Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
“Hmm, you’re right. We’ll take care of it when we land then. Because I have every intention of seeing you in Iceland.”
“I’m only there for one day,” she reminds me.
“I’ll talk you out of that, too.”
“Do you always get what you want?”
I tilt my head to the side, thinking it over. “Pretty much. The important things, anyway. And I’ve decided that this is very important.”
She flushes again and casts her gaze down. Jesus, she’s beautiful. Has no one ever told her that before? I find that hard to believe.
“I do have work to do, though. Where are you staying?” I offer her some Twizzlers. She takes one and bites into it.
“At some resort with blue water.”
“Blue Lagoon.” I nod and nibble my Twizzler. “I’m staying there, too. It’s the nicest place in the country, although there are some really nice bed and breakfasts here and there.”
“How many times have you been?” she asks.
“Nine. No, this is my ninth.”
“Nine times? Wow, you must really like it.”
“It’s spectacular. Especially this time of year. It’s dark and cold, so not many people travel to Iceland now. So, it’s quiet. And the northern lights are just amazing.”
That makes her eyes light up, and I make a vow to myself, here and now, that I’ll make love to her under the aurora borealis.
As soon and as often as possible.
“Maybe that’s why Luke chose this time of year to bring us all there,” Maddie muses. “Because this was the only time he could manage to reserve the majority of the resort for everybody.”
“That could be.” I want to touch her again, but the stupid divider between us makes it awkward. Instead, I cross my arms over my chest and watch as Maddie yawns. “You should get some sleep.”
“I really do have to work.” She blinks slowly, her eyes clearly heavy. “But maybe a short nap won’t hurt.”
She reclines her seat until she’s almost lying down and tucks the pillow from the airline under her head.
I’m not sure I know what I’m doing. I’m on this trip to work, not to get distracted by the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.
Yet it looks like that’s how it’s going to go.
Because I’m absolutely not going to deprive myself of her. Not for anything.
* * * *
Once we landed, I talked Maddie into sharing a car with me. After arriving at the resort, I helped her to her room before going in search of mine. But I couldn’t sleep. Thanks to jet lag, I never slept well after landing in foreign countries, so I decided to lose myself in some work.
I like to document the flight time, the ease in which I was able to get to my destination, and what I thought of the airline. Then I do the same with the resort.
I jot down some thoughts about the ride from the airport.
I don’t mention the sexual tension that bounced between Maddie and me like a ping-pong ball.
I don’t think my boss would appreciate that added narrative.
But now, several hours later, I decide to walk around the resort and interview some staff. It’s Christmas, but the hotel will still have staff available for the guests. It’s mid-morning, but the sun hasn’t risen yet for the day, and all the lights hung for the holidays sparkle as I walk through the lobby to the desk.
“Can I help you?”
Before I can answer, I see Maddie out of the corner of my eye.
“Sorry, just a second.”
I step away to watch her. She’s walking with another woman who looks a lot like her, and two younger-looking men. They’re all laughing as they walk into the restaurant with its gourmet breakfast spread for the guests to enjoy.
I walk in behind them, watching as they load up plates and then fill a small booth against the windows that frames the gorgeous waters of the blue lagoon.
Maddie looks around, her brown eyes wide as she takes it all in. Her lips move, and although I can’t hear her, I can see what she says.
This is amazing.
I decide to shoot her a text.
Me: You look well rested.
She pulls her phone out of her pocket, reads the text, and then scans the room until she finds me.
She doesn’t smile, she simply looks down at her phone and replies.
Maddie: I got a couple of hours. You?
Me: No. Kept thinking about you.
I glance up in time to see the woman I assume is her sister looking over her shoulder before peppering Maddie with questions.
The sister’s eyes find me, and she grins, bumps Maddie’s shoulder, and then steals her sister’s phone, tapping vigorously.
Maddie: Come join us!
Without replying, I walk to the table. With my eyes pinned to Maddie, I smile. “Good morning.”
“Hi,” she says. “This is my sister, Josie, my brother, Drew, and our cousin, Keaton.”
“Nice to meet you.” I nod at each of them, then return my attention to the gorgeous woman I just met yet feel as if I’ve known for years.