“What’s wrong with that?”
“Because she didn’t, you know, earn it.” The instant Ryder’s no longer in her orbit, people will dump her. As smart and mature as Nonny is, she is too young to really understand this. I certainly didn’t until it was too late.
Elliot rolls his shoulders. “Eh, let her enjoy her moment. There’s no harm in it.”
No harm except a crushing disappointment. I know that’s part of growing up, but it still bothers me that she’ll have to go through the pain. Sighing, I put the phone away. I shouldn’t let this mar my time with Elliot. He’s done so much to make it as wonderful as possible.
“Thank you. This was a perfect week.” I munch on the croissant filled with dark chocolate. The pastry is so flaky and light, it feels like cotton candy dipped in chocolate in my mouth.
“My pleasure, Belle.” He takes my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles softly. “It’s nice to see you happy.”
I smile. “You make me happy, Elliot.”
“So. What should we do on our last day in paradise?” He looks at me, his eyes hooded.
“We are not spending the entire day in the bedroom,” I say with a suppressed laugh. “I want to work on my tan a little bit.” Unlike Elliot, I don’t tan well.
“I don’t care what color your skin is. You always look hot.”
I flush. “So do you.” I squeeze his hand. “So do you,” I say it again, almost helplessly.
It’s hard to believe this magnificent man is mine. I don’t even know precisely why he chose me. When we met, I was a stripper, then a hired escort out of a birthday cake. Given what a great catch he is, he has his choice of women. Any one of them would’ve been happy to marry him so he could get the painting he wants. It didn’t have to be me—a college dropout with nothing.
The romantic in me says my life is Cinderella, but unlike that poor heroine, I’m going to be richer than before when the clock strikes midnight.
“What are you thinking?”
“Nothing in particular.” I grin, then giggle. “Actually, that you’re too perfect.”
“Nobody’s perfect.” Elliot is grave. “But I’m pretty close. Maybe half a percentage point off from perfection.”
This time my laugh is genuine. “A whole half a percentage point?”
“Well…I’m not naked at the moment.”
I finish my latte. “Why don’t you put on your trunks and show off your prowess in the pool?”
“The pool?”
“I love watching you swim.” I rest my chin in my hand. “You look gorgeous when you swim.”
A corner of his mouth quirks upward. “Very well, milady. Your wish is my command.”
“You want to go to the main pool?” The central one is so much bigger than the private one in our villa. And because the resort is so exclusive it’s hardly ever crowded.
“Oh ho. So now you want to show me off?”
“Maybe I do. Anybody can admire you, but I’m the only one who can touch.” I stop, then flush at how possessive I sound.
He flicks the tip of my nose. “Fair enough. That’s how I feel about you, too.”
* * *
Annabelle
The main pool is huge, stretching through five major wings and sitting in front of the pristine beach. The staff scurries around, arranging the giant parasols and chairs and tables for guests to come. It’s still early enough that there aren’t that many people. Elliot and I take a couple of loungers between the beach and the pool; he takes off his white shirt, gives me a peck on my mouth and then he’s gone.
Breathlessly I watch him, my lips tingling from the kiss. He dives into the pool like he was born in water.