Page 28 of The Malibu Destiny

"That is the million dollar question,” I agree.

My phone vibrates against the table. Roman's name flashes on the screen. My heart slams against my ribs so hard I swear Jack can hear it.

Just wanted to check and see how you're doing. I don't remember if I thanked you for letting me stay last night

My fingers tremble as I type, deleting and retyping three times before hitting send.

Oh, thanks for checking on me! I'm doing great. And you did thank me for letting you stay. I don't remember if I properly thanked you for taking me home. If not, thanks! You're a lifesaver.

"Let me guess," Jack says, smirking. "Roman fucking Kensington is texting you."

"Is it that obvious?" I whisper, unable to look away from the screen.

"Honey, your face is practically radioactive. If we turned off the lights right now, you'd glow brighter than the goddamn moon."

Heat rushes to my cheeks as I press my palms against them. "I can't help it," I confess, my voice catching. "Just seeing his name—" Another ping cuts me off, and my stomach drops like I'm in freefall.

Hope I didn't wake you. Just got back from the resort and can't sleep…can't stop thinking about waking up next to you.

My cheeks flame hot as I read Roman's text. Jack peers over my shoulder, his smirk melting into wide-eyed surprise. "Well damn, Lil. The man's not exactly subtle about his feelings."

My fingers tremble as I type:

Actually, I'm wide awake too. For the same reason...

You at the shop today?

Yes. Readings scheduled.

Morning or afternoon?

Afternoon. Why?

Three dots appear, disappear, then reappear. Finally:

Just wondering if you'd play hooky with me. Another time. See you at the resort.

I groan and flop back against the pillows. I could cancel the readings. I could. But these clients book because they're lost, seeking guidance when they've run out of options. I can't disappoint them just because Roman Kensington—billionaire hotel magnate and ridiculous crush that he is—wants to see me.

"Another time," I whisper, clutching the phone against my chest. But I don’t say that.

See you then

Jack's eyes light up like sparklers as he practically bounces behind the counter. "Lilith! Playing hooky? Mr. Workaholic owner of elite resorts across the world wants to take the morning off to…" He wiggles his perfectly groomed eyebrows suggestively, his lips curving into a knowing smirk.

I feel heat rush to my cheeks. "Stop. He said nothing about-" I mirror his expression, raising my own eyebrows before dissolving into nervous laughter. "He just said play hooky. That could mean anything, you know."

"Say what you will," Jack says, leaning forward on his elbows, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But all the signs are there, Lilith. He's crazy about you."

He straightens up, counting off on his manicured fingers. "Let's see, Lilith. He played knight in shining armor when the pipes broke, wading through that disgusting water in his thousand-dollar shoes. He bought that crazy rare crystal for you that's worth a quarter mil. Played knight in shining armor again by bringing you that dress on the fly. He spent the night in your bed and then texted you to say that he can't stop thinking about waking up next to you. Now he wants to play hooky with you…." He shakes his head, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. "Girl. You have an admirer, a beautiful, wealthy, intelligent admirer with abs you could grate cheese on."

"You forgot complicated, stormy…" I close my eyes, feeling the flutter of butterflies in my stomach. "Intoxicating.”

So, so, intoxicating.

Chapter Seventeen

ROMAN