She studied Cujo’s profile as he steered the truck off the northbound highway into the driveway of a beachside home in the exclusive neighborhood of Golden Beach.Guilt racked her that he’d been sucked into the events of the previous evening.It wasn’t right to drag him into her problems any further.
“Seriously, it’s nothing.Wasnothing.I’m all good,” she said, her voice wavering unconvincingly.
She needed to pull herself together.Like she had this morning when she’d gone ahead with the interview José had arranged for her with a night shift manager from one of the large waterfront hotels.Her finances depended on it, so she’d given herself a ten-minute pep talk in the toilet, and slapped a smile on her face.How she’d remained composed was a mystery, but she was now officially a two-job woman.
Cujo parked up outside a magnificent home facing the beach and killed the engine.The cab settled into uncomfortable silence.
“You’re about as good as a train wreck, Drea.”He turned in his seat to look at her.“Look, I know we don’t always see eye-to-eye, but you know I’ll do what I can to help you.”
Sincerity radiated from him.If only she could rely on him.On anyone.Maybe if she pushed him away, he would be safer.She took a deep breath and steeled herself as she looked around the neighborhood.
“I’m okay.Seriously.”Across the street, iron gates slid open and a sporty red convertible roared out onto the road.“Why are we here, Cujo?”she asked, changing the subject.
He stared at her, hard, his brows furrowed as if he was trying to solve a puzzle.For a moment he didn’t speak, and that said enough.“You wanted a fancy location and I wanted a casual party.You’re miserable company when you don’t get your way.So let’s go.”
She watched Cujo step out of the truck, trying not to focus on the way his shoulders flexed under the black, long-sleeve Henley he was wearing.Cursing quietly under her breath, Drea opened the door to find Cujo waiting for her.
“Come on, Shortcake.I won’t drop you unless you nail me in the nuts.”There was nothing she could do to stop the smile.She leaned forward, and he gripped her waist as he helped her down from the truck.The spark she’d felt days before in the studio returned, like a low-grade electric shock where he touched her.
Damn him for being such a flirt.They walked toward a large gate, bookended by whitewashed walls covered in crossvine.Drea gently brushed her fingers along the fragile pink flowers.Cujo pressed a button on the intercom by the gate.
“Cujo, man.Come on up, dawg.”
In one of those heavenly moments, the sun broke free of the clouds just as the gates started to slide open to reveal a huge home.Cujo’s fingers brushed her chin as he closed her mouth; she batted his hand away.The building was made of gray concrete and sheets of glass which all seemed to be suspended at different angles, as though someone had thrown the walls up in the air, just to see where they’d land.It was hard to imagine what shape the rooms must be.
“This is why we walked instead of bringing the car up.You miss the impact if you drive.”
“This is amazing, Cujo, but I don’t get it.”
“This, dear Drea, is a compromise.”
“Holy crap!Is that Moses Jones?”she cried.
Cujo laughed as the longtime power forward for the Miami Heat opened the door.She watched Cujo and Mo do some weird boy fist-bump-hug-backslap thing she could never figure out.
“Mo, this is Drea.Drea, this is—”
“Oh my God.”Drea squealed, embarrassed that her voice cracked.“Three-time defensive player of the year, six-time All Star, and seventh in all-time career rebounds.”
Mo laughed as he shook her hand.“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Drea.Come on in.”
He led them through the open-concept entry and living room to the rear of the house.Cujo took her hand.They stepped out onto a black limestone patio that extended the full length of the house.A clear glass roof covered an outdoor kitchen area bigger than her entire main floor at home, and the bar area alone, complete with beer taps, could comfortably sit eight people.
“Go ahead, take a look around.Gimme a minute to wrap something up and I’ll be right out with some drinks.”Mo disappeared inside.
Beyond the patio, the lot was flanked by majestic palm trees, the kind people hired cranes to plant.They swayed gently in the fall breeze.Cujo pressed his hand softly on her lower back, the heat of his fingers searing her, then guided her down the steps to the lawn.
Large swaths of bright pink bougainvillea draped over low walls behind the palms.Lush green plantings and a path lit with square solar lights led to the water.The red and white sun-loungers looked so comfortable, and the bright sparkles skimming the surface of the pool made Drea want to dive in.But the view.She took a deep breath of clear sea air and smiled.The Atlantic Ocean, in all its majesty, welcomed her.The grass changed from the manicured dark green lawn to the sparser tufts that blended into the sand, and just a few meters away was the water.
“I can’t believe I’m here.At Mighty Mo’s house.”
Never in her wildest dreams had Drea considered being a guest in one of these houses.Golden Beach was for the uber wealthy.She turned to look at Cujo, shocked his eyes were the exact same color as the water.
“It’s the most beautiful place I have ever been,” she whispered.
***
He needed to step back because he was two seconds away from scooping all that hair up in his fist and kissing her.Gone was the look of terror that had brushed her features when he’d picked her up from the café, replaced with a breathtaking smile.
