“How did you know? Am I that predictable?”
I picked up on the disappointment in his tone. “I was being sarcastic. Oh my God.” A long sigh seeped out of my mouth. “Grazie, amore mio.” I kissed his cheek and then the little hairs peeking out of his cornflower blue polo shirt, my hands gliding under, feeling his solid abs.
His palm slid slowly down my back. “I hope you’re not tired.”
“I’m not,” I whispered fast, trembling. If he let me, I’d ride him right here. Now.
“Good. ‘Cause we’re taking another flight.”
My head bolted off him. “What?”
“You left me no choice when you canceled our romantic getaway and went to Ireland for four months. I have to kidnap you before you think about doing anything else.”
Dazed, I looked through the windshield and saw we were still at the airport. “Where the hell are we going now?”
“Where do you think?” Stopping the car, he flashed his perfect teeth at me. “Isola Carolina.”
My mouth parted, but his lips caressed mine before I could object or speak or think.
Scene64
Maggie
“Wow,” I murmured, taking in the palm fronds and turquoise water of the Belize Isle, listening to the sound of quietness. The waves chasing playfully. The rustle of the warm breeze in the trees. “This is so beautiful.”
Mike landed a peck on my temple. “You’re beautiful.”
I took off my sneakers, ran down the short wooden dock, and let my feet dive in the white sand. “I love it,” I shouted. “I feel like I was a sucked into one of those Twilight movies—and I fuckin’ hate Twilight—but I don’t care. This is how much I love it.”
He followed me. “I love those movies.”
I turned, giggling. “Of course, you do, babe. Of course, you do.”
His grin was even warmer and more charming in the sunset. He took my hand and sauntered through the vegetation. “C’mon. Let’s see the house.”
As we reached the porch of a secluded, two-story home perched in a lush rainforest, Mike pulled me up into his arms.
My lips parted with a silent gasp. “What are you doing? Put me down,” I demanded, hoping he wouldn’t listen. I liked this. I fuckin’ loved this. Every moment. Every gesture. Every cliché.
He shook his head. “Why don’t you be you, and I’ll be me?”
“You’re quoting James Bay now?”
“You love this song.”
I loved James Bay and “Let It Go” was my favorite song of the year. I started playing it a lot when Kyle moved in with me, hoping he could take a hint. God I hated those days. The song was awesome, though. I became addicted to it. “How do you know? We never talk about music.”
He cradled me in his arms as he opened the glass doors and stepped inside the house. “You never sing, but when it plays on the radio, I see you sing along, and it’s the top played song on your playlist.” His eyes landed on my face. “What do you wanna see first? The bedroom? The pool?”
I gazed at him, at how amazing he was, how much he cared, how much he loved. “I’m looking at everything I wanna see right now.”
“Careful, Ms. Dawson. Looks like my tacky romance is rubbing off on you.”
I chuckled as he began a house tour with me in his arms. The rooms were open and wide just like I loved them, and they all enjoyed the stunning water views. The full-size, bi-fold glass doors could be opened up to connect the large balcony with the living room, allowing the space to a nice amount of fresh air. The kitchen was spacious and fitted with all the latest appliances. The lounge area contained a beautiful lounge suite and TV.The lower deck had its own private infinity pool and a day lounge for relaxation.
It was more of a retreat than a house. A home with a difference. There was no better way to enjoy the Isle.
Mike carried me upstairs to the master bedroom. It was enormous and furnished with a king size bed. The side walls were made of glass. The view of the waters surrounded the room. The other two walls were painted red. Mike’s favorite color.
