Page 38 of Lost At Sea With A Billionaire

Later,as we lay together in the most comfortable bed either of us had experienced in a month, Janet’s head resting on my chest, I felt a sense of peace even with the uncertainty surrounding Captain Reynolds.Whatever happened, I knew I’d found something precious in the most unlikely circumstances.

I stroked her hair and murmured, “I had a revelation.”

“Yeah?What is it?”

“Sometimes you have to lose everything to find what really matters.”

She propped herself up on one elbow to look at me.“Pretty profound for a guy who spent all day issuing orders and making arrangements.”

“I’m a multi-tasker,” I said.

Her laugh was the most melodic beautiful sound I’d heard all day.“That you are.”She settled back against me.“One of those tasks being a fisherman.”

“And a builder of slightly lopsided shelters.”

“It wasn’t lopsided.It had character.”

We fell asleep like that, trading memories of our island life, holding onto the connection we’d forged while navigating this new reality together.

Chapter12

Janet

The search for Captain Reynolds consumed Jonathan’s days.Each morning began with a briefing from Hector’s team, followed by strategy adjustments based on the findings from the previous day.Jonathan absorbed every detail, asked insightful questions, and often spent hours poring over maps and weather data himself.

I wouldn’t have expected anything less from him.The man I’d met on the yacht—focused, determined, unwilling to accept failure—was fully present in these moments.But there was a difference now.The arrogance had been replaced by humility, the rigid control by collaborative leadership.

“You should have seen him before the board meeting yesterday,” Sandra told me over coffee.She’d been released from the hospital and had immediately resumed her duties as Jonathan’s assistant.“He actually asked for input from the junior executives.Nearly gave old Mr.Drummond a heart attack.”

I smiled, picturing the scene.“Island life changes your perspective.”

“Whatever happened out there, it did him good.”She gave me a knowing look.“You both seem...different.”

I focused on my coffee cup, unsure how much to share.Jonathan and I hadn’t explicitly discussed how public to make our relationship.“Near-death experiences have that effect.”

Sandra wasn’t fooled, but she didn’t press.“The catering team sent the menu options for tonight’s dinner with the search coordinators.Would you like to review them?”

“I’ll do better than that,” I said.“I’ll cook.”

Her eyes widened.“You don’t have to do that, Janet.You’re a guest here.”

“I’m going stir-crazy with nothing to do while Jonathan’s working.Please, let me cook.It’s what I love.”

Sandra hesitated, then nodded.“I’ll tell the staff to give you full access to the kitchen.Just let me know what ingredients you’ll need.”

That was how I found myself in Jonathan’s state-of-the-art kitchen that afternoon, surrounded by the finest ingredients money could buy.After creating meals from island resources with primitive tools, the professional-grade equipment felt almost intimidating.

I ran my fingers over the smooth countertops, inspecting the knife collection that rivaled my own.Everything was pristine, barely used.Jonathan mentioned that he rarely ate at home and preferred restaurants or simple meals when working late.

“This is going to change,” I murmured to myself, rolling up my sleeves.

I lost myself in the familiar rhythms of cooking, crafting a menu that showcased local ingredients while incorporating techniques I’d perfected in my restaurant.The stress of the past days—the helicopter ride, the media attention, the unfamiliar luxury—melted away as I chopped, seared, and seasoned.

When Jonathan returned from his meetings, the kitchen was filled with aromas that made his eyes widen as he entered.

“What’s happening here?”he asked, a smile spreading across his face.

I gestured to the array of dishes taking shape.“Dinner.I hope you don’t mind, but I commandeered your kitchen.”

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