Page 23 of Scandalous Lover

I will not be spoken to like this.

“The shuttles run a tight schedule, Dom. They can’t just be rescheduled on your whims.”

“Right.” He nods, unflustered by my scolding. “Thanks.”

For the rest of the morning, my state of dread-filled excitement makes getting work done nearly impossible. I more or less just watch the clock.

I’m happy about my choice to go pick her up. It’ll be good to have a moment alone together—outside of the resort—to get on the same page before we’re thrown into the tight-knit, nosy community of The Sands.

When ten thirty rolls around I decide to head into town, unable to make myself sit still another minute. I’m just liftingthe keys to one of the resort’s golf carts from its hook when my perfect plan sinks down the drain.

“Hey,” Avery says, flopping his elbows down on the front desk and grinning at me. “I hear you're running a taxi service today.”

I grit my teeth but force myself to stay calm. “Nope. Just picking Dom’s sister up at the dock.”

“Perfect. I’ve got someone coming on that same boat. I’m going to ride in with you.”

“I can pick them up too. No need to head all the way into town.”

“That’s okay. I need to grab a few things at the store anyway.” And with that, he snatches the keys from my fingers, taking with them any hope of getting a second alone with Naomi.

Chapter Eight

Sam

Avery drives, and we fly down the dirt road, so quickly I know we’re going to be much earlier than I expected. He yammers on about one thing or another, but I’m barely listening. I manage anohordangin the right places to encourage him to go on, as I’ve learned to do in my years of working with people, and many, many years of listening to this particular man’s stories.

I can’t make my mind settle. I’ve got the same set of questions running through my mind on a loop.

Is she okay?

What is she doing here?

How long is she going to stay?

Is she going to want to do what we did again?

Is everyone going to find out what happened?

That last one is the kicker. If it wasn’t for our shared past, I would want her answer about doing it again to be a resounding yes. I would run to the top of the tower at The Sands and screamitfor everyone to hear.

But that’s not the world we live in.

Here in the real world, I have a resort to run with a man who just threatened our entire staff to keep their hands off his sister. I know I have a bit more standing than any of those guys, but still. Ruining my working relationship with the man I interact with so closely and who holds my future in his hands is not my idea of a good time.

Even if it means giving up my shot at love?

I shake off the idea and lean my head back, eyes falling closed. She’s not my only shot. I know it’s been challenging to meet someone on this island, but it will happen.

All the other guys found their one and only.

I just have to wait for my turn.

If I can get through Naomi’s visit without getting my entire life smashed to pieces, I’ll get back on the hunt.

As predicted, we get to Saubry with enough time for Ave to hit the store first and still arrive at the dock before the boat.

“How about little Naomi coming to hide out on the island, huh?”

---