I placed a twenty on the counter. “She was fine. I’ll go have my ice cream, and we can head out when I’m done.”
He nodded but spun on Natalie and I almost laughed, listening to him whisper-yell at her. “Are you trying to get him to never come back here? Don’t you get all best-friend Dom on him, Nat. He’s not bad like everyone says. He’s been nice to me, so knock it off.”
“I didn’t do anything, Sam.”
“You lie. Know how I know?”
“I’m dying to find out, Sam.”
“Because you’re breathing.”
I heard a light smack. “Don’t be a jerk, or I won’t close up and let you have you island fun.”
I rolled my eyes and enjoyed my ice cream. I believed we had a few hours before the storm would hit. I could show Sam the island quickly and get him home in plenty of time.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sam
I was on a boat.I’d been on many, but this was Lukas Farren’s speedboat…flying across the ocean toward his island. I was so excited, I had to clamp my mouth shut so I wouldn’t say something so incredibly stupid, he’d choose to turn the boat around and bring me home before I’d had a chance to explore.
We slowed and I squinted my eyes, making out the figure of a man standing by the dock. As soon as we were close enough, Lukas tossed the rope to him and he tied it down.
“I believe that was the first time you’ve been in my presence that you were quiet for that long.” He hopped out, more gracefully than anyone should be able to, and offered me his hand.
“Well, it was loud, didn’t want to shout.” When I took his hand, I swore my body came alight. His skin was soft, but his grip was tight. Comfort and security, that was what it felt like. He was a little chilly, but the temperature was dropping fast due to the impending storm.
“I do appreciate that.” He released his hand once I was steady, and I followed him up a pathway. “This leads to an elevator. It’s best we get up to the house; I fear this storm is moving faster than anticipated.”
Oh. My. God. Could I be stranded here? I should text Maggie and tell her to feed Bubbles. I pulled out my phone and started typing, halting a beat because Lukas’s hand was on my lower back.
“Elevator’s here.”
“Oh.” I swallowed and followed him inside.
Once the message was off to Maggie and I’d received a thumbs-up emoji, I shoved my phone into my pocket.
“This is a beautiful elevator.”
Lukas turned his head slowly in my direction, his forehead creased in confusion.
“I’ve been in a lot of elevators; this is the nicest.”
“Mmhm, well, thank you.”
“No problem.” I should maybe not talk…Oh, to hell with it—that’s a lost cause.I was always the first one out when playing the quiet game.
The elevator chimed, and the doors opened. “After you.” Lukas motioned for me to exit.
I took two steps and froze. The room was huge. Floor-to-ceiling windows took up one whole side of it, and the view was breathtaking: Water as far as the eye could see, angry gray-and-black clouds that flickered with eager lightening. The carpet was a dark blue, and I didn’t need to take off my shoes to know it was plush.
Couches, tables, art…so much art. I was speechless. I didn’t know if I’d be able to describe this to Natalie later during her interrogation.
“Sam?”
“Hm?” I reluctantly switched my gaze—Is that a Monet?—and regarded Lukas. He fit in perfectly with all the art.
“Are you okay?”
