Chapter 1 Dove
DOVE
The world doesn’t stop spinning, even when you’re on vacation.
I’ve been on an all-inclusive trip to Costa Rica for seven nights and eight days. Somehow, Landon Vainton, my boss and the CEO of the Vain Medical Company, hasn’t gotten the memo that I am unavailable.
I haven’t taken one personal day in the entire four years I’ve been working as his assistant, but I had to get away from him. He was stressing me out to the point where I was rethinking what I wanted out of life.
Do I want to be his assistant forever?
Why am I killing myself over a dead-end job?
Do I want more out of life?
Do I need more out of life?
Do I want him to be my boss until the day I die?
When the answer was to the last question was a hard no, I put in for vacation time to escape.
I’ve been thinking about what I want to do with my life while sitting on the beach, toes in the water and a drink in my hand.
Do I know what I want to do? No. I’m still lost on that, but I’m only twenty-five years old. I’m young. I can do anything.
I could stay in Costa Rica and be happy.
Now, there’s an idea I could get behind, but I would never want to leave my family. I have a good relationship with my parents, brother, and my best friend Hanson. I’d miss them too much.
“Miss?”
I blink away from my trance to see the bartender staring at me, wiping down the counter as he waits for an answer.
“I’m so sorry. I was completely zoned out.
What did you say?” My phone chimes again for the hundredth time and I let out a long, annoyed sigh when I see Landon’s name flash across the screen.
I turn my phone off, toss the damn thing in my purse, and smile at the bartender so he can have my attention.
“Your drink. Would you like another?”
The breeze carries over the sea salt, relaxing me as I take a deep breath in. The sun is beginning to set, painting the sky in oranges and yellows. The horizon gets lost on the border of the ocean, sinking lower into the endless depths of the dark blue water.
I wrap my lips around the straw and finish the last of the strawberry daiquiri. “Yes, please. This is my last night here and I want to make the best of it.”
A smile spreads wide across his face. “Coming right up. Are you going to enjoy the live music? It starts soon and will be the perfect way to end your vacation. With a few more drinks, of course.” He winks, pouring the ingredients together to create the tastiest drink I have ever had.
“Oh, definitely. That sounds perfect. I don’t want to go back up to the room. I want to stay out here until the very last second.” I stare into the sunset, wishing this could be my everyday life.
Why does peace only come on vacation? Why can’t life be this stress free?
Working for the Vain Medical Corporation was a dream when I applied right out of college. I couldn’t believe I got the job as Landon Vainton’s personal assistant.
Four years later, I hate going to work. I hate Landon.
I hate everything he stands for and the way he cuts corners just to make a dollar.
This job is slowly sucking the life out of me.
I’m realizing that Landon has no ethics, no morals, and the only person he cares about is himself.
I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I hand in my notice, but anything is better than staying on for another second as his assistant.
Iguanas bask in the last of the remaining sunlight while hanging out on rocks near the shore. Earlier, colorful birds sang from the lush green tree line, singing me to sleep while I lay on the beach, listening to their songs as waves crashed onto the shore.
“Here you are. A fresh daiquiri. And I might have added an extra shot of rum. On the house since it is your last night.”
I snicker, plucking the freshly cut strawberry from the rim of the glass and taking a bite. “Thank you so much. I appreciate it.”
“Music should start soon. Just enjoy. Try to come back and see us again soon.” He turns around, walking toward the end of the bar to help another customer.
“Maybe I’ll move here one day,” I mumble to myself before taking a sip of my daiquiri.
I stand, strolling through the sand to get to the gorgeous dreamlike canopy the resort has set up.
Twinkling lights hang strategically, reminding me of the stars in the sky here at night.
Torches are lit every few feet for added light.
A band is setting up in the corner near the dance floor and additional seating is being added, preparing for the fun night of music and dancing.
Snagging a small two-person table, I pull out the chair and take a seat. A small candle is lit in the middle, paired with a beautiful orchid. I’m at peace. I’m relaxed. The music begins to play, and I close my eyes, swaying to the wonderful beat.
“Is this seat taken?” a deep voice booms from my left, causing me to snap my eyes open, startled.
My drink spills over the rim of the glass, splashing onto my left arm and hand. I’m a mess.
