Island Affair (Keys to Love #1)(21)
“I mean, I guess our, um, attraction might make us more convincing, you know? Make our relationship more believable? Though we should be clear. This is simply you doing me a huge favor, and me in turn making an anonymous donation to the fire station’s upcoming fundraiser for local schools. We are starting and ending this whole affair as friends. Nothing more. Right?”
He couldn’t tell who she was trying to convince, herself or him, but her logic seemed—
Hell, who was he kidding, logic had absolutely nothing to do with this plan of theirs.
Sara waited, her brow creased with anxious expectation. Her hands wringing impatiently on top of her knee.
Logical or not. He was all in.
Luis turned the key to cut the truck’s engine. “I’m ready if you are.”
A relieved smile spread across Sara’s mouth. And damn if that didn’t make him start thinking about kissing her all over again.
Her cheeks plumped when she grinned. Her eyes flashed with the excited glimmer that made him want to do whatever it took to keep her feeling that way.
Madre de Dios, he was in over his head here. Talk about shaking things up? This was earthquake, Richter-scale worthy.
Thing was, for the first time in a long, long time, Luis didn’t care. Maybe this nutty idea of a one-week pretend affair with this quick-witted, intriguing woman who discombobulated his regimented, mostly solitary life was just what the doctor or, in his case, the Captain had ordered.
The thought had Luis’s body responding as if a station Tone Out had sounded inside his cab. Adrenaline raced through him. His pulse ramped up. Every cell inside him tingled, invigorated and alive.
In a flash of clarity, he realized Carlos had been right. In recent weeks—hell, even longer than that—Luis hadn’t felt this high, this thrill, on the job. Not like he used to. Definitely not since the car accident that had taken the life of a young college student several weeks ago. Dragging him back to a different accident. One with more casualties than the life it had taken.
One that had left him basically treading water. Fighting against a current teeming with a barrage of painful, unwelcome memories. But this entire afternoon with Sara, he hadn’t thought about any of it.
Any doubts he may have harbored were instantly quelled. Instinct reassured him that here, enjoying this welcome reprieve Sara unwittingly offered, was exactly where he was supposed to be.
Now to make sure they made her family believe that, too.
Chapter 6
The rattle of Sara’s suitcase wheels quieted as she and Luis drew to a stop in front of a stately two-story Conch house.
Luis let out a low whistle she took as a sign of his approval.
Like many other restored historic homes in Old Town, this butter yellow beauty beckoned weary travelers with an expansive wraparound verandah on the first floor and matching balcony on the second. Traditional white wooden railings edged their perimeters, while dainty gingerbread latticework accessorized the high corners of each banister.
Vastly different from the stark lines, minimalist structure, and neutral colors of her childhood home, the rental’s warm welcome continued at the top of the five or so white stairs leading to the verandah where it waited with open arms stretching out on either side of the front door painted to match the seafoam green shutters. Off to the left, a pair of rattan rocking chairs and a small, round end table in the same seafoam green, their plump seat cushions covered in a tropical print, created a perfect spot for relaxing. On the right, a matching ottoman and hanging bench swing invited visitors to settle in and get comfy. Potted ferns and gerbera daisies in a bright mix of colors dotted the lower space, while hanging baskets teeming with lush ferns and vines decorated the upstairs balcony.
This home spoke of family gatherings and special memories made, not secrets kept and young spirits wounded by overheard words and unbridged differences.
A deep longing for the former seared Sara’s chest.
“She is a beauty,” Luis noted. “I’ve always been fascinated by these old homes. How renovators take a crumbling structural shell, bring it up to code, and transform it into something like this.” He waved a hand to encompass the stunning building.
“Apparently, my mom fell in love with the idea of staying in an authentic Conch house. She did all kinds of research on their architectural history. Then scoured several rental sites to find the perfect one.”
“This looks about perfect to me. Your mom’s got great taste.” Luis reached around Sara to grasp the metal handle on the white picket fence gate.
“That she does.” Her mom excelled at practically anything she put her mind to. Unfortunately, hands-on parenting hadn’t been a top priority. Sara pressed a hand to her belly, willing the nerves buzzing inside like fireflies caught in a glass jar to calm. “I’m told she also devised a detailed itinerary of all the local tourist spots she plans for us to visit while we’re here.”
He pushed open the gate but stepped aside for her to lead the way up the bricked pathway. “Are you telling me I’m going to have to arm-wrestle her for main tour guide designation?”
Sara chuckled, angling her head to look up at him as she passed by. Buoyed by his presence. “Now that I’d like to see.”
Luis placed his hand on her lower back and fell into step beside her. Warmth from his touch seeped through the thin material of her dress. She started to move away, aware of the temptation he presented but that could only complicate their situation.