Chapter Fifteen
Spencer lazed on the couch, watching Kristen strum the guitar and write on her iPad.
She sat on the white lounge chair in a white tank top with light blue shorts. He was glad she wasn’t too big on bikinis because he didn’t think he could handle a week of Kristen striding around in her bikini.
They had delayed their honeymoon for a couple of days, but once the doctor cleared Kristen to leave, they did.
The Maldives was the perfect place for them to head to.
Besides the production crew members, there weren’t many others at the resort with them. And since no one but the production crew knew they were coming here, Kurt had checked with the resort management to make sure that everyone else who was here had made their bookings a least a month ago.
Only one couple had made a last-minute booking. Kurt had called and offered them an upgrade and a fully paid vacation if they would change their dates. The couple gladly took him up on it.
Spencer didn’t want to risk anything, not after the poisoned chocolates and especially not after the package Ana had received in the loft.
Just a day after Kristen’s poisoning, Ana received a package at the loft. The package was addressed to Kristen, but Ana opened it after getting permission from Kristen.
Inside was a bright orange, yellow, and blue halter dress, just like the one Melody had worn when she fell or was pushed from the balcony.
The security personnel had come with them to the Maldives, and the production crew all knew what Samantha had found out.
Kurt had made copies of the two photos of the stalker in the light gray hoodie and distributed them to all the crew members and security personnel.
Spencer had been furious at how excited the producer was. The producer thought this additional mystery would send the ratings through the roof, but thankfully he stopped harping on it before Spencer tried shoving him out of the loft’s window.
Next to him, Kristen’s phone buzzed and a notification popped up showing Kristen had a text message from Alvin.
With all that had been happening, Alvin should be Spencer’s last concern. But Spencer couldn't help noticing the number of texts Alvin had been sending.
Though Kristen never replied to Alvin messages, not in front of Spencer anyway, it still irked him.
He grabbed the phone and walked out onto the balcony. His footsteps thumped on the rustic wooden floorboards. “You have a text from Alvin.”
“What does he want?” she asked without glancing up from the iPad.
“I don’t know.” He held the phone out to her.
She rattled off six numbers.
“What?”
“That’s the password to my phone.” She looked up at him and smiled. “So what does he want?” She played a tune on the guitar, then turned to her iPad.
He grinned and tapped the numbers in. “He heard you were in the hospital and wants to know if you’re all right. What do you want me to reply?”
She shrugged. “Whatever you want, or you can just not reply.” From the one-sided bubbles in the chat, it seemed ignoring Alvin was Kristen’s favorite response.
Spencer grinned. All previous annoyance dissipated, and he even felt a little sorry for Alvin. “She’s fine,” he said as he typed.
“Make sure you attach your name to that, or he’ll be wondering what’s wrong with me.” She put her guitar down and pulled him down next to her.
“Shall we go out to the beach?”
“You look busy.”
Kristen shook her head. “Let’s go have some fun. Forget about your stalker and everything else. I hate seeing you so worried.”
“You could’ve died.”
“I should’ve just spat out the chocolate.” She hooked his arm over her shoulder and lay back on the chair. “Which I was going to do.”
Spencer turned and kissed her hair as she snuggled against him.
“There’s a party tonight. Let’s go have fun. You’ve already seen me throwing up, so I can drink as much as I want.”
He stroked her arm, not quite appreciating the joke. He was glad that she’d thrown up most of the poison almost immediately. But what if she wasn't that lucky the next time? “Or we can just lie here all day.”
“Do you want to listen to my new song? It’s not complete, but I have most of it.”
“Yeah. Let’s hear it.”
She pulled her lower lip in and grabbed her guitar. He pushed his back off the chair and listened to her new song. It was fun, sexy in parts, and everything about it had the signature of the woman he’d come to know over the last month.
“I love it.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
Her fingers plucked at the guitar mindlessly, as if it was more of a habit than a conscious effort. “It’s for you, the song,” she said. “Somehow when I’m with you, I feel braver, bolder. You make me see parts of myself I’ve never seen before. It’s like you’re the first person to really see me.”
Spencer leaned forward and cupped his hand against her face. “And I love every part of you.”
She smiled, then blinked.
A corner of his lips curled. “I think I’m head over heels in love with you.”
“Head over heels?”
He sighed and traced the shape of her lips. His heart thumped as he realized what he’d said. He was excited and worried at the same time. He’d never felt more vulnerable than at this moment. “I love you, Kristen Park.”
Her lips parted into a brilliant smile, but she didn’t say anything back to him.
He closed his eyes and pressed his hand to his chest. “Ouch.”
She chuckled and put her hand over his. “I think I’m head over heels in love with you, too. It just seems crazy to say that when I just met you a month ago.”
“Say it anyway. I want to hear it.”
“I love you, Spencer Rowe.”
He grinned and kissed her hand.
“This really complicates things, doesn’t it?” she asked.
