“And will you? Love it, I mean.”
“That depends on what they serve us.” I hold up my small glass of tequila to her. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.” She takes a sip and we both taste our octopus, which is excellent. Course by course, we’re wined and dined and spoiled by the chef, who comes out and chats with us for five or so minutes. She’s very gracious, and she and Braelyn hit it off. She’s also much better at this part than I am. I rarely leave the kitchen to talk to anyone.
By the time we finish, it’s dark and we’re both quiet and tired. The walk back to the suite is silent as we listen to the waves now bathed in blackness and the sound of music from a distant bar and the occasional laughter that carries on the breeze. It’s comfortable and peaceful, and I know this is only our first day here, but I already don’t want us to go home.
Something happened to me this afternoon. I’ve been fighting it. Forcing myself to hold back and not allow the thought or hope of more with her. It’s too soon. I know that. Adam is very much still in the air and lingering in her heart despite what she says. But this time with her can build on what we already have. It might even allow her to start seeing me in a different way than she ever has before.
And maybe, if I’m seriously fucking lucky, it’ll start to turn her heart in my direction.
I don’t know what that’ll mean for the plans I already have in place, but that’s a later Roman problem.
We head out to the terrace and Braelyn goes straight for the hammock, kicking off her sandals and settling in with ease.
“I’m claiming this as my territory for the remainder of the trip. You can have that lounger over there.” She points lazily in the direction of a chaise.
I sit on the edge of the pool and drip my feet in. It’s cool butnot cold, and it feels good against the pervasive humidity. “Very generous of you.”
“Actually, it’s you who’s generous,” she counters, rocking ever so slightly. “This is all very you. You have a way of taking something that would have been one thing and turning it into something extraordinary. You were right. This trip is exactly what I needed and if I had stayed home, everything would have been Adam and my canceled wedding and a lot of tears and moping.”
“I have my moments.”
She gives me a serious look. “No. It’s you. You make everything… better. Special. Honestly, I think you’re the best thing to ever happen to me.”
My heart thumps painfully in my chest, and I return her look with one of my own. “You are to me,” I tell her, wondering if she can hear it in my voice. The fucking hope I feel right now simply being with her and hearing her say that.
“Thank you, Roman. For everything.”
I grin. “Anytime, kid.”
“I’m going to take a shower and get to bed. I’m fried.”
“Go ahead. I’ll wait out here before I take my turn.”
She disappears into the suite, and I’m out here alone, lost in my thoughts, stuck somewhere between what Hayes and Crew said and what Forest said. Patience versus going for it. I’ve maintained boundaries with her since I was twenty-five and came to see her as something more than my best friend or my brother’s girl. It was never our time, but now our lines are blurring, and all I can think about is erasing them completely.
When I finally enter the bedroom, Braelyn is already under the covers on the far side of the bed, her damp hair spread across her pillow as she reads on her e-reader.
“Bathroom’s all yours,” she murmurs without looking up.
“Thanks.”
I take my time in the shower, using the space to composemyself. I’m going to share a bed with her tonight, and my stupid dick is nothing short of excited. I jerk off twice for good measure, and by the time I get into bed, the room is dark and cool. But with that, I’m hyperaware of the space between us. Of her soft breathing and sweet scent.
“Night, kid.”
“Night, Ro.” Then a pause. “This is weird, right?”
I laugh quietly, putting my hands behind my head, my elbows out across the pillow. “A little, yeah.”
“But not bad weird?”
“No,” I answer easily. “Not bad weird.”
She shifts slightly and the mattress dips with her movement. “Good, because I’m really glad we’re here. Together, I mean.”
My heart pounds painfully against my ribs. “Me too.” I close my eyes, willing my body to relax. And when I’m positive she’s asleep, her breathing deep and heavy, I whisper, “This is just our start, kid. I’m gonna make you fall so hard for me. I dare you.”