Page 51 of The CEO's Sweetheart Deal
Victory surges through me. I reach for my phone on the nightstand, already making plans. "I'll cancel our flight."
"And I need to call Sydney, let her know I'm not coming back yet." She stretches, the sheet slipping down to reveal more of her perfect body. "God, she’ll love this. She’s been insisting that I’m not over you since you showed up."
“And was she wrong?” I ask with a teasing grin.
I send a quick email to my head assistant, instructing her to clear my schedule for the rest of the week. As I hit send, another thought strikes me. "We shouldn't stay in the hotel."
Alice raises an eyebrow. "No?"
"No." I pull up an app on my phone, scrolling through luxury vacation rentals in the area. "We need somewhere more private. More special."
I turn the screen toward her, showing her a stunning beachfront property with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private stretch of sand. Her eyes widen.
"Oscar, that looks incredible, but?—"
"Money isn't an issue," I say gently, knowing her hesitation. "And I want to create the perfect space for us to be together. No distractions."
She studies the photos, her expression softening. "It is beautiful."
"And available starting today." I place a finger on the 'Book Now' button, waiting for her approval. "What do you say?"
She hesitates only briefly before nodding. "Let's do it."
A few hours later, we’re arriving at the beach house via rental car, a bag of groceries in hand and the next few days unfurling like a red carpet before us, full of cinematic possibility.
The beach house is even more spectacular in person, perched right at the edge of the ocean, with tall fences on each side providing privacy from neighboring homes. Inside, an open floor plan showcases views from every room. A floating staircase connects the three levels, leading up to a master suite with its own terrace, and down to a private beach.
"This is unbelievable," Alice breathes as we step inside, dropping her bag in the entryway. She moves to the wall of windows, gazing out at the endless blue of the Pacific. "It's like something from a dream."
I come up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and resting my chin on her shoulder. "Better than the hotel?"
She turns in my embrace, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Definitely. Though I haven't seen all the rooms yet."
"Allow me to give you the tour," I say, taking her hand. "Let's start upstairs."
We only make it halfway up the floating staircase before Alice stops, turning to face me. The sunlight streaming through the windows illuminates her face, making her look almost ethereal. I'm about to ask why she's stopped when she presses her body against mine, backing me against the railing.
"I've always had a thing for staircases," she whispers, her hands sliding under my shirt.
Heat floods through me as her fingertips trace my skin. "Here?" I manage to ask, though I'm already pulling her closer.
"Here," she confirms, her lips finding mine.
What follows is a blur of sensations — her body pressed against mine, the cool metal of the railing at my back, the warmth of her skin under my hands as I lift her, turning so that she's the one against the wall. Her legs wrap around my waist, and I'm lost in her — the taste of her mouth, the sound of her gasps as I trail kisses down her neck, the way she whispers my name like a prayer.
We don't make it to the bedroom for a long, blissful while.
Afterward, she decides to unpack and shower while I figure out dinner arrangements. Instead of calling for reservations at a restaurant, I order gourmet takeout — fresh seafood, artisan bread, local wine — to be delivered. While waiting, I explore the property, discovering a garage stocked with beach essentials: chairs, umbrellas, towels, and — perfect for my impromptu plan — a stack of firewood and a portable fire pit.
Carrying the supplies down to the beach, I set up a cozy arrangement at a safe distance from the water. The sun is beginning to set as I arrange the firewood, creating a perfect pyramid structure. By the time I've got the fire started, the food has arrived, and I catch a glimpse of Alice in a bathrobe through the window.
I quickly arrange the meal on a small table I've set up near the fire and open the wine to breathe. Everything is ready just as Alice emerges onto the deck above, wearing a simple sundress that takes my breath away.
"What's all this?" she calls down, her expression a mix of surprise and delight.
"Dinner," I reply, gesturing for her to join me. "With a view."
She makes her way down the wooden stairs to the beach, her bare feet leaving imprints in the sand. The golden light of sunset bathes her skin, making her glow. It’s a simple moment, but also perhaps the most perfect one in all my life, watching her make her way towards me.
