Impossible Love: An Unforeseen Destiny Novel Book One by Kimberly Readnour Page B

the warm trade winds, I shiver but remain seated, not wanting to move inside. Darkness blankets the silky black ocean, hypnotizing me into a captive state. The ripples in the water mimic a satin ribbon, and I marvel at the color differences the ocean takes between daylight and evening. A part of me had hoped the days would be longer here than back home, but that’s clearly not the case. Not when the sun sets at six o’clock.
    I pull my legs up in the chair and let the sundress I’d put on earlier drape loosely over them. Wrapping my arms around my legs, I rest my chin on my knees and continue to stare at the waves. Goosebumps prickle my skin, and I wish I hadn’t changed out of my hiking pants. But I needed a shower after returning from the tour.
    I sigh at the thought of missing another sunset. The only complaint with the condo’s location is the mountain blocking the sunsets. The sunrises have been great‌—‌complete with rainbows. But I want to witness a sunset at some point before going home.
    I’m just not keen on venturing out on my own. The roads are narrow and winding, and the nights seem darker than at home.
    I drop my arms and lean back in the chair, drumming my fingers on the edge of the seat. I’m antsy from sitting around the condo. And I still can’t get Kai out of my head. Clearly, I’m broken. His earlier expression says it all‌—‌not interested.
    My gaze shifts to my phone lying on the patio table. On impulse, I pick it up and send a quick text to Staci. I type, “You’ve rubbed off on me. I’m now lusting over a local hottie. This is your fault.” I’m not sure when the message will be read, considering it’s two-thirty in the morning in Indiana, but the text is sent nonetheless.
    I toss the phone back on the table and pick up the bottled water to take a sip. I continue to stare at the silky water. The faint moonlight cast shadows into the sky and makes the dark ocean look as if it drops off the face of the earth. I want to reach out and touch the ebony slickness. See if the wetness is as smooth as it appears. Of course, it’s not. But the temptation still exists.
    An unexpected ringtone blares through the night’s calmness, and I flinch, my head snapping to the phone. What the heck is Staci still doing up? A laugh escapes when I read her text.
    Staci: Ha! I knew it. Tanned bodies too hard to resist.
    Me: Lol. Just one guy that I’ll never see again. Dubbed hot tour-guide Kai. But I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT HIS DELICIOUS ABS.
    Staci: I was right! There was a hot tour guide. It’s a small island. Go find him.
    Me: Right! So easy! Besides, he hates me.
    Staci: Hates you? WTF?
    Me: Nice at times. Then not. Practically ignored me yesterday during the tour. I ran into him today, and he glared at me.
    Staci: See. lol. It is a small island. Why would he glare?
    Me: IDK. Weird?
    Staci: Forget him, he sounds like a douche.
    I stare at Staci’s text and bite my nail. I did make Kai sound like a douche. He wasn’t though. Not totally. When he wasn’t glaring, Kai was actually nice. Like when he made sure I was paddling correctly. And he seemed relaxed talking to me by the waterfall.
    Staci: Have you had your Mai Tai, yet?
    Me: It’s only the third night!
    Staci: So why wait? Go! Now! Mai Tai. Drink‌…‌direct order!
    Me: Lol. I’ll see what I can do. TTYL.
    Staci: Have fun. Goodnight!
    I chuckle and stare at the ocean for a moment longer. Maybe she’s right. I should go out. There was a nice bar in the complex where we got groceries the other day.
    Yes, I can do this .
    I stand up and waltz inside the condo. The whoosh of the sliding glass door draws Mom’s attention. She’s wearing a smile, but her eyelids are droopy despite the fact it’s only eight fifteen. I frown. Jet lag hit Mom hard, and she’s struggling to get over it. And her coughing spells hasn’t helped.
    “I was wondering if you’d want to go to the shopping center with me. You know, the one where we got our