Page 20 of Lost At Sea With A Billionaire

“I don’t know how to live in this world,” I admitted.

“Yes, you do.”She touched my bandaged arm lightly.“You’ve learned more than you realize.That shelter you built, the fish traps, finding fresh water—those weren’t skills you had two weeks ago.”

She was right again.I’d been so focused on what I couldn’t do—fix our situation, call for rescue, return to civilization—that I’d overlooked what I had accomplished.

“We should check those fish traps,” I said, standing.

Janet rose with me, her hand still on my arm.“After you rest.That cut needs time.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re stubborn,” she countered, but a smile pulled at her lips.“At least sit while I redress this.The bandage is already soaking through.”

I relented, lowering myself back to the seat while she gathered fresh supplies.Thunder rumbled in the distance, promising another evening storm.Our shelter would hold—we’d reinforced it after the last downpour—but we’d be confined to close quarters once the rain began.

Janet returned, kneeling before me to change the bandage.Her fingers worked carefully, never causing additional pain.

“Where did you learn first aid?”I asked, watching her work.

“My father taught me the basics.Then I took a course in college.”She removed the soaked bandage, frowning at the wound beneath.“It’s still bleeding.Press here.”She guided my fingers to hold a clean cloth against the cut.

Our hands touched, and a charging current passed between us.Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, neither of us moved.

My gaze dropped to her mouth—pouty, full, and surprisingly glossed given the lack of supplies.

Once again, she broke contact first, clearing her throat.“Keep pressure on that while I get more antiseptic.”

I did as instructed, watching as she rummaged through our materials.The air between us was still brimming, igniting even with every moment we remained together.

It had been building gradually from the moment we met—lingering glances, casual touches that weren’t entirely casual.Lately, our conversations stretched into the night, long after we should have slept.But we maintained boundaries, keeping the small distance dictated by our circumstances.

And even though our connection seemed to get stronger, once rescue came, what future could there be for a billionaire pharmaceutical executive and a chef?We lived in different worlds and moved in different circles.This island was an aberration, not reality.

Except it had become our reality.And in this reality, Janet was the only person who mattered to me.

“This might sting,” she warned, returning with the antiseptic.

The solution burned, but I didn’t wince.“It’s fine.”

“Stop saying you’re fine when you’re not.”She dabbed at the wound carefully.“It’s okay to admit pain, you know.”

“Not where I come from.”

“Well, you’re not there anymore.”She finished cleaning the cut and began applying a fresh bandage.“Out here, hiding weaknesses just makes you vulnerable.”

“Is that what you think I’m doing?Hiding weakness?”

Her eyes flicked up to mine.“Aren’t you?”

The question deserved consideration.Was my drive to fix our situation, to find a way off this island, really about survival?Or was it about maintaining the illusion of control in a situation where I had none?

A crack of thunder split the air, followed immediately by a torrent of rain.The downpour arrived with stunning speed, drenching us within seconds.

“The shelter!”Janet grabbed the first aid kit, and we ran for cover, ducking under the palm frond roof just as lightning illuminated the beach.

Inside, our space felt suddenly smaller and more intimate.Rain drummed against the tarp overhead, creating a cocoon of sound that isolated us from the world outside.We were dry, but barely—water had soaked through our clothes during our brief dash.

Janet pushed wet hair from her face, laughing.“Well, that was sudden.”

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