Page 76 of Mr. Darcy’s Forgotten Heir (Pride and Prejudice Variations #1)

Luke woke to the sound of palm leaves rustling outside his window.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he let the images and restless thoughts of Maya linger in his mind.

The way her hair fell over her shoulders, the softness of her smile, and the sultry glint in her eyes when she glanced at him while pretending she wasn’t looking.

What an intriguing woman and a real beauty who didn’t flaunt her looks.

Her smile was warm and sweet, and her sultry brown eyes drew him in but at the same time, remained distant and impenetrable.

A beauty like her would be used to men hitting on her.

Even though he was frustrated that she turned him down, it added to her allure.

She wasn’t like the women he usually encountered who were solely after a good time.

She had to be confident and independent enough to travel solo, and she seemed quite content to spend the evening in her room by herself.

After showering and shaving, Luke slipped into a pair of shorts and a light shirt, eager to see what Maya was up to.

The shutters were drawn over her windows, and he hoped she wasn’t hiding out on such a gorgeous sunny day.

The warm sand crunched beneath his feet as he made his way to the beach, the waves crashing against the shore, a symphony of turquoise and foam.

He spotted her on the beach, her silhouette framed by the vivid sunrise. The loose waves of her hair were windswept, the soft morning light casting a halo around her. Luke’s pulse quickened, and he was drawn to her. He approached her slowly, not wanting to startle her.

“Hey,” he said softly, coming up beside her.

Maya jumped a little, then turned to face him, surprise and something akin to delight flickering in her eyes. “Oh, hi, Luke. What are you doing up so early?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he said, nodding toward her camera. “What are you taking pictures of?”

She smiled, her eyes lighting up, reflecting the vibrant colors of the sky. “Just the sunrise. The colors are so beautiful here.”

The scent of coconut oil and plumeria lingered in the air as Luke took in the beauty around them. “It is pretty amazing. But you know what’s even more beautiful?”

A light breeze carried the salty sea air, teasing the edges of Maya’s sundress as she raised an eyebrow, her expression wary. “What’s that?”

“You,” he said, his voice low and intense. “I can’t stop thinking about you, Maya. I want to get to know you better.”

Her eyes widened, a mix of vulnerability and curiosity crossing her face. “I appreciate your interest, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

What? The smooth lines he’d used back home were hugely successful, and most women would have lapped them up, laughing and giggling.

It wasn’t as if he were a nerd or anything.

He’d spent years lifting weights and honing his confidence and swagger, and he was a far cry from that scrawny boy raised by a single mother who couldn’t afford to put him in sports or find the time to drive him to games and activities.

As in business negotiation, he would have to take a step backward and concede a point and then move in for the kill. He could do that.

The sound of the waves provided a soothing backdrop as Luke reached out, gently tilting her chin up so she was looking at him. “I understand that. And I don’t want to pressure you into anything. But I can’t help the way I feel about you.”

“I don’t know you,” she said quietly while caressing her camera.

He nodded, taking a step back while spreading his palms up to show he was a good guy. “Fair enough. How about we at least try to get to know each other better? Spend some time together?”

Maya’s shy eyes never left his face as if she was weighing her options. Finally, she nodded. “Okay, but I have a busy day planned already with some work I’m doing for an upcoming show.”

“Mind if I accompany you?” he gave her his most charming smile, a slightly self-deprecating one that never failed to melt female resolve.

“I work better alone,” she said. “Photography is all about focusing, in more ways than one.”

She appeared proud of her little pun as she twisted the loose waves of her long black hair into a bun and secured it with a yellow hair clip.

At least she hadn’t turned him down flat. He’d have to tread carefully and not scare her away.

“Great,” he said, suppressing the excitement bubbling within him. “How about a light breakfast? I have business to attend to that can’t wait, and I’d like to get caffeinated and ready to go.”

“So do I.” Her smile returned, her eyes softening. “Sure. Lead the way.”

As they walked toward the resort’s restaurant, Luke reached for Maya’s hand despite his earlier resolution to .

Maya shocked herself by letting Luke take her hand. His palm was warm and dry, and she found herself drawn to this highly aggressive man. There was something undeniably captivating about his strong features, his confident demeanor, and the way he seemed to genuinely want to get to know her.

