Page 26 of Bound in Paradise
But could she really trust what they had? It wasn’t exactly the most solid basis. It was way too early for Dani to be sure she wasready to take the risk that Zack wouldn’t seduce her senses in that effortless way of his, and have her ready to throw away years of hard work again. And yet, as much as she hated it, the thought of walking away repelled her.
She stood at a crossroads, uncertainty weighing heavy on her shoulders, torn between indecision and longing, while her thoughts swirled in a maelstrom of doubt and desire. The weight of past expectations that had little to do with her own autonomy and the shattered hopes from the one time she’d capitulated to them clung to her like a heavy shroud, making her hesitant to step into the unknown once more.
Her heart yearned for connection, for the warmth of companionship and the promise of something more. She wasn’t getting any younger, after all. And while she considered herself 100% a businesswoman, that didn’t keep her warm at night. Her work would never provide the devotion and intimacy of a life partner. But her mind, scarred by past wounds, whispered warnings of potential pain and heartbreak. Could she truly afford to take another chance, to open herself up to the possibility of being hurt again? Especially with a man who was already married, even if it was merely a technicality.
A breeze rustled through the palms as she made her way to the beach, carrying with it the soft scent of blooming flowers, a reminder of the fleeting beauty of life and the endless cycle of beginnings and endings. Dani closed her eyes, letting the gentle touch of the wind soothe her troubled soul.
In that moment of quiet introspection, a sense of clarity washed over her. She realized that while the future was uncertain and the road ahead fraught with challenges, she couldn't let fear dictate her choices. Life was too short for regrets and what-ifs. Wasn’t that what she’d lived with since she walked away? The thought of years of the same stretching into her future was just… sad.
So, with a resolve that felt like a spark igniting within her, Dani took a deep breath and made her decision. For in that moment, she knew the choice to trust, to love, was a risk worth taking.
But caution was an ingrained part of her makeup, so she wouldn’t be rash. She’d sleep on it, and if the morning brought the same conviction, then tomorrow she would turn towards the source of her turmoil, and face whatever was to come with an open mind.
14
Feeling mildly frustrated, Zack sat at his laptop the following morning and checked on the searches he was running for Saul. Not much to do or see there, so that just left him with too much time to sit and think. He’d spent a sleepless night tossing and turning after Dani’s reaction to his confession, and as much as he wanted to go to her and demand she give them a chance to explore what was very obviously more than simply a fleeting attraction, he was determined to give her the space she’d asked for.
Dani was stubborn and guarded, something he was certain had its origins in her upbringing, though he frustratingly didn’t know what. He did, however, know pushing her was the wrong thing to do. That was guaranteed to make her bolt, so he was resolved to stay away. But surely even she could see that this thing between them had outlived both the distance and the acrimony she’d put between them after she’d fled to this private island. Sure, she’d devoted her life to her work and succeeded impressively. He’d done the same, had that same drive to succeed when he was younger. But age had made him realize there was a lot more to life than working yourself into an early grave without the joys and comforts of someone to share yourlife with. Now, Zack wanted more than the sterile monotony of the workplace. He wanted companionship and laughter… children.
And he wanted them with Dani.
He muttered to himself, his voice breaking the heavy silence pressing in around him. “Fucking hell, Dad! Why didn’t you at least leave me some kind of correspondence, so I know what’s going on?”
He knew it was pointless to berate a dead person with ‘what ifs and whys’, but it gave him an outlet for his frustration if nothing else.
While Zack was overjoyed to have reconnected with Dani, and their shared time together - not just the recent intimacy - had cemented his feelings, he was pretty sure Dani herself was just scratching an itch.
One that hasn’t been scratched for a good long time. That’s surely got to mean something.
It wasn’t like he could blame her for being cautious. The way things stood, he wasn’t much of a catch, and regardless of the circumstances, he knew his marriage was a major stumbling block, even now Dani knew the truth.
Zack ran a hand through his hair, sighing heavily. He understood Dani's hesitation, but it didn't make the situation any less frustrating. He wanted to prove to her that his feelings were genuine, that their connection was more than just physical attraction or convenience. That the relationship they’d shared, while years ago, and based purely in a kink club setting, still had meaning and depth.
Fingers racing over the keys, he opened up the file platform he shared with his legal team to see if there were any updates on their search for Emylyah Baskov.
Maybe not the best use of his time, considering his current mindset.
Still nothing.
How could a woman simply disappear off the face of the earth?
He typed out a message to his team leader.
Have you checked death certificates?
While he’d been assured the girl and her mother had escaped the shooting at the judge’s chambers, that could be the reason. It wasn’t like Zack had good reason to believe anything his father said.
First thing we did,the response came back immediately.Nothing official has come up in her name except a birth and marriage certificate.
Zack sighed. He knew all this.
Widen the search parameters. Cross check family members, see if that leads us anywhere.
Saul had hinted at something, and Zack was doing the guy a pretty damn big favor. Perhaps it was time for a chat.
Zack pushed away from his desk, the chair wheels squeaking in protest. He needed to clear his head, get some fresh air, blow the cobwebs away.
As he made his way outside to his veranda, the warm Caribbean breeze caressed his face, carrying with it the salty scent of the ocean. The sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink. It was beautiful, but Zack barely noticed, his mind still racing with thoughts of Dani and his convoluted circumstances.
