Page 12 of The Billionaire's Teacher

“Lunch?” I pointed to the empty tables under umbrellas. I was sweating. And hot. And hungry. And I could probably drink six gallons of water.

Sunshine laughed and the sun glinted off her hair in a way that made me catch my breath.

“Soon. Promise. I have a better spot in mind if you can hold on.” She tipped her head to the side. “You look peaky. Need water?”

“Only like I need air.” It pained me to admit how out of shape I felt next to her. I could justify that she lived down here and so was used to summer in the islands, but the truth was, I was soft. I liked air conditioning. A lot. Plus inside there weren’t bugs.

“Hang tight.” She ducked into the café. I watched as she strode to the upright cooler, her long, tan legs eating up the ground. She picked up two big bottles of water and carried them to the cash register, where she greeted the guy—clearly a local—with a flirtatious grin.

I couldn’t catch what they said, but he made her laugh and my teeth ground together. At least in there, the sun couldn’t work its magic on her hair.

Oh man.

I forced myself to look away and study the traffic. Summer wasn’t the height of the tourist season down here. It was so hot. So humid. And okay, sure, islands and equator and blah blah. I definitely wouldn’t be bringing groups down here in the summer, no matter how much better the prices were.

“Your water, sir.” Sunny gave a wink as she pressed an icy cold bottle into my hand.

“You’re a lifesaver.” I unscrewed the top and took several long swallows. “Heaven.”

“Gonna make it?” She opened her own bottle and took a delicate sip.

“Now I will.” Probably. My physical thirst, at least, was handled. I couldn’t do anything about the way everything in me responded to the sight of her in shorts and a tank top with skinny little straps. She hadn’t dressed like that to torture me. Everyone I saw was dressed basically the same. Too bad I’d never had a sister. Then, maybe I’d have some way to reframe my thoughts, because thinking about her age—or the photo of the guy in her cabin—wasn’t doing it.

What was ten years, really?

And maybe she had a brother?

“Great. Let’s get going.” She took off again, though I noticed her steps had slowed enough that I could keep pace beside her.

I took another swallow of water as we turned the corner. “Where are we headed again?”

“Best ceviche on the island. Also where the local dive guides hang out. Figured we could handle both, in case you decided to go the local route rather than the resort option.” She tipped her head to the side. “Should I have run it past you first?”

I shook my head. “It’s a good idea. I was sticking with resorts because we’d need a place to stay anyway. And food. That kind of thing.”

“Sure. But there are other ways to get all of that and fill up on some local flavor in the meantime. Plus the prices, hospitality, food, and schedule will all be better. And you’re pumping more into the local economy rather than into some corporate chain’s pockets.”

My eyebrows lifted. Talk about passionate. I probably shouldn’t mention—or even notice—how her eyes had brightened as she spoke, showing off the hint of gold around her pupils. “Sold. Does that hold for every island or just here?”

Sunshine laughed as she started to walk again. “I have contacts of both sorts just about everywhere.”

“Been down here a while?”

Her nod was curt.

Oops. Did she think I was making a dig at her age? I wasn’t. Or, at least, I wasn’t trying to. “Should I apologize?”

“Hmm?” She glanced over, her forehead furrowed. “You’re fine. If I was new, I wouldn’t have the contacts you need.”

“Sure. That’s true.” Apparently, I was bad at small talk. Who knew? It had never been an issue before. Then again, I couldn’t remember a time when I’d been so motivated to find a point of connection with another person. Especially one who was throwing out clear “no trespassing” signals.

Which I should respect. Of course I should.

No matter how awkward it was going to make the next three weeks on that small boat, with long stretches of sailing between the islands and only the two of us. Maybe…no. I dismissed the idea as soon as I had it. There was no way she was finding herself attracted to me and working to fight it. I could tell when a woman was interested in me. Sunshine definitely wasnotgiving off that vibe.

“Here we are.” Sunshine ducked under a drooping awning and skirted between rickety glass-topped tables with metal chairs tucked up against them.

“Sunny! Girl, where you been?” A tall, solidly built woman with ebony skin stood and moved away from the crowded table, arms open.

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