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CHAPTER 1
SOPHIE
Malibu, California
I had always dreamed of spending a summer on the beach. Warm sand, the sound of the waves, and the sun kissing my skin—paradise. So when my best friend Kaitlyn offered me the job as a house-sitter for a beachfront property in Malibu, I jumped at the chance. It was the perfect opportunity to start my research and enjoy some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Just me, the beach, and a stack of books—bliss. My research focused on local sea turtles, and I had become obsessed with finding ways to prevent them from going extinct. Little did I know, my summer was about to take an unexpected turn.
As my car pulled up to the beach house, a sense of excitement washed over me. This would be my own slice of heaven for the next few months. Stepping out of the car and onto the golden sand, I was greeted by the setting sun, casting a warm glow over the ocean and the palm trees lining the shoreline. The sight of the endless ocean before me brought me a sense of peace. The beach was perfect, with its glistening sand and clear blue water. I could already imagine the sand between my toes and the coastal breeze in my hair. Taking a deep breath of the salty air, a feeling of excitement and adventure welled up within me.
However, as I made my way to the beach house, my attention was drawn to the imposing villa next door. It was a sprawling mansion with balconies and terraces overlooking the water, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy and curiosity.
Approaching the villa, my excitement quickly faded, replaced by a sense of unease. A man stood on the balcony, watching me with a critical eye. Leaning against the front door, arms crossed and scowling, he seemed unapproachable. He was tall and well-built, with a sharp jawline and piercing black eyes. His hair was also nearly black, swept back from a face that was both hard and handsome. He looked like he had just stepped off a Vogue fashion shoot, sporting designer sunglasses, a perfectly tailored linen shirt, and loafers without socks. A flutter of discomfort stirred in my stomach—not the good kind.
"Can I help you?" I asked cautiously, trying to sound confident despite my sudden nerves.
I could tell right away that he was someone accustomed to getting his way, someone who didn't like to be challenged. I watched for his reaction to my arrival, but he revealed nothing other than an unfriendly scowl. His mouth remained devoid of a smile, and his brooding, dark eyes showed no signs of welcome. If it were possible for his scowl to deepen further, it did, and he pushed himself off the door.
"I'm Raymond," he said, his voice low and gruff. "I own the property next door. You must be the new house-sitter."
His gaze swept over me as if I were an insect under a microscope. I couldn't escape the burning intensity, feeling as though he was stripping me down cloth by cloth. It was an unsettling feeling, and a twinge of annoyance crossed my mind. I had been hoping for a quiet summer, and this guy spelled trouble with a capital "T." I put on my best polite smile and extended my hand.
"I'm Sophie. Nice to meet you."
There was no connection. No reciprocating smile. It was impossible to know what he was thinking because his face revealed none of his thoughts. He looked at my hand, then back up at my face, but he didn't take it.
"Sophie," he repeated like he was testing the name on his tongue. “You’re not what I expected.”
I bristled at his words and it felt like he had reached across and slapped my face. I wasn’t sure what that was supposed to mean but I didn’t like the sound of it.
“What did you expect?” I demanded with narrowed eyes, my voice more defensive than I intended.
He didn’t answer, just shrugged and turned to leave. It took a minute for me to remember that my mouth was left gaping.
“Who the hell did he think he was, judging me like that?” I felt my cheeks flush with anger, my fists clenching at my sides. I knew I shouldn't let this man get under my skin, but something about him rubbed me the wrong way.
“It doesn’t matter.” I told myself firmly. “I’m only here to take care of the house, research my beloved turtles, and enjoy the beach, anything else is white noise and deserves to be ignored.”
But, as I settled into my new routine, I couldn’t help but notice Raymond popping up everywhere. At the beach, at the grocery store, even at the local coffee shop where I liked to write. So when I saw him out, he’d look directly at me, I’d say, “Hi,” in a friendly tone, and he’d smirk or just stare at me with a neutral expression. These tense, awkward interactions left me feeling rattled. I didn’t understand why he was so grumpy all the time and why I couldn't stop thinking about him. I have always prided myself on being level headed and independent. Nothing can easily shake me off – I am perfectly reasonable and happy on my own. But there is something about Raymond that keeps getting under my skin, something that makes my heart race and my palms sweat. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I know one thing for sure – this summer is going to be anything but peaceful.
* * *
The persistent ring of the doorbell reverberated around the house, slightly annoying me as I ran down the stairs. Who was the caller that didn't have the patience to wait after ringing the doorbell?
I barreled down the long, windy stairs with my hair flying and my heart pounding from the exertion. I paused breathlessly in front of the door to take deep, long breaths to calm down. It had been a while since my last workout, and I hadn't had any time to begin my morning runs in between settling in. Whoever was on the other side of this door better have a solid reason for ringing my doorbell on a Saturday morning like a maniac.
I grabbed the knob of the door and opened it. It was my annoying neighbor, Raymond, glowering as usual. Did this man ever smile?
"Hello," I began with a wary expression. "Can I help you?"
"What the hell is your car doing in front of my house?" he demanded.
I looked at him, a little taken aback by his hostile tone. "I'm sorry," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "I didn't realize it was blocking your driveway."
"Well, it is," he snapped. "So move it."
A knot formed in my stomach seeing Raymond's angry expression. I didn't understand why he was so upset over a simple mistake. Gritting my teeth, I walked outside to move my car. A flush of anger rose in my chest as I realized he was intentionally being rude to me.
As I moved my car, I could feel his gaze boring into my back. Turning around, I saw him standing there, arms crossed over his chest with a smug expression on his face.
