Share

Chapter Eighteen

Author: Krista Lakes
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Cassie

Moonlight made the ocean glow as they strolled on the sand. The soft sounds of music and the last bits of laughter floated up through the warm darkness as their feet splashed the edges of the waves.

They were in their own magical world. Nothing could touch them here. For a moment, Cassie let herself live only in this moment. She was falling hard for the sexy bartender even though she knew it could never be, so for this moment, she let herself fall. She let herself have this night with him, even though she knew it risked breaking her heart.

She stopped, stepping in front of him. Moonlight glistened in his light hair and reflected in his eyes. He stole her breath away with his beauty.

She reached up and caressed his cheek, her heart thrilling at the small smile he gave her as he pressed his cheek into her touch. His eyes held hers, wrapping her up in warmth.

She wasn't sure if he kissed her or she kissed him, yet somehow his mouth was on hers. He tasted sweet and smelled like wed
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Nineteen

    WyattWyatt stared after the woman he loved running from him and out into the darkness. He knew he should chase after her, but his feet refused to move. It was like they were stuck in the sand, held by invisible magnets that wouldn't let him go.“Stupid, stupid.” He dropped his head in shame. He'd been overzealous. He hadn't sold it well. He'd messed up the timing, and now it was all screwed up. He always waited for the right moment, but this time he hadn't. This time, he'd screwed things up because he hadn't read the situation correctly.He wouldn't do that again. Wyatt sat down in the sand and looked out at the dark water, trying to figure out what to do next.He needed to go up to her room and apologize. She was only here for one more night, and he didn't want to spend it apart.He also needed to tell her who he was. He couldn't blame her for running. By all appearances, he was a beach bum with barely a job. It wasn't exactly an exciting prospect to leave her life and career to go

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Twenty

    CassieThe first day back at work felt surreal. Home didn't feel like home anymore after her trip to the Caribbean. The sky was the wrong color, the air too dry, and the heat different. Despite living the majority of her life in the desert, she now felt out of place without the sound of the ocean.Or maybe, it was that she felt out of place without Wyatt.She shook her head, trying to remove the thought as she looked over the previous week's sales reports. The hotel had survived her trip. There was a lot of things that she had to make up for, but there wasn't anything out of the ordinary.Cassie walked out to the main lobby and looked around at her hotel. It was clean and spacious. She tugged on her suit jacket and felt a little bit of pride. She'd worked hard to become the manager. There were a lot of things she wished she could change policy on, but overall she was happy to do the work here.She heard her email ping on her phone. The message said that a StarTree executive would be c

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Twenty-One

    CassieCassie stared in absolute shock at the handsome billionaire standing in front of her.It was Wyatt. Her Wyatt, only in a suit that cost more than her car and with two bodyguards that probably competed in WWE wrestling competitions.He smiled as he came in, his body language calm and collected. He looked at absolute ease walking into her hotel. He wore a dark suit that highlighted the soft golds in his slicked-back hair and made the green of his eyes stand out.Cassie, on the other hand, felt like having a panic attack. Not only was the man she'd fallen in love with at her hotel, but he was also a freaking billionaire. Half of her wanted to run into his arms and kiss him, and the other half wanted to run screaming out to the parking lot.She did neither as her boss was standing beside her. That, and she wasn't sure she was going to be able to make her legs work. They seemed rooted to the floor in shock. Her mouth hung open, but no words seemed to be coming out.“Mr. Patton. Ms.

