Page 24 of Thiago (Family Ties #6)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Thiago had booked them a top-floor suite that included daily champagne, butler service, and a breathtaking view of the beach from their private veranda.

Stepping outside, India leaned against the railing, shielding her eyes from the warm sun as she surveyed the beachgoers splashing in the waves or lounging on the sand.

Thiago slipped his arms around her waist from behind and nuzzled her neck, and she leaned back against his solid frame.

“I assumed there’d be more people on the beach,” India remarked.

“It’s the time of year. The beach is much more crowded in the summer months with tourists and cariocas ,” he said, referring to residents of Rio. “But the weather is still perfect for us to enjoy ourselves. We’re going to take it easy today. I don’t want you to overdo it,” he said.

“Thiago, we’re in Rio. I want to see everything since we don’t have much time.”

He was worried about her health, and while she appreciated his concern, she knew what her body could handle and didn’t want to miss out on sightseeing since she didn’t know when she’d ever have the chance to return.

“Tomorrow. Today, we relax and enjoy the beach,” Thiago said firmly.

India sighed loudly, though she secretly liked how he was insistent on taking care of her. “Yes, sir.”

He groaned, gripping her hips and pressing his pelvis against her bottom.

Giggling, she twisted out of his arms and held his hand, leading the way inside. “Come on. You promised me a relaxing day, so let’s get started.”

The hotel provided them with loungers and an umbrella so they didn’t have to rent any from the vendors on the beach.

As protection against the effects of the sun, India wore a large hat and a long-sleeve cover-up over her aqua-blue one-piece since skin flares could cause her to break out in rashes or hives.

They crossed the street to get to the beach and settled in their spot on the sand. At the same time, a young woman sped by in a string bikini, screaming as she was chased by a young man in a speedo. One thing India immediately noticed—Brazilians were not shy about showing off their bodies.

She leaned over and covered Thiago’s eyes. “Don’t look.”

He chuckled, taking her hand and kissing the palm. “I did not see anything,” he promised, reclining in the chair and slipping on a pair of dark shades.

India lay back too, placing her hat on her stomach as she observed the scenery. Slowing down and taking time to relax made her realize how long it had been since she had done this very thing.

The steady rush and retreat of the Atlantic was music to her ears. Each swell of the waves was like the ocean inhaling and then releasing a breath.

“I could get used to this,” she said, scanning the sea of bright umbrellas dotting the landscape like flowers on the sand.

Thiago folded his arms behind his head. “Coming here was my escape from S?o Paulo. Sometimes I would drive instead of fly.”

He wore navy-blue swim trunks that showed off his slim hips, thick thighs, and sculpted chest. He blended in perfectly with the bronzed bodies lounging nearby.

“How long is the drive?” India asked.

“A little more than five hours. One day we’ll come back and take the drive. It was not practical this time.”

The way he casually mentioned them returning meant he saw a future with her.

In fact, his reaction last night when he thought she was pregnant had been eye-opening.

He had clearly wanted the imaginary baby.

If she read him correctly, he had been… dare she use the word… disappointed she wasn’t pregnant?

She couldn’t see his eyes behind the sunglasses, so she guessed they were closed. Her gaze rested on him for a moment. He would be a good father—firm, but playful, with high expectations, no doubt. He would be the disciplinarian, while she would be the big softie.

The shrill laughter of children farther down the beach caught her attention. A group of boys and girls were kicking around a soccer ball in the sand, clapping and cheering for each other.

India closed her eyes and at some point drifted off to sleep. She was awakened by Thiago, who was standing above her. He had removed his sunglasses and extended a hand to her. “Let’s go in the water and then eat lunch.”

After rubbing on sunscreen, they made their way down to the cool water.

“How do you like your trip so far?” Thiago asked as they waded in.

“It’s heaven,” India replied.

He grinned at her, and her heart raced. She never stood a chance, did she?

Not from the moment she left the sports bar with him last July.

