Page 53 of Tainted Love

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘Nothing bad. Just, I think it’s possible you’re playing up some because you’re scared, too. If you just had an honest conversation with him, didn’t try to be tough and didn’t try to mask how you’re feeling, he might open up.’

She swipes up the cinnamon and raisin swirl and takes an enormous bite. ‘You’re right.’

‘It’s okay to be nervous.’

She stuffs the last of the swirl in her mouth. ‘How come you got so sensible?’

‘I’ve always been sensible. You just used to call it boring.’

‘I wouldn’t call you boring now. At it all night, shagging in the sea.’

‘Shh.’ If I wasn’t already flushed by the humidity, her words would do the job.

‘Oh, please, I’m impressed. Give Gregory credit where it’s due, the man’s an animal. I’ve never been taken all night like?—’

‘Christ, all right! I didn’t think you could hear.’

‘Couldn’t hear you screaming the yacht into submission?’

I bite my lip but I’m laughing, too. ‘I’m sorry. And I didn’t think you knew we did thethingin the sea.’

She leans forward and takes my orange juice, finishing it. ‘I didn’t, until you just said you did. It’s hardly helping my hormone situation knowing you two are at it like rabbits.’

Shaking my head, I stand. ‘I’m paying the bill and you should try booking into a hotel.’

‘That’s actually not a bad idea. At least I’d get some sleep.’

* * *

‘Here good?’ I ask for the fifth time, losing the will to live after trudging the length of Maho Beach.

Amanda eventually drops her bag and declares, ‘Here’s great.’

I see exactly why when I follow her gaze to an incoming bartender, whose board shorts sit on long thighs, and whose biceps are firm and exposed in his Billabong vest –veryAmanda. She juts out a hip and plants a hand on it as she waits for him to come our way.

‘Ladies. Can I set you up on a bed and get you some drinks?’

Amanda unties and shakes her long hair down her back.Jesus, she really is horny.

‘Yes, please,’ I blurt. ‘We’ll take two loungers with a parasol and my friend will have a sparkling water. Because she’spregnant. With someone else’s baby.’

‘Killjoy,’ she mutters.

‘I’m Jake.’ The guy holds out his hand and Amanda’s pout fades away. ‘Nice to meet you. Let’s get you set up on these beds.’

He pulls two white loungers closer together, lays a bed cushion on each, then takes our beach towels when we hand them to him and drapes them across the beds.

‘The beds are twenty-five dollars and you get five free drinks. One sparkling water and what can I get for you, ah…’

‘Scarlett. I’ll take a something fizzy and zero, whatever you have.’

‘My arse you will!’ Amanda springs up from her already horizontal position on her lounger. ‘I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit here forced to drink sparkling water and you’re going to drink a bloody dietpopwhen there’s no need.’

‘Rum punch?’ Jake asks, his eyebrow raised.

‘Looks like it.’