Duke motioned to her sandwich while lifting his for another bite. “You going to eat?”
She glanced at the plate as her appetite finally made itself known with a small twist in her tummy. “Of course.Buon appetito.” Viv picked up her sandwich with both hands and took her first bite.
She stifled a moan while savoring the delicious blend of pepperoni, salami, and those tangy banana peppers.
“This is agoodsandwich,” she said after dabbing her lips.
Duke smiled and took another sip of his drink. “I’m glad you like it.”
“How’s yours?” she asked him.
“Incredible.”
“Good.”
“I was going to ask you about the interview. How did younotknow it was me?”
Now it was her turn to pull a sheepish grin. “I usuallydoknow. This time I just…” She switched out the wordsreally needed the jobfor different ones, “…said yes automatically.”
She chuckled. “But I’ve worked withSlipperbefore. They’ve always offered fascinating subjects.”
A spark of mischief glowed behind his gaze. “You thinkI’mfascinating?”
Viv hovered over her plate, prepared to take another bite. “I guess we’ll find out.”
The fact was, Duke Benton was undeniably a fascinating subject.
Something made all the more obvious as they eased into comfortable conversation over dinner. Inside jokes surfaced along the way, proving that Duke’s laugh hadn’t changed a bit. And neither had that gleam in his eye as he teased her.
He asked more questions about Diego and Dante, but steered clear of further questions about their dad.
By the time she was heading back to her suite to call and say goodnight to the boys, Viv was in a state of swoony bliss. She’d be first to admit it.
But perhaps that wasn’t such a bad thing. Hearing about the twins—that hadn’t scared him away. If nothing else, Viv would definitely be able to give Duke a favorable report. Already she could see he was worthy of redemption.
It’d be up to her to help readers see that for themselves with nothing more than his words and her observations—feelings aside. Already she was looking forward to the challenge.
Chapter 8
Duke hadn’t known he’d be so glad to see nightfall come. Initially, he’d worried that leaving so late was a bad idea. After all, they barely arrived as the sun set.
Turned out that wasn’t such a bad thing. Sure, he and Viv had finally broken the ice. In fact, he’d say they’d done more than that during their quaint dinner for two. Call him crazy or delusional or a little of each, but Duke was pretty sure he and Vivi had rekindled a few of the old sparks as well.
Twin boys.
“Wow,” he said for probably the millionth time since he’d gotten a minute alone. He kept waiting for the idea to terrify him, but it hadn’t yet.
It wasn’t that he didn’t like kids, more that kids didn’t seem to like him. Were it any other woman, he might not invest for that reason alone.
But this was Vivi. And the chemistry was still burning strong.
He blew out a satisfied sigh. Upon arrival, Duke’s right hand man on the island, Sebastian, had helped them get settled. Duke never brought much, seeing how he kept several personal items at the house, suitable clothing included.
It felt good to be in Costa Rica. He hoped Vivi would enjoy it here too. Duke considered that as he stepped through his room, lit only by a lamp beside his bed, and slid the patio door open.
It was a perfect evening. A clear sky overhead, a layer of clouds in the distance, and the low hum of a far off rain over the next island—more trees than land, it seemed.
After one last breath of the fresh night air, Duke stepped back into his room, plopped onto the bed, and tucked his hands behind his head as he stared into the darkness.
