Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
CARA
We’d been in Bali for three days, and I never wanted to leave. The place was fucking incredible, the food was amazing, and the views were just stunning. My favorite part of the day was when I took my walks in the morning.
There was nothing that compared to walking on a cold sandy beach, right before sunrise, seeing all the sea life waking up, and smelling the fresh salty water. It was truly my happy place. I loved walking alone, with nothing but my thoughts and the ocean to keep me company.
It didn’t matter that as soon as I was alone my thoughts headed straight toward Vera.
I tried to think of work. How much I’d have to catch up on when I got back.
How I’d set up my new home office. I’d thought about calling Eloise to check in, but every morning she’d send me an email with every possible update and response, so I had nothing to respond with.
Things were not falling apart without me, so I had nothing left to think about besides Vera.
She’d been very respectful with her flirting and touching, keeping it only around my friends. When we’d get back to the room, she left our fake relationship at the door and would return to platonic Vera. No flirting and no touching except at night when she’d hold me until I fell asleep.
I’d never needed to cuddle to fall asleep until Bali. Maybe it was just because I wasn’t in the comfort of my own bed. Maybe it was because my body was getting used to feeling Vera, and it needed her close. Maybe it wasn’t just my body that felt that way.
“Damnit! How did I let this happen?” I groaned to myself. Things were not supposed to be like this.
It was supposed to be one night of letting go in another city.
One night of fun and back to focusing on work and the real world.
Then, Vera came back into my life and threw everything around.
When I’d agreed to let her be my date to the wedding, I was confident I could put that night behind us and treat it like a business transaction.
We’d enjoy the wedding and then go back to forgetting each other existed. But it didn’t really work out that way.
Along the way, things changed. The feelings I’d tried to pretend weren’t there, were getting stronger.
I was finding it harder to hide how I felt about her.
I didn’t want to want her. I didn’t want to be attracted to her, but I was.
I was finding myself wanting to be around her.
Wanting her to touch me, or kiss me. Wanting her to want me.
I rolled my shoulders, forcing myself to think about anything else in the world besides Vera Rojas. Thinking anything could happen between us was ridiculous and a waste of my time.
The sun was beginning to come up, so I started making my way back to the villa for my morning cup of coffee.
“Buenos días, princesa. I thought I’d find you here.”
As soon as I turned around, Vera was standing there with the biggest smile on her face holding two cups of what I hoped was coffee.
“Good morning. Is that coffee?” I asked.
She raised an eyebrow. “So you do know Spanish?”
“I know very few things.”
“Well, It’s still hot. And yes, coffee. Two cream and two sugar, just the way you like it.” She winked and it sent my heart stuttering.
“You’re so good to me.” I smiled and accepted the coffee. It tasted like hot heaven and I couldn’t hide the small moan that fell from my lips. “Perfect,” I whispered.
“Si, perfecta,” Vera replied, staring right at me.
“What brings you out here this early?” I asked. She’d never accompanied me on my walks before, so I wasn’t sure why today.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I was getting restless and figured I come see this great walk you go on everyday. I can leave if you want to be alone.”
I shook my head. “No. You can stay. The beach is a public space, after all.”
“Si, it is. But do you want me to stay?”
She was really going to make me say it, wasn’t she? She was so difficult sometimes with getting me to admit things I didn’t want to. I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Vera. I want you to stay. Happy?”
“When it comes to you? Always. Okay, lead the way, ma’am.”
I took a sip of my coffee and turned back around towards the opposite side of the villa. I guess I could’ve walked for a little longer.
We walked along the beach and talked about life. She brought up the day I saw her at the gym when I was with Drea and I was so embarrassed. Obviously I knew she saw me bolt out of there with Drea, but I hadn’t expected her to bring it up.
I admitted I panicked and may have freaked out a little at seeing her at the gym. I didn’t tell her that seeing her working out had done something to me and I couldn’t concentrate on my workout anymore. She already knew how she affected me. She left it alone after that and I finished my coffee.
Without thinking, I linked our hands together.
Our fingers kept brushing against each other with every step we took, so it made sense to just join them together.
I tried not to look at her for a reaction, but I couldn’t help myself.
In the corner of my eye, I could see her shit-eating grin. She knew she was winning me over.
Whatever. She kept brushing my thumb with hers and it was making me feel a little light-headed. So what if she was wearing me down? I was slowly learning that I didn’t stand a chance, anyway.
“Don’t read too much into it,” I said, rolling my eyes when she bumped her shoulder with mine.
“You’re falling for me, aren’t you, princesa? My plan is working, I know it!”
Instead of answering with the truth, I created a distraction. “Hey, look! The sun’s coming up. Isn’t it beautiful?” I asked, untangling our fingers and pointing to the gorgeous view just past the water.
She smiled. “Si, it is, but it’s not as beautiful as you, Cara. There isn’t a view in this universe that compares to you.” She took a step closer to me and grabbed my hand, twisting our fingers together.
I rolled my eyes, hoping she ignored the blush that found its way onto my skin. “You’re very charming.”
“I’m serious, Cara. You know how I feel about you. Just say the word, and I’m yours.”
I groaned, our hands still connected to each other’s. “Vera. Please. You know I like you, but—”
Any protests died off when her lips found mine. That wasn’t fair. I couldn’t think properly when her tongue was surveying my mouth. I couldn’t breathe when one hand rested on my lower back while the other cupped the side of my face, thumb delicately brushing my cheek.
I deepened the kiss, not caring about anything else. The Bali air with her proximity was making me feel dizzy, and I wanted her to lift me up and carry me back to our room.
After what felt like an eternity of touches and kisses, she stepped back with a grin. “I’m so sorry. I cut you off. What were you saying?”
She knew what she was doing. I let her kiss me once, and now she thought she owned my lips. I hated that she did own them. I gave her a look that said I knew what she was doing and smiled, unable to hide it. “Can I buy you breakfast?”
She grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles, like freaking royalty. “You can try, princesa, but I can’t promise I’ll let you.” She winked before heading towards the waterfront cafe I’d been dying to try.