“Relax, Angel.”His voice trilled with a dark promise.“Let’s just enjoy this slow dance.”
She huffed, but her body betrayed her as she swayed against him in time with the music.“Tell that toMister Winkiein your pants.He seems to think we should be doing a fiery tango.”
Rex laughed.The sound was deep and genuine, drawing glances from the other patrons, but he didn’t care.All that mattered was the woman in his arms, the way her breath hitched when he pulled her closer, and the way her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.
This was how he wanted to remember her.
Soft.Warm.And sassy as hell.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Xia
The Entertainment Hall, Pearl Paradise, CDS’ private beach resort, Madeira Island...
The lobby of Pearl Paradise was all golden light and salt-kissed breezes, where broken hearts felt even more exposed.Xia swirled the dregs of her mojito.The mint leaves clinked against the glass like tiny, desperate bells.One last drink.One last lie.
Cheri rested her elbows on the polished mahogany bar.With sharp eyes, she dissected Xia like the surgeon she was.
“How are you holding up, honey?That chat on the plane looked like Rex was either proposing or serving you divorce papers.Finally, the dance...”She wiggled her fingers and crooned, “Chef’s kissof emotional whiplash.”
Xia exhaled through her nose in a half-laugh, half-sob.“To be honest, I’m more confused than ever.”The mojito was crisp, bright—a drink that promised escape but only delivered a sugar rush and a headache.“One minute, he’s telling me I’m special, that heseesme.The next?”She mimed a mic drop as she quoted him succinctly.“‘The man who finally realizes that will be the luckiest bastard alive.’”Her voice cracked on the last word, and she took a too-big sip to cover it.
Cheri’s expression darkened.She snapped her fingers at the bartender, who flinched like he’d been caught stealing.
“Two double Macallans.Neat.And put it on Master R’s tab.”The barkeep hesitated, and Cheri rolled her eyes.“Go on, sweetheart.He’ll pay.In fact,” she chirped as she pointed at the top shelf.“Make it the most expensive one you’ve got.Might as well drink his guilt away, right?”
Xia snorted, but the sound was hollow.“Why bother?I’m done, Cheri.Throwing in the towel.A long-distance thing with Rex?”She shook her head.“What was I thinking?Two months of stolen weekends might have worked, but two years for a man like Rex?”She released a bitter laugh.“Exactly the reason why I’m not a potential.Yes, I could walk away from the job, but it is the most fantastic opportunity I’d ever get.I finally have a company that offers me career growth with a well-defined path.I’d be a fool to give that up.”
“That’s fair, but if you even consider giving it up, I’ll box your ears, and I daresay, so would Rex, which is exactly why you’re not a potential in my POV.”Cheri swirled her whiskey, watching the amber liquid cling to the glass.“But the Universe has a funny way of sorting shit out.If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.Even if it’s two years from now.”
“I doubt it.”Xia’s fingers tightened around her glass.“Like you said, he’s adamant to be married by Christmas.”She refused to dwell on it any longer.She had said her silent goodbyes to him during that dance on the plane.Since then, she had avoided him.
“Then he’s an idiot.”
“No.”Xia’s voice was quiet, final.“I was the idiot.He’s just...Rex.”She set her drink down with a sharp click.“This is my last flight as his wife whisperer.I’m done.And I’m going to make sure every single one of those six potentials gets a gold-plated invitation to his bed.One way or another, he’ll find his Mrs.Perfect on this trip.”
