Page 7 of Sweet Talker

“Absolutely.” I grab the suitcases and lead her toward the front door. “We can catch up on what we missed, or what we were supposed to talk about… or whatever.”

“Okay.” Sara bites her lower lip, a shy smile causing one side of her mouth to curve upward. I point her toward the boardwalk path leading to her room, and while she enjoys the view of the arbutus trees lining the path, I’m enjoying watching her backside wiggle.

“Ask me about anything you want to do, and I can help you book a tour or whatever else you may need help with.”

She glances over her shoulder and smiles, her eyes twinkling. “Okay, sure. I mean, I could probably do it myself, but if you don’t mind helping me out, that would be great.”

“Local knowledge is always useful.”

“Well… I want to see the Emerald Princess,” she says, pulling the brochure from her back pocket. I take a longer stride and we fall into step, now walking beside each other. “I’ve heard you’re the right man for the job,” she jokes.

I shake my head and chuckle, feeling more relaxed in her company than I have in years.

“I see Annie’s been promoting my services. But don’t worry, I offer discount rates for the people I like.”

Sara grins, blushing a stunning shade of scarlet.

“Are you here on your own, with friends, or…” I let the question hang. I don’t know anything about her, including whether she has a significant other.

“I’m on my own and want to do a little sightseeing.” She glances toward the forest. “This place is so beautiful. So quiet and peaceful.”

“Too quiet,” I chuckle. “I would have thought a beautiful young woman like you would be up for a different type of holiday.”

She drops her gaze to the ground, and her features are obscured by a curtain of blonde hair.

“Thanks again for helping me today,” she says, changing the subject.

“There’s no need to thank me, Sara. I’m just glad I was able to help, and that you’re feeling better.”

“You were so good at that. How did you know what to do?” Her tone is light and flirty, and I know the timing of what I’m about to tell her is shitty. I’m usually guarded with my personal information, but I want to share this with her.

“It’s a long story, but my little boy has anxiety,” I tell her.

She flinches and glances at my left hand. Her brows knit together in confusion when she doesn’t see a ring. She must feel the spark between us as well, or she wouldn’t have reacted that way.

She tears her eyes away from me. “I’m sorry,” she says, softly. “I didn’t mean to pry into your business.”

I’d prefer she know all about me upfront; that way she can make up her own mind about me. It will be better coming from me, rather than her hearing it from someone else, like Annie or Reid.

“I’m not married, I never have been. And I’m not in a relationship. Chase is my nephew, but he lives with me.”

Her shoulders soften, which I take as a good sign. I don’t want to dump all the details on her right now, but I will tell her everything when the time is right. I want her to know she can trust me, and I don’t want to accidentally hit on any of her triggers.

“It’s a long story and I’m happy to share it with you, but maybe a little later.”

We arrive at the suite Annie allocated for her.

While she searches her purse for the key card, I decide to take a chance. “Do you have plans for tonight?”

A smile plays on her lips as she swipes the card to unlock the door. She props the door open, letting me through first with the luggage. It’s a studio suite with glass double doors opening onto a veranda, offering an incredible view across the bay.

She gazes around the room, her lips parted, eyes wide. The four-poster bed dominates the room, and a white tulle mosquito net is draped artfully around it.

“Maybe we could catch up on the work stuff we missed over dinner,” I suggest. Sara inclines her head to the side and purses her lips. I quickly offer an alternative before she can come up with an excuse.

“If dinner makes you feel uncomfortable, we can figure something else out. I wouldn’t do anything to compromise our working relationship,” I tell her as I wipe my brow with the back of my hand.

“Dinner sounds great.” Her voice drops lower, and she gazes at me with heat in her eyes. “You’re a gentleman. You won’t cross any lines.”

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