Although, you wouldn’t have thought so from the way the girls grumbled, with my sister as the ringleader. They would have preferred to hitchhike back to Paris or sleep at the train station until the next scheduled departure for Paris.
My eyes roamed over the room decorated with luxury, taste, and comfort in mind, but there were no traces of personal effects anywhere.
Probably because he doesn’t stay here often,I told myself.
Careful not to wake Amon, I got up and walked into the bathroom. Here I could see traces of him. Cologne. Toothbrush. There was even one still in the package, and before I could debate whether it was okay to use it, I unwrapped it and brushed my teeth.
I turned on the shower and let the water warm up before stripping out of the shirt and bikini I still wore. I stepped under the water and let it beat down on me, cleansing away my first—and hopefully last—taste of jail and salty air that clung to my body.
Once I shut off the shower, I felt so much better. I dried myself off and spotted a robe hanging on the door. I slid it on, despite it being five sizes too big, and inhaled the familiar scent.
I made it back into the room and found Amon awake.
“Did I wake you?” He shook his head, watching me with an intensity that had my heart skipping. I made my way over and stopped in front of him. The closeness of him and the scent of his robe all around me hummed in my blood, sating a deep longing inside my heart.
“What’s on your mind, cinnamon girl?” he asked, his voice softer than velvet.
“You,” I blurted out, and instantly felt heat flush to my neck and cheeks. It was the truth though.
The six-year-old never forgot the boy with galaxies in his eyes. Mamma died, and he receded into a dark corner, but then we crossed paths again. First when I was fourteen, and now four years later. There had to be something here if life kept putting us on each other’s path. Right?
He let his gaze travel down my body. “Are you wearing this today?”
The corner of my lips curved up and I smoothed my hand down his robe. “Why not? I think I look good in it.”
“You look good in everything,” he drawled. “But your sister might lose her shit.”
I sighed. “Good point.” My eyes darted around the room to find my bag. I only had my bikini and the dress I wore to the beach since we hadn’t been expecting to stay longer.
He stood up, took my hand, and led me to the closet. When it opened, it was packed with clothes in different shades of pink. Shoes in white, pink, green. Accessories.
I couldn’t believe my eyes as I traced my fingers over everything. Vera Wang. Valentino. Chanel. Lilly Pulitzer. Miu Miu.
“Holy shit.” I turned to him, my eyes wide. “When did you have time to get all this?”
“After you went to sleep.”
“But—” My eyes flicked to the closet, then back to him. “There’s so much. No stores are open in the middle of the night.”
He gave me a secretive smile, smacking my butt gently. “I have my ways. Now go get dressed.”
Ten minutes later, we made our way to the deck. The girls sat around the table at the pool, breakfast being served to them. All the girls wore shorts and tank tops, and I slid my hand into Amon’s. “Thank you for getting us clothes.”
“Of course. They’re your family and friends.”
My heart swelled at his thoughtfulness and I squeezed his hand. He ran his thumb over the vein on my wrist, like he knew he was my lifeline. I was floating in the ocean of love, my curly hair splayed out around me, and I didn’t care whether I drowned.
“Will you make love to me later?” I whispered, my heartbeat racing. It was corny as fuck, but damn it, I saw plenty of romantic movies and read cheesy romance novels to have some romance in my heart.
“Hai.” When I gave him a questioning look, he added, “Yes.”
And I beamed like the sun on a clear summer day while the whole world faded away.
Until an abrupt noise startled us both. Phoenix pushed the chair away from the table and prowled over, pushing her phone into my chest. She looked pissed.
“What?” Never in my life had I seen Phoenix speechless. She was good at expressing herself—at least to me—but it would seem she lost that ability today.
Amon made his way to the table and pulled out a chair for me. I lowered myself on it as my eyes flickered to the rest of the girls, searching their faces for an explanation. Raven rolled her eyes. Athena gave me a sheepish smile.