Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
What I desire right now is a hot shower and to see the mysterious man who made all of this possible.
“If you’ll allow me,” Jericho says, turning and guiding me into the hotel with an open palm, “I’ll show you to yours and Mr. Drake’s room.”
I awkwardly rifle through my bag to give the driver a tip. He steps back, waving his hand politely when I offer him five bucks. “Mr. Drake has taken care of it already,” he says.
“Oh, okay,” I say, a little shaky and unsteady as I shove it back into my purse and walk up the marble stairs. I’m not used to this level of service. Or luxury. Everything is so beautiful.
When we arrive at the top of the stairs, the lobby opens before me like an extravagant dream—white columns, soaring ceilings, lush greenery spilling from every corner. Beyond is the sparkling turquoise ocean in full stunning view. It almost doesn’t look real.
And that beach. Holy cannoli. White sand like powder. Putting your hand in it must feel like putting your hand in a bag of flour.
The most amazing part is that there are no crowds. No lines and lines of packed beach chairs. No wild unsupervised kids running around, kicking sand in your face. No one playing loud screeching music on their crappy speakers. No DJ shouting into a microphone.
It’s just beach… sand… a warm breeze… slow lapping of waves… and palm trees…
Total peace…
The beach chairs are spaced well apart, giving each party maximum privacy. This is gonna be so nice.
I can already feel the difference in my body. My heartbeat has slowed. It’s steady and calm, my stress floating away with the gentle breeze.
“You’ll be staying in The Empire Suite,” Jericho explains as we walk past all of the smiling staff. “It’s our most luxurious room. You’ll be hard pressed to find a nicer suite in the entire world. I would bet my stellar reputation on it.”
He shows me around the resort on the way to my room. There are three restaurants, each one more stunning than the last.
“If you need anything,” Jericho insists as he hands me a business card. “Day or night, I’ll pick up.”
“Don’t you sleep?” I ask with a laugh.
He shakes his head, not sharing in my amusement. “I would miss my own wedding if one of our guests were lacking in anything.”
I don’t think he’ll ever have a wedding if his dedication to his guests comes before his future wife, but I don’t say any of that.
I’m dipping my head into the spa, marveling at how nice it is when Jericho says something that makes me explode into shivers.
“Oh, here is Mr. Drake now.”
I whip my head back out and gasp when I see him walking down the hallway, moving with the grace and lethality of a panther.
Wow. What a man.
This is it. This is where Adrian belongs. A billionaire in his natural habitat.
My eyes turn ravenous as I take in the stunning sight of him walking toward me. He’s wearing linen pants with a simple white t-shirt, flip flops, and blue sunglasses on his head.
This is paradise…
“Welcome to The Aurelia,” he says, those bright blue eyes giving me tingles. “I’m thrilled you’re here.”
I’m breathless as he puts his hand on my hip and kisses my cheek. He smells so good. Like lavender and sandalwood. I just want to lean against his body, put my cheek on that soft shirt, and breathe him in.
“I’ll take it from here, Jericho,” he says to the manager.
“Very well,” Jericho says, giving me one last smile. “Enjoy your stay, Miss Howard. It’s a pleasure having you at The Aurelia.”
“Thanks, Jericho,” I whisper as he leaves.
The air charges with electricity once we’re alone. I look up at this beautiful man and wonder if this is really happening. Am I really spending a week with a stranger?
But then he gives me that warm smile and I instantly feel at ease.
He’s not a stranger. I got to know Adrian well enough on the plane to know that this will be a week I’ll never forget.
“So, no wedding?”
I shake my head and laugh, a little embarrassed by my chaotic family. “No wedding. Turns out true love couldn’t survive a few warm beers and a long plane ride.”
“I can’t say I’m disappointed,” he says with that slow, confident grin that always short circuits my brain. “Unfortunately, the world won’t have mini Taints running around, but if it means I get you for the week, I’ll take that trade.”
“Be careful what you wish for, Mr. Drake,” I say in a flirty tone. “Are you sure you can handle me for a full week?”
“I’m not sure of anything anymore,” he says, staring at me with a sense of awe in his bright blue eyes, “but I’m excited to find out.”
He takes my hand and we start walking down the hall. I glance around at the shimmering marble, the view of the ocean, the quiet hum of perfection. If we can’t make it here in paradise, we have no hope anywhere else.