Page 50 of The CEO's Sweetheart Deal
"Okay," I say, so softly I'm not sure he hears me at first.
His brow furrows slightly. "Okay?"
A smile breaks across my face, surprising even me with its strength. "Count me in. Let's see where this goes."
The relief and joy that transforms his features is almost comical. Without warning, he pulls me into his arms, lifting me slightly off the ground as he kisses me. I'm vaguely aware of a smattering of applause from onlookers in the lobby, but I can't bring myselfto care. Not when Oscar's lips are on mine, warm and insistent and full of promise.
When he finally sets me down, we're both breathless, and I can't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all — Oscar standing in the middle of a hotel lobby in his robe and slippers, me with wet hair, both of us grinning like idiots.
"What now?" I ask, still not entirely believing what's happening.
His smile turns mischievous as he takes my hand, interlacing our fingers with a deliberate slowness that makes my pulse quicken.
"Now," he says, tugging me gently back toward the elevators. "We go back upstairs. I believe we still have a few hours before our flight."
Heat rushes to my cheeks as I let him lead me across the lobby, the weight of my luggage forgotten in my other hand, the weight of my fears forgotten in my heart.
I’m no longer running from the past. No longer running from the pain, running from memories of Oscar.
I'm running with him.
CHAPTER 21
OSCAR
Another hour in the hotel room turns into two, the minutes ticking dangerously close to the time we need to leave San Diego. Which also means leaving this perfect little bubble we’ve built around ourselves, and to my shock, I discover I don’t want to go back to Seattle at all.
I want to stay right here. With Alice. For as long as possible.
"We should probably start packing," she murmurs, though she makes no move to leave the tangled sheets. "Our flight leaves in a couple of hours."
I trace my fingers along her collarbone, savoring the shiver that runs through her at my touch. An idea forms in my mind, something I've never considered before — not with any woman, and certainly not when I have meetings scheduled and deals to close.
"What if we didn't go back today?" I ask, surprising even myself with the suggestion.
She turns to look at me, her brow furrowed. "What?"
"Let's stay," I say, the idea taking firmer shape as I speak it aloud. "Let's extend our trip a few days. Just you and me."
She pushes herself up on her elbow, studying my face as if checking for signs that I'm joking. "Are you serious? We have so much work waiting for us in Seattle. The facility needs to be?—"
I silence her with a kiss, soft and persuasive. "All of that will still be there next week," I whisper against her lips. "When was the last time you took a real vacation?"
She pulls back, considering. "I can't even remember."
"Exactly. Neither can I." I cup her face with my hand, struck by how right this feels. "We've earned this, Alice. A few days away from everything."
I can see the internal struggle playing out on her face — a mirror of what I was feeling a minute ago. Now, though, I’m sure. The world won’t fall apart if we take off for a few days. My staff are highly capable, every single one of them, and they can pick up the slack for a bit.
"I don't know, Oscar…" She bites her lower lip. "Everything is still so crazy since the acquisition, and–”
"All of that craziness can be handled remotely if absolutely necessary," I cut in. "Or postponed." I prop myself up, looking at her intently. "When did we become these people, Alice? So consumed by work that we can't take a few days for ourselves?"
Something in my words seems to reach her. A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. "Says the workaholic himself."
"Who's trying to reform," I counter with a grin. "Starting now."
She laughs, the sound warming me from the inside out. "Three days," she finally says. "We can stay three more days."
