Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
As we vacate our spot at the railing, Daniella steps up to take our place, shimmying in her bikini. “Cristiano, will you take one of me?” she begs in her pretty accent.
Juan Carlos snatches her phone before Cristiano can. “I will. Go pose, but be quick,” he huffs impatiently. “I need a drink.”
Daniella rolls her eyes, but she doesn’t protest. It’d be weird, I think, if she insisted Cristiano take his place.
Simone takes my hand, trying to lead me back to our lounge chairs, and I’m prepared to let her until I realize that Cristiano’s off at the bar by himself. Propelled by the magic of the turquoise bikini and the ink burned into my arm, I break away from Simone and head instead in Cristiano’s direction. He looks up and watches me as I navigate around the lounge chairs and approach him. My gut instinct is to cover up, but Annika and Simone just spent the last few minutes hyping me up and making me feel sexy—I don’t want it to go to waste now. Besides, wwwd.
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t fun to see Cristiano’s Adam’s apple bob, his gaze lingering on my face right up until he loses the battle with himself and takes in my bikini-clad body with an intense sweep. I hope my tan hides some of my blush.
“Sad I missed the tour.”
His dark eyes meet mine again as his dimples pop. “Sad I missed the show.”
Oh.
A fissure of desire ripples through me. I fist my hands at my sides and resist pressing my palms to my quivering stomach. Are my friends right? Is there something here?
I stare up at him, frowning slightly. He gives nothing away, no clue as to how he’s feeling. It makes me rethink their assessment.
Beth walks nearby, her arms filled with more towels now that our group has expanded. She asks Cristiano if he needs anything.
“Would you mind getting some sunscreen, Beth?” Cristiano asks, keeping his attention on me.
“I brought some in my bag,” I cut in, trying to be helpful. I’m about to call out to Simone to get it for me but she’s busy flirting with Felix.
“No worries.” Beth smiles. “We have quite a variety on board, but did you want yours? I can go retrieve it.”
“No. Any will do.” I smile back at her. “Thank you.”
“Your tattoo is covered?” Cristiano asks me once Beth is out of earshot.
I look down at my arm, confirming the small Band-Aid is still there. I’ve read I should avoid sun exposure and swimming as much as possible while it heals, but the scripted ink is small enough that a thin bandage does the trick.
“I don’t think you should swim in the sea just yet.”
The others are already heading out on the Jet Skis.
I frown. “I thought so, too. It’s okay. I brought a book, and Simone can keep me company. She got a tattoo as well.”
I peer up to see that his brows are drawn together and he almost looks concerned.
“There’s a small pool on the upper deck. You could float in there so long as you keep your elbow above water.”
Oh. I’d already resigned myself to being hot and sweaty on the boat all morning. “A small pool?”
He smiles at our inside joke.
“I’d love that,” I tell him. “Maybe after I eat. I’m sure I’ll need to cool off in a bit.”
He nods toward the bartender, who hands him his drink, then asks, “Would you like something?”
Right. Otherwise why would I be over here…
“Did you finish your cucumber water?” the bartender asks me, trying to show his attentiveness.
“Yes.” I smile. “Could I have another, please?”
I prop my hands on my hips while I wait, and Cristiano swallows and looks away, his focus narrowed out over the sea. “I’m tempted to take Simone’s phone and fling it into the water.”
“To destroy the pictures?” I ask playfully. “Because you don’t want anyone seeing your fancy boat?”
Men like him are always insanely private.
He laughs, but the sound isn’t joyful. When he looks back at me, I almost shiver.
“No, because I don’t want anyone seeing you.”
That’s all he gives me, and my smile drops as he steps around me to go and claim the lounge chair beside mine. I watch as another crew member hurries over to bring him a plate of food, and once she’s gone, I watch him tug his shirt off and lie back, picking up his phone. His incredible body is on full display, all that tan skin, wide muscular shoulders atop a broad chest with a sprinkling of black hair. His stomach is trim, his legs long. His tattoos give him the perfect edge.
I don’t want anyone seeing you.
Those bold words leave no room for interpretation. That was blatant flirting, and the butterflies in my stomach are proof of it. Still, what to do now? A gorgeous Spanish man is flirting with me while we set sail on his luxurious yacht—this is uncharted territory! Except I’m not completely without direction. I have Winnie’s list to guide me, and it was silly of me not to consider before that Cristiano could help complete it. Never mind falling in love. It’s too absurd to consider or try to force just for the sake of completing everything on the list, but wild sex may actually be within my reach.