Page 40 of The Heartbreak Hotel

“Me neither.” That surprised Riley, and Ella laughed at her expression. “Shocking, I know. But I actually want to—god, I can’t believe I’m saying this—but…I want to surrender myself to the course. Like Senhor Arenoso said. I really do want to work on what makes me happy.”

Something like pride washed over Riley, and she smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”

Ella brushed a hand through Riley’s hair, and she shivered at the touch. “And I obviously don’t want to do anything that would jeopardise your job and life here.”

Riley nodded. No one could know if they explored this further. As the thought passed through her mind, the urge flared to run and hide herself away. There was so much at stake, and she couldn’t end up back where she was four years ago. But she didn’t want to get caught up in the details of the future and the dos and don’ts.

She wanted to be present.

She wanted to be brave.

If she let Ella slip through her fingers without even exploring what their connection could be, it would go against everything she believed in. Not only would she be a hypocrite, she’d also be the world’s biggest eejit.

“I don’t do any of this lightly, Ella,” she said, the fuzz of the alcohol descending on her. “I could lose my job.” Her eyes passed over Ella’s face, studying her expression. Her emotive eyes, full cheeks, soft lips. Those lips.

Ella took her bottom lip into her mouth and bit down on it.

Lord, Jesus.

“That sounds like a lot to risk.” Her hand brushed up Riley’s arm, and the hairs stood to attention, sending a shiver up her spine.

“It is.” Riley tried to focus on the physical sensation instead of her mind threatening to unravel. “But I don’t think I could live with the regret, knowing we both felt like this and did nothing about it. I don’t meet people like you.”

Ella’s alluring eyes flicked to hers, and liquid heat slipped and curled inside Riley’s belly. “Me either.”

But she couldn’t get too attached; Ella was going to leave in a few weeks.

Shut up, brain.

She cleared her throat. “Okay. So how about we keep the days for the course, and we can see each other in the evening? Keep it separate?”

“That works. I don’t do anything in the evening anyway, apart from listen to Pauline’s gossip.” Ella gave a soft smile, tracing gentle circles over Riley’s skin. “And I won’t tell anyone about us. Well, apart from maybe my best friend Winnie. Or my mother if she asks. But actually maybe n—”

Riley raised her eyebrows. “You’re gonna tell your mum about me? That seems pretty fast,” she teased.

Ella laughed. “Fine. No mothers. No days. And no telling people.”

The confirmation made Riley shake her head. What am I doing? She exhaled, letting the voice fade into the background and focusing on Ella. A grin crept onto her face. “Well, maybe not all days. I think it’s only fair you have to step out of your comfort zone, too.”

“Oh, no. Why do I not like the look of that smile?”

Riley chuckled. “I think you should come to one of my surfing classes.”

Ella groaned. “Riley, have you not witnessed this island trying to kill me—on more than one occasion?”

“And I’ve saved you—on more than one occasion.”

Their gazes locked, and the charged current sizzled between them, fanning the flame already burning in her chest.

“I suppose that’s true.”

“So, is that a yes?”

The corner of Ella’s mouth lifted, and Riley leaned forward to kiss her.

She could get used to that.

Chapter Twelve