Romance: One Perfect Holiday Read Online Free PDF Page B

there…
    “Claire, feelings like this don’t come around very often,” Rachael says, her tone soft.
    “But I’ve worked so hard to get where I am at the bank…”
    “I know, but life is all about choices, Claire.”
    Shaking my head, I rise from my chair. “Sorry girls, I’m too confused. I need some fresh air.”
    Throwing them a weak smile, I walk out of the apartment and into the warm air.
    Their hearts are in the right place, but I need some to think.
    Some time to breathe…
     
     
     
     

Chapter Eleven
     
     
     

 
     
     
    After a brisk walk in the tropical air, I join the girls at the day spa – the pampering includes a wonderful massage, sauna, and beauty therapy.
    The girls don’t raise the topic of Grayson again, but he’s never far from my mind.
    How could he not be after a night like that?
    After we completely relax and finish up at the spa, we head beachside for cocktails again.
    Once we’ve settled in our sun chairs, I listen to the waves gently breaking on the shore and let the sound calm me. 
    The rhythms of the beach remind me that there’s so much more to life than just putting my head down and working my ass off. 
    There is a whole world out there that I’ve yet to dive into.
    The rest of the afternoon disappears as we laze on the beach and get tipsy on Piña Coladas.
    “Hottie alert!” Zoe whispers, reaching over to nudge me with her elbow.
    Gazing up from my book, I see a towering, broad figure walking along the beach. 
    The silhouette is large and muscular, framed by the afternoon sun. 
    It takes my breath away.
    I try to hide under my book and avoid eye contact with Grayson, but it’s too late. He knows I’m here.
    Out of the corner of my eye, I see him approach and pretend to read.
    My heart is pounding so fast.
    Why is he coming up to me? Shouldn’t he be pissed off about last night?
    “Hello,” he says in that silky and seductive voice.
    “Oh, hi,” I say, peering around the edge of my book.
    “Hi,” Racheal smiles. “And bye.”
    She stands up and gestures for Zoe to do the same before throwing me a quick wink. 
    After they walk away, Grayson sits down on sun chair next to me where Rachael had just been.
    “I meant what I said last night,” Grayson states, leaping straight into the conversation.
    “Oh? And what was that?” I ask, being coy.
    “I want you to stay at the resort with me.”
    My heart skips a beat again.
    “I can’t.”
    “Why not?” His tone is so serious and direct.
    “The city. My work. My life. I can’t just throw that all away.”
    “Your work isn’t important. It doesn’t define you,” Grayson says, taking a hold of my hands.
    His touch sends a tantalizing shiver up my spine.
    Grayson is right. My work doesn’t define me, but I need it. 
    I’m not sure who I am without it and I’m afraid that Grayson won’t like the real me.
    “I want you to stay,” he repeats. “Last night my world came to life, which is something I haven’t felt in years. Just being with you, despite only knowing you for a couple of days, makes me feel… complete.”
    His words are heartfelt and full of passion. He really is telling me the truth.
    “I can’t,” I protest again.
    “Don’t go back to work. Everything that you could ever want in the world is here - sun, surf, sand, and me. Like I said before, I can get you a job too. The resort office would love to have an experienced banker on board.”
    “Grayson, I told you… I can’t.” I’m struggling to resist his offer, but my head is still fiercer than my heart.
    “Give me one good reason why you can’t?” he states, annoyance creeping into his voice.
    “I can’t stay because… you’re not the man for me.” The words fall out of my mouth without a filter. I don’t even know if I mean them.
    “Not the man for you?  And who is the man for you?”
    “I don’t know.  I haven’t met him yet, but I know that he’s not some guy who works at a resort and lives day by day on