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“No, actually, it’s Marilyn, and I hate it. It’s so not me.”
Chase chuckled. He seemed to laugh a lot when Demi was around, and being with her instantly bolstered his spirits. “Where are you rushing off to looking like a beautiful ray of sunshine?” he asked, awed by her bright, dazzling smile.
“Wherever the day takes me!” Demi opened her purse, took out a travel guide and showed him the cover. “Ibiza has some incredible sights and I plan to see them all, starting with Es Vedrà. Did you know the island is shrouded in myths and legends? I met a local fisherman yesterday who claims he once saw a UFO hovering above Es Vedrà five decades ago.”
“Was that before or after Happy Hour?” Jonas asked with a hearty laugh.
“I’m a huge history buff, so I also want to check out some of the museums, castles and cathedrals,” she continued. “Castillo de Ibiza is the first stop on my list. I heard it’s...”
Chase glanced around the table and noticed his family members were leaning forward in their chairs, hanging on to every word that came out of Demi’s mouth. As she gushed about the natural beauty of the island’s beaches, Chase devised a plan to get her away from his wide-eyed brothers and cousins.
“It was nice meeting you guys, but I have to run. I’m anxious to see the sights.”
Everyone at the table groaned in disappointment then begged her to stay.
“You’re not nervous venturing out alone on the island?” Chase asked.
“No, why should I be?” Shrugging a shoulder, Demi put on her oval sunglasses. “I’ve traveled all over the world and aside from a few hair-raising moments on a tuk tuk in Thailand last summer, I’ve never had any problems.”
His frown deepened. Yesterday, while strolling the streets with his family, he’d seen firsthand how aggressive male tourists could be. They whistled, shouted dirty jokes and grabbed at women passing by. No, it wasn’t a good idea for Demi to go sig
htseeing alone. Her figure-hugging outfit was sure to turn heads, and Chase didn’t want her to be accosted by drunken, belligerent men desperate to get lucky. “You shouldn’t go out alone. It isn’t safe.”
“Fine, then join me. You can be my bodyguard.”
Chase checked his sports watch. He had a scheduled conference call in thirty minutes, but he didn’t feel like strategizing with his marketing team about how to save Sparks. Not when he could spend the rest of the day with Demi. “It would be my pleasure. I’m going to be the best bodyguard you’ve ever had.”
“You better,” she teased, wagging a finger at him. “Let’s go. Adventure awaits!”
Stepping past him, she sashayed through the restaurant, switching her hips. Chase fished his wallet out of the back pocket of his shorts, took out several hundred dollar bills and put them beside the bread basket. “Guys, breakfast is on me. See you later.”
His brothers and cousins protested, threatened to disown him if he ditched them for Demi.
Antonio’s voice cut through the noise. “You can’t bail on us for a girl. I don’t care how fine she is.”
“Sorry, guys. I just got a better offer.” Chase wore a broad grin. “Don’t wait up.”
Chapter 4
Dalt Vila, the cultural and historical, stone-wall-fortified city in Ibiza Town had stunning castles, cathedrals and museums. Strolling through the winding streets with Chase by her side made Demi feel giddy, like she was on top of the world. Locals were warm and welcoming, the atmosphere was delightful and the ancient buildings gave the city a magical, ethereal ambience. Musicians strummed acoustic guitars, street performers wowed tourists and teenagers in soccer jerseys played in the cobblestone streets.
Sipping her water, Demi reflected on her favorite moments from the afternoon. For hours they’d taken in the sights, wandering from one impressive monument to the next. They’d viewed the Roman ruins, art galleries filled with unique artifacts, and hiked through the forest, exploring the landscape. It was a nature lover’s paradise, offering breathtaking sights.
Demi stared at her iPhone, admiring the pictures she’d taken throughout the day in Ibiza Town. All afternoon they’d snapped selfies and swapped stories, and jokes. They’d enjoyed a late lunch at a tapas bar, and as they flirted and laughed during their meal, her impression of Chase changed. He wasn’t a geek; he was interesting, enthusiastic and playful. He had the confidence to match his handsome looks, and Demi was having such a good time with him she considered canceling her evening plans with her sister so she could stay with Chase. He stood out from the other guys she’d met on the island for three reasons—his intelligence, his sense of humor and his adventurous spirit—and Demi wasn’t ready for their date to end.
“Let’s check out the marina,” Chase proposed, resting a hand on the small of her back.
Moving closer, Demi leaned into his chest. Feeling his hands against her skin gave her a rush. Inhaling his scent, she gazed up at him, willing him to kiss her. They related on so many levels it shocked her, and her attraction to him was so strong she’d fantasized about making love to him from the moment they’d left the hotel restaurant that morning.
“There are some excellent cafés along the harbor; we can grab a cold drink or handmade ice cream to cool us down if you’d like.”
Cool me down? Demi thought, her eyes glued to his mouth. Right! I’m so hot for you I’m scared I’m going to self-combust! Her cell phone buzzed in her hand and she glanced at the screen, hoping it wasn’t another angry text from her mom. The message was from Gigi but she didn’t respond to her sister’s queries about dinner. Roderick had gotten them tickets for the flamenco show at the Pura Vida Ibiza Beach Restaurant, but Demi didn’t feel like watching the happy couple fawn all over each other for the rest of the night. Geneviève had rented a lavish, eight-bedroom villa for her team, but at the last minute Demi had changed her mind about staying at the rental property and booked a suite at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay. She’d wanted to mingle with locals, not watch her sister and future brother-in-law coo and kiss every two minutes.
Her iPhone rang and she put her cell to her ear greeting her sister in a cheerful voice. “Hey, Gigi, what’s up?”
“Where are you and when are you returning to the hotel?”
“I don’t know. I’m having so much fun in Ibiza Town, I don’t want to leave.”
