Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“My sister would have loved your yacht,” she said, lightening the mood.
I smiled, and her gaze fell to my lips. Our closeness shifted in that instant, like a match strike. Did she feel it, too?
“There’s this bucket list,” Isabel told me with a determined look. “Winnie’s list that she made before…”
“Tell me about it.” I sounded distracted because my thumb had already moved up to stroke her bottom lip, teasing the soft skin, still red from when I’d last kissed her.
I watched her throat muscles work as she swallowed. “There are a few things that are simple to check off. Some I’ve already done, like surfing and swimming at Bora Bora Beach.”
Her jaw trembled, and intentionally or not, that slight tell made it almost impossible not to lower my face and kiss her. Fortunately I grabbed hold of the thought and threw it away, reminding myself that it wasn’t the time. Not after Isabel had made herself vulnerable discussing her sister.
She tilted her head back and held my stare as she continued. “Some of the things on the list… are more difficult to accomplish solo, and I think I want your help completing those.”
She had me wrapped around her finger, curious about where she was going with this, but that was the unfortunate moment Beth decided to finally come back with the bottled waters I’d requested earlier.
My crew member halted immediately once she saw Isabel nestled in my arms and quickly averted her gaze. “I’m so sorry! I meant to bring these earlier, but Daniella requested an espresso martini and then changed her order to a strawberry daiquiri. By the time I’d finished making the second drink, I completely forgot about your waters. My apologies.”
Isabel laughed lightly, reassuring her, “It’s fine. Thank you for bringing them.”
Beth nodded sheepishly and started backing away. “Also, the chef is just about to serve lunch while we head back to dock.”
Isabel stepped away from me and smiled, happy to follow Beth. I would have preferred to stay down in my stateroom with her the rest of the trip. I never did get to learn what Isabel needed my help with.
“Am I allowed to—” Juan Carlos starts now, but I’m quick to cut him off.
“No.”
“Joder.”
I feel some morsel of relief after I drop Juan Carlos off and I can scrub my hand down my face and let my forehead fall against the steering wheel. I can’t remember ever feeling this unraveled by a woman. I’ve had great relationships, and I’ve experienced if not enduring, lifelong love, then respect and adoration and all the rest. I didn’t know this was a possibility: me, totally distracted by someone, so much so that I don’t even realize I’ve been sitting in Juan Carlos’s driveway until he comes back out and taps on my window.
I look up, and he motions for me to roll it down. Then he passes me an open beer.
“You want to come in for a bit?”
I don’t miss the laughter in his eyes.
“Not really.”
“Going to just sit in my driveway?”
“I might.”
He clears his throat, likely having a hard time restraining himself. “Does she know she has you like this?”
I down a heavy sip of beer. “Who?”
The shit-eating grin he offers is enough to make me want to punch him. Because I’m an adult and don’t want to have to tend to bloody knuckles, I shove his beer back at him and roll my window up, muffling his string of rapid-fire Spanish. He thinks he has it all figured out, the punk. I flip him the bird and reverse down his driveway, wondering how the hell I’m going to stay away from Aura tonight.
The benefit of ignoring my work for most of the day means I have a mountain of calls, texts, and emails waiting for me when I make it home. The workaholic monster in me rubs his hands together with glee. I run and lift weights in my gym, shower, change into comfortable clothes, and spend the rest of the day at my desk looking over a business proposal from a chef I’ve teamed up with for two other restaurants on the island. He’s from Texas and has a flair for combining unusual flavor profiles. This new high-end eatery is inspired by his love of barbecue and slow-smoked meats.
I’m checking the architectural renderings of the place, trying to decide if I like the orientation of the dining room, when my phone buzzes with a text.
Ramón: I’ve got Antonio walking Elle home tonight. I will have him text me when she’s inside her building.
If Ramón thinks it’s weird I’m having security escort Isabel home, he doesn’t share his opinion with me. He’s been on my team since the start. Loyal, and more importantly, quiet.
I put down my phone and look at my computer’s clock. I didn’t realize how late it was, already past two in the morning. I ate dinner here at my desk and thought that was just a little while ago; I guess not.