Just him.
She rolled her eyes before grabbing her drink and taking a sip. “He was so not flirting with me.”
Hell yes, he was. She had no idea how much she’d blossomed since arriving on the island. Her vibrancy, her beauty, her vivacious personality, all of it had been lying dormant, waiting to burst out in all of its potent glory.
He liked to think he helped contribute to her blossoming. At least a little bit.
“I don’t like fighting with you,” he said, earning a surprised glance his way. “I’m sorry, Gabriella.”
She smiled tentatively before she sipped from her drink again. “You’re forgiven.”
That easy. It was simply that easy for Gabriella to say all was well, to move on from the petty argument they’d had only two hours prior. His brothers would’ve given him endless shit. Any of the women he’d been with—and none of them had been serious so they didn’t count—would’ve pouted and guilt-tripped him into doing something stupid. Like buy an expensive gift to appease them.
Not Gabriella. She merely shrugged her shoulders and said she forgave him.
“I’m also starving,” he finally said, his stomach growling for emphasis.
Her smile grew. “Same.”
“And yet you’re drinking on an empty stomach,” he pointed out.
Ella shrugged. “I’m thirsty.”
Moving in closer, he set his mouth to her ear, earning a shiver for his efforts. “You should be careful. There are men at this bar who might try and get you drunk so they can take advantage of you.”
Leaning into him, she emitted a soft little sigh when he kissed her ear. “Hopefully you’re the only one who has that idea in mind.”
Probably not, but if she wanted to believe so, he’d go with it. “Finish your drink, sweetheart. So we can go back to the villa and I can have my wicked way with you.”
“What if I want to have my wicked way with you instead?” The innocent expression accompanied by the smoldering heat in her eyes set his blood to boiling.
“I won’t stop you.” He grinned and reached for her drink, taking a swig. It was strong, the alcohol burning as it slid down his throat, and she giggled. “Drink up,
” he encouraged.
She downed half the drink with a few swallows, her gaze meeting his when she set the glass onto the counter. “Rhett, I want you to know I’m not going to disappoint you.”
He jokingly leered. “Baby, you never disappoint me.”
“No.” Reaching out, she touched him, resting her hand on his forearm, her fingers lightly caressing his skin. “I’m serious. It’s going to all come together. I know it.”
“Gabriella…” She was referring to the project, to the scent, he knew this. Yet he’d already written it off, having gone over it in his head again and again. What he might say to his brothers, how he might put them off.
There was no way they’d let him put them off. Yet he’d pondered it anyway.
“I’ve come up with an idea. But I need to take you to the villa and show you what it is.”
Brows furrowed, he studied her. “What do you mean?”
A mysterious smile played at the corners of her lips. “Let’s head back and I’ll explain everything.”
Excitement bubbled up within her as she opened the door and entered the villa, Rhett right behind her, so close she could feel his body heat, smell his deliciously masculine scent. He reached for her the moment the door clicked shut behind him, one strong arm wrapped around her middle as he pulled her close.
Ella melted into him, leaning her head against his firm chest. His skin was warm, his arms strong, his heartbeat steady and true. He’d grabbed her much the same way that first night. The first time they’d made love. He probably didn’t realize how much he reassured her, how much she’d grown to need that reassurance in such a short time.
If only he would let her in, let her get closer. She could show him exactly how well they complemented each other. They were well matched, yet he’d probably run and hide if she attempted to show him just how good they could be together. He wasn’t one for commitment. Wasn’t one to stick around and make something work. He’d so much as told her that the first night they were together.
She was a fool to think she could convince him otherwise…