Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
I laid in bed and listened to the shallow sounds of his breathing, my eyes moving over the luxurious room, so much nicer than anything I ever expected to have in life. I rolled on one side and stared at him, examining his handsome features. The slightly crooked nose. Thick lashes. Strong brow. Full lips. Behind those lashes, were eyes that studied me as if memorizing me. Those lips had uttered words that had brought me arousal, laughter and security. Behind that brow was a calculating mind that had restored an empire and chosen me despite all of the reasons to run.
I pulled the sheet down, moving closer to him and placing my hand on his chest. Underneath my palm beat a heart that loved more fiercely than I thought possible. A heart that protected those he loved and spoiled me with every beat and chance. I ran my hand over his chest, over a scar that had come from a fight as a Louisiana boy, and moved closer, his arm reaching out, pulling me into his body.
Even in sleep, he desired me. Even in sleep, I felt safe in his arms. I closed my eyes and tucked more tightly into his embrace, allowing myself to fall asleep.
Epilogue
TWO MONTHS LATER
The sun was low in the sky when the first whale breached. I gasped, gripping Dario’s bicep and pointed toward it. He smiled down at me, then followed my finger, the whale’s tail tipping into the air before he settled softly into the water.
Dario’s fingers linked with mine and he pulled me back against his chest, his chin resting on my head. I lifted my camera and waited, scanning the horizon for another one.
He squeezed and then released me. “They have photographers. You can just watch.”
I waved him off, my stomach pressed to the railing, eyes pinned to the waves.
“Look, a baby.” He pointed to the right and I stood on my toes, swooning a little at the miniature body that crested the surface.
It was incredible. More than I thought it would be. The crisp air, the sounds, the gorgeous canvas. I sighed happily and glanced over to catch him watching me, a small smile on his face.
“I’m so lucky to have you.”
I scoffed, blushing as I looped my arm through his and rested my head on his shoulder. “Stop. I’m the lucky one.”
“Thank you for dragging me here.”
I laughed. It hadn’t exactly been easy. He’d booked the tickets and the cruise immediately. But hours before our flight, a pipe had burst in the kitchen of Fat Clemenzas and flooded the slot floor of Ja-Nule. I’d had to rip the phone from his hand and threaten to throw it off the balcony if he didn’t let his managers do their jobs and head to the airport with me. “I’m sure it won’t be the last time I have to toss threats in order to get you on a vacation.”
“Threaten away.” He pressed his lips to my head. “I love you.”
The crowd surged to the front of the boat, something spotted, but I didn’t move, lifting my chin up to him for a kiss. He lowered his mouth to mine, and in the background, I heard the cry of a whale’s song.
The restaurant took up the north end of the boat, our view all stars and blue ocean. Dario swirled the bubbly liquid around in the flute, then set it down, meeting my eyes. “Do you know when I first knew?”
“Knew what?” I licked the last bit of chocolate off the fork, then set it down.
“That I was in love with you.”
I leaned forward, my forearms digging into the tablecloth. “When?”
“Outside your work. Right after you interrupted my conference call by wrapping your hand around my cock.”
“Oh god.” I rolled my eyes. “Really? That’s when you fell for me?”
“Not then.” He lifted his glass and took a sip. “It was when you walked away from me. You told me that you didn’t need me and you walked away, without looking back.” He set down the glass and leaned forward. “And it fucking broke me. I was left in that car, my dick half hard, my life—which had seemed pretty fucking great three weeks earlier—a pile of bullshit, and I wanted you back. And I knew, right then, that you were different. I knew that if I continued chasing you, continued hunting down a relationship with you … that it wouldn’t be one that I could recover from. I had to decide, right then, if you were going to be just another fling or if you were going to be my future.”
I propped my chin in one hand and thought back on that night, on how conflicted I’d felt when I’d walked away from him. I remember the rest of that night, how I had been so torn over what to do. I remember thinking that we had something special, but that we were also once-in-a-lifetime levels of fucked up. Now, we felt anything but fucked-up.