Who Wants to Marry A Billionaire?(33)
The young woman working in the store held up another hanger, “I have the same suit in navy blue with little white anchors.”
Daniel flashed the black AMEX without even taking his eyes from Nina, “We’ll take that one too… the white sarong, and the giant beach towel with the shark on it.”
Down on the beach, Daniel flapped out their giant beach towel made for two. Nina studied it, “I think you should turn it the other way, otherwise the shark is going to look like it’s biting your ass.”
“Good point.” Daniel reversed the direction and scuffed out of his flip-flops. Nina had already been carrying her new shoes in her hand, so she dropped them. Daniel took off for the water, “Last one in is a big hairy crab.”
Nina chased after him, and they dived into the water. When Nina popped up, she said, “I think you mean a big hermit crab.”
“No, there’s such a thing as hairy crabs.”
“Are you sure?” Nina treaded water. She noticed another couple swimming near them who looked like American tourists. They were whispering, and she was sure they had recognized Daniel just as he blurted in a rather loud voice, “I definitely know about crabs.” Nina watched as they gave Daniel a disgusted look and started swimming in the other direction. She started laughing. “You’re as bad as me.”
Daniel swam closer, “Bad as you, how?”
“Oh, blurting out stuff that sounds terrible when that’s not what you mean.” Bobbing in the waves Daniel looked angelic, Nina thought, innocent. Hardly the hardcore playboy everyone made him out to be. But she reminded herself that looks could be deceiving. After all, a few new clothes, and everyone thought she was Daniel’s fiancé.
Reaching out a hand to push Nina’s curls back from her face, Daniel’s expression softened, “Don’t be so certain you always know what I mean. Sometimes, I’m not even sure.”
A big wave caught them, jostling Nina so that she bumped against Daniel. She felt his arm snake around her waist and pull her close. “Just in case someone is watching,” Daniel said, “I really think that you should give me a kiss.” Before Nina could say or do anything, Daniel’s arm tightened around her, and his other hand cupped her face as his mouth assertively found hers. His lips felt soft, sensual, and Nina closed her eyes and relaxed, her mouth responding in turn. Surely it was okay to enjoy a fake kiss? Another wave crashed over them, and they resurfaced breathless, but Daniel still hung on to Nina’s hand.
Chapter Twenty Three
A flock of parrots flew over them, and Nina pointed up at them, her eyes wide, “Did you see that? Wow!”
“They’re beautiful aren’t they?” Daniel smiled. “There are all kinds of tropical birds up here. Birders, actually, are a great target market for the resort.”
They strolled down a little stone walkway that meandered through orchids and bromeliads, ginger flowers and birds of paradise. Their caba?a was nestled in a grove of mango trees, with a terrace that looked out at the cloud-veiled mountains. Pink bougainvillea climbed the side of the little cottage, and yellow frangipani grew everywhere.
“Did you know that Arturo wasn’t going to be here?” Nina couldn’t help but reach out to touch the biggest orchid she’d ever seen.
Daniel poked her, “How was I supposed to know when his grandson was being born? But he’ll be back in two or three days. That gives us time to strategize, right?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Nina wasn’t feeling motivated to do much besides enjoy the fresh mountain air and the intoxicating smell of everything blooming. “It’s really nice to be away from everyone and everything, you know.”
“Yes, I do know. There’s nothing wrong with us just enjoying ourselves. You should experience the resort like any other guest.”
Daniel slipped the key into the door of their caba?a and pushed it open. There was a nice sized sitting area and a little kitchenette. Nina stepped in and looked around, “This is really nice.”
“And the electricity and hot water are all solar-powered, cool, huh?” Daniel tossed the keys on a table. “There’s more, too.” He pushed a door open to reveal a very nice bathroom, and then another that led to the bedroom. “Oh look, they’ve already put our bags in here.”
Nina went to look. There was a lovely king-sized bed with a mosquito net artfully draped over it. She looked around the rest of the caba?a; the sitting area only had a small wicker love seat and several cushioned chairs, “Where am I going to sleep?”
Rolling his eyes, Daniel said with exasperation, “Really Nina? You’re going to make an issue about being in paradise? I’d need a roadmap to find you in that bed, it’s so big.”
“No, no, you’re right.” But it wasn’t Daniel that she was worried about roaming in the bed.
Not wanting things to get sour, Daniel tried to lighten the mood. “Put your sneakers and some long pants on and we’ll go for a canopy walk. If you want to see parrots—that’s the place to go.”
Nina brightened, “That sounds great!”
While Nina changed, Daniel made a telephone call to let the concierge know their plans. He hung up. “We can drive ourselves to the start point since we have our own jeep, it’s maybe twenty minutes or so. They’ll let them know we’re on our way.”