“Oh, my God!” I exclaim as I reach what appears to be a solarium.
I know right away that I’ll be spending my mornings here doing yoga for the next week.
The entire compound is simply gorgeous.
I really wish Winnie were here to see this. Pictures simply won’t do it justice.
An open floor plan allows the rooms to flow easily from one to another and an abundance of windows let natural sunlight to flood the place.
The master suite floors me. Not only is the room huge, but there’s a private living room attached, as well a study, walk-in closet and a full-out spa that Sebastian calls a bathroom.
I’m in heaven.
“I can’t believe I get to live here for the next week,” I say, trailing my finger along the fine marble of the sink.
Sebastian says nothing. He just leans against the door frame and watches my awestruck movements.
From the window near the tub I can see the backyard and my breath catches at the sight.
The beach is the backyard.
“Everything is so beautiful,” I swoon, touching my touch as I observe the waves lapping against the white sand.
“Yeah… it is,” Sebastian agrees with a funny tone.
When I turn to look at him, I’m thrown off balance at the look of pure male appreciation in his light blue orbs.
Opening my mouth to fill the thick silence, I lose my chance when his phone rings.
Holding up one finger, he excuses himself and leaves the room.
“Sebastian Downs,” his deep voice says as way of greeting. Left alone, I return to the sink and study my reflection in the mirror mounted above it.
My cheeks are flushed, my green eyes wide and chest heaving.
What the hell is happening to me?
“I have to go handle something,” Sebastian says, his presence filling the doorway once again.
“Oh, okay.”
Turning away from the mirror, I watch him slip his phone into his pocket.
“But I’ll be back for our one-on-one dinner. Does seven work for you?”
“Of course,” I agree easily.
I’m ready now!
“Great.” His smile is charming as he turns on his heel. “I’ll see you then. Get settled and let the staff know if you need anything.”
His strides are measured and confident as I watch him retreat.
I suppress the urge to squeal and race over to my suitcase to find something to wear.
CHAPTER FOUR
SEBASTIAN DOWNS
Alone, in my Jeep, I handle the curves of the road skillfully and head back to my hotel for an emergency video conference with our overseas partners in Japan.
Usually, I would stay at my place when in town but I’d just turned over the keys to Olivia for a week.
Olivia, Olivia, Olivia.
That woman is trouble on two beautiful legs.
After our dinner tonight, I need to get back to the States.
Of all the people in the world who could have won, I couldn’t believe it was Olivia. The contest had been announced six months ago and ran for that entire time, gaining millions of submissions and tons of media attention.
Everyone wanted to be the lucky soul to win a million dollars and a trip to paradise for a week.
My competent team had done most of the groundwork, running interference on the app and filtering through the top submissions. The only thing left for me to do was pick the answer I liked the most from their top ten, show my face to present the prize today and go for dinner with the winner.
Sounds simple enough, right?
I’ve never been more wrong in my life.
Olivia’s honestly the last person I expected to step off that plane.
Being in the back of the limo with her wreaked havoc on my senses. My cock strained against my zipper so hard I thought it would burst open.
She’s every bit as beautiful now as she was ten years ago and seemingly just as sweet.
In high school, despite her popular status, an air of genuine realness had accompanied her and I’m happy to see that she still possesses this quality.
When she told me that she wasn’t a nurse, I’d done a terrible job at hiding my shock.
Olivia had every last detail of her life planned down to a tee and I can’t but wonder what had thrown her track.
That’s none of my business.
I just need to get through the last part of her prize package — our sit-down dinner — and then I’ll be on my way.
Nothing good can come from dredging up these feelings. They belong in the past and that’s where the hell I will leave them.
I have a growing business to run and she’ll only serve to distract me.
Pulling up in front of the hotel, I throw the Jeep in park and hop out. Tossing my keys to the valet, I rush inside to take of business.
***
Later that evening, I pull up to the house and sigh as I cut the engine.
I have to face her again and I hate myself for feeling like such a wimp.