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Twenty-Two

    WyattWyatt expected Cassie to pick a safe location. He thought she'd pick the hotel restaurant or perhaps even the sandwich shop across the street. He was sure she would want something with lots of people and plenty of easy exits. So he was a bit surprised when he walked into Mangia Ristorante to find that it was an intimate and cozy Italian restaurant. For the first time since arriving on the mainland, he felt hope spring up in his chest again.He made his way to the back of the restaurant to a small booth. It would be intimate, but still public enough to make her feel comfortable. He ordered two glasses of wine and sat watching the front door. She arrived right on time.His tongue felt thick, and his heart sped up. She hadn't seen him yet, but just watching her made his whole body tingle with anticipation. She was so beautiful.The simple burgundy dress she wore was classy and elegant. But, just like with her bikini, it looked sexy as hell without meaning too. It was just the way C

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Twenty-Three

    WyattTheir conversation flowed comfortably. Wyatt could almost pretend they'd never left the island or been apart. If not for the occasional glance, he would have thought that nothing had changed.She told him of her family, how her father was out of the picture, and her mother currently between men.“If you ever meet my parents, don't tell them how much you're worth,” she told him. “They'd just take it to the casino and blow it all. Luckily, they don't live here. It's one of the reason's I moved to Arizona.”She told him about her first marriage. She told him about how her ex-husband had changed when she'd had a pregnancy scare. She'd been excited, her ex had been terrified. After that, he changed and started blaming her for everything wrong in his life.“I started just staying at work,” she explained. “I didn't want to go home. I didn't want to be yelled at for things I couldn't control. I didn't want the blame anymore. He didn't want me. I guess it was good that we didn't have any

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Twenty-Four

    CassieCassie stared at the picture on her phone in total horror. It was her. Getting out of Wyatt's car. The headline read, “Prodigal billionaire returns! Who is the new mystery woman?”There were well over a thousand comments on the one site alone. Cassie didn't want to read any of them. The first had been that she was too old. She didn't want to know what the world thought of her or her looks. She didn't want to know what they thought of her being with Wyatt. She had a feeling that it would all be negative.“What have I gotten myself into?” she wondered out loud as she sat down at her kitchen table with her morning coffee. She felt like banging her head against the table.She still wasn't entirely sure how she felt about Wyatt being here. She was still reeling from finding out that he was actually a billionaire and that he'd lied to her, but at the same time, he was Wyatt. She had fallen in love with him on the island.The big question was whether or not Billionaire Wyatt was the s

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Twenty-Five

    CassieCassie had to struggle to get past the reporters crowding the lobby. Men and women with phones and cameras of various sizes were all camped out and waiting for Wyatt to come downstairs. One of Wyatt's bodyguards from yesterday currently guarded the elevator and was checking key-cards.That was definitely against Corporate Rule Twenty-Five: No guarding the elevator and checking key-cards unless there is a specific event in progress. Guests and their guests must feel welcome at all time. Cassie didn't even care, though.The hotel was in chaos.The poor girl running the front desk looked like she was ready to cry and two bellhops were cowering in the storage closet, occasionally peeking out and gawking at the reporters.“Thank god you're here,” Lenny announced as soon as he saw her. He grabbed her arm and nearly hauled her into Cassie's office. He shut the door and then sagged against it, like the escape from the lobby had exhausted him.“What's going on?” She looked around, tryin

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Twenty-Six

    CassieThe rest of the day was a nightmare.The press kept the lobby filled and nearly caused a car accident when they saw Wyatt's SUVs leaving the parking lot. Even after they learned he was no longer staying at the hotel, many of them refused to leave.They'd figured out that Cassie was the mystery woman from the night before. The press figured out why Wyatt Landers would be staying in a regular business hotel faster than Lenny did. It wasn't long before they were trying to sneak into her office and were calling her work phone non-stop.She couldn't leave her office. Every time she stepped out to check the linen supplies or go to the employee areas to post the schedule, some reporter was hounding her for information.Where had Wyatt Landers been hiding? How did she know him? Were they in a relationship? What was he doing back in the states? Was he going to disappear again? What did this mean for his company?She didn't have answers for any of them. She didn't even have answers for h

