Chaos churned the thoughts in Genie’s head. Her heart pounded against her chest. He owned the hotel? All this time, she’d thought he was simply an employee. How he must have laughed at her when she showed concern that he might lose his job over the liberties he was taking with the resort. What a fool she’d been. He owned the hotel.
She stiffened and moved to slid away from him.
He tightened his embrace and pulled her back against him. “Don’t do this?” he said in an almost-pleading tone. “I’m still the same guy you haven’t been able to stop staring at since we met. I’m still the same guy who held you while we danced tonight. I’m still the same guy who’s fallen in love with you.”
EPILOGUE
Six Months Later
DONNIE HAD WANTED TO GIVE GENIE the perfect wedding day, and he was confident that he’d succeeded. He’d brought her parents, her sisters, and all her friends to celebrate with them.
It had been a grand day and the reception was filled with love, laughter and opulence at Sapphire Bay Resort’s new party terrace. Donnie had it constructed on the south lawn, at Genie’s suggestion, and he had to agree with her idea to cater to newlyweds and those celebrating milestones such as anniversaries, graduations, and other lifetime events.
It was fitting that he and Genie had danced the very first dance under the stars on the terrace’s dance floor. And they were still dancing long after their guests had disappeared into their own plans for the evening.
“I’m glad you talked me into staying,” she said.
“I’m glad you let me.” Donnie chuckled.
“Well, you’re very persuasive.”
“I have something for you,” he said.
“You really don’t have to keep giving me all these presents.”
“This one you’ve earned.”
“I earned?” she said warily.
“She wouldn’t be what she is today without you.”
“She?” Her voice was edgy, but the smile tipping her lips said she was amused.
“Would you like to meet her?”
“Okay,” she said, a bit reserved. “What’s her name?”
“Funny thing, her name is Genie, too,” he said in a cool tone. “We’ll have to take a drive.”
With a raised eyebrow, she said, “this better be good, Taylor!”
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the Sapphire Bay Marina. It took a lot of trust, Donnie decided, for Genie to let him lead her along the pier blindfolded. He stopped her, keeping his hands on her shoulders. “Okay. You can look.”
She eased the blindfold up to see a familiar-looking ship with the name: Glamorous Genie.
“She’s all yours,” he said with a sweeping gesture. “With all the changes you specified when we went on that dinner cruise. Our first date.”
“This is the ship?” she asked. He nodded. Her smile broadened in approval. “And you bought it? You own this thing now?”
Donnie shook his head. “You own it.”
“Me?”
“It was your assessment of what was wrong with the ship—which was spot on, by the way—that made me realize you were not only beautiful but incredibly smart as well.” He pulled her into his arms and gently stroked a strand of her chocolate hair from her face. “That’s when I knew.”
“Knew what?” she asked. Her gaze completely absorbed in his.
“That I’d be a complete idiot to let you walk out of my life.”
Her face eased into a smile. She went up on her toes to kiss him, her lips soft and luscious, before she whispered against his mouth, “I think I’m the lucky one.”
One thing was for sure, life with Genie Wainwright Taylor was not going to be boring. Donnie intended to see to it that Genie never regretted her decision to leave the mainland behind to build a life with him.