Page 12 of The Bride's Billionaire

“Boa noite.” Kayla waved to everyone.

Then they turned and ran down the street. He led them back toward where they had met. It was getting super late, into the dark hours of night, but he couldn’t let this end, not yet. “Maybe a walk on the beach?”

Her hand squeezed his tightly, and they slowed to a walk. “Yes. That sounds perfect.”

They ran across the busy street and out onto the sand. She slipped off her shoes, “Ooh, the sand feels cool on my toes.”

He joined her, and they made their way closer to the water. The ocean air felt refreshing as it cooled his heated skin, and the sounds of the waves crashing soothed and brought peace. They stood at the edge of the dry sand, where the water creeped up in front of them and raced away over and over again. “Let’s sit.” The beach was empty except for a group further down gathered around a fire.

He pulled her close, put an arm across her back, and they faced the black water. “This has been an incredible day.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder. “For me too. I should be in bed, preparing for tomorrow, but I don’t want it to end.”

“Shhh. We can’t talk about tomorrow’s responsibilities…” He paused. Should he bring up their possible future? Ask for her number?

She sat up. “You know.” She held out her hands. “Oh gosh. I’m shaking as I think this.”

“Your fear!”

Her nod was slow, hesitant. She turned to look out over the water. “Maybe I’ll just put my feet in.”

He watched her. Did she want to face this? “We’ll be cold.”

She shivered and then turned to him. “How long are you in Rio?”

Yes!He cheered inside. “I was hoping you’d ask that question. I’m here for at least a week, on business.”

Her face lit. “So am I.” She raised an eyebrow. “And the way I see it, you owe me some fear therapy.”

He laughed. “Fear therapy? Is that what we are calling torturing each other with our worst fears?”

“Well, yes. So…” Her eyes held hope and the tiniest flash of insecurity.

“Absolutely. I’m in. I owe you. We will find a time this week to go swimming at night.”

She leaned back into him. “Oh, I’m so relieved. I just couldn’t face that right now.”

His chuckle shook them both. “Let’s talk. When you were little, where did you see your life going?”

As he sat on the beach, listening to her joke about her girlish dreams, a great satisfaction filled him. On its heels, a hope slid into his heart.

This was a woman he wanted more of in his life.

Chapter 5

They sat and talked and then walked along the water until the sun peeked up over the horizon. As soon as it did, they headed back up toward the Rua de Provencal.

Standing in front of the wedding dress shop window in the early hours of the morning, she laughed. “I feel like I should thank my friend. I never would have met you if I hadn’t been in that window making a spectacle of myself.”

“A stunning spectacle.” His grin was soft, tired, and warm.

“I can’t believe how comfortable I feel around you.”

“Well, consider all we’ve done tonight.”

“True.” Thinking back over their night, she wanted to tuck it away someplace safe so she could relive it sometime. But the brighter the sky became, the more urgent she felt about heading back to the hotel.

He pulled her close and wrapped her in his arms. “Thank you for this amazing night.” He ran his hands up and down her back, and she wanted to melt into him, stay with him. But she had work to do, so she was the first to pull away.

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