At the same time, warning bells chimed to remind her that she didn’t know the first thing about him while she knew his type all too well—the alpha male who was used to getting what he wanted, especially when it came to women.

Could she really trust that his intentions were genuine, or was she just another conquest in his eyes?

Only time would tell, and her one-week stay at Unexpected Paradise was way too short. Besides, she was supposed to explore the colorful island of Ile d’Amour and immerse herself in the flora and fauna as well as the local culture and hidden landscapes away from the usual tourist traps.

They walked hand in hand into the resort restaurant—a cocoon of tropical elegance.

The crisp white tablecloth contrasted with the vibrant floral centerpieces, and the sound of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air.

A large group of sorority girls took up the entire window area, already dressed in beachwear.

They eyed Luke whose awesome physique was evident underneath the casual clothes he wore.

He seemed oblivious to their stares or maybe he was used to being a celebrity.

She was ashamed of herself for looking him up last night.

Even though he kept a low profile, he was featured in several articles on startup companies and data security.

The clichéd tall, dark, and handsome didn’t even begin to describe his magnetism.

Better rein in the hormones, Maya chided herself as Luke pulled a chair for her to sit. Her silly heart gave an obligatory flutter, and she did her best to hide her pleasure in his gentlemanly ways. When was the last time a man had pulled a chair for a woman?

As they sat down, Luke leaned in, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “So, do you have any hidden talents I should know about?”

She laughed, shaking her head. “I can make a mean pina colada, but that’s about it.”

Luke’s laughter joined hers, raising an eyebrow. “I might have to take you up on that offer later.”

They ordered a fruit platter and eggs over easy. Maya took a bite of her fresh mango, the tangy sweetness bursting on her tongue, as the sun streamed through the lush foliage, casting dappled patterns on the terracotta tiles.

“You have such an eye for detail,” Luke said as he caught her admiring the patterns of light. “How did you become interested in professional photography?”

Was he being sarcastic or did he genuinely want to know? Maya had to defend her choice of career to not only her family but even her friends as the opportunities for photographers dwindled in the past ten years.

Shoving aside her suspicions, she decided not everyone had an ulterior motive. After all, Luke was just a guy she met on vacation. One week tops and his opinion of her career choices shouldn’t matter.

“I believe photography is more than just snapping pictures,” she said as she sipped her coffee. “The perfect picture has a story behind it and evokes emotions. There’s the hunt for the exact moment, a pivotal point, and the ability to capture it that makes it worthwhile.”

“Sounds very artistic to me.” He laughed. “But then again, I’m just a data guy. Where do you find these moments?”

“Out of the way places,” she explained. “Locations and situations where others hesitate to explore. It’s all very adventurous.”

“Isn’t it dangerous to go off the beaten path?” Luke echoed the concerns of her overprotective parents.

“Eh, it’s worth it. Besides, it’s the only way these days to distinguish yourself.” Maya put on a bravado she didn’t possess. “I’m sure this island has secrets to tell, and they’re not found hanging around the tourist areas.”

Luke glanced at the sorority girls sprawled out on the rattan benches and shrugged. “I believe everyone has a story or two and quite a few secrets.”

“True, but isn’t it your job to scrub those secrets from the internet?” Maya blurted before realizing it meant she’d looked him up.

His smirk was too self-satisfied for her comfort. “Is that why you didn’t tell me your full name, Miss Maya?”

She covered the awkwardness with a hearty laugh and speared another slice of mango. She had to admit she was being charmed by Luke’s wit and humor, and she couldn’t deny that she was attracted to him.

As they finished their meal, Rosa stopped by their table, her playful monkey, Mango, perched on her shoulder. His little hands reached out and again swiped Maya’s hair clip.

Maya’s hair fell like a cascade over her shoulders, and she had the pleasure of noting Luke’s eyes widening with desire as he took on a speculative and dreamy expression—probably undressing her with his imagination.

Rosa apologized, a sheepish grin on her face. “I’m so sorry, Maya. Mango is quite taken with your hair clip. He must think it’s a banana!”

Maya laughed, gently disentangling the hair clip from Mango’s grasp. “No harm done, Rosa. He has good taste.”