She had fooled herself into believing Thiago would be nothing more than a fling, but the truth was undeniable.

Their Friday nights together had been her oxygen, and she had lived for every moment in his presence, looking forward to one of these rare but sexy smiles that captivated and dissolved her under its weight.

Despite her best efforts, she had fallen for him.

I’m in love.

“Are you all right?” Thiago asked. “You are staring at me in an odd way.”

India laughed, her cheeks hot with embarrassment. “I… I remembered something I needed to do back at the office?—”

“You are not supposed to be thinking about work. We are taking a break, remember? Whatever you have to do can wait until Monday.”

“You’re right.” She forced a smile to her lips.

Thiago sent a spray of seawater in her direction, and she squealed, averting her face. Then she splashed him back, but he scooped her up, and she laughed, clinging to his broad shoulders and wrapping her legs around his waist as the ocean swirled around them.

Thiago’s smile slowly faded, and for one long, charged moment, they stared at each other.

When he kissed her, India clung to him, opening her mouth to accept his tongue.

She succumbed to the moment—the roar of the surf, the hum of beach activity, the distant call of the seagulls.

For a few minutes, nothing mattered but the two of them.

The world narrowed to the heat of his skin, the salty taste of water on his moist lips, and her overwhelming happiness at being in his arms.

Today was Saturday, their last full day in Brazil.

“Are you ready yet?” Thiago called from outside, sounding impatient.

“Two minutes!” India yelled, applying lip gloss to her nude lips.

She wore wide-legged white linen pants, a powder-blue loose-fitting shirt, and comfortable shoes. With her straw hat, she looked like a true tourist.

Yesterday, when they finished at the beach, she had been tempted to buy lunch from one of the hotdog carts.

Beyond the usual condiments, there were options to add corn and peas, tomato sauce simmered with onions and bell peppers, quail eggs, or batata palha, crunchy shoestring fries.

Instead, they ate a filling meal at one of the kiosks on the boardwalk.

Afterward, they ordered acai bowls from a street vendor, enjoying the cold, delicious treat as they strolled back to the hotel.

India’s was covered in granola and honey while Thiago chose granola and condensed milk.

Back at the hotel, he had arranged for them to have massages and spa treatments, which filled the rest of their afternoon before they went out to dinner.

Today was all about sightseeing, and she was excited because Thiago had hired a private driver so they could hit the major attractions.

The tour would last all day and included lunch.

Satisfied with her appearance, India exited the bedroom. “You’re so impatient,” she said.

Thiago grumbled something in Spanish.

“What did you say?” India asked.

“I said you look beautiful.”

“And I was worth the wait?” she asked.

“Let’s go, shall we?” Thiago extended his hand.

She curled her fingers around his. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Believe whatever you like,” he said.

India rolled her eyes and let him lead the way out the door.

As they strolled down the hall to the elevator, Thiago’s phone rang. “Hello?” he answered.

Pause.

He came to an abrupt stop. “When?”

India searched his face for a clue as to what was going on. His eyes locked with hers, and a faint smile broke out on his face. “How are Skye and the baby?”

He listened for a moment.

“Well, congratulations. When Skye wakes up, tell her I said congratulations too. Make sure you send me a picture, but I’ll stop by to see my new niece when I return to the States.

” Thiago hung up and resumed walking. “My brother Ethan and his wife Skye had their little girl a few hours ago. They named her Angel.”

“Mother and daughter are fine?” India asked.

He nodded. “Both are sleeping. Ethan is going to send a photo of the baby.”

“Congratulations, Tio Thiago. How many nieces and nephews do you have now?”

“Audra has five, and Ethan’s makes six. When Bruno and Marissa have their baby next month, that will be seven.” He frowned, suddenly realizing how much his family had expanded. “If this keeps up, I’m going to need a spreadsheet to keep track of birthdays.”

India burst out laughing. “If you can handle running a multi-million dollar company, you can keep up with those birthdays.”