Page 16 of Whimsical Ink

“Anytime, sweetie. Anytime.” His hands squeeze my waist.

I grin at him and kiss his cheek again, and if his breath catches, it’s probably just because I’m squeezing his neck so hard. I untangle myself from him and lean against the headboard again, and if I’m close enough that my knee presses against him, it’s coincidence.

He nudges the box towards me again. “Put it in to charge and you can use it tonight. But now, we need to go down to breakfast.”

I pout. “I don’t get to use any of it?”

“After the game, you can draw to your heart’s content while you look like an alien with the mask on. Now you need to put your swimsuit on, eat breakfast, and then we’ll head to the beach.”

I shudder, imagining what swimwear Ella thought was appropriate. I was too scared to check last night. “Okay, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

He grabs bright blue board shorts from his bag, a T-shirt, and with a smile at me, leaves the room.

I put everything on the bedside table and figure out how to charge the mask. Snagging the black swimwear from my bag, I avoid looking at it and enter the bathroom to do my skincare and prepare myself for the day.

All the skincare he bought for me is lined up. Cleanser, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen. While the products themselves aren’t super expensive, buying them all at once isn’t exactly cheap. They’re full-sized. He didn’t even buy mini products.

He set up the company with my brother so I know what he gets paid as COO…

But he did it for me. Because he knew it was important to me. Knows I love skincare and have to work around my temperamental skin. He did the same with the presents. Spent way more money than he should have. He did so much to make sure I was comfortable.

But somehow forgot about the bed.

Last night, it was all I could think about. Lying still and straight, trying to avoid him, but waking up on top of him… Ifelt calm. Still feel calm even after the excitement. He makes me calm.

I knew being here would be difficult, having to pretend and trying not to show him how I really feel. Have been feeling for years, but then he went and purchased thoughtful presents.

Always being thoughtful. Thinking of others.

I bite my lip and consider the swimsuit Ella packed. It’s not a bikini, thankfully. They’re a nightmare to put sunscreen on.

But I’m not sure this is any better.

I undress and pull the one-piece on and analyse myself in the mirror. It’s black with ruffles on the shoulders that dip to a deep V shape, with white accents on the seams. The V in the front dips below my breasts and the straps connect above my ass.

Turning, I manage to see the back and thank Ella for not going full g-string. While a cheeky cut, I don’t feel entirely exposed. Not great to do sport in, but Daniel will see me in this.

And the thought of Daniel seeing me in this…

My stomach flutters and my cheeks heat.

I braid my hair and drag his T-shirt on to cover me until we get to the beach, set my ring on the vanity so I don’t lose it in the sand, and leave the room. Time to convince his family we’re dating.

I find everyone in the sunny kitchen, the open doors letting in a warm breeze.

“Good morning,” I say, aiming for the chair beside Daniel, who pulls it out for me.

Emma waves and sips her drink while his parents smile. They had to remind me to drop formalities and call them by their first names. Calling them Cathy and Adam makes everything feel real. Like this isn’t pretend.

I thought pretending to date Daniel would be difficult, but we slipped into it, and don’t have to think about any of it. It’s natural.

It helps that I know his family, even if I haven’t seen them recently.

“Happy birthday,” Cathy says brightly. I smile my thanks, and she sets a full plate of toast and bacon and eggs in front of me.

“Oh, thank you. You didn’t need to make me breakfast.”

“If it’s your birthday, you don’t cook. It’s a rule.” She winks at me and sits to devour her plate.