“Apologies. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Annoyance bubbles up my throat as I do my best not to snap at someone who didn’t mean any harm. It isn’t like me to become quickly irritated, but I wanted to spend the rest of my night alone, soaking up as much happiness as I could before Landon got a hold of me again.
I wipe the daiquiri off my arm with a napkin and look up at the man who scared me. My breath catches. I’m positive I forget how to breathe when I stare into his green eyes, and my heart begins to hammer in my chest for a completely different reason.
He’s older than me, if the silver hair with darkened temples is anything to base his age on. His jaw is square, and he has high cheek bones with a bit of silver stubble, showing he hasn’t shaved in a day or two.
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it,” I reply to a bit too breathlessly, my annoyance ceasing to exist.
I’ve never seen such a beautiful man in my entire life. I’ve never reacted like this either. My palms are sweaty, my mouth is dry, and I’m positive my heart is skipping a beat.
“May I sit? I’d love to enjoy this night with the most beautiful woman on this island.”
I blush, stirring my drink with the straw. “Is that what you say to all the women you see every night?” I’m sure he’s a charmer and can smooth-talk their clothes right off their bodies. And I can see why.
He’s tall, clearly over six feet, with broad shoulders and big hands.
I love big hands.
I imagine them wrapped around my throat with the slightest amount of pressure.
He smirks, pulling out the chair next to me and taking a seat. “It may come as a shock to you, but I don’t go around hitting on women or sleeping with as many as I can. That isn’t what I do.”
I lift a brow, not completely believing him. I’m a skeptical person by nature, and on top of that, I don’t know him.
“Mm-hmm,” I hum, taking a sip from my drink, turning my attention to the live music and the beautiful voice that carries through the microphone.
“I’m Winston.” He stretches that oversized hand out for me to shake.
And I’m way too tempted to know what my own hand will look like wrapped in his. There’s a small voice in the back of my mind that warns me not to touch him, because I know once I do, I’ll want his hands all over my body.
Fuck it. What happens in Costa Rica, stays in Costa Rica.
I slip my palm across his, inhaling a sharp breath as a buzz sparks between us. His fingers are long and thick, engulfing my entire hand. I gulp, knowing I’m in trouble now.
“Dove,” I whisper, lifting my eyes to meet his.
“Dove.” My name finds a new depth coming from his tongue. “That’s a very beautiful name.”
“Winston sounds a little fancy.” I giggle, wanting to tease him.
“Well, it is a family name. I’m afraid I’m stuck with it.” He grins, setting his scotch glass on the table.
“It isn’t so bad.” I take another sip of my drink, the alcohol allowing me to be brave as my eyes travel up and down his body. “You make that name look very, very good, Winston.”
I’m not always so forward.
In fact, I never am. I’m too busy working. My life consists of waking up, working, and going to sleep. I deserve to treat myself.
And Winston is most definitely a treat.
He props his elbows on the table, folds his hands together, drops his chin, and his eyes seem to darken as he stares at me.
“If I’m not mistaken, Dove, you’re hitting on me.”
“Am I?” I shrug my shoulder and take another large sip of my drink. “I guess that’s for you to figure out, Winston.” I drop my voice so it’s a bit sultry and flirtatious, wanting him to know that I’m interested.
I want no guessing or uncertainties. Not on my last night of vacation. I’m never going to see this man again, so why not have a good time?
A small part of me is sad that I won’t see him after this. Maybe in another life, we could live happily ever after on this beach.
Fantasies like that are dangerous. They cause you to yearn for something you’ll never have.
Winston raises his hand to get the waitress’s attention. She scurries over from the bar with a bright smile on her face, but I don’t miss how it fades when she glances at me.
“How can I help you today, sir?” she practically purrs.
“Another daiquiri for the lady, please, and another scotch. Two fingers.”
“Coming right up,” she chirps, her ponytail flicking left and right as she walks away with a sway to her hips.
His eyes aren’t on her, though.
They’re on me.
“Thank you for the drink. You didn’t have to do that.”
He takes my hand in his, kissing the tops of my knuckles. “I did. I know who I want to spend my last night on the island with. I’ll take care of you tonight.”
My brows rise. “Take care of me? In what ways? I can pay for myself.”
“A woman like you should never have to pay for anything,” he growls, his green eyes darkening to the color of a storm over the lush green rainforest. “And tonight, you’re all mine.”