"Harp, you ready? All the lounge chairs are going to be taken!" Lanie called from outside my door.

I chose to share a room with Lanie; mainly because I didn't want to share one with Ryan. I figured the "girl time" excuse would work, and it did. Lanie knew my big bad secret. Well, she knew most of it. I was glad I had somebody to talk to about this situation besides Jackson.

"Be right out!" I answered as I checked my appearance in the mirror. Speaking of Jackson Reese...As he requested, I'm wearing my red bikini today. I was starting to get the impression that he really likes the color on me. I'm glad I chose a couple of red pieces of lingerie when I went shopping before the trip. I already decided to agree to his offer, but I needed to decide when to tell him. I kind of like the idea making him jealous.

I had my hair up in a ponytail and had a black cover-up over my suit. Let's just say, I'll take it off at the right time. I grabbed my bag with my towel, sunscreen and essentials before leaving my room.

"Where's Jamie and Danielle?" I asked her as she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Jamie just texted me and said they are on their way down."

"Okay," I said, grabbing my room key from the counter. "Let's go!"

As we took the elevator down, I thought about the upcoming plans while we were here. Tomorrow the whole family had a day at the beach planned, unfortunately, so me and the girls planned the bachelorette party for the day after. They wouldn't tell me much. They didn't want to ruin the surprise.

I was definitely in the mood to let loose and have some girl time at the bachelorette party. I've been so stressed with the wedding. I still haven't found a dress, I still have to do the whole maid of honor and bridesmaids thing, and of course...The actual wedding. Ryan really was a good guy, but the idea of spending the rest of my life with him made me nauseous.

I kept trying to remind myself why I needed to do this and what was at stake. The fucked up part about this was-- I understood. I understood why my parents were counting on me to see this through. I wanted to make them happy, and I wanted to make sure that they were okay. But a part of me, the selfish part of me, felt like I was being doomed to a loveless marriage and was going to live the rest of my life being miserable.

The ding of the elevator let us know we arrived to the lobby and it brought me back to the present. We walked out to the pool and I had to say, it was impressive. There were lounge chairs surrounding it, there were private cabanas, and servers bringing out drinks.

"There they are!" Lanie pointed to Jamie and Danielle on the left side of the pool.

We walked over to meet them and noticed they had to empty lounge chair safe for us. We all exchanged hellos and it wasn't long before the four of us were all stretched out trying to relax.

"So, Harp, you excited for your party?" Jamie asked.

"Yes! Just please, girls, nothing too crazy." That was all I needed right now. Some wild crazy night where I did something I would regret due to heavy alcohol. I also didn't want to start any issues with Ryan's parents. It would probably be the first to find out if anything happened.

"Why would we do something crazy?" Danielle asked innocently.

Lanie and I both looked at her and she shrugged. "I don't care. It's not every day one of us gets married. I mean, come on! Harper is the first one out of the four of us to tie the knot. How can we not in her single life with a great party?"

Lanie glanced at me as Jamie added, "That's true, Harp."

I knew these girls were relentless and they were going to throw some crazy party whether I wanted them to or not. I let out a sigh of defeat when I said, "Fine! You have free reign of my bachelorette party."

They let out a squeal of delight at the endless possibilities and I couldn't help but laugh along with them.

"Sounds like you ladies are having fun over here," Jackson said, surprising us. All of our eyes went to him. How could they not? Jackson was standing in front of us wearing a pair of long black swim trunks. Against my will I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth as I looked at his bare chest. Since I was wearing sunglasses, it felt safe to ogle him. I couldn't keep my mind from flashing back to that first night we met. I remember how it felt when my legs were wrapped around his waist as he drove into me. Lust ripped through me and I had to refrain myself from shifting my legs. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing his effect on me.

When I looked up at his face, he was sporting a cocky grin. Even though he had on a pair of dark Ray-Bans, I could feel his eyes on my body. Like a caress going from head to toe.

My friends didn't know him and were gaping at how hot he was. Naturally.

"Good morning, Harper," he said with a tone that sent a chill through me and also clued me in on the fact that he did, indeed, know what I was thinking about.

"You know him?" Danielle and Jaime asked simultaneously.

He laughed as I replied. "This is Jackson. He's Ryan's brother from London."

"It's nice to meet you," my friends said and they each provided their names for him.

"The pleasure is mine," he answered, his accent making the words roll off of his tongue with meaning.

Before any of us could respond, Ryan walked up and leaned down to give me a kiss. "Good morning, baby." He looked over and smiled at the girls. "Ladies, good to see you. I see you met my brother. I hope he's being a gentleman."

"An absolute gentleman," Danielle purred.

