Page 244 of The Heart You Kept

I walk up the three flights of stairs until I get to the floor above the main bedroom. I sit down and begin to unload my backpack, I bring out a camping light, set it up and turn it on. The large room lights up and I smile at my newfound haven.

Perfect.

I take out the air mattress and hand pump it up and throw the sleeping bag on top, then I take the drill and tool kit.

Reading the plans once again, I retrieve the tape measure and carefully mark where I need to drill. In the light fitting over the bed, and in the bathroom ceiling and the back of the shelves in the staircase.

It takes me hours, and just on daylight my work is done.

I lean down and look through the hole in the floor, Alora’s bed is right beneath and I get an overhead view of the room and bathroom. I sit up and smile.

Now…. I wait.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

ALORA

The sound of an engine in the distance wakes me from my sleep and I stretch out like a cat. My body aches where it shouldn’t and I sleepily smile as oily memories of last night reappear. My eyes float around the luxurious bedroom but my man isn’t beside me. God, what time is it? I have to work today. I grab my phone from the side table, 7 a.m. Hmm…. Time to get up.

Pulling on the black silk dressing gown that I found hanging in the bathroom, I head off in search of him. I peer around the bedroom door, wait…what’s the day etiquette around here?

Are people just like walking around or….

Maybe I should get dressed first. I walk to the top of the stairs and duck down to see if I can see anybody on the floor below.

Edward did say just be normal…. Okay, so here goes. I drag my fingers through my hair to find knots the size of a bird’s nest. Mental note, oil and carnal activities with my head being rammed into a bed doesn’t do well for the blowout. Maybe I should wear a swimming cap next time?

Walking down the stairs, I see Edward sitting at a table out on the deck in the sun. He’s sipping a cup of coffee and I make my way out to him. “Hello.”

“Good morning.” He smiles darkly into his coffee cup and I smirk at his naughty look.

Deviant.

He taps his lap and I walk around and sit on him; his big arms slide around me. “Hmm.” He nuzzles my face. “How did you sleep?”

“Well, considering I was fucked into unconsciousness, I don’t remember.”

He chuckles and kisses my lips. “Just the way I like it. Coffee?”

“Yes please.” I get up and take a seat opposite him, my eyes go out to the water that surrounds us. “Where are we?” I ask.

“Barbados?”

“What?” I stammer. “I have to work today.”

“Relax.” He throws me a sexy wink. “That’s Monte Carlo just over there.”

“Oh.” I smile, feeling stupid, and pick up a morning paper, wait a minute…. How does a newspaper get here, is there like a water postman delivery driver or…. I open the paper as Edward fills my coffee cup.

“Are we going back in soon? Because I have to work today.”

“Yes, have some breakfast first and we’ll head in.” He sips his coffee. “I’ve been giving your situation some thought.”

“My situation?”

“Yes. I think it’s time you put a manager into your store.”

“Huh?” I frown. “Why would I do that?”