Sunset Desires Read online

  “But we still have a few hours.”

  To her surprise, he sounded sad, but she didn’t want to be swayed. Gwen hiked her purse onto her shoulder and strolled over to him. “I don’t want to stay, fall asleep in your arms, and wake up knowing that’s all I have of you.” She caressed his face. “You were wonderful…are wonderful. Please don’t make my leaving any harder than it already is.”

  Evan closed his eyes, nuzzled her palm with his cheek, and nodded.

  After one last kiss on his jaw, she left.

  Evan opened his eyes to an empty room. He snatched the dress Gwen left behind, gripped it close to his chest. Forty some more years alone, without her, sent cold shivers through him. He had to keep telling himself he wasn’t falling in love with the beauty from Vegas or else his heart would shatter.

  “Señor?” Jacinto stepped into the room, stood a foot from the door. “What happened between you and Señorita Gwen? Did you have an argument?”

  “Not exactly.” Evan tossed the sparkly gown to the bed. “I don’t think she liked the one-night part.”

  “Well, who would?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “What it seems to me is you fell in love with the señorita and she you. Perhaps you should have told her?”

  “No. You know that wasn’t the purpose with this date.”

  Jacinto shook his head, his disapproval reminding Evan of times many years ago when he’d behaved in ways the butler had frowned upon. “I was your father’s man. I am now your man and at your service, but I need to speak plainly.”

  “You know you always can. Don’t hold back. Feel free to tell me how much of a schmuck I am. Say I should run out of my house, find her waiting for her cab, and tell her I love her.”

  “With your permission.” The butler smiled and held up a finger. He strode across the room to the phone and dialed a number. “All will be well, señor. You shall see.”

  Epilogue

  Gwen snuck behind the bar to slip out of her shoes and stretch her feet for a moment. She couldn’t believe she was back at work already—a couple of hours after getting off the plane and arriving in her apartment. That morning she’d had breakfast with her sister and cousins at the hotel in Grand Cayman before they caught their flights home. Their attempts to get her to talk about her date had failed. She didn’t want to discuss what happened. At least not yet. Maybe never.

  So perhaps it was fortunate for her several waitresses called in sick. Being at the casino meant she wouldn’t be brooding at home, lost in a gallon of ice cream and jug of chocolate syrup.

  She hated thinking about how long it had been since she’d left the villa at the resort, especially with the flight home, time changes, her jet lag and aching heart. Too much to handle. In the wee hours of the morning, she’d walked out on a guy who’d rocked her world but didn’t want anything more than a quick screw on the beach. Now she faced a hot desert evening, stuck in a casino, dealing with a bunch of drunks.

  “Tramonto?” Her boss called out from the other end of the bar. He rushed over to her as she slipped on her second shoe. “You have to work the private Baccarat room.”

  “Really?” She released a disappointed sigh. “You know me. I’d normally be all over that gig, but I’d rather work the main floor tonight. Please?” She wasn’t thrilled about working the room and catering to a whale. The excitement of meeting a wealthy man, flirting, and imagining being swept off her feet was no longer fun.

  “And normally I’d take you up on working the main floor. God knows we usually need the coverage out there. But since we’re shorthanded, it is what it is. Plus, you were requested specifically.”

  Great. Probably one of the wealthy septuagenarian regulars who liked to come in and hit on her. Her heart dropped. “All right then. I’ll be right there.” Gwen grabbed her tray, note pad, and pen and made her way through the throng of gamers and hotel guests to the high roller area. She stepped into the private room and caught her breath at the familiar head of dark hair and set of shoulders under a black suit jacket.

  Surprised and unsure of the situation, she slowly stepped over to him. “Evan? What are you doing here? I thought you said you didn’t make it to the States.”

  “I didn’t say I never get here. But I had a matter I needed to take care of.”

  “So…what? You dipped into your savings again and paid an arm and a leg to fly short notice? Or is this a company thing, and they got you on the first flight out? And how can you afford to be in this room?”

  “I used the company jet. No need to dip into savings. No need to wait for available flights. And who says I can’t be in this room? I never said I was poor nor rich. You made your own assumptions.”

  She huffed. “Nice. But I don’t think I believe you.” Ignoring the snark in her own voice, she picked up her pen, tapped it on the tray. “So what can I get you?”

  “I’d like to see the woman I fell in love with.”

  “Oh?” Gwen cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. Had he lied to her more than once? He doesn’t travel. He does. He doesn’t have money. He does. He doesn’t have a girlfriend. He does. A frickin’ swing set ride.

  “I want to tell her….” He shifted on the stool, then pinned her gaze with his. “I want to fulfill the rest of her fantasy.”

  Gwen quirked an eyebrow, wondering where he planned to go with his line of conversation, almost afraid to hear what he’d say. Time for sarcasm to protect her heart. “Yeah? So who is she and what’s the rest of her fantasy?”

  Evan rose from the chair and moved down on one knee. Her heart skipped a beat as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a blue velvet box. How could I have been so obtuse? I must seem like a complete nitwit. Blaming her lapse in reason on jet lag, she settled a hand over her rapidly beating heart.

  With a flick of his thumb, he opened the box to reveal a beautiful silver, crystal encrusted, bangle bracelet inside. “The villa, the stretch of beach, the resort, restaurant, jet…they’re all mine. Well, my family’s but I control the Caribbean part of our business. I know I should have been up front about this, but caution and past experiences….” He waved his empty hand in the air. “Anyway, last night on the beach was the best of my life, and when you walked away, you took my heart with you. My island home is empty without you. Paradise isn’t paradise without you in it. I’m pretty sure I fell in love with you. I’d love to explore my feelings for you and expand upon our relationship, make it something more permanent than a one night fling. This bracelet is my promise to you to always treat you right and be honest. Let me be the man who treats you like a queen. Come back to the island with me.”

  Tears of relief and joy streamed down her face. His declaration was what she wanted—the rich, handsome man to fall in love with her and want to be with her always, treat her like a queen. “But how? I never told you.”

  He stood. “Right after you left, my butler rang Heather. Her number was in your profile in case of emergency. He told her how I felt about you and asked her to tell the secret. When she wouldn’t spill, I got on the phone and begged her to tell me what your whole fantasy was.”

  “I’m going to have to have a chat with her and ask where her loyalty went.”

  Evan raised a thick brown eyebrow. “Um…that a yes or no?”

  She playfully swatted him on the arm. “It’s a yes. I’d love to spend the rest of my days and all my nights with you on a journey to discover something lasting.”

  He slid the bracelet onto her wrist. “You’ve made me a very happy man.”

  “And you’ll make me a very happy lady if you tell me that tent is still available.” At his nod, she threw her arms around him and whispered in his ear, “Hedonistic hideaway or not, you’re all I need. All I desire.”

  ~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

  An eccentric and eclectic writer, C.R. Moss pens stories for the mainstream and erotic markets, giving readers Worlds of Possibilities.

  For more about the woman behind the keyboard, visit:
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  http://www.crmoss.net/Author.htm

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