Chapter 6 #2
“Rob. It’s a little much. She’s not my actual wife, and this isn’t my honeymoon.”
“You didn’t see the way she looked at you?”
I settle back in the deck chair.
“No. She wasn’t looking at me any which way.”
“Then what was the deal about the prenup paperwork? Anyone would assume they would have been drawn.”
“She trusts me because of our personal connection outside of work.”
“Right. That’s why she didn’t sign.”
“It’s neither here nor there. It’s done, and this room is too romantic. Keep that in mind for next time.”
“Whatever you say, boss.”
“Good.”
I lean forward and place my elbows on my knees as one arm hangs in front of me.
“Anything else to report?” I ask.
“No, sir. Well…”
“What is it?”
“I know this marriage is all a sham, but one question, if you don’t mind.”
“I never mind; you know that.”
“Why didn’t you have her sign the papers? You’re normally too cautious for your own good.”
My eyes widen slightly at the question. I did walk right into that one.
“I have no goddamn idea.”
Rob chuckles.
“Have a good night, sir.”
“Night.”
I toss my phone onto the table with our drinks and get up to remove my suit jacket and tie. After discarding them, I undo a couple of top buttons on my dress shirt and roll up my sleeves.
“Still as beautiful as it was earlier,” Cara murmurs.
My line of sight veers toward where she stands, and my breath is taken away. I see Cara in the most dressed-down version of her I could imagine. A black sweater with black jeans and a pair of wedged black tennis shoes.
“Take a seat.”
“If you insist,” she says with a small laugh.
Cara sits down next to me and picks up her drink. She waits for me to follow as she holds it in the air.
Taking mine, I mimic her pose.
“To us,” she says.
“To us, Mrs. Sinclair,” I say with a smirk.
Taking a sip, I let the brown liquid burn as it goes down my throat. Cara eyes me suspiciously as she takes a sip of hers.
“Ready for tomorrow?” she asks.
“You know how it goes.”
“I do.”
Cara looks out to the ocean.
“Something wrong?”
“No, of course not.”
I study her expression as she tries not to look in my direction.
“If we’re going to be partners, then you have to tell me what you’re thinking.”
She glances over, and I see a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
“What’s with the nickname of lucky charm?”
“You should be ever so grateful for all of them,” I taunt.
“Come on, Grant. Really? Pick which one you want to use. It’s lucky charm, darling, and I’m sure there are others.”
“Never, Collins.”
I shoot her a flirty wink.
“Oh, please. Play it your way.”
She gets comfortable and kicks her feet up underneath where she’s sitting. The platform sneakers are off the side of the chair as she leans onto one of the armrests.
“Do you still want to go down and watch the sunset?”
Cara looks over at me and gives me a small shrug.
“You’re not a shrugger. Don’t go playing damsel in distress with me now.”
Cara laughs freely as she shrugs again.
“This is nice,” I say, causing her to tense momentarily before relaxing again.
“It is. Almost as if we really will be able to handle this whole partnership.”
“I have no doubt we’ll be able to.”
“Are you sure?” she whispers.
“Yes. I promise. We’ve got this covered.”
“I hope so. I’d like to have the Kingpin down, once and for all.”
“It has been a while since you’ve been chasing the Kingpin.”
“Not that long,” she retorts.
“You’re right; however, I’d like to put this whole mess behind us as soon as possible.”
A comfortable silence lingers between us on the patio as we stare out to the ocean, watching the sun begin to set.
I get up and grab two more mini bottles of whiskey and pour them into each of our glasses.
Cara murmurs her thanks as I sit down, and it’s back to us being relaxed in each other’s presence.
“Will you tell me how you’re connected to this ring?” Cara asks after some time.
“Yes.”
“Not tonight. I think I may call it an early night soon. I don’t think I can handle going down to watch the sunset.”
“Another time. I promise.”
“Don’t go making promises you can’t keep.”
“With you, I just don’t want to lie.”
Cara yawns and starts to stretch. It’s still relatively early, but it has been an eventful few days.
“I’ll take the couch. Okay if I grab a quick shower?”
“Yes, of course. Be my guest.”
I leave Cara outside and head back into the room. Pulling out my grooming kit, I head into the bathroom.
Staring at myself in the mirror, I look as exhausted as I feel. I won’t let anyone know, but I’m damn tired of all this running around. Maybe after I catch the Marlin, I’ll feel reinvigorated, or it’ll be the final sign that I’m meant to become a normal businessman.
I take a quick shower so that Cara is able to get to bed soon. Even with this large of a suite, it only came with one king-size bed. The double room suites must have all been taken.
It’s fine; I’ve slept on rocks before on a mission, so a pull-out sofa will be good.
As I get out, I quickly dry off and realize that I must have left my pajama pants out in the living room area. I wrap the towel around my waist and walk out of the room to fetch them.
“What the hell!” Cara shrieks.
“What?” I ask, stunned.
Cara’s eyes rake over my body, and I follow her line of sight and grin.
I suppose my torso is still naked.
I can’t help but enjoy the way she’s drinking in every inch of me. I work damn hard for this body, and for once, someone I want to appreciate the way I look currently does.
“Like what you see?” I taunt.
Cara’s eyes snap up to mine, and a flame of desire quickly turns to frustration.
“We don’t have that kind of marriage. Get dressed.”
She tosses me my clothes, and I catch them against my chest.
“Whatever you say, Collins.”
Well, this is an interesting turn of events. I just caught Cara checking me out, and I definitely liked it.