I snorted. “That’s debatable.”
“Not even a little bit.”
I wanted to be the man he saw. “Since I ruined our evening, I’ll tell you I’ve reserved a private villa on a secluded beach in Bermuda. Don’t ask me for any more details. That’s all you’re getting. So, I need you to relax and not ruin my vacation.”
Luca rolled his eyes, but his smile had returned. I had four days of luxury planned to ruin him for anyone else other than me.
Chapter 23
Luca
George passed the main terminal for departures before finally stopping in front of a private jet. I was almost positive I was in the wrong place. I didn’t know whose life I was living, but it sure wasn’t mine. “Is that for us?”
Axel reached over and took my hand. “Yes. It’s the best way to get there.”
I took in the sleek plane, wondering if maybe he’d lost his mind. “I thought we’d be flying commercial.”
“We only have a few days, and I want to make the most of them. We’re on our schedule, not an airline’s.”
“Do you travel this way often?”
“Only when it’s important.” He squeezed my hand. “Now come on. The clock is ticking.”
George exited and went to the back to get our bags as we climbed out. I couldn’t help but be excited. I’d never flown before, much less gone on a vacation like this to an island in the middle of the Atlantic.
“I’ll be here Monday evening at nine to pick you up, sir,” George said to Axel before rounding the car to leave. This was how the wealthy lived, not a social worker from New York City. Icould hear Edith in my head telling me to stop overthinking and enjoy it.
We boarded the luxury Gulfstream and were met by our flight attendant. “As soon as the pilot gives me the all clear, I’ll serve your dinner. Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Champagne, please. We’re celebrating.”
“Yes, sir. Go ahead and get comfortable, gentlemen, and I’ll bring it to you.”
“Thank you,” he replied to her before turning to me. “Where would you like to sit?”
“Those look comfortable,” I said, choosing the comfortable leather seats.
“Excellent choice.” He stowed our bags and sat down just as she brought our beverages.
Axel reached for my free hand while I gripped the armrest with the other as we took off and left the city behind. It was a beautiful afternoon with the city in the distance. My face remained plastered to the glass as I took everything in.
“Have you ever flown before?”
“No,” I chuckled, still not looking away. “First time.”
We moved to another seating area to have dinner and more champagne. Just as I began to relax, the pilot announced that we were almost ready to land.
After Axel told me where we were going, I’d spent my lunch hour reading about the island and watching countless YouTube videos. But nothing compared to the real thing when the fishhook-shaped island came into view. The dark blue water of the deep Atlantic transformed into bright turquoise the closer we got. Lighter patches of water were home to coral reefs that highlighted the edges of the land. “This might be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” I mused. When Axel didn’t respond, I found him watching me like a TV show. “Why aren’tyou looking out the window?” I asked, alternating between looking at him and the view outside.
“I’d rather watch your face as you take it in.”
“Thank you,” was all I knew to say. Here I was again, a fish out of water, as a warm feeling settled into my chest. If I hadn’t been required to wear a seatbelt, I would have been in his lap. Watching him watch me was the sweetest thing. Giving up the view of the outside, I reached for his hand across the table. “Thank you. I’ll never forget this.”
“This is the first of many. I want to take you home with me next summer.”
My pulse kicked up. “Home? To London?”
Axel appeared as if it were no big deal. “Yes. We can spend a month there. I can show you Europe.”
