Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Waking up the next morning, Isla stretched. She was in the exact same position she always went to sleep in. Hugging her stuffie, she guessed she hadn’t moved all night. “Did you sleep as well as I did?” she asked.

Nado looked back at her with coal-black eyes. He looked scary, but she knew he was a softie. She didn’t tell anyone the truth. Nado had a reputation for frightening away all the monsters under her bed. He was super good at that.

After giving him one more squeeze and a kiss on his snout, Isla slid out of bed. Scurrying to the bathroom, she peed and washed her face before looking longingly at the shower. She usually showered before bed but feeling warm water pelting her body sounded amazing—totally worth delaying breakfast for a while.

Thirty minutes later, she stepped into the elevator in shorts and a T-shirt. When she reached the main floor, Isla hesitated. Did she want to go to the restaurant in the main building or back by the water? That decision was easy.

Soon, she sat by the railing and looked out over the beautiful bay. A Danger Bluff boat glided by, and she waved, hoping it was Caesar. To her delight, a large figure rushed to the railing to wave back. Smiling with happiness, she watched the boat move farther out.

“Hi, Miss!” A young woman said, approaching her. “You’re right between breakfast and lunch. I can get in an order for either one. Do you have a preference?”

“Definitely lunch. Could I have a hamburger and fries?” she asked, not even waiting to look at the menu.

“Of course. What can I get you to drink?”

“I’d love a cup of coffee and some water.”

“You’ve got it. I’ll be right back with your coffee.”

Her phone buzzed with a message, and she grinned at the name identified. Daddy . She opened it and read:

Hey, Little girl. I hope you slept well. I’m missing you today. Will you have dinner with me tomorrow?

Yes.

I can’t wait.

How can I feel so strongly about him already? Isla set her phone down and scooted it away. She knew he was busy and needed to pay attention to the passengers. She wouldn’t distract him by messaging back again.

A short time later, the waiter returned with a cup of the hot beverage. Isla sat looking over the water as she sipped delicious, hot coffee that helped disperse the last of her sleepiness. This was a gorgeous place. Totally worth the long trip, even if the map turned out to be a wild goose chase.

“Hey…Isla, right?”

A friendly voice made her turn. Sadie, the front desk manager, stood by the table. “Hi, Sadie.” On a whim, Isla asked, “Do you have time to join me for coffee?”

“Of course. Let me grab a cup.”

Sadie bustled off to grab a cup for herself and returned with the coffee carafe to fill her empty cup and Isla’s.

“Thanks,” Isla said with a smile.

“Of course. I have to take care of special people.”

After watching Sadie return the carafe to the server’s station and settle in a seat, Isla asked, “Special people?”

“Caesar was all smiles as he went to work this morning. He enjoyed your date last night.”

Blushing furiously, Isla rushed to say, “We didn’t sleep together.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. Caesar doesn’t sleep around, and I expect neither do you. He just looked happier than I’ve ever seen him this morning. I knew you were the reason.”

“Oh. That makes me happy. I enjoyed our date last night, too. He’s definitely different from any other man I’ve met,” Isla shared.

“Your burger, Miss,” the waiter said, setting a plate in front of Isla. “Want anything, Sadie?”

“I didn’t until I smelled that. Could I have the same thing?” Sadie asked with a smile.

“I’ll put your order in.”

When the server left, Sadie waved at Isla’s plate. “Please eat while it’s hot. Mine will be here fast.”

On a whim, Isla cut her burger in half. “Why don’t we split mine and then we can share yours?”

“Deal,” Sadie agreed and pulled over a bread plate to use as her plate. Helping herself to one half, she took a big bite. “Thank you. I missed breakfast. I was supposed to grab something after I got to work, but it was crazy this morning. Just don’t tell my Daddy.” Sadie’s mouth rounded in an O as she realized what she’d said. “Oh.”

“You have a Daddy?” Isla asked, knowing instinctively that Sadie wasn’t talking about her father.

“I shouldn’t have said that. Some people don’t understand,” Sadie whispered, dropping her hamburger onto the small plate.

“It’s all right. I’ve never met anyone who lives that lifestyle, but I’ve heard of it. Eat. Really, you’re fine.”

“You’ve met other people,” Sadie assured her, appearing to relax. “It’s more common than you think.” She picked up the burger half and took another bite.

“Truly?” Isla looked around at the families and couples who had streamed in after her for lunch.

“I don’t know about the guests. There are a few, I suspect, as they come to the front desk. There are definitely some Dominant/submissive couples.”

“I bet you see all sorts of things at the front desk,” Isla said quietly.

