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ChapterTwenty-Three
Eden
Listening to Dominik’s footfalls echo away from me filled me with a sense of relief.
I wanted to enjoy the view spread out before me. I wanted to savor the deliciousness of the crisp, crystal waters beneath the glass flooring of the porch I stood upon. I wanted to watch the rainbow fish jump out of the water in peace. I wanted to enjoy the feeling of the warm sun gracing my skin without that mouth-breather slithering into my personal bubble.
And as he left me alone on the balcony, I eased myself into a lounge chair off to the side.
“Amazing,” I whispered.
The sounds of the ocean waves lapping at the sandy shoreline at the front of the cabana pulled my eyelids closed. The salted smell of paradise wafted beneath my nostrils as an effervescent breeze kicked up. In any other world, with any other person, I would’ve enjoyed it. I would’ve savored the moment and committed every single part of it to memory. Yet, all I did was focus on what was coming at seven-thirty while my thighs clamped together to rid my groin of the heat it radiated.
I didn’t even realize that I had fallen asleep until the vibrating of my cell phone in my pocket jolted me awake.
“Good God, what is it?” I groaned.
I sighed as I ripped the damn thing out, angry at whoever had disturbed my effortless slumber. But the second I saw that Emily was calling I drew in a deep breath. I had to force my voice to settle. If she detected any hint of distress, I knew she’d never back down until I told her exactly what was going on. And I simply couldn’t risk that.
So, I drew in a deep, sobering breath and answered her call. “Hey there, gorgeous.”
Emily barked with laughter. “Not while I’m covered in flour and icing.”
“Preparing for another wedding?”
“You know that shit keeps me afloat during this time of the year.”
My phone bill is going to be extensive. “So, what’s up?”
“Uh, can you not hear me knocking down your front door? Open up and let me in!”
I shot upright in the lounger. “Where are you?”
She snickered. “At your damn apartment. Can you let me use your shower before we eat, by the way? Chinese and cake batter don’t really go together.”
My mind started racing. “I, uh, I’m not there right now. Did we have dinner plans?”
“No, but I figured you could use a break since you worked all through the weekend last weekend. So, open up! Work can take a break for a couple of hours.”
I stood to my feet. “Emily, I’m not there.”
“Why not? Where are you? And don’t tell me you’re at your office. That was the first place I stopped.”
I groaned as my head fell back. “I’m taking a work weekend out of town. I have to focus, and I’ve been struggling to focus here lately.”
“Well, you’ve been working a lot. You’re probably burned out. So, tell me where you are, and I’ll bring the food to you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Emily.”
“Are you working on a high-profile case or something?”
I wish. “Thank you for trying to bring me food, but the reason why I’m off the grid is because I absolutely have to focus. I’m bogged down and I can’t have any distractions.”
As my sister rattled on in my ear, I felt a presence hovering behind me. The shadow that his body cast practically drenched me, covering me from the comforting sunlight. I shook my head as I turned around, listening to my sister practically bitch me out for being a workaholic just like Dad.
And as Dominik came into view, I watched him sip on a drink.
While wearing nothing but gray sweatpants.
