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“You need?” I lean forward even more, stretching over the wooden countertop, hanging onto her words. If she needs more money, I'll give it. If she needs more responsibility, she can have it. But she looks somber, and now I’m scared she’ll think I’ve overstepped my boundary. She fixes me with her russet-colored eyes. I fall deeper, mesmerized by the bursts of gold.
“I need to get you out of my system.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My hands grip the whiskey tumbler so hard, my knuckles are white. Before I can say anything, she stands, grabbing her things, and rushes out of the room, leaving me behind with my jaw hanging, my mind racing, and my dick harder than ever.
Again.
Chapter 24
CARI
I wake up with a start.
Last night, I rushed back to my room with my heart pounding and my pulse racing. I still can’t believe what happened. After replaying what went on in the bar between me and Jett, I finally fell asleep. I slept blissfully—like a baby, for once—but now I’m wide awake again, and it’s only five in the morning.
All I can think about is what happened last night. Did that conversation really happen, or did I imagine it? What did he mean? Did he seriously comment on my lack of bra?
No, that can’t be right. I shake my head because the lines between wishful thinking and reality are blurring.
Not only did I have one too many cocktails, but I ended up sharing another drink with my flirtatious, very-drunk boss. At least this time he’s not sitting in my room keeping watch over me.
You’re not wearing a bra.
My body reacts just thinking about it, but Jett Knight would never say those things, especially to someone like me. I’m not Alicia. I’m not some glamorous woman who turns heads when she walks into a room. I’m a simple girl who doesn’t belong in Jett’s world, and I don’t possess the sophistication and beauty of the women he usually surrounds himself with.
I must have made it up. Imagined it. Also, he was bordering on drunk.
I peek out the door to check on Brooke. She’s still fast asleep. We’re going to the Crystal Caves today, just the two of us. I’m relieved that Jett won’t be around.
It’s still early, so I let her sleep and head back to my room, opening a window and breathing in the salty sea air as the early morning sunlight warms my face. The view is stunning—the turquoise waters of Bermuda glisten like liquid diamonds, stretching out as far as the eye can see. The ocean sparkles, catching the light in a way that makes it look like a living, breathing thing.
In the safety of my room, my mind drifts back to my boss and I try to recall what happened last night with some distance. The flirtatious words, the lingering looks … they kept coming, and I didn’t want to leave. But there’s no way—no way—he could be interested in me.
Is there?
A man of his wealth and standing would never see me as more than his PA. The thought is strangely comforting, though mixed with confusion. He’s older, my boss—well, soon to be ex-boss—a man of the world, a billionaire. If he was flirting with me, it’s because he’s lonely, frustrated, and missing Alicia.
This is all in my head.
Wishful thinking.
Yet, we did talk. Like we’ve never talked before.
I remember he wasn’t nice about Jacques, and he seemed annoyed that I’d gone out with him.
Still … I don’t know. He was drinking alone, and was moody and irritated—the way he gets when something’s wrong. I wonder if his father has said or done something to upset him? Jett always gets like this after dealing with him.
I hear voices outside and look down, my heart tripping over my emotions. Jett is dressed in one of his immaculate suits, and I watch him climb into the SUV. It’s a Sunday, but he mentioned something about having a busy day. Even in this heat, he wears a tie and looks as polished and perfect as ever. I don’t know how he does it.
I hope his entire day is filled with meetings because I can’t face him. As the black SUV drives away, I let out a sigh of relief.
Last night was fun, though—meeting Jacques and his friends. I drank too much, danced, loosened up. I got a break from everything back home, from my mom's memory haunting me here. Jett was right about one thing, this trip has done me some good. Except now, it feels like I’m on a slightly different trajectory. Like this is not just a trip to Bermuda to take care of Brooke.
It hits me again—that I groped him in the water, and he didn’t seem to mind. That part wasn’t a dream.
I’m so confused.Soconfused. My thoughts spiral into a fantasy where Jett is magically interested in me, where we could actually have a future. But before I can lose myself in that fairy tale, Brooke bursts into my room.
She was so fast asleep a minute ago, and now she’s wide awake, bouncing around like she’s been up for hours. The change is mind-boggling.