His Island Bride (5 page)

“Wow, you certainly have a way around words. Are you spoken for or not?”

“If I was, I would probably object to your being in my hotel suite and my other half would have called frantically by now wondering about my every move. Not to mention my Blackberry would be buzzing like crazy, probably driving me nuts because my other half would think I’m in the presence of
another  beautiful
woman.”

Jessica tilted her head back and laughed. “I guess you have a point.”

She finished drinking her Pineapple Cola with her umbrella in the tall glass as she swayed to the music looking deeply into James’s sexy dark grey eyes. She wondered how it was possible to be that devilishly handsome, as her eyes traced his high cheek bones, dark thick eyelashes, full sensual lips and honey tanned, healthy complexion. It was hard to believe he wasn’t taken.

Earlier, one of the waiters recognized him and commented how much he was missed. Apparently, on a previous trip he played golfing with some of them at the golf course on their days off. She saw his business card that he passed to the waiter. He was the CEO of Romano Software Company. She had changed the chip on her phone earlier and when he went to the men’s, she surreptitiously
Googled
him  up and found out that he was part owner of a successful software company and a foundation to assist the unfortunate by donating to community centres and funding programs for under-privileged youths.

“Why didn’t you tell me about what you do?”

“I did,” he grinned as he got back to his seat.

“You told me you work for a living. I thought you had some sort of dead-beat job.”

“Well, I don’t. What did you do, Google me when I walked away?”

“How did you know?”

“Because I like to notice things.
Besides I watched you
  while
I came out and stood by the bar as you typed away ferociously on your smart phone. I figured you were either texting your lover or looking me up.”

Jessica rolled her eyes again. “You’re too funny,” she said, not laughing. “Well, I think it’s noble what you do?”

“Running a company?”

The way the words rolled of his tongue mesmerized her. She was in love with his deep, silky voice and his mixed accent that could not be placed easily. For some reason she felt she could listen to him speak all day long and not tire of it.

“Yeah and all that other stuff,” she replied, gazing into his eyes as she surveyed his features. Come to think of
  it
, she had heard about Romano Software back home, her centre where she worked outsourced some of their software issues and development to them. Talk about a coincidence.

Later that evening, they took a walk on the beach listening to the powerful waves of the
sea,
the sky was a beautiful shade of purple and rouge.
A perfect evening.

“Looks like the manager couldn’t do anything except offer you a free stay the next time you visit,” he said, as he walked closely beside her with his hands shoved in the pockets of his cargo shorts.

“Well, thanks for letting me stay in your suite. I do appreciate it. Hope I’m not troubling you too much.”

He grinned. His eyes were warm and inviting and at the same time, dark and sexy. “I’ll let you know if you become unbearable. I know you’re harmless.”

“And how do you know that?”

“I like to check things out before I get involved in anything whether it’s places…or people...”

“Oh, so you’ve checked me out, too?”  She playfully raised a brow, a grin found its way on her face.

“Well, when you went to get changed in the bathroom, I took the liberty of making a few calls.”

“Oh?”

“Well, hey, what would you expect?
A beautiful woman in my hotel suite taking a shower.
I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t any funny business.”

Jessica snuggled into his shoulder as they both walked on the beach until the red sky turned to an awesome midnight blue sky with the moon reflecting on the water and the backdrop of stars sprinkled against the sky. It was perfect.

They talked and talked about so many things. It was amazing that they had so much in common. They ate the same foods, had the same dislikes, and thought alike on political and social topics. They even went into discussing episodes of
Columbo
and which ones
were their favorite
.

But still, she ached for her parents. What if she told her parents that she didn’t want to get married
again.
She also felt guilty for not telling James about her parent’s plan for her life. Still, it wasn’t as if it was fully confirmed. She still hadn’t met the guy she was supposed to be marrying, anyway. She swallowed hard. She was really enjoying James
company
now. There was something familiar about him as if she’d
  known
him forever. He was a big shot CEO and yet he was so down-to-earth. You couldn’t get any better than that. Oh, God, she wanted him.
Tonight.

