“Like I’ve got good taste,” I said with a grin.
“I’ll take that answer for now.”
“Oh, was there another one you were looking for?”
“Beautiful. Wonderful. Perfect. Illuminating. Any of those will do next time.”
I chuckled, offering my arm to her as she linked hers within mine.
“A jazz trio sounds nice. Along with a drink, a heavy one. My heart’s still pounding a bit from the ocean,” Sam said.
“A drink and some music for the lady, coming up.”
We made our way to the restaurant, and my eyes were automatically looking out for Valerie. The last thing I needed was her walking up on us because I knew Sam would punch her in her nose. Well, not in her nose. But Sam would get defensive in that passive way she gets like she had with Gretchen in the hotel room back in Vegas.
It was fun to remember, but I didn’t want it happening again. I didn’t want the rest of our time here spoiled by the likes of her.
I pulled out her chair and set her in it before I motioned for the waiter. I put in an order for a bottle of wine for the table, and then I sat down across the table from her. Our bodies were turned toward the music, but my sights were trained on her. The way her leg delicately crossed over her knee. The way her hands sat poised in her lap. The way she seemed comfortable as the wind grazed by the tresses of her hair.
She would enjoy the music tonight, but I would enjoy her.
“Do you think it’s strange?” Sam said.
“Is what strange?” I asked.
“Hiding out in a place like this while someone is still after you.”
“Might still be after me. I’m not fully convinced Jacob’s got me in his crosshairs any longer. And it was your idea. Well, technically John’s, but let’s not spoil this evening with his name.”
“You really don’t like him, do you?” she asked.
“I have to admit, I was jealous of the closeness the two of you shared in the beginning. You know, when he first came around.”
“You mean when you assumed we were sleeping together because I smiled at him.”
“In my defense, you don’t smile.”
“I smile at people who are nice. You weren’t nice in the beginning.”
“Am I nice now?”
She looked over at me, her dark brown eyes holding the reflection of the setting sun. She had no idea how beautiful she was. The things she did to me with only her gaze. A small smile crept across her cheeks as the bottle of wine was set on the table, complete with two glasses that had already been poured.
“Thank you,” Sam said.
“My pleasure,” the waiter said. “If you need anything else, let me know.”
“I don’t think nice is still a word to describe you,” Sam said. “I think a more apt term would be compassionate.”
“Not a word you hear thrown around when talking about a businessman.”
“Not a word you throw around with billionaires in general. But that’s why you’re different. That’s why you’ve had such great success so young in life. Your compassion for others sets you apart,” she said.
“To answer your question, I don’t think it’s all that strange.”
“I guess you’re used to this kind of decadence all the time,” she said.
“Ah. So, it’s not the vacation. It’s the spoiling.”