the bosses’ wives?”
“None of them live in Vegas. But, when I fly back to Jersey every few months, you’ll be coming with me, and you’ll be mingling with them then.” As I moved us a little deeper into the water, she clung to me even tighter. “I have something I want you to listen to, but only when you’re ready.”
A line appeared between her brows. “What is it?”
“I recorded a voice message from Anthony.” I didn’t like her expression, so I cut her off before she could say anything. “Look, I can’t fix what he did, I can’t make it better, and I sure as hell can’t rewind what happened. But he owed you an apology, and I made sure you got one.”
It took several seconds before she responded, “I’m not ready to hear it.”
“That’s okay. It’s there when you are.”
Her legs dropped from my waist, and she grabbed my hand. “I have something I want to show you.”
She led me out of the water and unfolded the towels, spreading them out next to each other. We both sat, and she reached into the cooler. “I got us lunch, but I’m really not in the mood for sandwiches. I’d much rather have this.” She handed me a plastic sleeve of powdered doughnuts. They were the same kind I’d bought when we were kids. “The ones you had made were good, but they were too fancy. These are my favorite.”
“Get over here.”
She laughed so hard as I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her onto my lap.
“How many packs of these did you get?” I asked.
“More than enough.”
“Enough for me to cover your pussy in powdered sugar and lick off every speck?”
“Oh, yes, there’s plenty for that.” She took out one of the doughnuts and popped it into my mouth, laughing again as I coughed out some of the sugar. “I thought about soul mates a lot when I was having that dream. The whole concept really and how I believe they’re revealed only once during our life.” She looked at me over her shoulder. “You’re my soul mate, Garin.”
I kissed the side of her neck, loving how the sun and the salt made her smell. “Do you want to tell me more about that dream?”
“No, not today. Today is all about the beach.”
I pressed my lips against her ear. “Tonight is all about the powdered sugar.”
“And tomorrow is all about Vegas,” she said. “But don’t worry; I’ll tell you sometime soon.”
As she looked out toward the water, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was leaving it behind—every threat Anthony had ever made, every rule, every bit of control. As long as I could help it, Florida was where it would all stay.
“I’m ready to get out of here.” She turned around to face me again. “And I’m ready to start my life with you.”
Forty-One
Kyle
We pulled up to the front of Garin’s hotel, a massive high-rise situated in the middle of the strip. The front was all glass. Deep blue lights shone onto the cars, illuminating the entrance. The brick pavers that lined the front were spotless. Everyone was so nicely dressed, everything so well-manicured.
Our doors were immediately opened by the valet attendants. “Welcome back, Mr. Woods,” one of them said.
Garin shook each of their hands. “This is my girlfriend, Kyle Lang,” Garin said to the men.
“Miss Lang,” each of them said as they shook my hand.
Garin pulled me closer to him and placed his hand on my lower back, escorting me to the front door. “Don’t get used to the Miss. It’s not going to last for long.”
I looked at him, my brows drawn together, my lips pursed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He smiled at me. “Mmm, I want to bite that lip right now.”
“Garin…”
His stare intensified. “You know exactly what that means.” He glanced at the doorman. “Javier, it’s nice to see you.”
“And you, Mr. Woods,” Javier replied back.
“This is Kyle,” Garin said. “She’ll be living with me now, so you’ll be seeing much more of her.”
“We’ll make sure she feels right at home, sir.”
I waved at Javier and thanked him, and I smiled as we stepped inside. I couldn’t hide how good all of this felt, having Garin so close, his hand on my body, having him introduce me to his staff, to finally be in his home.
A home that would now be mine.
And, although I’d only seen the entrance of the hotel, it felt more comfortable than my house ever had.
“Do you