Page 61 of Regards, Mia

CHAPTER 24

Your Room Or Mine

It’s still winter in Mossy Oak, but it’s always summer in Miami.

The warm breeze caresses my bare skin, and the booze I consumed on the flight heats my blood. I feel free for the first time in months. No more looking over my shoulder, or being scared of my own shadow. No more jumping to do Jordan’s bidding, or pretending with Jay.

For the next few days, its palm trees, sunny skies, and a broad-shouldered man who looks just as biker badass in cotton and linen as he does in denim and leather.

Aviator-style sunglasses cover his eyes, and his hair is loose, falling in thick, textured waves to his shoulders. His purposeful stride eats up the sidewalk, forcing me to double-time in order to keep up. He’s dragging two suitcases—one black, one fuchsia—behind him, because he insisted on me not lifting a finger, but it doesn’t slow him down.

“Stay close,” he says, sweeping his gaze around the area.

My stomach flip-flops. He is still in bodyguard mode, and it is even hotter in Miami than it had been in Mossy Oak.

“If you would slow down a little, I could keep up.” I point at my high-heeled sandals. “These shoes weren’t made for running.”

Jay slows down when we get to the ride share line. Glancingover his shoulder at my shoes, his mouth tightens with disapproval. “You don’t ever quit with the heels,” he says.

“Nope.” I raise a brow at his attire. “And you still managed to wear all black.”

“This is gray,” he says, nodding curtly at his shirt.

“Charcoal is basically black.”

His gaze moves up my bare legs like a hot caress, lingering on my thighs. “Come here,” he says.

My feet move automatically at the sound of his low command. A sizzle of awareness races down my spine in anticipation of his touch. He drops the handle of my suitcase and reaches for me, tugging me to his side.

“Stay close,” he says. “It’s crowded.”

I’m not sure whether to be annoyed or turned on by his overprotectiveness. “We’re not in Mossy Oak anymore. You can relax.”

Jay lowers his sunglasses, pinning me with his dark, serious gaze. “I’ll relax when we get to the island.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing that.”

The corner of his mouth lifts in a faint smile that’s quickly replaced by his brooding scowl. “Let’s just get there in one piece first,” he says, ushering me toward our ride.

The driver hops out of the car, and Jay chats with him in Spanish as they load the bags into the trunk.

Jay opens the door for me, and I slide into the backseat. “I didn’t know you spoke Spanish.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” Jay gets in beside me and says something else to the driver I can’t understand.

“What did you say?” I ask, looking from Jay to the driver, who is grinning at us in the rearview mirror.

Jay takes off his sunglasses, pinning me with his big, dark eyes. “I told him I was about to kiss my girlfriend.” His fingers skim over my collarbone, then curl around the back of my neck. “Is that okay with her?”

Despite all the liquid courage I consumed, I’m suddenly scared shitless.

This kiss is going to change everything.

It will mean no more pretending I don’t want him and he doesn’t want me. No more steeling myself to resist him.

What am I getting myself into?

Jay captures my chin between his thumb and index finger, lifting my face until our gazes collide. The gold streaks in his brown eyes shimmer in the bright sunlight. “I’ll still keep you safe,” he says. “Always.”

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