Page 12 of Capri

A very handsome stranger.And I liked it.

3

JONES

It’s not very oftenI’m thrown off by the utter perfection of a woman.

I’ve been around my fair share.

When you’ve experienced life the way I have, healthy handfuls of women surround you.

But none that shine like she did.

Capri.

For the first time in my thirty-nine years of life, I was at a loss for words.

Shit, we talked about candy. I bought candy bananas.

Hard, candy bananas.

I don’t even like them, but I couldn’t admit to her I grabbed them by accident. They were the closest thing to us. I was too preoccupied staring at her like she was a part of some wild dream—a guest of honor. So, I scooped banana Runts into my bag without looking, giving myself a task to keep my hands busy.

Hands that wanted to fucking reach for her.

What are the chances of meeting a stunning woman named Capriinthe city of Capri?Slim, I’d say.

I’m fortunate enough to live in Capri nine months out of the year. The other three, I’m in the United States caring for my mother.

Working in the travel industry has its perks and led me to visit Capri roughly ten years ago and never look back.

It’s my home. The place I chose to plant roots.

Meeting the mysterious woman in The Candy Emporium, of all places, was a shock. I’ve strolled the streets of the village more times than I can count, and I can assure you, I’ve never seen her.

I would have remembered.

Although I’ve lived here for years, I never once stepped foot in that candy shop…until today. I can’t explain why I did, other than the smell of baked sugar caught my attention on my way into the office. My mother used to bake what she calledTexas Sheet Cakegrowing up, and I’m almost positive the icing was sugar by the gallon. But I fucking loved it.

The filtering sweet smell reminded me of that. Of a clearer time.

I’m beginning to think my nostalgia wasn’t the only reason I ended up with a pound of banana Runts and an out-of-sync heartbeat.

If I wasn’t so caught off guard, I would have asked her out.

Not usually my style, but goddamn, she was irresistible.

Her long legs were toned and tanned to perfection, something unusual for a tourist. Her long blonde hair was shiny and looked like silk, with small streaks of chestnut red, making her bright blue eyes pop. She had on the tiniest yellow sundress that covered enough to not only make me wonder what she was hiding underneath but also admire her silhouette of healthy curves.

She’s divine.

Unfortunately for me, I’ll probably never see her again. Not that I’d pursue anything with her. I’ve adapted to being alone far too well.

However, she was the exact distraction I needed on my Friday afternoon walk to the office. It’s been a week from hell, and I’d like to speak with the big boss to file a complaint.

Too bad that’s me.

Before my father passed fifteen years ago, he stated in his will that my older brother, Tommy, would inherit Archer Chartering, our family chartering company, after his passing. Sadly, Tommy never made it to see that legacy continue from him, leaving it to me.

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