Island Affair (Keys to Love #1)(30)
But it was more than generational differences. Luis sensed a stronger undercurrent of disconnect going on here. At the same time, Sara’s parents were pretty clear they wanted to steer their family boat in a new direction. One with warmer waters between them.
Unfortunately, when it came to family dynamics and making up for past mistakes Luis knew firsthand it was easier said than done.
For Sara’s sake, he hoped she could find her way across whatever impasses lay between her and the individual members of her family. So she no longer felt stranded on one side, alone.
Once again, Luis made a mental promise to do whatever he could this week to make that happen.
“Okay, everyone, the clock is ticking,” Ruth announced. “Twenty-minute warning. You’ll get another with ten to go.”
Like well-trained firefighters following their captain’s orders, the rest of Sara’s family marched inside. She pushed slowly up from her rattan deck chair, releasing her grip on Luis’s hand to fall quietly in line behind the others.
“Oh, Luis, there’s a basket with toothbrushes and basic toiletry items in your and Sara’s bathroom,” Ruth told him. “Feel free to use anything, since you haven’t brought your suitcase over yet.”
The implication being that he was eventually bringing his suitcase to stay overnight with them. Problem was, at home he slept in his own king-sized bed, mostly to make up for the nights spent cramped in a single at the station. However, that little queen mattress upstairs meant he and Sara would be getting a hell of a lot cozier than either one of them had anticipated.
His mind instantly flashed back to the brush of their lips in his truck. The almost kiss that teased him with the sweet sample of her mouth against his. The warmth of her smooth skin along the back of his hand when he playfully tugged her hair. The anticipation and awareness of wanting more. Much more.
As he followed Sara to the stairs at the front of the house, he reminded himself that this was only pretend. They were helping each other get through this week and the personal challenges it presented for them both. Though Sara had no idea about his, and Luis intended to keep it that way.
Sure, he might admire the gentle sway of her hips as she took each step. Or think about running his palm up the soft skin along the calves the peach hem of her dress played with. Stopping her at the second floor landing so he could lean in, breathe deeply of her light citrusy scent, press slow, lazy kisses up the smooth column of her throat.
Sí, he might think about doing all those delicious things with her. But he wouldn’t. Couldn’t.
Sara had made it clear, when this charade was over, she hoped they’d wind up as friends.
No matter that the attraction luring him to her like the age-old siren’s call that lured fishermen to certain ruin the world over felt all too real.
Chapter 8
“I am so sorry about all that.” Sara rounded on Luis as soon as he closed the bedroom door behind them. This was much more complicated than she had anticipated.
Luis did a quick double-take shake of his head. “Uh, I’m not sure what you’re apologizing for. I thought we did okay.”
She waved off his words, turning and crossing the small space to plop on the queen bed with its coral-reef-inspired comforter.
“You were great, thanks. But my family.” Sara heaved a sigh laden with what the hell is going on? doubts. It was like she’d walked into a Twilight Zone episode where some things were the same but others weirdly off in a delayed answered prayers kind of way.
Pressing her fingers to her temples, she massaged at the stress headache threatening. “Everyone’s acting weird. Especially my mom. I mean, Robin’s . . . well, Robin. Always blunt and opinionated. With no qualms about sharing hers. And, annoyingly, she’s usually right. In a crisis, she’s the one you want around. But her bedside manner, sheesh, leaves much to be desired.”
“Well, let’s hope we don’t encounter a crisis. If we do, I’m pretty good in a pinch if I do say so myself. Should I need a wingman’s assistance, I’ll know Robin is the one to rely on,” Luis answered, not sounding even the slightest bit annoyed by Robin’s rudeness. “Jonathan seems like a good guy to depend on, too.”
His big frame dwarfing the already-small room, Luis crossed to the light-stained wood plank extending along the length of the outside wall, where the ceiling angled down. The plank served as a makeshift desk in the center, with two white drawers holding up either end. Dragging out the wicker desk chair, he swiveled it around on one leg to straddle it, then draped his tanned forearms along the backrest.
“Outside of that, you can count on me to help you volley back anything she lobs your way. Though I couldn’t help but notice you didn’t seem inclined to do that yourself. Any particular reason why?”
The keen, sincere interest in his dark brown eyes made it difficult for Sara to dodge his question. Even if admitting the ineptitude she always experienced around her accomplished sister wasn’t high on her favorite things list.
Late afternoon sun shone through the large skylight on the angled ceiling behind Luis, brightening their room. She squinted at him, considering how much to divulge while also distracted by the man himself. His dark closely cropped hair, sharp angular features, and bronze skin were a contrast to the wispy clouds and light blue sky framed behind him. Her real-life Vin Diesel, playing the role of an avenging angel, come to help save the day.