Page 52 of Dr. Stone
“I’m sure that’s not true, but I appreciate the compliment,” I said. “This place feels like some hidden secret…something out of a dream.”
“Ah,” he said, voice smooth, warm, daringly friendly. “Then you’ve noticed the quality I demanded in these private villas. A reflection of myself, actually.”
“The fact that you’re a mysterious secret who only exists in dreams?” I teased.
“Something like that.” His grin was slow, dark, and far too dangerous.
“Go enjoy your privacy,” he said at last. “The staff and butlers will see to anything you desire until tomorrow, love.”
And then he turned away. Shoulders squared, stride deliberate, he disappeared into the night like a storm pulling back to sea—beautiful, consuming, and far too easy to drown in.
I stood there, breath caught, shaking my head with a half smile. Goddamn, that was a near miss. Falling for him would’ve been effortless. That man was a dangerous temptation, the kind you chased even knowing the ground would give way beneath you. And I could already imagine the crash when he decided to take his light with him. That kind of low would’ve gutted me. Relief settled in, sharp and steady, as I realized I wouldn’t have to survive it.
I walked up the limestone steps, past the flickering lanterns, opened the curved door, and stepped into heaven. This villa looked like it had been pulled from the pages of a luxury design magazine, but it was warmer and felt more personal.
The moment I stepped inside, I was welcomed with tranquility and wrapped in indulgence. Every inch of this place dripped with old-world romance, highlighted with sleek, modern lines. The floors were smooth, cool limestone laid in a herringbone pattern.
Tall arched windows were framed by creamy plaster walls that were softened with framed coastal artwork that appeared to be from a local artist. I looked to my left and saw a curved ivory sofa positioned perfectly in front of the stone fireplace, with a quiet flame flickering to add to the ambiance of the room.
All the unnecessary walls had been replaced with windows, designed to frame what I knew would be a mind-blowing view of the Pacific once the sun rose. Just beyond the living area, an expansive terrace stretched out. I stepped onto it, the sound of the ocean immediately wrapping around me. The coastline ran along the entire front of the villa.
A heated infinity pool shimmered under the deep blue lighting, surrounded by teak furniture and clusters of palms. Everything glowed in soft amber, perfectly complementing the moody blue color of the pool. It reminded me of Jace’s place, though, at that moment, I couldn’t help but think his was sexier,even nicer. Objectively, it wasn’t, but apparently, my heart had made its choice. I was clearly biased at this point.
I walked into my room, and as expected, it was nothing less than breathtaking. A grand canopy bed dominated the space, draped in flowing white linen and piled with cream and slate-blue plush pillows. The headboard was carved from reclaimed wood, giving it a rustic vibe to contrast the white bedding.
The bathroom looked like a spa with stone sinks and a free-standing stone tub to offset the creamy marble floors. This place was above and beyond and very much what I would classify asall Titus.
I walked over to the enormous soaking tub and trailed my fingers over the tray beside it, admiring the neatly arranged salts, oils, and the single white orchid in its slender glass vase, when my phone rang—shattering the quiet moment.
“Hey, Avery,” I said. “Everything cool?”
“It’s great. I meant to tell you that while the gents are doing their business mingling tomorrow, we gals are meeting at the spa for breakfast to get our Zen on before we’re forced into the company of all those crazy characters tomorrow night.”
“Sounds great. Titus apologized earlier for leaving me until the Grand Opening celebration but promised to make it up to me.”
Avery chuckled, “Oh, you better make sure he does. What would you have done if Nat and I weren’t here? Wander the damn place alone?”
“Pretty much,” I laughed. “Trust me, I’m easily entertained, especially in this villa.”
“Yeah, I told Jim he did well to invest with someone like Titus. That man has a gift from the gods when it comes to bringing luxury to life.”
“I know what you’re talking about,” I laughed. “Okay, I think I might take an evening swim. Then I’ll call you in the morning to set up a time and figure out where the spa is.”
“Perfect. Oh, and you should really turn that swim into a skinny dip. Everything is hidden and secluded, and no one will see anything. Jim and I just finished the night that way, and now my man will be in the best of moods when he’s forced to mingle with those weirdos tomorrow night.”
I laughed, “I might have to try that.”
“It’s rewarding. Trust me, you won’t regret it.”
The night still felt young, and the idea of skinny-dipping in the pool was undeniably tempting. Knowing this would be my last weekend with Titus—that I was ready to close this chapter and see if something real might grow with the man I couldn’t stop thinking about—I figured I should savor this lavish lifestyle while I still had the chance.
The next morning,I was on my way to meet the girls at the spa. They’d decided on a late start at around two after spending time alone with their men, enjoying breakfast and lunch catered to their rooms. I had done the same, though the man I wanted to share my villa with was back in the States, and the one who had been wining and dining me was nowhere to be found.
I figured that would be the case all day, and I wouldn’t see Titus until dinner. Still, the quiet was nice. I’d had a delicious breakfast overlooking the endless, sparkling ocean my villa gave me a spectacular view of, so I had no complaints.
On my way to meet the girls, I couldn’t resist admiring the otherworldly charm of this serene cliffside resort. I took my sandals off to feel the warmth of the natural stone pathways that led to the spa. The soft sounds of the breeze blowing through the palms overhead and the sunlight casting its brilliant raysthrough the jungle surrounded me, creating a kind of magic that hung in the atmosphere.
The scents of plumeria and lemongrass drifted through the air, adding to the tranquil beauty of the water seeping down the faces of the stone rocks that extended throughout the side of the cliff. Everything about this resort seemed intentional, as if Titus hadn’t just built luxury—he had curated it.
