Page 80 of Sand in My Boots

“What desserts do they serve?”

I think he’s kidding, though his expression is lit up like a Christmas tree. Ironic metaphor given his attire.

“He’s serious. Not that it will matter what you say. He’s never met a dessert he doesn’t like.”

“Right. But I’m still not exactly sure. I don’t think of that place for desserts. Just food.”

I’m momentarily distracted by a commotion at the door.

What I see takes my breath away.

I’m out of my seat before realizing what’s happening. Totally forgetting I’m in the middle of doing something for a resort guest, I stride purposefully to the door. Juliana gasps as she sees me coming, her bag on her arm dropping haphazardly to the floor.

In the brief time I take to cross the lobby, my heart beats loudly, my pulse quickens to a marathon pace. Part of me thinks she might be a mirage, that I’m seeing things, as if my imagination willed her here. Because I miss her like crazy. More than I ever thought possible to miss someone.

“Cameron,” she squeaks as I approach.

“It wasn’t casual. Not a fling. Not for me. I knew it then, but I know it more now.” The words flow from my mouth with a buried confidence.

“But does it change anything?” she asks, her voice timid, hesitant.

My fingers find her chin, tipping her head up to look at me. Uncertainty whirls in her sandy brown gaze, but once locked with mine, the doubts fall away. The “we could never work.” The “you deserve a better man than me.” Fuck that noise. Me, Cameron Fairbanks. I’m the best man for her.

It’s about damn time I let her know it.

“Everything. It changes everything.”

I don’t allow her to process it for even a second. My mouth covers hers, swallowing her surprise. Fingers sliding to the back of her neck, I tug her head closer to mine, to devour her lips, her mouth I’ve almost forgotten how good it is to kiss. The reminder isn’t subtle at all. Juli returns the kiss with hunger, excitement, yearning.

So lost in her, I completely forget where I am. Who’s around. That I’m on the clock.

When I pull away, she seems more stunned, a look I have to squash immediately.

“We’ve got a lot to discuss.”

“A lot,” she agrees, her features softening.

“I’m supposed to be working.” I hike my hand over my shoulder before full realization settles in. “Oh, shit.” I dash away, back to the table where the guests are still sitting. Apologizing profusely, I start with, “I’m so sorry. That was totally unprofessional of me. Please let me make it up to you. When we’re done, I’ll grab you vouchers for dinner, which will cover extra dessert for my error.”

Heat creeps up my cheeks as I speak. I’m more embarrassed than ever. I can’t believe I got up in the middle of a meeting with guests, but more than that, I kissed the hell out of a woman, someone who appears to be another guest. What the hell got into me?

Juliana Langley.

I’ve never let a woman get so under my skin. Even when we were teenagers, I had a better handle on my emotions and my body’s response to her. Except for the one time in the pool house . . .

I am making the worst impression on these guests, who are sitting and staring at me, a smirk on the guy’s face.

Jackson. I think that was his name.

“It’s okay, man. Been there.”

A bit of worry uncoils within me with his one comment, but I can’t let go of it all. I’ll have to make it up to them.

And get through the rest of the day.

I wake up my computer, zoning in on the screen, trying to figure out what I was doing for them. Oh, right. Booking them a cruise around the islands.

“So, Tuesday at noon? I’ll book that for you.” My voice jumps, adrenaline coursing through me, making it almost impossible to calm down. “I’m so sorry,” I repeat, some for them, some for myself.