Latest chapter

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Epilogue

    WyattWyatt stepped out onto the deck of his new boat and stretched in the morning sun.Life had never been this good.Wyatt couldn't imagine how he'd once thought being a bartender had ever been enough. He couldn't believe that he'd ever been happy without Cassie.They were home here. Blue Caribbean waters were a balm to weary souls. The white sand called to them, and the warm sunshine banished worries.Cassie and Wyatt didn't go back to the resort. Wyatt didn't have a job there anymore, and after hearing how he'd been treated, Cassie had refused to go to such an establishment. Besides, Wyatt didn't need to tend bar and live a bachelor lifestyle anymore. He didn't want that life.So they bought a sailboat. It wasn't the biggest or flashiest boat in the world, but it was comfortable, and it got them where they wanted to go.Today, it was taking them to a very special island.Wyatt checked the rigging and made sure his route was plotted in the computer. The island wasn't far, but he wa

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Thirty-Nine

    CassieCassie hoped she was doing the right thing.Doubts assaulted her. Had he gotten the note? Had he understood? She should have been clearer. She should have left better instructions. She should have waited at the apartment.But she'd been afraid if she waited she would chicken out. She would change her mind or that he wouldn't want this anymore. She was afraid if she stayed at the apartment, things wouldn't work out the way she hoped.Besides, she wanted to do this here. She needed to show him she was serious.She paced nervously in front of the airplane hanger. Her packed suitcase sat by the entrance. She'd spent nearly all the money in her bank account. The flight left this evening. There was no return flight scheduled.What if he didn't come?She tried not to think about it. She tried not to think about how she was about to change her life completely. Change terrified her. She liked knowing what was going to happen, but this had two very different endings. If he came, her life

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Thirty-Eight

    WyattWyatt walked in the front door of the apartment ready to apologize to Cassie. He had reservations made at a fancy restaurant. He had flowers in hand and jewelry was set to arrive later this afternoon.The business meeting this morning had been long and arduous. He thought he'd escaped the corporate world by moving to the island. Being a peon for a holiday resort was easy. He just had to do what he was told and pour drinks. Now he was back to being the boss and he hated it. He had less freedom at the top of the chain than he did at the bottom. He was beginning to think that he would always be stuck with corporations telling him what to do with his life. It didn't seem to matter where he went.He'd spent his entire miserable meeting thinking of Cassie and how he could fix things between them. Of how he could give her what she wanted and what she deserved. He was willing to do whatever it took to keep her.The longer Wyatt stayed in billionaire mode, the easier it was to stay here

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Thirty-Seven

    CassieTires squealed as Cassie slid into a parking space in front of Brianna's apartment. She barely had the engine off before racing up the stairs to Brianna's apartment. She needed to do this before she lost her nerve.Cassie banged on the door. Brianna opened the door, looking surprised. She still had her pajamas on and Cassie could hear Netflix in the background. It was Brianna's day off, so she was at home relaxing. Ian was at school.“What's up?” Brianna asked. “Are you feeling okay?”“I just got fired.”Brianna's eyes went wide. “I'm so sorry, Cassie. I really am. Come on in. I've got ice cream.” She ushered Cassie inside, shutting the door behind her.The apartment was dark but comfortable. Brianna hadn't done much to the space to make it her own, yet it still felt like Brianna. The paintings were simple and bright. Books covered nearly every surface and at least three mugs sat half-filled with tea in the small kitchen. Toy cars littered the floor in front of the TV and kid d

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Thirty-Six

    CassieCassie's neck hurt the next day, and her back had a cramp that she couldn't stretch out.The couch was not nearly as comfortable to sleep on as she'd expected. After a few hours, the once soft couch became too soft to be supportive. The blanket was too light, and every time the air conditioning kicked on, she got cold. The pillows were too small and decorative to be useful for actual sleep.She'd nearly gotten up and gone to the bedroom several times, but each time her pride and spite got the best of her.The fact that Wyatt would call Lorna her friend rankled. His dismissive attitude toward her job infuriated her. Sure, she wasn't a billionaire. She was just a hotel manager, but she had worked hard at it. She'd followed the rules. Didn't that mean something?Why did she have to give it all up?It wasn't fair. She wanted to be with Wyatt, but she didn't want to give up her life to do it.She pretended to be asleep when Wyatt left the bedroom in the morning. He came out wearing

