Claire was left on the beach with her thoughts for company. She glanced back towards the house. Chance didn’t seem like such a bad idea. Besides, he couldn’t make her do anything she didn’t want to. But then, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, if she really wanted to do anything.
She removed her shoes and walked down to the edge of the water. The wind was picking up, and her black hair swirled around her face, a welcome feeling. A tangled mess that fell beyond her shoulders, her hair was both her best and worst asset. As she stood there, eyes closed, her toes in the sand and the water tickling her feet each time the waves brought it closer, she felt at peace. She was so caught up in her own world she didn’t see or hear the pilot until he had approached her and cleared his throat to get her attention.
“Oh, sorry,” she said when she opened her eyes and saw him standing there. “I didn’t see you.”
“So I see,” he said and smiled. “The Caribbean is my favorite place to be at any time of the year. It never gets old standing here and looking at the water. I think in another life, I’d be the captain of a ship instead.”
“It’s really nice,” she said and turned to him, “so peaceful.”
“It is,” the captain said.
A few seconds of comfortable silence passed, and Claire looked up to the captain. “So what’s going on with the plane?”
“The good news is the plane is in great condition to get us to St. Lucia. The bad news is the weather is really bad. There’s heavy rainfall blocking our path. We are going to have to sit it out and hope it clears by morning. The Caribbean is very romantic and peaceful but can be unpredictable. At least we have somewhere to sleep.”
“Will all of us fit in that house?” she asked him, gesturing toward the mansion. “I know it’s big, but…”
“No, some of us will stay in the plane, but the owner is allowing the use of his amenities for those who would like to freshen up. There are several bedrooms for those who choose to sleep there, but it won’t fit us all. I’ll remain on the plane with other passengers who prefer staying there.”
“I think I’ll stay on the plane as well,” she told him. She looked up at the house and turned back to the sea. “I don’t want to get too comfortable. I might not want to leave.”
The captain laughed. “I understand what you mean. It is a hell of a house. I bet being inside would compare to a five-star hotel.”
“More like a seven-star hotel,” she laughed. “Were you on your way to the house?”
“No, on my way back to the plane and saw you. Wanted to let you know what our sleeping options are. Have a good night,” he said as he smiled at her.
“Thank you,” Claire said as she smiled at the man. She hadn’t seen her mother return yet. She turned in the direction she had last seen her and started out to find her. Surely she wouldn’t be in the company of the man still. As she rounded the bend, she ran into her.
“Mom, I have been looking for you,” she said sternly, as if their roles had been reversed. “Where have you been, and who was that man?”
“I’m a grown woman, Claire. I can take care of myself,” Willow told her as she pushed past her daughter. She looked light and free and walked with a bounce that unnerved Claire.
“Mom, who was that man?
“Too many questions,” Willow said as she turned to her and grinned. “Now, what shall we have for dinner? I’m starving.”
Claire followed her, and suddenly she felt silly that her mother seemed to be having more fun than she was. She passed the house and looked up. She could see a string of people lining up to go into the house. She looked at the balcony, and her heart stopped when she spotted him standing there like before, looking directly at her.
CHAPTER 5
Chance was unfamiliar with rejection. As a matter of fact, until a few moments ago, he hadn’t known what it felt like. He stood on his balcony looking down at her as she walked along the beach. There was a simple innocence and beauty about her that attracted him. He had been with many women, but as a precautionary measure, he never got too close to anyone. It was easier to remain emotionally unavailable in relationships. And as he got older, he had earned quite the reputation for it, and he cherished being a bad boy. He felt powerful because he could get anything he wanted easily. He grew up a privileged child, and money commanded respect and attention throughout the world.
But this new game of chasing after a woman who didn’t care about him was not the sort he was familiar with, and it rattled him.
He had been waiting on his balcony all evening, hoping she’d come around to the house or at least get close by for him to see her again. He had seen her when she had looked up, but he wasn’t sure she had seen him. Her friend was already here, so he doubted she would come up alone. Maybe she would choose to stay on the plane overnight. A scowl moved over his face as he lifted the bottle of beer he was holding to his lips. He needed to know more about her, even if it meant asking her friend about her.