“I don’t care.”
Kristen and Spencer spent the rest of the afternoon lazing on their balcony. They kissed, joked about some random things, kissed, chatted about random things, then kissed again.
Then she took a nap, dozing off on his chest while listening to his steady heartbeat.
He jerked suddenly, startling her awake.
“Kris!” He flew upright, and Kristen almost fell off the chair.
She put a hand on his chest. “I’m right here. I’m right here.”
He turned to her and pressed her back onto the chair as his hand caressed her face. His lips found hers in a panic, and he kissed her fiercely and possessively.
Both his hands were on her face, and he held her as if she would disappear at any moment.
“Spence,” she panted when he broke the kiss. “I’m okay.” She skimmed her finger down the taut muscles along his cheek. “I’m right here, safe with you.”
He buried his face in her neck, and she rubbed her hands up and down his back.
“I’m okay,” she said again.
He pushed himself off her, balancing his weight on his elbows. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for.”
He gave her a peck on the nose. “Should we just stay here forever?”
She ran her hand through his tousled blond hair. “What did you dream about?”
“I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Tell me,” she said softly.
“I saw you in the dress, falling off a balcony.” He flipped her over and pulled her against his chest.
“I’m sorry for what you saw.” She pushed herself off his chest. “But I am safe.” She glanced toward the door where two security personnel stood inside the room while another two stood outside. “They’re with me wherever I go. I’m never alone, and I promise I won't eat or drink anything delivered. I won't even order takeout, okay? I’ll just wait for you to cook.”
He ran his fingers through her hair. “I don't think I could survive losing you.”
“You’re not going to lose me.” She snuggled against his chest. “Tell me, what can I do to make you feel better?”
“Stay by my side every second of the day.”
She laughed and gave him a peck on the chest. “Spence, I love you.”
“Or you could just keep repeating that.”
She shifted and moved closer to his ear. “I love you,” she whispered and planted soft kisses on his neck. “I love you.” She gave him a peck on the cheek. “I love you.”
He weaved his fingers into her hair and tugged her toward him. “Marry me.”
“Is this about sex again?”
He laughed, his body rocking as he did. “Is that what you think?” He brushed his fingers through her hair. “Maybe this whole love thing is messing with my mind. But every time I see you wearing the rings, I just wish it was real. That you were really mine.”
She sat up and looked at her fingers.
“So marry me.”
“Spence, you’re not thinking straight.”
“I don't think I’ve ever known what I wanted so clearly.”
“You knew you wanted your hover board.” Which she had bought for him, and he had been playing with it around the loft.
“If you could only read my mind—actually, no. Forget that.”
She shook her head. “Well, Mr. Rowe, I’ll be your wife for the next five months.”
He winced.
“We’ll see where this goes.”
“Did you just reject my proposal? Twice?” He frowned. “And you’re already wearing my ring.”
She chuckled and leaned back on his chest. “How would it work if you really proposed?”
“Really proposed? I’ve already asked twice.”
“Will you take this ring back so you can ask me to marry you? Do we tell people we’re engaged or married?” She shook her head. “It will really complicate things.”
“I don't care.”
She gazed up at him. “You don't care about the ring?”
“Do you want another ring?”
“I love this one.”
“Can I just propose with an empty box then?”
She pinched her lips together. “No.”
He tightened his arm around her and gave her a tight squeeze. “If I can give you all the answers, will you say yes?”
“Hmm … You’re not supposed to know the answer until after you ask.”
“Which I did—twice.”
She laughed and got off the lounge chair. “Let’s take a walk on the beach.” The sun was already starting to go down.
“Are you saying no because my mother had me out of wedlock?”
Kristen frowned. “What? What has that got to do with anything?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m doomed for damnation. Maybe you’d be breaking some Christian rules.”
She pursed her lips to stop herself from laughing. “Spence, are you joking right now?”
He stared back at her, completely serious. And that was when she remembered Spencer once mentioned something about adding points to save his soul.
“Spence, I don’t know what you’ve been taught or where you get your ideas about Christianity from.” Kristen returned to his side. “But being born out of wedlock doesn’t put you on the meant-for-hell list. There’s only one reason that would put you there: if you don’t believe Jesus is your savior. That’s it.”
She took his hand. “I’m sorry your mom had to raise you up on her own. I’m sorry your family and church turned their backs to you and your mom. But it doesn’t change how I feel about you.
“I love you, Spence. And I’d love to say yes to you and jump on a plane to Vegas and get married right away.” She skimmed her index finger down the side of his face. “But I’m scared.”
He frowned.
“I’m afraid you’ll change your mind.”
“I won't.” He brushed her hair aside and cradled her neck, his thumb gently kneading her cheek.
“Then does it matter if we see where we are in five months?”
“Okay,” he said after a moment. “I’m going to stop sulking. Let’s go for a walk.”
“Yay.”