My God, the man is magnificent. Taut muscles ripple across his back, as he picks up his towel to dab his athletic torso in slow motion, before he strolls into the villa without so much as a backward glance.
What just happened? One minute I’m here, there’s sunshine, this amazing pool, the world’s best human wearing only swimming trunks and a hunky smile and the next, I’m sulking for England in my room as I pack my one wet belonging into my case. I towel-dry my hair, pin it into a top knot, slip into my short shorts and yesterday’s poncho top.
I wheel the empty case to the door and try to be grateful for the time I’ve spent here. I slap on a smile for Cam as he picks up his car keys. He’s blissfully unaware that he’s adding insult to injury by looking and smelling fabulous.
I open the door and feel the warm breeze blow through. My heart sinks a mile at the thought of leaving.
‘Libby, wait. You came a long way to be on the show. I’m sorry if, in some way, I have ruined that for you.’
He looks so genuine. I ache to throw my arms around him. ‘No. No, you haven’t. It’s not your fault I’m leaving. I’m the one who shouldn’t have come in the first place. I’ve absolutely loved the few days I’ve had here.’ Now is a good time to inspect my footwear. I keep my eyes trained on my sneakers. ‘With you.’
Silence and plenty of it while we think of what to say next. Me, trying not to let him see the effect he has on me, sparkles shooting from my eyes that type of thing, and him, wondering how to politely remind me that he isn’t interested in me like that.
‘Leave the case. You won’t need it.’
I frown. ‘Why? What’s going on?’
Cam throws me a bittersweet smile. ‘There isn’t a flight available today. And…’ He gives me a meaningful look. ‘I’m not sure I made myself clear last night.’
‘You seemed pretty clear to me.’
He tilts his head. ‘I didn’t want to confuse you.’
‘Confuse me?’ I say. ‘I think we both know what I wanted. The confusion is with you. I mean I get it,’ I tell him. ‘Last night. You’d get sacked if we were caught… you know, wouldn’t you?’
‘It’s not that. What if you’d got the call and decided to go into the villa. I didn’t want you to feel awkward about having to go with other…’
‘But I don’t want to go with other…’ I can’t bring myself to finish the sentence. There’s no chance any woman with a pulse would choose any other man over him.
He clears his throat nervously. ‘Are you saying that you…?’
I blink slowly. ‘Areyousaying that you…?’ I say, taking a step towards him.
You could cut the sexual tension with a knife.
He instinctively reaches for me. Our faces inches apart, his strong arms holding me tight. I wrap my arms around his neck pulling him closer. I feel the heat of his skin on mine. The energy between us suddenly changes. This is it.
The moment.
The build-up to the kiss has commenced yet again and fireworks are going off in my brain.
The kiss is forthcoming. Cam’s gaze has shifted to my lips.
If he doesn’t make a move, then I definitely will because he fancies me. I’m one hundred percent certain of it. I reach slowly behind me to close the door when a shadow falls over us.
‘Well, this looks cosy!’
We spring apart. Porscha is standing looking furious, hands firmly on hips, legs wide apart as though she’s a politician on stage at a public rally, head tilted to one side.
She looks from Cam to me, and back again. ‘Someone want to tell me what the hell is going on?’
Chapter 14
Cam and I exchange a panicked look. We were so, so close to sealing the deal. I’m gutted. I can feel the dopamine ebbing from my brain.
‘We were saying goodbye,’ I say, stepping away from Cam. ‘Cam was just helping… me… with my bags. I get very emotional at goodbyes. I’m not good with that sort of thing. I have overactive hormones.’ I am speaking so quickly that it all sounds very, very untrue by the time it peters out.
Porscha looks down at my one tiny case and shakes her head at me. ‘I can see why you need help with it.’
