“Stop your spoiled billionaire pouting and get your fine butt outta bed,” I teased as I stood up and walked over to the bathroom. I felt his eyes tracking my movements, or rather, my ass, so I grabbed a towel and threw it at him, catching him unawares. I laughed when it dropped right over his head, and when he finally pulled it off, the icy blue glare I received made me laugh even harder.
I clapped my hands. “Time to get up, sweetheart. Shower, shave, teeth. Let’s go.”
“I think you missed one item in there, but Christ, please call me sweetheart again. I thought I dreamt it all.” He sat up and ran a hand through his messy blonde waves.
I stalked back to the bed and reached down to cup his chin. “Last night was dreamy all right but very real. And stop distracting me with your sexy bedroom eyes. Up and at ‘em.” I reluctantly let go and walked back over to the bathroom.
“Why don’t we stay in bed for now and go out later?” he murmured, and I turned to face him again. He slowly slid the sheet lower, and my eyes zeroed in on the strip show. The cheeky devil was at it again.
I leaned against the doorjamb, unwilling to let his sexy diversion distract me. For now. “You’re the one who’s up at six every morning. Why is this any different?”
“Because you fucked my brains out last night and with it my ability to read, write, and make normal conversation. I can only grunt, pound my chest, and pull you back to my cave at this point.”
I chuckled at his reply. My man was too funny by far.
“You don’t need to talk, Ro. Put on your disguise, aka your panama hat and sunglasses, and sit beside me and look pretty.” I winked as he threw the towel back at me.
“I’ll agree to accompany you on one condition.”
“Okay, let’s start the negotiations, since that’s what you do best. Sorry, second best.”
He threw the sheet off and stood up. Our teasing banter was all but forgotten. In the light of day, I saw the loves bites on his body, the physical proof of all the ways I’d laid claim to him, and I licked my lips.
He sauntered up to me and gave me a soft morning kiss. “I drive.”
“Sold. You can drive me anytime, anywhere you want, sweetheart.” I replied, and he reached for me again, but I stepped back. If he touched me again, we were never leaving this room.
“Behave,” I said as I stood in front of the sink and picked up my razor.
“You better make it up to me later,” he murmured as he stepped inside the shower.
“You got it. Sir.”
His answering groan was all I needed to hear.
TWENTY-ONE
ROWAN
After an hour-long drive around the island, Andrew and I stopped at a beachfront stand for lunch and a swim. I noticed a few interested stares, but my disguise was still effective. The tiny tiki bar was packed with locals, sitting under bright pink umbrellas and sipping fruity cocktails. It was a new day, a new year, and everyone was in great spirits. I had a permanent grin on my face thanks to the man seated beside me. We’d held hands as we left the hotel and hadn’t let go of each other. I was so happy I thought I might float away along with the clouds above us.
After enjoying a shared basket of fried shrimp and sweet potato chips, we headed down to the beach for a swim. I noted the heads turning toward Andrew as he walked out of the bright blue sea, and I couldn’t blame them. I was still worried I would wake up and find out that he was just a figment of my imagination. But then he walked up to me and kissed me. Yes, Andrew was very real.
We basked in the hot sun for over an hour, then we packed up and drove to Philipsburg and walked the busy streets, popping in and out of shops and galleries. Andrew picked up gifts for his parents, and I went window shopping. I was grateful for the anonymity and the time to walk around without a camera in my face, worlds away from London. Around seven o’clock, we strolled down near the marina and found a bistro with a deck overlooking the water. There were other couples and groups seated nearby.
“Tell me about your new home in the Keys,” Andrew murmured as we ate grilled lobster.
“It’s a two-story house built in 1941, but the interior was renovated recently. Six bedrooms, six baths as well as a pool, a large garden, and a great view of the water.” I pulled out my phone and found the listing link, then handed it over to Andrew.
He swiped through the photos. “It’s stunning, Rowan. I love the main bedroom with the balcony that overlooks the ocean. You can sit out there and have your coffee in the morning or a drink late at night.”
I had a clear vision of Andrew standing on that very balcony with me and smiling in that way of his that had my heart racing. I knew it was foolish, but I let the scene unfold. We only had one more day, but I refused to think that tomorrow was the end. He’d laid out the rules for this weekend, but we were already breaking them.
“I’m going to convert one of the bedrooms into an office. I’d like to make it my base in the fall and winter months when I’m not on boardNow, Voyager. I love France, but maybe I’ll travel there in the summer.”
“That’s a great idea. You’ll be close to Rafe and your parents since they spend the winters in Palm Beach. At Christmas, your father showed me a picture of his new boat. It’s not as impressive as your yacht but pretty close.” He paused and took a sip of water. “How long have you ownedNow, Voyager?”
“I bought it two years ago, just after Jojo and I broke up. He always complained that I had one foot out the door our entire relationship, so I guess it was fitting that I would buy a yacht and take off. He was one to talk, since he was in love with someone else the entire time we were together.”