'What's all this?' As he bends down to gather them up his towel separates at the thigh.
Why is every bit of him so irresistible to me? I want to go to him but I know I have to hold back a little longer.
'My future!' I hold my head high.
‘The Hotel California …' he reads. ‘Hey, I like it!'
I babble my plan to him, nineteen to the dozen. He looks impressed, nodding, and with his face brightening throughout the descriptions of what I'd do to the rooms.
'Are you still looking for a partner?' he asks when I'm done.
'Maybe.'
'Would you consider me?'
'Depends what you'd have to offer.'
'$60,000 for starters. If we need more we can remortgage and split the payments – equal partners.'
‘That's just money,' I shrug. I want more.
'I could set up a great website for the hotel with 360-degree room tours and an interactive reservation system—'
‘That's just technology,' I cut in.
Elliot gets a little twinkle in his eyes: 'I'd do all the late night check-ins?
‘Better …' I concede.
'And every Saturday night I'd create a different martini for you and serve it on the terrace at sunset.'
'Even in the rain?' I ask.
'Even in the rain,' he confirms. 'In fact rainwater may become a featured ingredient, along with a seaweed twist!'
I chuckle approval, remembering my snowflake margarita, then steal some extra oxygen as he steps closer, his damp skin raised with goosebumps, his soapy-clean smell surrounding me.
'Give me the deal clincher!' I challenge him.
He takes my hands and looks me directly in the eyes. 'Lara, I swear, every day I will find a new way to love you more.'
My eyes gleam with tears.
'I can't breathe without you.' He leans in and sighs into my hair.
As I go weak he clasps me to him and his mouth merges with mine – warm to wet, soft to strong – then he pulls away and explores my eyes with his.
'Lara, do you love me?’
I can't believe he needs to ask.
'I've told you so every single day since I met you,' I smile. 'Just not out loud.'
'Tell me now,' he urges.
Ten years I've waited for this moment, dreamed of it.
'Elliot,' I say his name, loving that I can say it in the way I've always wanted to. 'Elliot, I love you!'
My heart has a fiesta with streamers, whistles and glitter-bombs – the works! I said it!
'I love you!' I say again, laughing at how good it feels.
'I love you, Lara! Truly.' He says it to me, caressing my face. 'I always have. I just needed The California Club to show me that.'
I start to tell him that it was all just a fantasy but then change my mind – turns out I got my wish after all.
'Helen's right,' I sigh. 'There is magic in the air here.'
Suddenly the lights flicker and fizz until the only illumination comes from the moon. Elliot's arms close tighter around me. And then, though I have both hands entwined in his damp hair, his towel tugs loose and falls to the floor.
'What the—?' he laughs.
I smile as my hands slip down each silk-covered nugget of his spine, down to the muscular curve of his beautiful bottom. Sneaking a look around me I whisper to Marilyn Monroe and Kate Morgan: Thanks, girls – I think I've got it from here …
THE END
ALSO BY BELINDA JONES
Want more romantic adventure in your life? Read on…
FICTION – LoveTravel Series
Divas Las Vegas
I Love Capri
The California Club
Café Tropicana
The Paradise Room
The Love Academy of Venice
Summer in Greece
Dancing Girls
Hollywood Calling
Winter Wonderland
The Traveling Tea Shop
MEMOIR
On The Road To Mr Right (A Search for the American Dream Guy)
Bodie On The Road (The Dogged Pursuit of Happiness)
SHORT STORY COLLECTIONS
Sunlounger – The Ultimate Beach Read
Sunlounger 2 – Beach Read Bliss
(Jet-set short stories from 50 of the hottest writers in Women’s Fiction.)
www.sunloungerstories.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Belinda Jones is a former magazine journalist turned bestselling author of funny, travel-themed novels. Her real-life road trip memoir - On The Road To Mr Right - made the Sunday Times Top 10 alongside her hero Bill Bryson.
Belinda currently lives on San Diego’s paradise island of Coronado with her dog Bodie and innumerable Navy SEALS.
Belinda would love to hear from you so please come and join the adventures at:
Facebook: Belinda Jones Travel Club
Twitter: @belindatravels
Website: www.belindajones.com
Email: [email protected]
The California Club: LoveTravel Series - USA Page 37