This was not the first time I wanted to put Danielle in her place. She tended to be a "free spirit". She went for anyone she found slightly interesting. Jackson Reese...was a prime target.

"Good," Ryan said with a laugh. "Anne, Jay and I are going to get some drinks. Would you ladies like anything?"

"Vodka-soda," I answered so quickly and I caught Jackson biting back a smile.

"Strawberry Daiquiri, please," Lanie said.

"Margarita with sugar instead of salt," Jamie requested.

When Danielle hesitated, Jackson asked, "And you, lovely?"

I turned my head and saw her pull off her sunglasses as she batted her eyes at him. Bitch.

"How about you bring me your favorite, Jackson?"

"With pleasure," he said with a smile.

I felt his eyes slide over me as he turned and started walking off with Ryan to get our order. I knew I should keep my mouth shut and not say anything. It would have been the smart thing to do. But I wasn't feeling smart. I was pissed off.

"Danielle, you should try to keep it in your pants for once," I said while trying to keep my voice calm and easy. "I mean, he's my fiance's brother."

I could feel their eyes on me and I knew I surprised the shit out of them. It was out of character for me to say something like that, but I let jealousy get the best of me. Jealousy with a capital J.

After all, Danielle was a tall leggy brunette with green eyes and a model figure. She was definitely someone I could see Jackson getting involved with.

"We'll see about that," Danielle said with a laugh.

"Here we go," Lanie and Jaime set at the same time. Because out of the four of us, Danielle and I are the one that usually butted heads.

Let the games begin...

"I think I'm starting to burn," Jamie said from beside me. We spent most of the day at the pool with everyone; and I mean everyone. The pool area was taken over by the extended families of both Hale and Lewis. I've made the necessary small talk and, when needed, played the happy fiancee.

Everyone was getting ready to have some dinner by the pool and Jamie and I had just finished tanning for the past hour.

"You're a little pink." I grabbed the bottle of my SPF 40. "Here, let me help you."

I put some sunscreen on Jamie's shoulders and back to help keep her from getting burned. Lanie went up to the room a little while ago to get some rest before dinner. Danielle...Well, she had spent the day flirting with Jackson. When everyone was having fun in the pool, I couldn't help but notice the playful splashing between them. Jackson would occasionally pick her up and throw her into the pool. I know he was trying to make me jealous. Especially since I haven't given him an answer yet to his offer.

I looked over at the table where Jackson was sitting across from Ryan. Danielle had excused herself to go get more drinks and I thought this was the perfect time for a little payback.

"That should do it!" I said to Jaime as I put the lotion back in my bag.

"Thank you, Harp. I hate burning."

I giggled. "Yeah, no one likes it. Peeling is the worst." I glanced over to Jackson before I said, "I'm going to talk to Ry for a little bit. Then I'll be back."

"Okay, I'll be here trying desperately to even out this tan."

As soon as I got to my feet and started walking in their direction, I noticed Jackson's head turn a little towards me. He still had his sunglasses on, but somehow I knew when his eyes were on me.

"Hey, baby," I said flirtatiously as I perched myself on Ryan's lap, wrapping my arm around his shoulders.

We've seemed to develop a quite convincing system to those who didn't know we weren't in love. He played it off smoothly as he looked up at me with a smile. "Hey, babe. Are you having a good time?"

"Yes. This place is amazing! I'm glad we're here."

Ryan's smile grew. "Good. You deserve to have some fun."

I traced my finger along his chest. "Well, I have you to thank for that." I crushed my mouth against Ryan's and he accepted the kiss without reservation. As soon as I deepened it, I heard the sound of someone clearing their throat.

"Oh! Sorry, Jackson. Didn't mean to put on the PDA," I said with a faux innocent tone.

"It's fine. Doesn't bother me."

Even though he said the words, I saw his jaw clench and his left hand was gripping the armrest of the chair. Now who's jealous? I thought.

"Come on, Anne. Jay is definitely the king of PDA. Even though I warned him not to mess with your friends, he and Danielle seem to he hitting it off," Ryan said.

"Yeah, Danielle is definitely something," I said with a fake smile.

"Talking about me?" Danielle asked as she returned with drinks for Jackson and herself. She freely sat on his lap and his arm went around her waist.

"Always," Jackson answered.

She leaned into him. "Maybe later we can-"

"Harper?" My mom called, cutting them off. "Can I talk to you for a minute?

Relief flowed through me at the opportunity to escape the uncomfortableness I brought on myself.

"Yes," I said as I got to my feet.

I'm sure whatever my mom had to say wasn't as bad as Jackson caressing Danielle's thigh...