Love's Grand Tour

pte

sha'

a little longer, but I had to push those thoughts aside. A new

nt I stepped in, the sweet scent of toasted bread and freshly b

ed as I walked

p," he said wi

breakfast?" I asked,

, scrambled eggs... I also made sandwiche

my mind was elsewhere. How was I going to te

ered in my mind, gnawing at

oday as well?" Adrian asked

cing a smile. "Ye

I want to take you," he said, hi

h? You already had

sed, taking a s

feeling settled in my chest. At least I could

g engaged in different activities around the hou

around the large compound. It was a sight to behold-everything was placed per

s in full bloom. The sight was too inviting to ignore. I made my way over and settl

hing I had endured, everything I had conquered. I had come so far, despite the odds. At a tender age, I

deserved my flowers. I had fought through so much, and no matter wh

an's

t one of the finest restaurants in town-La Mer. I could go on about how exquisite the place

ant Natasha to have the best experience in Hawaii

miles-a facade she carefully maintains. And as much as I want to know what's behin

nts while she's here. Least I forgot, I also

sha'

aded back to my room to get ready for the evening. As I s

he moment I pulled out the dress inside, a wide smile spread across my lips. A s

you li

t? I l

giddy. It was perfect-elegant yet subtly sexy. He really knows how to pick for a

irror. The fabric hugged my figure in all t

of my room and walked toward the liv

uxedo. The color complemented his features perfectly. His dark hai

d in my chest a

Because we looked like a couple-one of those effortlessly perfect pairs. And if we wer

r

an's

so nervous?

ed for Natasha to appear. I had deliberately chosen an outfit th

and then-finally

e that, my b

er, hugging her curves in just the right way. The subtle shimmer of her accessories only added to her e

ghtly open, yet

ased, her soft voice pulling me from my tran

" I murmured, rubbing the back of my neck. "You just look

her lips. "Really? Well,

"I wanted to

did," she admit

ved how effortlessly it lit up her fac

d to be the reason she

sha'

and I could feel the te

y heart raced with anticipation. This is it, I thoug

tten my hope

My breath caught as my hair cascaded down, brushing against my skin. Cau

air down," he murmured, his

ed a few strands, his fingers grazing my cheek ever so sli

e asked, offe

lied, slipping m

her, the night ahead of us fill

m, filled with quiet anticipation. The moment we pulled in

his can't

My heart pounded with disbelief. Goddamn it, not in a thousand years did I think I'd ever ste

n here?" I asked, my v

ed at my reac

rther, he grabbed my hand. "

-he had reserved an entire private dining room for just the two of us. No

he waiter. Moments later, a bottle of champagne w

hope you like it," Adrian

eathtaking view of the city skyline. The lights twinkled like tiny

with a soft smile. "I love it. I can't

hing. "This is pretty much n

of side dishes. Each bite was a burst of flavor, and I couldn't help but savor

of champagne. The cool night breeze brushed against my ski

le, I felt like I was exact

eciate it," I said softly, trailing

. "That's the least I can do for my guest. And besides, Raymon

lcome reminder through my mind-I would be leaving Hawaii

ld he t

a soft touch on my cheek

ri

he slowly leaned in. My breath hitched. My heart raced. This was th

is-not when I kn

I blurted out, my voic

, his brows drawing together slightl

?" His voice was steady, but I c

nning my return to California, and the

le

tment flicker across Adrian's face, but

ce," he said lightly, taking

better. He

n, I..

te," he cut me off abruptly, draining th

s he walked off, my che

ined the

I ha

oth o

on borrowed time-on a fleeting mom

a part of me wishe