5

During the next few days, Jessica felt as if she’d known James forever. But she was annoyed.

Peeved because he didn’t make a move on her.
Why wouldn’t he make a move? Was she
that
unattractive? Did he only find her suitable as a roommate? Maybe he really was peeved that she was in his hotel suite because he had planned to spend time alone on this trip.

She spent her nights on the bed while he slept on the couch in the living area of the grand suite, tossing and turning in her bed, feeling rejected. She craved him and she thought he felt the same but…nothing. Nothing happened. Oh, God, this was torture.

So he treated her like a lady and seemed to know exactly what she wanted. Though he’d been a gentleman to sleep on the couch in the grand suite, she really wanted him in her bed.
Between the sheets.
More than anything she’d ever wanted before.

This was not like her but there was some undeniable chemistry between them that could not be ignored.

So far, she’d had the most invigorating trip ever. They went to a beach party
nearby,
they played golf and tennis at the Beach Club, and enjoyed a delicious dinner on a Yacht owned by one of his friends.

***

The most unforgettable moment Jessica had with James was the day when he decided to take her to the Beach Club for an incredible once in a lifetime experience.

A romantic horse ride on the sandy white beach during a beautiful red sunset.

They rode from the Beach Club to the beach itself on a beautiful brown horse named Tam-Tam. Later the saddle was taken off Tam-Tam and they rode on the bare back of the animal into the ocean where she swam with them on her back.

“Can horses swim?” Jessica’s voice rose above the waves as her eyes widened with terror. She felt her stomach sink in. She tightened her grip around James’s firm waist without even realizing it at first.

James tilted his head back and smiled. “If they can’t, we’re in a hell of a lot of trouble,” he said in a smooth and calm voice as if nothing bothered him.

She grinned back and playfully rolled her eyes feeling sheepish. She was sure the average person didn’t know if horses could swim or not. Maybe she was the only one who didn’t know it. Still, the experience was an electrifying moment—one she would store in her cherished memory forever.

She had squealed with delight as she rode hugging James from behind feeling the firm muscular chest of her roommate as the water splashed on her legs, who by the way managed to keep his cool. He seemed to enjoy watching her squirm when the waves rolled in the sea. She noticed his lips curled into a salacious grin. She was relieved she had James’ strong body to hold unto as she rode with him on the back of Tam-Tam. Earlier, they’d gone to the petting zoo where they’d fed, held and cared for pets as if their own. James was so gentle with the animals and she loved that about him.

At the time her mind was whirling about what on earth to say to her mother when she got back to Toronto. That she’d met someone else and she’d rather give him a try instead of the arranged marriage agreement she’d said she would consider?

6

Jessica was more than delighted that she’d chosen the
Grandim
to spend her vacation. The hotel had five freshwater pools including a sunbed, shower and towel service. The main pool had four build-in Jacuzzis and the swim up bar. There was also a quiet pool where they both enjoyed and an Adults only pool.
       Jessica thought every time she saw his naked chest in his swim trunks, she would go crazy. Every inch of her body reacted to his presence, his aura. He was fabulous in every way and he didn’t seem to be cocky about it. She found that fascinating about him. She was too cautious not to come off as easy but boy, did she really want him then and there.

They both found the ocean waves calming. Sometimes they would listen in silence and daydream, other times they shared what was on their minds.

“You seem far away,” Jessica offered.

“Hmm.
Just business.”

“Oh? I thought you were taking a vacation from business.”

“Well, you know how it is sometimes business affairs just won’t leave you be.”

“You mean they found you? I guess that’s why you should switch off your Blackberry.”

“Like
  you
?” He cocked a brow playfully.

“And what’s wrong with that?”

“What if there’s an emergency back home?”

“They can call 9-1-1 in Toronto if it’s a real emergency but I really need my down time to rejuvenate or I would be no good to anyone.”