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Thirty-Five

    WyattFifty-seven minutes later, Wyatt was beyond relieved that dinner was over. They'd had their meal. They'd had dessert. They were done.He'd started counting the number of times Lorna made an inappropriate sexual comment but stopped counting after thirty-seven. He told her several times that he wasn't interested, but she ignored him.Lorna was not kind to Cassie. The insults were never blatant, but there. “I bet Cassie doesn't do this” or “Cassie is too busy to do that” and even “you can do so much better” came out multiple times during the conversation.It only made Lorna look spiteful. The woman was beautiful with her trim body, large breasts, and shiny hair, but her soul did not match the outside. She was shallow and cruel. She was willing to throw Cassie under the bus for a chance at a billionaire's heart.He sighed with relief as soon as the check came.“Thank you for this date,” Wyatt said, setting the check down and standing up. “And thank you for your kind donation.”It wa

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Thirty-Four

    WyattThe ride to the restaurant didn't take long, but Wyatt moped the whole way there. He knew it was childish and that he was a full grown man, but since no one but Thor would see him, he pouted.When the car door opened to get out though, he wore a polite smile.Lorna was waiting for him at the table. She wore a tiny black dress that showed massive amounts of cleavage and left little to the imagination. Wyatt had to admit that she was very beautiful, but he much preferred Cassie's simple but elegant style. He liked having something left to the imagination.“Hi, Wyatt.” Her voice was low and breathy. She stood up sensually and stepped toward him.“Hello, Lorna,” he greeted her. He held out his hand and made it a point that he was shaking her hand, not giving a hug.She stared at his hand for a moment and then shook it with a surprised smile. “How professional.”He was a perfect gentleman. He had a plan to get through this. He pulled out her chair and helped her sit before going to h

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Thirty-Three

    Wyatt“Well, other than the auction fiasco, I think the night was a success,” Wyatt announced, kicking off his shoes at the door of his apartment.Cassie followed him in, adding her heels to his shoes. He liked the way they looked tumbled together.“I had fun,” Cassie said, walking into the kitchen and pouring a glass of water. She grinned at him. “Thank you for inviting me. I don't know if I want to do it again, but once was fun. It was definitely different.”“You want to live the billionaire lifestyle all the time now?” he asked, loosening his jacket and tie.“Hell no.” She shook her head. “I'm exhausted mentally, and I didn't have to do anything. All those people? I just want to curl up with you and not move for a week. My brain is totally and completely fried.”He thought about asking her to come to the islands. Now was the perfect time, only... she just said her brain was fried. Asking a huge decision right now was going to end poorly.Maybe he was just afraid of rejection, or pe

  • Second Chance Romance for the Retired Billionaire   Chapter Thirty-Two

    CassieApplause filled the room. Lorna sauntered from the table and up to the stage to get her certificate. She posed for the camera, flaunting her curves and wealth as they praised her for her generous donation to charity.Only it wasn't generous. It was selfish and cruel. Cassie could have dealt with just about anyone else winning a date with Wyatt. But Lorna?Cassie wanted to punch her in the face.Wyatt hoped down from the stage and came back to the table. Lorna tried to follow him, but she was diverted to follow Olive to write the check for the date. At least Cassie got a bit of satisfaction from the annoyed look on Lorna's face as she was forced to hang back.“We'll think of something,” Brianna promised. “Let me talk with Janessa. We'll come up with a plan. It'll be okay.”The sentiment was sweet, but Cassie knew there wasn't much her friends could do for her. Brianna gave her a quick hug and then got up and went to sit next to Janessa to hopefully plot something out.“I'm so so

DMCA.com Protection Status