“Would you like to have a drink with me?”I startled and banged my head on the bottom of the desk. I could see Bastian's feet in the doorway as I worked my way out from under the antique writing desk.Bastian chuckled, coming over and holding out his hand to help me up. I rubbed the sore spot on my head, and he leaned over to kiss it.“You really should be more careful under furniture,” he teased. “You keep bumping your head.”I stuck out my tongue at him and he kissed my head again, mussing my hair in the process.“So, drinks?” he asked, smiling gently.“Are we actually going to go drink, or will it end up like last time I had alcohol with you?” I grinned at him, remembering our dinner last night. “Because I'm up for either.”Bastian's eyes twinkled and he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into him. I loved the way his body felt, and I pressed closer. I rocked my hips against his and was rewarded with a passionate kiss.“I was thinking drinks at a bar, but you are certainly

I entered the details for the last painting in the room into my tablet. I needed to turn on a light, but the light from the hallway was just enough for me to finish. The appraisal was going faster than I had anticipated, which was wonderful. It meant I could justify spending time with Bastian without feeling guilty about not working.This was supposed to be a job. Except it was so much more than that now. This was a vacation, a job, and something else. A romance? A fling? I didn't know what to call what was going on between Bastian and me. I just knew that I was enjoying it.I still felt a little guilty about my father, but being ahead on my work even helped with that as well. I had continued to receive updates from him, the nurses, and even Jackie. Everyone promised he was doing just fine and that I had nothing to worry about, but I still felt like I had abandoned my father to hook up in the Caribbean. I knew that wasn't true, but it still nagged at me. Working helped that feel bette

One week. One glorious week.I put my swimsuit carefully away in my suitcase. I couldn't believe how fast the week had gone. I needed to find my sandals and put them in next, but I was taking my time and moving as slowly as possible. I didn't want the week to end yet. I wasn't ready for it to end yet. I didn't want this dream to end.The week had been a glorious blur of Bastian, paddle-boarding, art, and the most mind-blowing sex I had ever had. Up until this morning, it had been heaven.I was going to miss Bastian, but I knew it was better for him for me to end it. It wasn't just the sex that made him so amazing, though it certainly didn't hurt. If I ever told him that he was sweet, he would most certainly deny it, but it was true. He was incredibly intelligent with a sharp sense of humor that had me laughing and smiling without realizing it. He deserved someone worthy of him. Someone better than me.He was perfect. And wonderful. And everything I ever wanted.And I had to leave him.

Someone touched me and I nearly jumped out of my seat to punch them.“We've landed, miss.”It was just the flight attendant. I was glad I hadn't started swinging.“Thank you,” I mumbled, wiping drool off my chin. I hated the time change already, more just because it was a change.With bleary eyes, I collected my things and hurried off the plane. A cold wind ripped at my light jacket as I stepped onto the dark tarmac and hurried away from the last bits of life with Bastian. It smelled like snow here. Snow and airplane fuel. I felt sick to my stomach. And cold. So very, very cold and alone.Someone was waving to me at the end of the tarmac. They were big and hidden within a winter coat, but I knew that coat. I knew the worn elbows and faded blue denim of that coat like it was home. I dropped my bags and took off running. It was exactly who I needed to see. My Dad.“Hey there, kiddo,” he greeted me, wrapping his big arms around me as I nearly knocked him over with my hug. I held on to hi

Flying coach sucked.Flying coach with three layovers sucked even more.I arrived on the island bleary-eyed and exhausted the next morning after scrambling to get a last minute ticket. I had paid through the nose, but as I took a deep breath of tropical air, I knew it was worth it. I had to see Bastian. I had to tell him how I felt or I would never be able to forgive myself.I stopped in the tiny airport's bathroom and did my best to straighten my dress and fix the disaster that was my makeup. Sleeping with a stranger's head on my shoulder while my legs cramped under me was not a beauty regime I could get behind. I sighed at the mirror and put on a brave smile. I was here to see Bastian, not to look pretty. It shouldn't matter how I looked. He would still be excited to see me, not my makeup.I hoped.I took a deep breath and went to find a cab. The ride back to the mansion was longer than I remembered it.What if he doesn't want to see me? What if he's found someone else? What if he h