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CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Damon
The morning after our trip to the falls, I’m walking along the putting green with Vedant, Patrick, and Chuck, still vibrating with energy. They’re nailing down specifics and times for the pre-ceremony dinner two days from now, and just the thought has my nerves rattling.
Before, I was nervous for another dreadful round of public speaking. Now, I’m sweating bullets for a different reason entirely.
My gloved hand flexes beside me as I roam my gaze over Double Palm’s stunning eighteen-hole golf course. Miles of lush greens, exotic flowers, and tropical plants span the grounds, and from the hill we’re playing on, the turquoise ocean glistens in the hot sun.
Vedant’s moved the conversation on to something regarding our home office in Los Angeles, but my mind’s drifting back to me and Kate the same way it has all morning.
All of Kate assaults me at once—her taste, her eagerness for me, and every smile in between. To the point that I had Chuck rolling his eyes and making jerking off gestures at how many times I had to situate myself in our meeting.
Even now, I check my watch for the time, counting how many hours I’ve been gone from her and how many more I have to go until I’m making her laugh and kissing her breathless.
I couldn’t wait to have her after returning from Tiger Falls. For fuck’s sake, we barely made it two steps inside the door before tearing after each other, and damn if I didn’t jump at the chance to please my Kate.
But she can’t bemy Kate,can she?
The sobering thought halts my steps.
She’s got her high-class life to return to in Georgia, and even if the stars aligned, and Kate and I chose to keep in touch, I’m moving to London in a matter of weeks.
Patrick offered me a yearlong contract for the job of my dreams, and I can’t say no.
I won’t say no.
Fuck, I’d be an idiot to say no…Right?
I’d be right back to where I was with Susan, unable to provide the kind of attentive relationship a younger woman like Kate needs, and my heart can’t take another spin instructor incident.
The guys look at me expectantly, dragging me from my spiraling thoughts to where we stand on the putting green.
Bright spots wink in and out of my vision from staring at the sun’s reflection on the water. “Sorry, what did I miss?”
Patrick clears his throat. “I asked if you’ve given any thought to my proposal.”
The proposal… Fuck.I still haven’t given him an answer.
“I know it’s a far way to go, but I have all the faith in you, Carlisle. You’re the man the international team needs.”
He means a man who has no ties to LA other than his current position. A man who has no kids, no wife, and more importantly, no reasonnotto go.
Patrick’s hand falls to my shoulder. “I know it’s a lot to consider, but you’re the only one I trust to get the developmental branch up and running. You’re smart andreliable. Don’t turn me down, Carlisle. I won’t be offering the opportunity again.”
I catch Chuck’s wary gaze.
No.No way am I considering turning down one of the greatest job offers I’ll ever receive for an island fling.
We should be drinking beers, cheersing to such an amazing accomplishment. App of the Yearandthe associate director position… But my stomach knots uncomfortably.
I faced one of my greatest fears with a woman I’m afraid to admit I’ve caught feelings for.Bigfeelings. The kind that resemble a four-letter word that I can’t believe I’m entertaining.
She didn’t taunt me about being afraid of heights. She encouraged me. Put the decision to continue in my hands, and had I wanted to turn back, I know she would have gone without a second thought.
Imagining that same dedication from her in every aspect of my life does things to me. Things that make me want to buy a place for just the two of us, seeing a more permanent future with her.
It’s downright unbelievable, but I can’t stop thinking about what life could be like if I was as happy every day as I have been since meeting Kate.
