Page 55 of Love Off Course

“I’ll talk to her,” I grumble. “That was out of line.”

“Don’t,” she mutters. “Seriously. I felt like a horrible person. The things I said to her…I would’ve slapped me too. It’s done. Let’s just enjoy the day.”

That we do.

Our conversation turns lighter over lunch. She loves the food and it’s a joy watching her smile so much. I learn she’s traveled all over the globe for work. This woman has literally been to more places than I have, which is saying a lot. Her apartment is on the fourteenth floor in her high-rise and she secretly likes it because technically she’s on the thirteenth floor (since the building doesn’t officially have a thirteenth floor for superstitious reasons) and she feels like she’s living on the edge. It’s cute as hell listening to her babble about her favorite show on the Discovery Channel—something about people living off the land in the Alaskan bush. She always goes out on Sundays for brunch with her dad and then ends up in a little bookshop near her loft apartment. After hours, she buys books on things she’ll never pursue, and adds them to her massive collection at home. I’m so transfixed by learning the intricacies of her, I don’t hear her say my name.

“Earth to bird boy,” she grumbles. “Am I really that boring?”

“What? No. I was trying to imagine what it was that a girl like you would want so badly that she’d buy books on it and then not pursue it. Aren’t you the woman who gets what she wants?”

Her mouth parts. “That’s the one piece you plucked from all that?”

“You’re fascinating. Tell me.”

“We’re just friends for the day,” she says with a shrug. “That’s the sort of information you reserve for someone you love. And we simply don’t have enough time for love.”

She’s mocking me, but I don’t see it as that.

My heart squeezes.

It’s a challenge.

Damn her and her challenges.

Chapter 17

Sheridan

This place has spectacular views and the food is amazing. I hate to admit it, but I’m glad Camilo dragged me out here. I’d had plans to mope around all day with Estefania. Now, I’m staring at the Pacific Ocean with the wind in my hair and sipping on beer with a hot pilot. Definitely better than moping.

“You ready to get out of here?” Camilo asks, his lips quirked up on one side.

“Depends. Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

His cheesy grin melts my icy heart a little. After he pays our tab, he takes my hand again and we descend the many stairs cut roughly into the side of the cliff. When we reach the sandy bottom, we kick off our muddy shoes. He peels off his shirt, showcasing all his tanned muscles and tattoos. His back is broad, and I note the scratches on his shoulders. My neck heats realizing I’m the one who put them there two nights ago.

He glances my way, his dark brown eyes roaming over me in an appreciative way. A way no one has ever looked at me before. With one look, it’s as though I can read his thoughts.I’ve been inside you and I’m going to do it again.My skin is on firefrom the scorching way he stares at me. Rather than letting him frazzle me, I shed my dress and take satisfaction in the way his smirk fades and he parts his lips.

I’m wearing my favorite swimsuit. An Alliages Tungstène bandeau bikini in dark olive with gold bands holding the fabric together. It’s subtle as far as styles go, but I paid five hundred dollars for it, so I like getting use out of it.

“Damn.”

That’s all he says. One word. His eyes say a thousand things.You’re fucking hot. I want you. I’m going to kiss you until you’re dizzy.All I can do is grin victoriously at him. About time I shut the handsome pilot up.

“Careful,abejita,” he purrs as he prowls over to me, his V muscles in his lower abdomen flexing with each step. My mouth waters. I’m unable to peel my eyes from the dark trail of hair that dips beyond his low-slung swim trunks.

“Why?” I croak out.

“Because you’re getting a big head. I’m the arrogant one around here, remember?”

His hands find my hips and his thumbs rub maddening circles on my bare flesh just above the top of my bikini bottoms.

“You’re not supposed to touch me.” I tremble at the way he caresses me.

“Not part of the deal.”

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