walked into the kitchen. “Hey.”
Rafe looked up and laid a dazzling smile on her. He stood. “Hi. You look nice.”
“So do you.”
He took the bag from her hand. “Are you ready to go?”
She nodded, then leaned over to give her grandfather a hug. “Call me if you need anything?”
“I won’t need anything. Go and have some fun.”
“I will. Te amo, Abuelo.”
“Te amo, bebita.”
Rafe took her hand in his, and she saw the warm smile spread across her grandfather’s lips. They headed outside, and Rafe tucked her bag into the back seat of his truck. Then he grasped her around the waist and brushed his lips across hers.
“I’m looking forward to having you to myself for a couple of days,” he said.
Her body flushed with heat. She pressed her hands to his chest. “Me, too.”
She climbed into the truck and buckled her seat belt, unable to quell the burst of excitement.
She was going on an adventure with a very hot man at her side.
RAFE HADN’T BEEN TO MIAMI SINCE HE AND HIS BROTHERS had taken a weekend trip several years ago. Not that much had changed. It was livelier and a lot more crowded than Ft. Lauderdale. He liked the beaches here, and the nightlife. Plus, down here he could be totally alone with Carmen. And hopefully, she could take some time to relax.
She seemed to have unwound some on the drive down. He could tell from her body language, the way she leaned back, rolled into the tunes on the radio and grooved in her seat. They’d talked some, Carmen had sung a little, and it had actually been a pretty mellow drive. Just the way he’d wanted it to go. He needed her to de-stress so she could get into the time off.
“Ready for some fun?” he asked as he exited the highway.
She turned to him and smiled. “More than you know.”
He wasn’t yet convinced she was all-in on this excursion, but he planned to make it relaxing and entertaining for her.
“Or we could just check in to the hotel and you can nap for twenty-four hours or so.”
She laughed. “I’m sorry I was so quiet. I’ve been in my head.”
“Second thoughts about this trip?”
“No. My grandpa got dumped by his girlfriend, so I’m worried about him.”
Rafe took a right-hand turn, then frowned at her. “I didn’t even know he had a girlfriend.”
“Neither did I. But I guess they met at bingo and have been hanging out for a few months. She’s only been a widow for a couple of years, and she went to visit her son in Texas recently. I get the feeling her son doesn’t approve of her dating.”
“Huh. I imagine that can be tough on kids who lose a parent.”
“I’m sure it is. I just hate to see Grandpa so upset about it. It’s clear he really likes this woman.”
“Did you discuss it with him?”
“Yes. I told him to talk to her, to let her know how he feels about her.”
He nodded. “Good advice.”
He pulled up in front of the hotel and turned off the engine. Carmen turned to him. “Seriously? This is right on the ocean. And fancy.” Carmen had expected they’d stay a couple of blocks off the beach. Not a place like this. She could hear the sound of the ocean, and all that tension she’d held inside started to melt.
He crooked a smile. “You deserve fancy.”
“But—”
Before she could argue further, he got out of the car and came around to her side to let her out.
“Fancy and expensive, Rafe.”
He held out his hand, and she slid out. “You deserve fancy and expensive. And I hardly ever spend my money on anything fancy and expensive. Besides, it’s only one night.”
She sighed and looked up at the COMO Metropolitan. “Art deco. Gorgeous.”
“Yeah, I thought you might like this one.” He gave his keys to the valet and grabbed their bags.
The interior was white and bright with some old-world charm. It was lovely, with modern touches that made her curious about this place and the entire area.
He gave his name and his credit card at the front desk, then they headed up to their room.
The room was bright and open—and it was a suite, with a living room and a separate bedroom. The walls were a calming seafoam green, and she couldn’t get over the incredible ocean-front views. She wandered into the bathroom, gaping at the deep soaker tub and separate huge shower.
She walked back out and looked at Rafe. “That’s it. I’m never