Tory burst out laughing. “He's always been particular about his appearance. And now, thanks to you, whenever I see him, I will want to call him Ken.” She stopped about halfway around the dock. “Let's sit here.”
“Grant didn't know you'd be here with me this week. Did you see his face when he first saw you? I think he might have cracked a few teeth.”
“Yeah, he was not a happy camper tonight.”
Thanks to the moonlight and stars, he could see her well.
“You should've seen him when he asked if I thought you were right for me, and I told him yes. I thought his head was going to explode.” Leaning toward him, she put her hand on his arm, branding him. “And when I told him I enjoyed spending time with you, I wasn't lying.”
During dinner, he'd reached a decision. He'd keep the status quo until they returned to Boston. Then he'd let Tory know where his head was at and see if she was on the same page.
Following through on his plan was beyond him now. Before common sense returned, he closed the gap between them and kissed her, lingering and savoring every moment of his lips against hers.
The hunger pulsing through his body urged him to deepen the kiss, coax her lips apart, and learn the taste of her. Instead, he pulled back and brushed his fingers against her jaw before slipping them through her hair—hair far softer than he’d imagined.
Duncan waited until Tory met his eyes before speaking. “I know what I agreed to. But, Tory, everything between us feels real to me. If you tell me that it doesn't feel that way to you, I won't bring it up again, and when we get back home, that'll be the end as planned. I promise I won't hound you like Mr. Ken Doll in there. And if you need to think about it, that's okay too.” It wasn't fair of him to change the terms of their agreement and demand an answer immediately.
“You could never be as pigheaded as him. I'm not sure anyone could.”
Dragging her teeth across her lips, she searched his face as her fingertips made a small circle against his arm. “When I asked for your help, I wasn't looking for a relationship. But almost from the beginning, this hasn't felt like an act. I think we should try being an actual couple.” She shrugged a shoulder, and her mouth curved into a tentative smile. “And just see what happens.”
ELEVEN
Rather than venturedownstairs for breakfast, Tory had suggested they either find a place away from the resort or stay in their suite. They certainly had enough food in the kitchen. She'd done so primarily because she enjoyed the time they spent alone getting to know each other or just talking about whatever came to mind. After this morning, they would only get a few chances to do that again until they returned to Boston. Although less of a factor, Grant had also played a role in her suggestion.
Last night he would've stood there all night if she hadn't walked away with Duncan. She'd boarded the plane yesterday aware there was a possibility Grant would want to talk. Still, she'd hoped that Duncan's presence would make him think twice before seeking her out. Throughout dinner, Tory had seen the looks Grant sent Duncan's way and crossed her fingers that he'd accept what was in front of him and leave her alone. Even when he'd called out to her near the elevators, she'd assumed the conversation would be short and put an end to anything further.
Unfortunately, she'd severely underestimated how pigheaded Grant could be. She'd noticed streaks of stubbornness in the past but never like last night. At some point before they left the island, he'd try to bend her to his will again—something that he'd never succeeded at, no matter how much pressure he put on her.
Although maybe she should thank Grant and his pigheadedness, though. During their conversation, she’d realized how right it felt to be with Duncan. Sure, she'd recognized the attraction she felt toward him long before her and Grant's little chat. But it hadn't been until he questioned if Duncan was right for her that she'd acknowledged their relationship felt natural and not like some act they were putting on for the benefit of others. Even so, she hadn't gone outside prepared to hear Duncan tell her that he felt the same way. And then he'd kissed her.
Unlike when she'd gone up to claim him, his lips had lingered against hers. She'd had her first boyfriend when she was fourteen, so she'd experienced plenty of kisses. And some had been more passionate, yet none had made her surroundings disappear and made her wish it would never end. Duncan's last night had done just that. Heaven help her if he'd turned up the intensity.
They'd shared a few more kisses while cuddling outside, discussing how they wanted to spend their free time this week. Eventually, they headed back to their suite and their separate bedrooms. This morning, Duncan had greeted her with a smile and a mocha latte from the café downstairs. Then, following a leisurely breakfast on the balcony, they got dressed and walked to the historical site next door.
But with that outing behind them and the time approaching noon, they couldn't put off meeting the rest of the wedding party any longer. If they did, Ivy would understand the reason behind their absences, but Preston wouldn't, since she'd specifically asked her friend not to discuss the situation between her and Grant with Preston.
And as soon as Duncan came downstairs, they'd head to the beach. Why he was taking so long was beyond her. They'd gone to their bedrooms at the same time to change. She'd finished twenty minutes ago and had been waiting on the balcony ever since.
“Sorry about that. My executive assistant called me, and I had to deal with a few matters.” Duncan left a bottle of sunscreen on the table before joining her outside. He'd exchanged his khaki-colored shorts and golf-style shirt for swim trunks and a faded Boston Red Sox T-shirt.
“Believe me, I get it.”
When she'd been growing up, business calls had been the norm for her dad, no matter where they were or what the family was doing. Even now, he was never fully away from work. Personally, she wanted work nowhere in sight when she was on vacation. But she understood some people were incapable of doing that and others weren't in a position to do it. She sensed it was a little of both in Duncan's case.
Compared to many other companies, his was still in its childhood. But if not for his and Matt's hard work, it never would've become the successful enterprise it was today. While everyone might not use Chat, a popular social media app, most people had heard of it.
“And I'm not complaining.” There might not be sand between her toes, but her view was spectacular.
“Before I try to convince you we should stand your friends up, we should go.”
Tory sighed and swung her legs off the lounge chair. “Trust me, it wouldn't take much effort.” Now that they'd agreed this wasn't a charade, she could kiss him when she wanted. And now struck her as a perfect time.
“At least we can escape easily by going for a swim.” She'd opted for her one-piece rather than her bikini for that very reason.
They had to wait longer than earlier for an elevator, but at least they had it to themselves when they stepped inside.
“What did you think of San Gerónimo?” Duncan asked as the elevator descended.