4

ESTELLE

Quinn was waiting for me at the door. The villa was too big for both of us but safer, and I valued my privacy very much, considering my current situation.

“I’m early, am I?”

Quinn took the bag of the dinner I brought for him, still wearing the same expression since I left hours ago.

“You’re mad at me?”

“I feel useless. You might as well fire me if you just want to bench me.”

“I have pepper spray and know a few basic self-defense moves.”

“That’s not funny, Estelle. When you are in that situation, you will forget everything you know. You will panic.”

“What situation exactly?” I lifted my chin. “That someone will kidnap me?”

“What if someone will recognize you and spike your drink?”

“I’m sure you paid some locals to tip you if I’m in trouble.”

“You always have answers to everything. I hope we won’t come to that, Estelle, because I would never forgive myself if something happened to you, and I wasn’t there to protect you.” Quinn left, leaving me in the Mediterranean-style living room.

I went to my room and was tempted to check Linden, but there were probably thousands of Linden in the US and a couple in New York. It would likely narrow down to a few heads who had military service. I was tempted to ask Quinn if he knew someone named Linden, but he seemed grumpy lately.

I was always an early riser. When I woke up at five, he was already up brewing coffee.

“Morning.”

“I’ll be on the beach. Do you want me to—”

“No. Just don’t go far from the beach.”

“No lecture and reminders?”

He smiled a little. Quinn was around Linden’s age. He was also attractive, but he was my bodyguard, and no way in hell I would sleep with him, or he would be interested in me. He was here for his job, and maybe he genuinely cared for me, but that was it. We were like best friends.

“What?”

“I better go before the sun toasts my skin. I’ll be right back.”

“Enjoy your walk.”

I always loved quiet and serenity. I passed by a few heads as I strolled down the beach. The air was fresh and salty, and it felt good to walk down without thinking about the chaos at home, my issue with my father, and the businesses I had.

Since I walked away three months ago, I settled the management. Despite being the face of the brand, I stepped down as the CEO of Star LLC and let my mother take over because she was a strong-willed woman, and there was no way she would agree with everything my father would tell her.

How they married and had me when they couldn’t stand together still puzzled me. Maybe that was why they got divorced while I was still eight. Deidre Moore was tough as nails and perfect for the CEO seat. Now I was still running Star LLC as the chairman.

I had to think twice when Linden invited me to a boat ride. First, he looked trustworthy but so as an ax murderer, but something was intriguing about him as if he was hiding something big behind that cool and calm facade. Though sometimes my curiosity got me in trouble, there was no harm in getting to know him.

He didn’t mention he left someone back home, so I assumed he was single. He was not wearing any ring or even a mark on his finger.

When I got back to the villa, Quinn knocked on my door. “Are you decent?”

“Come in.” I put two pairs of swimwear, toiletries, some lotions, shorts, and two dresses into the tote bag.

“Going somewhere?”

“I’m going on a boat with a friend.”

“What friend? How come I didn’t know about a friend?” He came in and stopped beside me.

“That’s why I didn’t tell you I met someone yesterday because you will overreact.”

“This is where you get yourself in danger. You’re telling me nothing. And you’re going without even letting me check who— wait. A guy?”

“Yes. A guy, Quinn, and I kinda like him.”

His brows shot up. “Kinda? What’s his name? Let me talk to the agency.”

I stopped and looked at him. “I thought you and your agency were not on good terms anymore since you didn’t update them.”

“I reached out to Brodan last week, and he reenlisted me. Don’t worry. The agency is tight unless your father hired one of them to look for you, but so far, none. I’m sure your father knows they won’t help him.”

“Is that why you’re so grumpy?”

“No. They couldn’t confirm, but your father hired someone to look for you. That’s why I’m not happy you are doing what you’re doing.”

“I’ll be back tonight. I promise I’ll take care of myself and give you an update every hour.”

“I still don’t agree with you going out alone with a stranger, Estelle. What if he’s that guy.”

“I don’t think so. And if he is, then I’ll just knee him in the balls.”

He chuckled, but the worry was still deep in his eyes.

***

Linden almost left me. Apparently, he was time conscious. Maybe he got it from the service. It was good practice, though.

I went down to him while he was preparing something in the galley. “Can I help?”

“I’m almost done. Just making sandwiches for us.” He was stacking some veggies into the bread. “Any allergies?”

“Liar.”

He froze and stared at me.

“I’m allergic to liars.”

“Aren’t we all?” He blinked.

“Then why do people lie?”

“To protect someone from the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts, and maybe they can’t just face it.”

“Well, he’s a coward. I’ll be on the deck.” I went up and sat pretty on the deck. The sun began to prick my skin. I put some sunscreen on, but I couldn’t reach my back.

“Let me help.”

I turned my head, and he was carrying a tray with sandwiches and two big cocktail glasses. He placed it on the table and took the lotion from me.

I positioned myself so that he could apply the lotion, and a few seconds later, nothing happened. I didn’t feel his hands on my skin.

“What’s wrong?”

He was clenching his jaw as he stared down at my back.

“Should I untie my suit?”

He cursed under his breath before he replied, “No.”

“Are you married?”

“No.”

“Anyone at home? Girlfriend, girlfriends, boyfriend?”

He sighed. “No. It’s just. Fuck. You’re hot.” His voice deepened as if he was holding something back.

I chuckled. “And it’s a bad thing? My back will get burned if you won’t start moving, Gabriel.”

“Linden is fine.” Finally, I felt the lotion and his huge hand on my skin. There was definitely a hesitation, and I could feel the restraint in the movement of his fingers, but he was exploring, causing heat to pool in my belly. His touch awakened something inside me— a warmth that I never felt in a long time, a gentleness, sincerity, and desire— the unbidden feeling I should not have kept popping into my head.

“Gabriel is better unless it reminds you of something or someone.”

“Whatever, Estelle.” When he was done, he didn’t think twice. “Done.”

When I got up and turned around, he was nowhere near me. Then a splash of water from the sea indicated that he had just jumped off the boat.

The water was too deep for me, so I just watched him swim like a diver. He was already shirtless, nothing but his shorts, but there was no mistake of those hard muscles on his back.

“Are you just gonna watch from there?”

“That’s too deep.”

“I thought you could swim.” He turned around, facing the boat.

“In the swimming pool, duh. And on the beach, not in the freaking ocean.”

“Come on.” He gestured his hands. “I’ll catch you.”

“No thanks.” I went to the bench and put my glasses on before I picked up the pink cocktail he made earlier. I took a sip of it. It was delicious.

I lay down. The sky was so blue. Sometimes people compared it to my eyes, and the heterochromia in my left eye called it the dark clouds. I used to call it a flaw, but I learned to embrace my flaws because no one was perfect.

Then a shadow just blocked the sun. “You don’t trust me.”

“I do.” I got up and realized I’d been ogling at the tattoos covering his left shoulder to his arm and on his right abs. I was right. Those muscles and abs looked smooth yet hard, making my fingertips itch. “I know you will catch me, but I’m not ready to get wet.”

“You’re scared?” He sat next to me in the empty chair.

“Of course I am.”

“Thanks for your honesty.”

I grabbed my phone beside me and took a selfie, then I moved to his side and took another shot.

“You could just ask me.”

“You look cute.” I looked at the picture I had taken. He looked even hotter in a stolen shot that emphasized his jaw, nose, and thick lashes that I now envied.

“Cute? Thanks.”

When he was not looking, I quickly sent the picture to Quinn.

ESTELLE: Look up Gabriel Linden.

I watched the message appear Sent.