Arrogant Bastard - Julie Capulet Page 0,60
four-star hotel next door, with the jet ski dock?”
“Yes.”
“You own that too. We’re going to turn it into a five-star resort, with an infinity pool, a large patio and a full spa. It’ll be connected to the restaurant, so customers can make a getaway out of it. And the yacht with be available for parties and events. A glass-bottomed boat will take clients out to the yacht, which we have permission to moor off shore. I also bought a slot at the marina for it.”
“You did?”
“I did. I had to do something to stop myself from breaking down your door all weekend. So I kept myself busy. The third contract is for the building on the other side of the hotel, the one that stands alone and has its own small sandy beach. You know the one?”
“I love that building. It has those two palm trees framing the front windows. I’ve always wondered what the view would look like from inside.”
“Well, you’re about to find out. Because it’s also yours. It’s three stories, currently divided into six apartments and a roof patio. We can live there, sometimes, when we’re not traveling and doing all the other things you want to do.”
“We’re living together?” Is this really happening? Is it too fast?
“Yes. And no, it’s not too fast. You’re going to take me on. You’re going to let me try and I’m going to get you to fall in love with me.”
I am?
I am. I am going to let him do that. I think he might already be doing it. I think he’s done it already. In that closet.
“We’ll have a manager running the day-to-day operations of the businesses. The contractors will consolidate the residence as you specify. That’s what the design and architecture apps will help with. I’ve got one of the top designers in Chicago coming in to work with us. He’s a friend of mine and he’s the best in the business. And we’ll renovate this space into a larger yoga studio for you, if you’d like to.”
“We will?”
“You can run classes or just use it as a retreat. Whatever you want to do.”
It’s too much. His words—the beautiful ones and the dirty ones—and now this. “Why did you do all this?” I whisper.
“I told you why. To make you happy.”
I reach up to touch his face. The stubble of his beard is rough. I let my fingertips skim the sculpted line of his jaw.
“Do you like your presents?” Hopefully. Like maybe there was a possibility that I wouldn’t. His arrogance retreats and his expression is almost dazed. “I love your face. You’re like a little wood nymph from a magical forest. And the curl of your hair is so sweet. And the color of your eyes, how they change depending on how mad you are at me. I love everything. I couldn’t have dreamed you up, sweet Luna.”
This is going to require risk, of course, the kind of risk that can make or break a person. But to hell with that. What isn’t a risk? This is a risk you’ve been putting off for five fucking years over an innocent mistake, I fully realize in this moment. It’s a risk you’re going to grab with both hands and run with. “I love the presents, Gage. Of course I do. Thank you.”
“I want to give you everything. For you, I want to be the best version of myself.”
“You don’t need to be anything you’re not. And you really didn’t need to do all this.”
“I did need to.”
“So I guess … all bets are off now.”
“All bets are way, way off, sugar pie.”
My phone, which is somewhere inside my comforter, rings. I fish it out. “Hello?”
“Hi, I’m your Uber. I’ve sent you four messages. I’m waiting outside.”
“Oh. Yeah, thanks … but I’m not going to need that ride. My plans have changed.”
“Right. Well, I’m going to have to charge you the cancellation fee.”
“Oh. Sure. Sorry to take up your time like that—”
Gage takes the phone out of my hand and ends the call.
His warm hand eases over the nape of my neck, under my hair, and he kisses me. His mouth is hungry, catching succulently at mine. His tongue sinks into my mouth and a low sound escapes him, like he’s overcome. “Don’t ever be scared of me.” His rasped voice is low and sexy. “I’m going to do everything and we’re going to take each other to the fucking stars and it’s going to be the best thing