The Billionaire's Island Bride (South Shore Billionaires 3)

“Apparently. See? Nothing to worry about.”

It had been so long since she’d relied on anyone, or even had someone look after her welfare, that she wasn’t sure what to say.

“Have you checked your email or anything?”

She shook her head. “No. I’ve been trying to save battery.” Indeed, her phone was now down to 32 percent. “And my data.”

“I was going to check mine back in the room.” He looked down at her and took her hand. The wind was cool in the aftermath of the storm, the tropical humidity gone from the air and leaving a distinctive fall feeling behind. “I’m sure they’ll have charge cords at the desk. Unless you want to go home tonight. I can put Dave on standby.”

She hadn’t even thought of Dave. “Oh my gosh, is he still at the airstrip?”

Cole chuckled. “No. I sent him back to Halifax just after you went to sleep. Whenever we need him, he can be back here in a few hours. If you want to go home tonight...”

They could go back to the island. She could always return for Marvin with the boat tomorrow. It would be rough sailing, but the seas would be calmer than today. Or they could stay at the resort tonight and take Marvin home tomorrow if he was ready.

It would mean spending the night with Cole...

“I’ve got the room for the night anyway, Brooklyn, so it’s entirely up to you.”

There was only one bed. It was a giant one, but...

Cole sighed and looked out over the water. Brooklyn wasn’t sure what to make of the dejected sound. Was he frustrated with her? With the situation?

“It’s entirely up to you,” she offered. “You’ve been so kind already. I will work around whatever it is you want.”

He didn’t look at her. “What I want is you. I told you that once before. So keep that in mind when you decide if you want to go home tonight or if you want to stay.”

Then he turned his head to look at her. “I want you, Brooklyn. Even if it’s for one night only.”

That was it, then. He still wasn’t looking for a relationship or anything more than a fling. The only thing left to decide was if she was willing to accept one night in his bed, or if she would protect her heart and her body and do the safe and sensible thing.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

COLE SAW THE struggle on Brooklyn’s face and mentally prepared himself to call Dave and ask for a return flight to the island.

She liked him. He knew that for sure. But he also knew she was the kind of woman who played it safe. The walk on the dunes the other night had been an exception to the rule, but it had given him a taste of what she could be like when she dropped her guard and let her passion out to play.

He liked that woman a lot. He liked her anyway, but that night was branded on his memory with its sweetness and vulnerability and trust.

But when it was over, he’d sensed that it wasn’t something to be repeated. And he might have promised her that nothing would happen tonight if they stayed. Nothing would happen if she didn’t wish it. But he wasn’t going to pretend that he didn’t want it to. Because he did. He wanted to be with her, hear her say his name, feel her b

ody against his. He wanted to be held in her arms, hear her throaty laughter in the dark. The choice was hers.

She met his gaze, her blue eyes troubled. “I don’t know how to... I mean, I...” she stammered. “Cole, I don’t know how to be casual, or...damn. I don’t know how to say this without it sounding prudish or judgy or old-fashioned. It’s not about that, really. It’s more...”

She stopped again, and his heart softened. “Being vulnerable. Or...perhaps separating the physical from the emotional.” Her cheeks reddened. “That’s probably as good an explanation as any.”

“And because we both avoid the word love like the plague.”

She laughed a little, and he was glad. Facing this head-on was probably the right thing. Ignoring things unsaid would only lead to a mess.

“Well, that, too.” She bit her lip for a moment before speaking again. “We have very different lives. They’ve intersected while you’ve been on the island, but let’s not pretend that we actually exist in each other’s spheres, both geographically and socially. What’s between us...maybe it’s real or maybe it’s purely situational. But I... I’m not sure I can do sex in a situational way.”

He nodded, disappointed but knowing he’d get over it. “I’m more than walking hormones,” he replied. “I won’t deny that I’m very attracted to you. But nothing will happen that you don’t want to happen, if that’s what you’re worried about. You’re very much in control, here, Brooklyn. Heck, there’s a sofa. If you want, I’ll sleep there. Or another room might free up for tonight.” He put his hand along her cheek, the skin smooth and cool from the ocean breeze. “Whatever you want, that’s what you’ll have.”

“What I want isn’t fair.” Her hair whipped around her cheek and she raised her hand to tuck it away. “I want to kiss you right now, right after saying that we can’t be together. I’m a big mess of mixed signals, and I know it. But I think I’d like to stay, and we can take Marvin home tomorrow. If that’s okay.”

“Of course it’s okay.” His heart was pounding against his ribs, from wanting her, from her acknowledgment of wanting him, too. “And fair or not, I want to kiss you, too.”