The Honeymoon Prize by Melissa McClone Page B

five years? Did she have a choice?
    Addie had no idea, but she couldn’t watch any longer. She stood, then headed for a path that didn’t go past the bar.
    Not that Nick would notice she’d left. He hadn’t glanced at her once. He was too preoccupied and enthralled with the woman to care about Addie.
    And his not caring hurt more than she ever imagined.

    N ick took a swig of his beer. The woman named Chantal pressed her hip against his thigh. She bent to give him a better view of her breasts through her low-cut top. Sexy, but the executive assistant, on the island to attend a wedding, needed a lesson in subtlety.
    “I went on a long hike today.” The your-place-or-mine gleam in her eyes suggested she would be open to whatever he wanted tonight. “My muscles are so sore.”
    A week ago—hell, five days ago—he would have been all over Chantal, flattered by her interest and eager to see how far he could take this. Pretty far, given her touches and body language.
    But tonight her attention annoyed him. He wasn’t interested in getting hit on or making any moves. The bartender had brought over another round of drinks when he finished his beer. Two sips and Nick was ready to get out of here. He’d seen Addie’s reflection in the glass artwork above the bar. He wished she would finish her dessert, come back and save him from Chantal. But he seemed to be on his own. “Those hikes can be tough.”
    “Mmmm-hmmm. A back rub would be heavenly.” Chantal leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. “How about you come to my bure and help me feel better?”
    Talk about easy. None of the film crew was around to follow him. Nick could avoid being seen by the resort staff. He had Addie’s permission to do what he wanted. Nothing stood in the way of his having a night of hot sex in the tropics.
    Except he didn’t feel like doing that.
    Nick took a long pull from his bottle. The beer felt cool down his throat.
    Why was he being so good tonight? Not his usual MO.
    The gold band on his finger shone beneath the lights hanging from the bar. Years ago, Addie’s grandmother had told him the wedding rings symbolized a union—a lifetime of love with no end. He’d been a teenager, but had never forgotten her words, because they were the antithesis of his parents’ marriage. He’d thought of the words when he ordered an engagement ring for Carrie over the Internet. He’d remembered the words when he was buying two gold bands for him and Addie.
    “What do you say?” Chantal’s tone sounded hopeful. “Ready to go?”
    What the hell was he doing here with this woman instead of Addie?
    “No.” The word was sharp and decisive, but he wanted Chantal to know he was serious. Real marriage or fake one, he wasn’t going to fool around on his honeymoon. Addie deserved better. He set his beer on the bar. “I’m married.”
    “I know, but you’re so hot I don’t mind.” Chantal fluttered her eyelashes. “No one will find out.”
    “Doesn’t matter.” Sex wasn’t part of his and Addie’s marriage arrangement, but he wanted to spend time with her, no one else. “I’d know.”
    Chantal pouted. “But—”
    “Not happening.” Nick glanced up at a metallic sculpture hanging above the bar. The reflection showed Addie’s dessert bowl on the table, but she wasn’t there. He turned. No sign of her. Crap. His pulse kicked up. He stood. “I need to find my wife.”
    Chantal’s mouth formed a perfect O , as if she wasn’t used to be turning down by any man.
    Why had Addie left? He went to the table where she’d been eating her dessert. The spot provided a direct line of sight to where he’d sat with Chantal.
    Nick cursed. He didn’t know what Addie had seen or misinterpreted, but he needed to find her.
    He checked the bar area in case she’d returned. He asked the staff, but none had seen Addie leave. He would make a quick pass along the beach to check if she’d gone on a walk, then go to the bure .
    Waves rolled to