Holiday with the Millionaire

She sat back for a moment. ‘Wow. I think the last person to ask me that my gran.’

‘And what did you say?’

A wave of disappointment swept over her. It was odd. It had been a long time since she’d felt like this—as if she hadn’t really fulfilled her potential. But the worst part about it was the way she couldn’t stop hostile thoughts towards Reuben because he’d asked the question.

She took a few seconds before she finally answered. ‘I used to have lots of romantic ideas about working at NASA—even though I couldn’t pass physics. Or owning a florist shop or being a TV presenter.’

He gave a little nod. ‘Interesting choices.’

‘It gets better. I even wanted to be the female version of Indiana Jones and study archaeology.’

He held out his hands. ‘Every day’s just a surprise with you, isn’t it?’

She gave a rueful smile. ‘What I really wanted to do was study English at university. I wanted to study English then maybe go on to be a journalist. I got the grades, got the place and then... Gran died. It was as if all my energy and focus disappeared. I couldn’t get my head in the right place to study. I decided to take some time off and the rest—as they say—is history.’

‘And you’d never consider going back?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m twenty-six, Reuben. I’d be the oldest student in the class. They’d call me Grandma.’

He finished his beer and stood up, holding out his hand towards her. ‘Then they’d have me to deal with. Come on, let’s go and get changed for dinner. We need to plan for Pisa tomorrow.’

She took the last sip of her cocktail and slipped her hand into his. It felt as if it belonged there.

She’d dreamed about coming on this cruise for so long—but her dream had never quite looked like this. Reuben was having a whole host of effects on her she hadn’t banked on. And it was clear that the chemistry was still simmering beneath the surface.

Now he had her brain spinning in a whole host of other ways. She wasn’t just distracted by the handsome man in front of her—she was also distracted about the things she’d pushed to the back of her brain. Was applying to university again really an option for her? She hadn’t even considered it until now. And was this really a time to start thinking about another relationship? She’d just got out of one and was getting her life back on track, having the space and control to make decisions for herself. Did she want anything more? The sun warmed her shoulders as they crossed the deck towards the bar again.

Reuben Tyler was full of surprises. What would come next?

CHAPTER TEN

THE PHONE BUZZED in his pocket again. His footballer client was getting beyond obnoxious. Lara had no idea that he’d actually had three different conversations with the guy since he’d got here—every time telling him to smarten up his act. None of those words seemed to be having an effect.

It was just as well he was in the middle of the Med right now because if he was in the same room as his client he might actually bounce Mr Arrogant into next week.

Any day now the club would cancel his contract because of his antics and Reuben was secretly counting down the days.

Lara was chatting to the two elderly, mischievous women—Doris and Daisy—again. They seemed to be spending most of their time teasing her. All three were currently trying on a whole array of wide-brimmed hats from a street vendor. The Italian sun was positively scorching today.

He walked over swiftly and thrust some bills at the street vendor, paying for all three hats. ‘It’s on me, ladies,’ he said swiftly. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so ridiculous in my life.’

All three faces turned towards him, laughing. The hats were ridiculous. Lara’s was pink with a huge yellow flower, Doris and Daisy’s bright green and bright blue respectively, both adorned with bright orange flowers.

Doris wagged her finger at him. ‘Thank you kindly. But don’t come moaning to me when you’ve got sunstroke or blisters on the back of your neck.’

They wandered off as Lara put her bag over her shoulder. She was wearing the pale pink dress they’d bought in London and looked as pretty as a picture. The bright pink hat actually suited her. It was quirky. Just like Lara.

His heart stopped. That was it. That tiny little thought had just caused a ricochet around his body.

This was it. This must be exactly how Caleb felt about Addison.

And it had taken until today, watching her laughing in the sunlight, for him to realise exactly how he felt.

He didn’t want to wake up next week without Lara in his life. He didn’t want to have to skulk around to Caleb’s house in order to see her again.