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I giggle. “Of course.”
The villa is more luxurious than anything I have stayed in. It’s small and cozy and when I glance out the window, we’re surrounded by water and trees. My husband owns a private island, and I can’t wrap my mind around it.
Jasper tips the bellboy, and I sigh as I glance out the window again, taking in the moonlight, the palm trees, and the inky blue sky. This place is right out of heaven.
“We have dinner in a few minutes on the beach, with a personal chef, so change into something more casual and relaxing.” His tone echoes off the wall.
I nod, unzip my suitcase, and open it. I find a small bikini and sundress dress, so I pull them out. Jasper helps me out of my dress and he watches my every move, keeping his eyes glued to my body. I try not to notice the hungry look in his gaze, so I snatch my clothing, rush straight to the bathroom, and wash my makeup off my face and put on my bikini and dress.
By the time I walk into the living room, Jasper is dressed in swim trunks with no shirt on, his abs on display for me to see. I blush like a schoolgirl. He looks yummy in his clothing.
We walk side by side. A car is waiting for us just outside, and I slide in next to him. I’m not in the mood to play the happy wife when I’m not. I was fake through the wedding and reception, pretending to be in love when I’m not, and it’s exhausting.
“Can we take a break tonight from all the pretending? I’m a little exhausted,” I say. “I want it to be us, you know? Two people enjoying each other’s company.”
He nods. “That was the plan.”
Once we make it to the beach, the sky is dark. Two lit candles sit on the table, the ocean behind us. This feels too romantic, as if we’re a real couple, and my breath hitches at the sight of it all. Who would have guessed that Jasper is a romantic? Then I feel not-so-special because he’s probably done this with many women. He’s known to be the guy who is a playboy, living a single life, having women throw themselves at him like he’s a god.
The wind tickles my skin and the air smells salty from the ocean. I love the beach, it reminds me of my father. He used to take me when I was little.
When we make it to the table, Jasper pulls out my chair and I take a deep breath as I sit down. Jasper sits down across from me, staring into my eyes, so I glance away. The chef, wearing an all-white uniform, informs us about what we’re eating tonight. Stuffed crabs with sautéed mushrooms and mashed sweet potatoes. The chef pours us both glasses of expensive red wine before he leaves, and I sip slowly, trying to clear my thoughts.
“What’s wrong?” Jasper asks before taking his own sip and sitting down the drink.
I don’t like the way he can read me like a book, but I suppose it was bound to happen because we live together. When he asks me what’s wrong, it makes me think he’s trying to be a husband to me, like he cares about me. Jasper is self-serving. He only does things that benefit him, but lately he’s been showing me otherwise. I shake my head; there is no need to feed myself any kind of fantasy—we are nothing more than a business contract.
I glance at the black sea. It’s peaceful with its tranquility. Something I crave more than anything else. Usually, I’m good with my words and I know how to express myself, but right now I’m completely tongue-tied and my thoughts are in shambles.
“You can talk to me.” His tone is gentle as the wind blows across his face, brushing his hair to the side.
“We didn’t have to have a real honeymoon, so why are we doing this?”
He pauses in the middle of sipping his red wine, his eyes growing warm. “I want to show you a good time, that we can have fun. Just because our marriage is business that doesn’t mean we can’t connect.”
I’m shocked about what he’s said. This is not the same Jasper I first met; the Jasper I met, I couldn’t get him to open up to save his life. Now, I feel as if I’m looking at a different man.
“You’re emotionally closed off. Why would you want to connect with me?”
His gaze studies my face for several beats, and he exhales. “I don’t feel lonely when I’m around you.” He clears his throat, and the chef chooses this moment to come back and place our food on the table. “Ever since you moved into my space,” Jasper continues, “I haven’t felt so alone.”
I understand what he’s saying. We are soothing each other’s loneliness. I guess that’s the perk of living with someone, but you can live with someone and still feel lonely.
“When I sleep with different women, they don’t have any substance to them.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“They’re not full of life and only want to snag a rich man, someone who’s going to take care of them. I can’t speak to them about important subjects and a lot of them are not interested in the things I like, or they don’t have passion or desire in life. They see a flashy lifestyle and a lot of them treat me like a paycheck and their ticket to a cushy life,” he explains between bites.
I absorb every word, trying to dissect them, and I don’t know what to say.
“Is that why you only do one-night stands?”
He nods. “Yes.”
“Do you fly women out and take them on lavish dates?”
“Yes, only a few.”
