AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mateo steers us out into the open water. My eyelids drift shut as the ocean air whips through my hair and grazes my face. It’s refreshing in a way I hadn’t anticipated. When I open my eyes, I find Hayden staring at me, a peculiar expression on his face. Before I can ask him about it, he schools his features.
“That’s it,” Mateo says, pointing straight ahead. “La casa del mar.”
I follow the direction he’s indicating, and my eyes widen at the sight. It’s a small, lush island, enclosed by emerald-tipped palms and surrounded by azure waves. I guess Hayden wasn’t lying about that.
We pull up to what appears to be a private dock, and Mateo secures the boat before jumping up to assist us. “Can I take your bag, sir?”
Hayden shakes his head. Mateo frowns, but his expression morphs into excitement when Hayden hands him a crisp bill.
“Thank you, Mr. Cole,” he says, holding out a set of keys. “I’ll bring the house cleaner twice a week, but if you need an additional visit, please phone the manager of the vacation home and I’ll come back the next morning. Your groceries will be delivered every other day unless you specify otherwise. You can find all of the other information in the folder sitting on the kitchen counter. As always, it’s a pleasure to serve you.” He stops and looks at me. “And you too, Mrs. Cole.”
Hayden and I offer our thanks before he’s helping me out of the boat and up a winding path lined with palm trees and bushes dotted with various flowers. At the top sits a beach house that could feature in a magazine. It has huge windows overlooking the ocean, a deck that wraps around the entire building, and an airy, open-concept interior visible through the large glass doors.
We step inside, and cool air brushes my cheeks, a welcome reprieve to the heat. I quickly shed Hayden’s coat and drape it over my arm.
“This is beautiful,” I whisper. These words are the first I’ve spoken to Hayden in hours.
“I’m glad you like it.”
There’s a thread of relief in his tone that takes me by surprise. This man kidnapped me and brought me here but is concerned with my opinion of the place?
“Have you been here before?” I ask.
Hayden shakes his head. “I researched it extensively. Believe it or not, this place was difficult to find. Considering what they charge, you’d think they’d advertise it more heavily.” He shrugs. “I guess the exclusivity comes with the price.”
“Hmm. Well, I’m going to look around, unless you have a problem with that?”
“No. This property is secure. I made sure of that before we arrived.”
My lips thin. He probably had cameras and other safety measures put in place. Not only to ensure my protection but to make sure I stay put.
I give him a nod and wander off to explore my newfound prison. He watches me go with a hint of reluctance but doesn’t try to stop me. Smart man. After everything that’s happened over the last couple of days, I’m like a powder keg, ready to blow up at the tiniest spark.
I trail my fingers along the walls and over the furniture as I walk from room to room, each of them decorated in a breezy, coastal style made up of beiges and blues. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the master bedroom provide a breathtaking view of the ocean, and the bathroom is fit for a king. However, I’m quick to leave the beautiful space. I have no doubt Hayden means for us to sleep together here, and that’s not something I want to acknowledge fully just yet.
In an office toward the rear of the house, I pause beside a reading nook. It’s inviting. With a cushioned window seat the size of a twin bed and several fluffy pillows, I flop down onto it.
Three out of the four walls in this room are filled with bookshelves. My curiosity has me jumping to my feet to examine the available titles. There’s an eclectic mix of contemporary fiction, nonfiction, classics, and even a few children’s books. I run my fingers over the leather-bound spines, smiling to myself.
My smile fades when Hayden’s presence washes over me.
“There are a few things we need to discuss,” he says without preamble. I stiffen at his tone. It’s all business, militant even. “I want to lay out the rules.”
I turn to face him and cross my arms. “Rules?”
“Yes,” he says. “You’re free to enjoy the house and the beach during the day, but I don’t want you outside at night.”
Irritation fizzles along my skin, but I hold my tongue and gesture for him to continue.
“Don’t try to leave the property without me.”
“What do you think I’m going to do, Hayden? Start swimming and hope I make it without drowning first? I’m not an idiot.”
“I never said you were. I don’t want you trying to sneak aboard the boat when our groceries are delivered.” He fixes me with a hard stare. “I’ve already talked to the staff, and they won’t help you. Don’t act like you haven’t considered it.”
“Of course I have, but it’s not like I expected them to follow through. Besides, I don’t have any money or a cell phone. Orclothes.” I practically spit the last word. “Those are kind of necessary to travel.”
“Look, I just don’t want there to be any surprises while we’re here. I hate them.”
