Page 11 of Last Ticket to Paradise

Chapter Three

Gunther and Nicole continued their conversation, but Georgette couldn’t hear what they were saying over the roar in her ears. Jamie and Jake. She should’ve known. He was exactly her type. Who was she kidding? Every man was exactly Jamie’s type. Especially a man like Jake—handsome, virile, built, and rich.

Jake Kincaid had just moved from flingable to flung. She’d be damned if she’d take Jamie’s leftovers. Never had, never would. Jamie had ruined him for her. He was used goods, tainted merchandise, spoiled...something.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Jamie probably had saved her from embarrassing herself. A man like Jake would never be interested in a woman like her. Probably just felt sorry for her before.

The flames from the torches blurred, and Georgette dashed a hand across her eyes. They deserved each other...two beautiful shallow people. Probably spent their time comparing tan lines...or lack thereof.

“I think you’re wrong about Jake, darling.”

Gunther studied his pipe. “No, I’m fairly certain they slept together.”

Nicole lifted her shoulders. “I don’t think it went that far. Jamie gave it a shot, but Jake extricated himself from her claws. He’s very good at that.”

Georgette pulled in a breath and held it, hope surging through her veins.

Gunther smiled and shook his head. “I saw them skinny-dipping in the pool one night, not that there was much swimming going on, but there was plenty of dipping.”

Georgette’s breath escaped her lungs as if someone socked her in the stomach.

Gunther patted her thigh. “Now let’s stop discussing this. We’re upsetting Georgette.”

Georgette gritted her teeth and smiled. “Not at all. Like I said, I know my sister better than anyone. I’m sure that wasn’t her first skinny-dipping session, and it won’t be her last.”

She nodded toward Jake crouching at the edge of the pool where three bikini-clad women now lounged on the steps. “Probably won’t be his last either.”

Nicole’s smooth face furrowed. “Jake usually doesn’t fraternize with the clientele, at least not in that way. That’s why I was so sure Jamie’s attempt at seduction failed.”

Georgette slumped back in her seat. Jamie could get any man to change his spots. But at least Jake wasn’t some carousing Lothario. Not that it mattered to her. He was used goods, tainted merchandise, spoiled...

“Hello, Georgette, Gunther, Nicole.”

Georgette jerked her head up. The lump of used goods towered over her.

Nicole purred, “Hello, Jake darling. Pull up a chair. That is, if you’re done with your adoring fan club at the pool.”

Jake grimaced. He’d been trying to escape the Silicone Sisters ever since Georgette strolled onto the patio looking magnificent with her endless legs and little red dress. She might not be some second-rate princess from Liechtenstein, or at least he didn’t think she was, but she outshone everyone in class and elegance.

He’d been immature this afternoon. How was Georgette supposed to know she’d hit a nerve with that crack about his defensiveness? Hewasdefensive, and she was perceptive enough to pick up on it. It had been a while since he’d run into a woman who was interested enough to delve beneath the surface of a conversation.

He wanted to pick up where they’d left off. He wanted to discover why this shy, reserved woman was traveling on her own to an international playground like Palumba.

He pulled a chair toward Georgette’s chaise lounge and sat down. “Did you enjoy dinner?”

She shrugged her smooth shoulders. “It was okay.”

He laughed. “Damned by faint praise. Were you at least impressed by the wine list?”

“I’ve seen better.”

He raised his brows. Must’ve taken offense at his abrupt dismissal this afternoon. He had it coming, but he never groveled. “Where?”

Her shimmering eyes widened. “W-where?”

“Where have you seen a better wine list?”

She bit her lip and raised her eyes. “Paris. All over Paris.”

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