Chapter 16
Dominique rolled over to find a tropical flower on the pillow beside her and she smiled. She’d thought it had been a dream but as she took a whiff of the flower, she knew Richie was really there.
Sleepily, she got up and made her way out to the great room where she found Richie. He was standing by the window sipping on a cup of coffee, his hair hanging down his bare back and he was wearing a pair of swimming trunks. God, he looked good and her heart fluttered.
Quietly, she made her way across the room and slipped her arms around his waist placing a kiss in the middle of his back.
“Good
morning, Princess.”
“Daddy was supposed to wake me so I could be at the airstrip to meet you.”
“You needed your sleep.” Richie turned in her arms and put his arms around her. “I came in and gave you a kiss.”
“I thought I was dreaming until I rolled over and found the flower. So, where did you sleep?”
“In your favorite chair in your room. You must have been tired.”
“Why?”
“You didn’t have any nightmares.”
“I had one…probably before you got here but no, after you gave me a kiss, I had sweet dreams.”
“Really? Want to tell me about them?”
“Not until you tell me why you slept in my chair.”
“I slept in your chair so that I could be close to you and I was afraid to climb in bed…that I might scare you.”
“I had dreams about you and me.”
“I figured that much but what were we doing?”
“Lots of things,” she smirked.
“What can I do to get you to tell me?”
“Don’t know.”
“I’m going to have to work on that. Now, Maria has fixed your favorite breakfast. Let’s go eat and talk about what we’re going to do today.”
With his arm around her, Richie led Dominique to the kitchen where Maria was finishing the meal. There was fresh-squeezed orange juice on the bar and Richie handed a glass to her. At the table, they slipped into the bench in the bay window that had an excellent view of the beach.
“Your dad has excellent taste! This place is gorgeous.”
“I have always loved it here. Daddy promised me when I was old enough, he’d have a house built for me.”
“Where?”
“There’s a cove further down the island. I’ll show you later.”
“So, after breakfast, how about a walk on the beach?”
“I really need to go shopping. I only have your shirts, the jeans you bought me, and a couple dresses Daddy bought me.”
“There’s a place to shop here?”
“Daddy has this place set up like a town. You can get anything you want or need here.”
“Sweet! Is there a jewelry store?”
“Yes.”
“Lingerie?”
“Victoria’s Secret.”
“Nice.”
“Richie, you haven’t told me about this side of you,” teased Dominique.
“Yes,” he said in a feminine voice. “It’s my little secret that only you and Jon know about.”
“I feel so honored. Do I get to see you in one of your outfits?”
“If you’re a good girl.”
Dominique laughed, “You’re crazy.”
“About you!” he smiled leaning to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Okay. What else do you need to do?”
“I’ve got to go see Noah.” Looking out at the beach, she asked, “Do you mind if we walk on the beach at sunset?”
“We can do whatever you want to do, Princes! The next two days are about you.”
Dominique picked at her food and Richie watched her. He smiled knowing what she wanted to ask but was afraid to.
“Your dad said you could go with me to San Juan if it was safe. He’ll let me know before I have to leave.”
“You asked?”
“Yes. Dominique, I would take you back with me on the road if it was safe! I want you with me for everything!”
The couple finished their breakfast and got ready for their day.
