t quite put my finger on. To take my mind off him, I pull out my phone and connect to the suite WiFi.

My phone immediately starts to vibrate with messages.

MUM

Have you landed yet? Let me know as soon as you can x

AMBER

Lemme know when you land

Omg are you there yet? Flight tracker says yes but I need confirmation pls

I respond to them both quickly and let them know we’ve landed safely. I send Amber a quick video of the suite, and she immediately messages back.

AMBER

Holy shit that is NICE

Definitely post that video

Also… am I going mad… or is there only ONE BED IN THAT ROOM?

Before I have the chance to message her back, her face fills my screen as she tries to video call me. Cash is still in the shower, but I don’t want to risk him hearing me, so I slip out onto the terrace through the sliding doors.

‘You look like you need a nap,’ Amber says.

‘I do.’ I grimace. ‘But I need to shower first. I’m waiting for him to finish in there.’

‘How’s it going? You know, the whole fake boyfriend thing?’

I tell her everything that’s happened since we got to the airport back in London, and by the time I get to telling her about the bed, she’s got a wide grin on her face.

‘This is so hot,’ she says bluntly. ‘You’re literally in a cheesy rom-com. You could be Sandra Bullock right now.’

‘There’s nothing hot about any of this,’ I say. ‘He’s still the same old Cash. He’s just doing me a favour.’

Amber hums and wiggles her brows. ‘Why would a guy who supposedly loathes you agree to do this with you?’

She’s got a point, but it’s easily countered. ‘He’s Dane’s best friend. He probably thinks of it like he’s doing Dane a favour.’

Amber shakes her head just as a loud noise back in the suite catches my attention. I turn around. Cash is standing in front of the large window with a white towel slung low around his waist. I watch as he fumbles through his larger suitcase, looking for something.

His hair is dripping wet, and he keeps running a hand through it to push it back from his face. Apparently, he’s found what he’s looking for because he turns around with a look of triumph plastered across his face. I’m frozen to the spot as he looks up, and his eyes meet mine.

Amber is saying something, but I can barely hear her. My focus is entirely on Cash. I drink in every inch of him and commit his glistening body to memory.

I wonder what he’s thinking as he slides open the door and pokes his head out.

‘Shower’s free,’ he calls, and the smirk on his face is unmistakable. In this moment, I’m sure that he can read every single dirty thought that runs through my mind.

He disappears back inside, and Amber’s voice finally cuts through the haze.

‘You’ve gone so red. What happened?’

I exhale a deep, deep breath. I don’t even know where to start.