Page 96 of Pervade Montego Bay
“Do you?”
“I’m an avid photographer,” he said. “Would you like to see?”
Relieved at the change of subject, I nodded enthusiastically. “I would.”
“I’ll give you a tour on the way.”
I set my empty glass down and picked up my high heels. “I promise not to judge the décor.”
“Do you like art? I have some interesting pieces.”
“Yes, I like it very much.”
He sounded enthused. “I have quite the collection of European silver.”
“Oh, lovely.”
“I fucking hate it.”
He made me giggle. “Then why do you have it?”
“Bad luck, I suppose.” He pointed at the shoes I was carrying. “Are your feet hurting?”
“These high heels are extreme.”
“As long as it’s not reluctance to walk on Italian marble. It won’t scratch. Trust me, I used to skateboard over it.”
“Your family didn’t mind?”
“They don’t visit.”
“I’m sorry.”
He reached out. “Shoes.”
I handed them to him.
“You’ve spent too long with men who’ve forgotten what chivalry is.”
“They’re pretty chivalrous.”
It was impossible not to be amused. Louis was charmingly eccentric. He also held himself with a refined elegance that hinted there was more to him than met the eye. It would be fun getting to know him.
“We have an impressive library.” He nudged a door open and motioned for me to go on ahead. “I’ll show you later, if you like.”
“I love libraries.”
“How do you feel now that you’ve had some rum?”
“Warm.”
“Not too sleepy?”
“No, a little buzzed.”
“There’s so much to see on this island. So much wildlife. I spend my days capturing them with my lens and immortalizing them in photos.”
We strolled in a new direction down a chilly corridor. Goosebumps broke out on my arms. Glancing behind me, I tried to remember the way back.
