CHAPTER 21

The flight to the Maldives was uneventful, but the tension between Thiago and me was too awkward especially whenever I caught his eyes pinned on my short skirt.

Every glance, every subtle movement, seemed charged with the unspoken electricity that had been building between us. He didn’t say much during the flight, which only made me more anxious about what was waiting for us once we landed.

As the plane descended over the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives, I couldn’t help but marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the islands below.

The turquoise ocean stretched out endlessly, dotted with tiny, pristine islands, each a secluded paradise. But I knew better than to let the scenery distract me. This wasn’t a vacation—this was business.

And with Thiago, business always came with strings attached.

When we arrived at the luxury resort where we would be staying, I was greeted with a level of opulence that left me momentarily speechless. Private villas over the water, each one with its ow