My Cruel Lover (Wicked Poison #3) - T.L. Smith Page 0,18

handle this trip? Are you fully organized with your son?”

She pauses writing and places her pen in the notebook and shuts it. When she turns to me, her hazel eyes are warm. “Yes, thank you. He is well looked after by your sister and August. Oliver is familiar with August, and he loves Winter and Rylee, so I am lucky, as I have no family.”

I nod.

Not too much later, the car comes to a stop at the airport. We grab our suitcases and check-in. I purchased both business class tickets, as the flight is just over an hour to the island we are heading to.

“You didn’t have to. I’m more than happy to not fly business.”

“Everyone who’s coming is flying business,” I reply as I step along the jet bridge to the aircraft. She takes a seat next to me, and the flight attendant serves us a glass of champagne.

“I’ve never been on a plane,” she whispers after a few moments of silence, and the plane takes off.

“What?” I say, surprised. “How is that even possible?”

“I’ve never left Australia. And I only left the city when I moved away five years ago, but even then, I drove.”

I look away, raise my eyebrows, shocked at her words.

Looking back, I ask, “Are you scared?” Lifting my glass of champagne, I drink it all in one go.

“No, excited.” And her eyes show it, they are twinkling with nervous energy, but she is animated as well, showing her enthusiasm.

“You should be. This is one of the nicest islands in Australia. It’s absolutely beautiful and not overly crowded.”

After we land, we deplane and board a boat that will take us on the last leg of our trip to the island. The boat also serves more champagne and cheese platers.

“This is so …” her eyes are round with excitement, “… so posh, and probably something I would never have had the opportunity to experience.” She turns to me. “Thank you for letting me come.” Her voice is genuine, and I have to wipe my hands on my pants at her words because, for some reason, they have become sweaty. What’s with that?

“This is a work trip. Just remember that.”

She nods and looks out at the Great Barrier Reef. Her eyes take everything in as we head toward our final destination.

When the boat arrives, I watch her. It’s fascinating to see something through someone else’s eyes. I’ve been here so many times that I’m used to all the glitz, glamor, and opulence.

“Beckham, Jacinta.”

We turn, after we pick up the keys to our villas, to see Adam and James. They each have a cocktail and a smile on their faces.

“Seems you got here safely,” I say.

Adam offers the other cocktail in his hand to Jacinta, who takes the exotic-looking drink eagerly and thanks him.

“I’m afraid what all this drinking could do to me.” She giggles and sips the colorful liquid after she takes a few bites of the cherry on top.

“Meet us down at the pool bar after you’re settled?” They both address Jacinta, and she eagerly nods her head while still holding the cocktail in her hand.

When we get to our villas, which are right next to each other, she looks over to me.

“I’m right to go to the pool bar?” she asks.

“Yes, enjoy yourself.” I walk in and shut the door quietly behind me. The villa is exquisite, one of the best five-star hotels I have ever been to.

I requested villas with pool access, so from both of our villas, you can walk straight out into the large resort pool area and swim up to the bar. The bedroom has a large king bed with four posts. The colors are natural, but the room is anything but plain. The living area has a couch in the corner, and there is a large flat-screen television hanging on the wall. As I continue to check out the villa, I step into the bathroom, which includes a bathtub that could easily fit two people and a shower with two showerheads.

Walking back to the bedroom, situated on the beds in every villa, I have organized a welcome basket. I use the same company every year, and now I don’t even bother asking what they will put in them because I know they are that good.

Looking over at mine it says …

Welcome, boss.

There’s a small bottle of vodka, a voucher to the five-star spa, robe, slippers, eye mask. All custom-made. All personalized with the guest’s name on them.

Changing out of my