Page 83 of Shattered Throne
"Accepting our room key."
"Our room key. As in, one room. For both of us."
"There are two bedrooms. Sebastian said?—"
"I heard what Sebastian said." Her eyes were blazing. "This isn't what we agreed to. This isn't—we can't?—"
"Kim." I kept my voice low, fighting the urge to smile. She was so angry, her cheeks flushed, her jaw tight. Adorable. Absolutely adorable. And completely unaware of it, which made it worse. "It's fine. I'll take the small room. You and Zoe can have your own space."
She opened her mouth, probably to spit out more venomous words, but my grandmother appeared from nowhere. "Are you two alright? You seem to be having quite the discussion."
Kim's mouth snapped shut.
I turned, sliding an arm around her waist. "Just debating which side of the bed I get. You know how she is about her morning sun."
Grandmother's eyes sparkled. "I'm sure you'll work it out."
Behind her, Isabelle was making no effort to hide her amusement. Helena looked mildly concerned. Sebastian just looked impatient to move things along.
I leaned down and pressed a kiss to Kim's lips. Quick. Casual. The kind of kiss a real boyfriend would give without thinking.
She froze against me.
"There," I murmured against her mouth. "All better. Now smile, darling. We have an audience."
The smile she gave me was more threat than a greeting.
The honeymoon villa was, predictably, ridiculous.
A sprawling single-story structure with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. Living room, full kitchen, master bedroom with a bed the size of a small country. And off to the side, a smaller room—cozy, with a twin bed and its own tiny bathroom.
"That one's mine," I said, dropping my bag on the twin bed. "You and Zoe take the master."
Kim stood in the doorway, arms crossed. "You don't have to?—"
"I want to." I turned to face her. "I know this is... a lot. I know I pushed in the lobby. But I'm not going to make this harder than it needs to be."
She studied me for a long moment. Whatever she saw made some of the tension drain from her shoulders.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
Zoe came barreling through the villa, shrieking with delight at everything she discovered. The infinity pool! The outdoor shower! The fruit basket on the counter! Kim followed her, helping her unpack, changing her out of her travel clothes into a sundress that made her look like a tiny tropical flower.
I changed too—traded my flight clothes for linen pants and a loose cotton shirt, the kind of thing Isabelle would approve of. When I emerged, Kim was in a sundress of her own, simple and white, her hair loose around her shoulders.
She looked like she belonged here. Like she'd always belonged here.
A knock on the door interrupted my staring.
Evie stood on the threshold, looking nervous and hopeful in equal measure. "Hi. Um. I was wondering if Zoe wanted to see the hotel? There's a really cool tide pool behind the restaurant, and sometimes you can find starfish."
Zoe gasped. "Starfish?!"
"Is that okay?" Evie asked Kim. "I'll watch her. I promise."
Kim hesitated, but only for a moment. "Okay. But stay where the staff can see you. And be back before dinner."
"I will." Evie's whole face lit up. She held out her hand to Zoe. "Come on. I'll show you my favorite spots."
