“How am I supposed to get back?” I ask, clasping my hips.
“I’ll take you to the shore.”
I can’t help but gesture.
“You mean the yacht makes the trip back because they couldn’t wait for me.”
“I thought you wanted to avoid them.”
“Yes, I sure did. But they beat me to it. It’s not only that. They had their cars on the shore. Am I supposed to take a cab back at almost midnight?”
It is midnight.
It’s probably later than that.
No. It’s not that late, I realize, checking my phone. No calls, no messages––I also notice.
“You can spend the night here if you want to.”
I consider his proposal.
“I don’t want to.”
I don’t want to sleep in a stranger’s bed. Plus, Roman is ready to move on, and so am I.
“Do you have any reason to return other than me?” I ask.
He smiles.
“Yes. I do.”
He invites me to the lower deck, where he gives instructions to the captain and orders some food and drinks for us.
He proceeds to make some phone calls and talk to people overseas in Spanish while I empty my mind and wait to reach the shore.
He keeps his word, a limousine waiting for us once we set foot on land, and minutes later, he deposits me in front of the hotel.
No more touching for us.
He tips his chin in a silent goodbye while I thank him for giving me a ride before walking into the hotel without looking back.
* * *
KAI
On the ship.Moments earlier.
“You’re not doing that,”Alejandro barks, fastening the last few buttons of his dress shirt while scorching me with his glare.
“No need to question me. You can stay,” I deadpan.
A shred of fury glints through his gaze.
“I’m done for the night. That doesn’t mean I want to leave,” he retorts.
I smile dryly.
“Let’s not fool ourselves. We all left.”