Page 23 of Storm Warning
Eventually she stood and gathered the dishes, the soft clink of porcelain breaking the spell, and he stirred awake, blinking at her in the moonlight.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” he murmured, voice rough but warm as honey.
“I was trying to let you rest.”
He stretched, the movement tugging his shirt across broad shoulders, and she had to look away before her thoughts tangled further, heat creeping up her neck.
“Goodnight, Kate,” he rumbled, his gaze lingering on her in a way that made her pulse skip.
“Goodnight, Nick.”
He slipped back inside, and Kate realized, for the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel alone.
The soft rustling of leaves and the lap of waves intertwined, producing a tranquil melody. A well of happiness bubbled up within her, effervescent and unexpected, and a gentle warmth spread through her chest as the beauty of the evening enveloped her.
She took a moment to breathe it all in. The stars twinkled vividly overhead, casting a silvery glow as if encouraging her to embrace the magic of the moments shared—the easy laughter, the fun banter, and the fleeting glances that lingered a heartbeattoo long.
She finished gathering her empty dishes, her heart humming with the thrill of connection brewing between them. As she meandered back to her suite, the cool tiles smooth beneath her bare feet, Kate couldn’t help but hope this was the beginning of something beautiful, something worth holding on to. And that thought scared her down to her toes.
Chapter 9
Whispers
Just after dawn,Kate carried her mat down to the beach in hopes that the familiar flow of movement would settle her mind. Her characters wouldn’t quit talking back, determined to go in a different direction than she planned.
The cool sand squished between her toes; the sky was streaked in delicate shades of lavender and rose. Each breath tasted of salt and something sweeter she couldn’t quite name—maybe hibiscus, or the green edge of the jungle beyond the shore.
She needed that hour—needed the stretch of her body, the ritual of it—to calm her whirling thoughts and put her in the right frame to fight with the characters.
But as she pushed up from the final pose, rolling her shoulders back, she turned inland and saw the mansion in its entirety for the first time.
It was breathtaking.
Sprawling terraces and balconies layered in pale stone and glass, all gleaming in the early light like something from a dream. Every line looked effortless, as though it had grown outof the rock and sand, as natural and permanent as the island itself. And it was almost double the size she had thought it was.
Her stomach tightened, twisting into a hard knot.
Of course, Nick lived in a mansion. She knew he was wealthy—anyone who’d ever read a business magazine knew Nicholas Ivory was as close to royalty as Florida produced. But seeing it laid out before her, solid and undeniable, was something else entirely.
It made her feel… small. Ordinary. Like she’d wandered onto a stage where she didn’t know her lines.
Just a girl from a middle-class neighborhood where the most impressive house was a two-story colonial with a front porch and faded shutters. Where no one made the news for anything other than a high school football game or a charity bake sale.
She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her heart. No amount of yoga would change what she was—and what he was. No matter how he intrigued her, no matter the heat that flickered through her when he looked her way, she couldn’t forget the distance between their worlds.
She turned away, unwilling to let it swallow her whole. Pushing her insecurities aside, she gathered her mat, brushed the sand from her calves, and climbed the winding path back to her suite, telling herself she would focus on work today. She had a deadline. A purpose. A reason for being here that had nothing to do with Nick Ivory or the life he represented.
By 8 a.m.,Kate was ready for her day in a cute little sundress that fluttered against her skin. The silky fabric clung in all theright places, and a river of gratitude flowed through her: Callie had nailed it with her shopping spree. A couple of the dresses might be a little risqué, sure. But was that really a problem if it got Nick’s attention?
Damn it, why was she thinking about him again? He was far out of her league.
Shaking her head clear, she forced herself to focus on the gentle rustle of leaves outside and the comforting warmth of the sun filtering through her window, painting shades of gold across the tile floor. She was hungry, and as much as she adored the idea of eating on her terrace—was it a terrace or a lanai? Such useless details danced around in her head—she remembered her promise to the guys. They requested her insight, and the Pavilion was just a short ride away.
With a deep breath, she hopped into her cart and started off, the playful breeze tugging at her hair and cooling the flush on her cheeks. It was another stunning day in paradise, and for a moment, her worries melted away under the bright sun. Before she knew it, she was strolling through the Pavilion’s entrance, her heart lifting as she returned Lena’s wave, who was manning the front desk.
“Morning, Kate! Looking good!” Lena called cheerily, and the unexpected compliment brightened her mood even more, warming her from the inside out.
Sally, the hostess at the breakfast restaurant, welcomed her with a radiant smile, her energy infectious. “Good morning! Table for one, or are you meeting another party?”