le floors that felt cool underfoot, and massive glass walls that framed the endless turquoise ocean like a living pa

pretending to scroll through her phone. In reality, every ne

nder

n shirt he'd worn on the plane now had a few faint damp patches from the humidity, clinging just enough to hint at the powerful chest beneath. His salt-and-pe

ore attractive th

rs like flipping through a forbidden ph

the rain, and Alexander had opened the door holding a towel. He'd smiled down at her, wrapped it around her should

rk in his home office, sleeves rolled up, glasses perched on his nose as he reviewed contracts. She memorized the way

corners of his eyes crinkling, and feel a stupid, hopeless longing bloom in her chest. He was always kind t

tanding in this paradis

r thoughts. "You alive over there? You've b

"Sorry. Just taking it all in. This lob

places. Hey, Dad!" she called across the lobby. "How long until they f

first, then shifted to his daughter. The corner of his mouth

" he replied, his tone warm but carrying that natural aut

nt. Up close, Mia could see the faint shadow of stubble along his strong jaw and the

aze lingered on Mia a fraction longer than necessary. "You l

her chin, refusing to look away. "Ma

atic like this. Remember when she declared she was going to marry tha

remember. I also remember having to explain to a very confused fourteen

r lips. "I was passionate. Still am, actually.

just a tiny tightening of his jaw, a subtle darkening of his

ietly, his voice dropping lower. "This island m

the air conditioning. She stepped a little closer, close enough to

d softly, her hazel eyes locking onto hi

"You guys are being weirdly philosophical. It's vacation, not a therapy sessi

ore Mia caught the way his hand flexed at his side. "They're almost done.

plush seating and colorful tropical drinks, Mia glanced back

lammed agai

erlooking the beach. A server brought them two vibr

No school, no exams, no annoying teachers. Just sun, sw

mind still on Alexander. "What about your dad? Doesn't h

ompany. But honestly? I think he's lonely. He deserves someone nice, you know? S

nt warred inside her. "Yeah... he does des

ow Sophia Laurent was staring at him when we passed her earlier? Th

s. She hadn't noticed. Jealousy

ared, holding their key cards. His prese

Mia. His fingers brushed against hers as he passed the card. T

ed up at him through her lashes. "You really didn't have to do a

For a moment, the busy lobby se

ut you." His voice carried a warmth that made her stomach flutter. Then, almost as

ghtly, letting her hair fall over one shoul

corner of his mouth twitched. "It's..

hat. Let's go see this villa before I melt. Dad, are you co

alk you there. Then I need to make a quick call to

walked just behind Alexander, her eyes tracing the broad line of his s

ou for years. And now I'm finally cl

ardens bursting with color. Birds called overhead, and the

n to walk beside her while Lily sk

," he observed, glancing down

how in her eyes for just a moment. "I guess I'm just thi

omething else there too something guarded, like

der his breath. "This place has a way of

d, slow a

e to cross a few

flashing across his face before he masked it. H

lled out from ahead, "Hurry up,

nued walking, but the air between

h triumph and fear an

only the

had secretly loved for years ha