32
ALISTAIR
I’m nervous as the concierge drives me to the marina. Eloise needed to pack her things and finalize her resignation before she is able to leave the island. But as the hours tick over, I’m starting to get anxious that she might have changed her mind and not come home with me.
“We hope you had a wonderful time at The Paradise Club, sir,” the concierge tells me as we arrive at the marina for my boat transfer.
“It was great, thanks.”It would be better if I had a certain woman beside me.
The concierge grabs my bags and takes them to the boat.
I look at my watch nervously as the clock ticks down, Elle’s really cutting it close.
“The captain is ready when you are,” the concierge tells me.
“A friend told me they thought they would be joining me on the transfer, but they aren’t here yet,” I tell the man, who gives me a nod. I look down again at my watch. It’s five minutes to five. I told her she needed to be at the marina by five. Fuck! Hope is beginning to sink. “I might make a quick phone call to hurry them up,” I tell him, trying to save face as I grab my phone and pretend to call Elle. Goddammit! I don’t even have her phone number. If she makes it, I’m going to need to fix that. Nervously, I look down at my watch again, and the five minutes are up.She’s not here.
Turning on my heel, I head aboard the luxury boat, and my heart begins to crack.
“Welcome, Mr. King. We trust you had an enjoyable stay at The Paradise Club,” the bronzed captain asks me.
“Yeah. Great,” I answer, not sounding too enthusiastic, which could be a first for someone leaving the island.
“We will be heading off in a couple of moments. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful sunset. There is a minibar to your left if you would like a beverage,” he advises me before heading back to his cabin.
I thought things would go my way this time.
I was wrong.
Laying my head back against the cream-colored leather seats of the boat, I close my eyes and contemplate what happened.
“Hey, Cap. Do you have room for one more?”
That voice.
Sitting up quickly, I turn around to see Eloise walking onto the boat with a wide smile.
“You made it,” I say.
“I did,” she says, dropping her bag as she launches herself into my arms. I swing her around, unable to believe she’s here with me finally.
“Sorry, I’m late. My goodbyes took a lot longer than I thought,” she tells me.
I notice her puffy eyes as she slides down my body, and it pains me to see her upset like that.
“I’m sorry,” I say, feeling bad I’ve taken her away from all her friends.
“Don’t be. I’m so ready to be going home,” she says with a big smile, and my heart skips a beat.
“And by home, you mean with me, don’t you? I want you to come back to my place,” I stress.
Elle stills at my comment, and I can see her mind processing my statement. Before she gets to say anything, the boat takes off, and we both lose our footing and fall back against the leather couch in a tangle of limbs.
“I want you to come home with me until the wedding is over. There are a million and one family things leading up to the wedding that we must go to,” I explain. It’s the truth, but she doesn’t have to stay with me for them.
“Lauren won’t be back until after the wedding. I’d rather stay with you than be by myself,” she says, agreeing with my request.
That was easy. I thought she was going to fight me so much more than that. “No second thoughts?” I ask, my vulnerability shining through.