6. Ronan

Ronan

Early morning runs are just better when they're on a sandy beach at sunrise. And today, I pushed myself even harder — ten kilometers instead of my usual seven to warm up before a session in the gym with some weights. All to try and outrun the memory of finally having Willow in my arms last night.

Fucking hell, did I ever want to kiss her. But she's like a stray kitten; earning her trust is a long game. And kissing her last night would have destroyed any trust I've already built. Of course, the fact that I only have three days left here in Hawaii isn't lost on me. If anything is going to happen between Willow and me, the clock is ticking.

I'm covered in sweat, my legs aching, but my mind is finally calm when I reach the open-air lobby of the hotel. As soon as I step inside, my ears pick up a familiar voice, only this time, it sounds frustrated. My gym session is instantly forgotten as I zero in on Willow.

"You're telling me there's nothing available? It's not my fault the shower is broken and my bathroom is currently flooded and unusable."

I hurry over to Willow's side at the front desk. "Hey, stranger," I say, touching her arm lightly. Her head whips around in surprise, but she doesn't respond to me, turning back to the concierge who is typing frantically on a keyboard. Her lack of greeting or acknowledgment stings a little, but obviously something's going on that's taken all of her attention.

"I'm truly sorry, Ms. Lawson, but we are fully booked for the next several weeks. I can reach out to a neighboring hotel to see if anyone has room for you. We will, of course, refund you for the remainder of your stay."

"I don't want another hotel. I want to stay here." Willow sounds more than a little disappointed, and I don't blame her. This place is spectacular, and well, I'm here. Not that I'm fooling myself into believing my presence is a factor in her wanting to stay, but it's nice to imagine.

"Willow, you can stay with me." I say quickly before I have a chance to think twice about it.

She pivots slowly to face me. "Excuse me?"

I nod, stuffing my hands in my pockets. "Seriously. I splurged and booked a suite, but it's way too much for just one person. There's plenty of room." I try not to pressure her, but I really want her to say yes. To let me help fix this. "Problem solved, if you're okay with it?" I glance back up at the staff member behind the desk. "And I'm sure the hotel would be willing to compensate you for the inconvenience with a complimentary spa service or something."

The woman assisting Willow nods emphatically. "Yes, of course, Ms. Lawson. I'm terribly sorry we can't do more to resolve this unfortunate situation, but there's just no room at all that we can move you to. If you're willing to share with your friend here —" she gestures to me "— then we are happy to offer you a voucher for a full day of luxurious treatments at our Moana Lani spa."

I see her shoulders lift and fall as Willow takes a deep breath. Her gaze turns up, searching my face for something. "Are you sure about this?"

I nod. "One hundred percent."

"Okay. Thank you." She turns to the concierge. "I'll take that spa voucher, and my friend deserves some compensation for having to share his suite with me as well, don't you think?"

I watch in amusement as the concierge almost fall over themselves trying to offer me restaurant vouchers, free rounds of golf, you name it. I shake my head at all of it. "No, thank you, but no."

The gentleman helping me taps a few keys on his keyboard. "We truly appreciate your understanding with all of this." He hands over a second key card, which I immediately pass to Willow. "And Ms. Lawson, someone will be up to your room to help move your belongings very soon."

Less than an hour later, I've had just enough time to shower, pull on some clean clothes, and tidy up a bit. A knock on my door reveals Willow and a valet with a luggage cart carrying her bags.

"Hi," she says softly. "Thanks again for doing this." She moves to the couch and drops her small bag down. "This is me?"

"Fuck no, you take the bedroom and I'll take the couch," I say emphatically.

"Ronan, you can't give me your bed. I'll be fine on the couch."

I fold my arms across my chest and stare at her. I've got a toddler; patience is my superpower. She won't win this one. "Housekeeping just changed the sheets while I was out for my run. Seems almost as if fate knew you would need to move in here, hmm?" I arch my brow, fighting back a smirk at her adorable huff of annoyance.

"You and that freaking F-word."

I pick up her bag and carry it into the bedroom, not even bothering to see if she follows. Raising my voice slightly, I just keep on as if it's a done deal. "I'll need to come in to grab clothes each day, but other than that, you've got your privacy. Well, that and the bathroom."

"What about the bathroom?" she asks, her voice revealing she's joined me in the bedroom. I glance over my shoulder and grin.

"There's only one. Hope you don't take too long to get ready in the morning."

Her eye roll is impressive, but she's smiling. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"

I just shrug, knowing I've won this round. Shit, it's fun bantering with her. She's got sass and doesn't give in easily.

"Well, damn, this is a step up from the city view in my old room," Willow marvels as she walks over to the large glass doors leading out to the private balcony overlooking the white sand beach. I amble over to stand beside her.

"Yeah, I'm a sucker for a good view."

She turns her face up to me. Only, instead of looking at the beach, I'm staring straight at her.

"You're quite the charmer, Ronan Sinclair."

"When necessary."

She tilts her head to the side, shifting closer to me so our arms are almost touching. "And is it necessary with me?"

"Necessary? Hopefully not. Enjoyable? Absolutely, yes."

"It's not necessary. Consider me charmed." She winks and it's all I can do not to bend down and kiss her right then and there.

"Have dinner with me tonight." I hadn't planned on asking again. Not yet, at least, but between the dance last night and the flirting right now, I can't help myself. Instead of shaking her head in an immediate refusal, Willow's face relaxes into a beautiful smile.

"I'd love to."

My answering grin is massive, I realize, but fucking finally. "I'll make a reservation for seven. Do you have plans for today?"

She nods. "Very important ones."

"Well, don't let me keep you from them." I stifle my disappointment. But it's probably for the best. Eddie said everyone is meeting up for lunch before most of the guests head home today. I leave Willow in the bedroom and head out into the main living area to check my phone and see if he's sent any more details. Not that I expect the man to be awake, even if it's now close to 10 am. He did just get married, after all.

Sure enough, there's nothing on my phone except a text from my mom with a photo attached. I open it up, and my heart melts. There's my girl, riding her bike with Gran. There's nothing that kid likes more than the feeling of going fast. Whether she's running, or riding her bike, she loves speed. It's why I call her Rocket.

"Do I want to know what you're looking at that has you smiling like that?"

I turn at the sound of Willow's voice, and suddenly I'm smiling for a very different reason. The white bikini she's wearing leaves little to the imagination, even with the sheer cover-up she's got on. "Damn, woman. Need me to do your sunscreen again?" I waggle my eyebrows so she knows I'm not trying to be a creep, and she laughs.

"Thanks for the offer. I don't plan on being in the sun; there's a beach umbrella with my name on it waiting poolside." She lifts her bag and pats the side of it. "I'm going to read and relax."

"That's your very important plan?" I tease.

"Absolutely, it is." She nods.

My phone chimes with an incoming message, this time from the groom. Lifting it to wave at her, I say, "Well, enjoy. I've got lunch with the newlyweds, and then a round of golf with my other buddy. I'll see you later for dinner?"

Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me again, but I swear I see disappointment cross her face. But she schools her expression quickly enough to make me wonder if that's just my hopefulness seeing things.

"See you later," she replies softly, looking at me for another second before whirling away in a cloud of floral and citrus. I watch her go, the filmy fabric of her cover-up hiding none of her alluring curves.

Fucking hell, do I ever want that woman. And tonight, maybe, I'll finally get my chance.