“I do. I love my job. There are a few unpleasant people, but I’ve met so many amazing ones.”

Isla leaned in to whisper, “Does your Daddy work here?”

“He does. Rocco is mine. He’s our rock-climbing instructor,” Sadie said with a soft smile.

“Rocco? And he’s the rock-climbing expert?”

“I know. He also leads the hikes around the grounds and takes people on picnics.”

“That’s great. I need to get a list of all the activities available. I love the water, but a hike around Danger Bluff sounds great. It’s so pretty here.”

“It is. I don’t ever want to leave,” Sadie said.

“I can understand that. It’s going to be tough to head back to the airport.”

“Who knows? Maybe you’ll stay here.” Sadie popped the last bite of the shared hamburger into her mouth as the waiter set a fresh one in front of her. “Here! Choose your half.”

“I probably only need a half,” Isla said as she followed directions.

“Next time, we’ll just split one and ask for extra fries,” Sadie suggested easily.

“Sounds good,” Isla said, wondering when that could even happen. The thought was nice. She liked knowing that Sadie enjoyed her company.

By the time they finished and each lady had signed their bills, Isla noticed the Danger Bluff boat returning to the dock. “There’s the boat.”

“Want to take the guys’ lunches down to them?” Sadie asked with a twinkle in her eye.

“Could I? I’d love that.”

“The kitchen delivers them to the front desk, and I send them down. Come with me, and you can take them.”

Ten minutes later, Isla held the sack of what she supposed were sandwiches. She impulsively hugged the sweet woman at the desk and was squeezed tightly in response. “Thank you so much, Sadie.”

“You’re welcome. Go chat with Caesar. Then, stop by and pick up a packet of excursions. His day off is the day after tomorrow. You’ll want something to do tomorrow while you wait to spend time with him.”

“Smart. See you in a few,” Isla said before heading out the door toward the dock.

Almost skipping with happiness down the path, the thought floated through her mind that it didn’t seem like she’d just met Caesar the previous day. A group of tourists passed her, chattering about all they’d seen and how fun it had been. She walked around a curve and saw the two men cleaning wetsuits. Both men had peeled themselves out of the tops of their protective gear. Caesar’s muscular back made her mouth water. He’s so hot.

“Anyone hungry?” she called, raising the bag to show them she came with goodies.

“Isla!” Caesar shouted before jogging toward her to sweep her up in his arms.

“Don’t squish the sandwiches,” she squeaked as her heart thumped hard at being in his arms.

“Fuck the sandwiches, Little girl,” he growled against her ear before relenting and setting her back on the dock.

Unable to stop her giggles, she slid her hand into his and tugged him back to where the other man still worked. “Hi, Jack! I ate lunch with Sadie, and she let me bring you all lunch. The morning dive group looked happy as I passed them.”

“Hi, Isla. Thanks for bringing sandwiches. Mind if I eat first and finish this in a few, boss?” Jack asked.

“It’s a good idea,” Caesar agreed.

When Jack disappeared with his choice, Isla said, “He’s not leaving because of me, is he?”

“No. He spends every lunch on the phone. Thanks for coming to keep me company. Are you still hungry?”

“No way. Eat. I know you are after being out on the water. Was it a good group?”

“Not as amazing as the one I had yesterday,” Caesar assured her. “I have a day off coming up. Want to spend it with me?”

“I’d love that. When can we look at the map? I don’t want to hijack your day off, but maybe we could check it out?” Isla proposed, watching his face to see how he reacted.

“That was exactly going to be my suggestion. Did you and Sadie have fun together?”

“We did. I like her a lot. She’s going to show me all the activities to choose from tomorrow while I’m waiting for you to have a day off.”

“So, you already investigated my schedule,” he said with a grin.

“I didn’t really investigate it. Sadie shared that you were off the day after tomorrow. I wouldn’t have suggested anything unless you said something,” Isla assured him.

“Little Fish. Every spare minute I have is yours.”

“Is that my nickname now?” she asked, tilting her head to look at him quizzically.

“You probably would rather I don’t call you, Little girl, in front of everyone,” he suggested.

“I like it. Water brought us together, so it seems appropriate. Can I be a fierce shark fish?”

“You can be anything you wish, Little girl,” he said fondly.

Caesar scooted back and scooped Isla from the bench she sat on. Plopping her on his lap, he held her securely with one arm wrapped around her waist. His free hand cupped her face and tilted it up as he leaned forward to kiss her.

Without even thinking about it, Isla wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against his hard frame as she eagerly met his kiss. Instant heat flared between them as his lips explored hers. She loved how he tasted her as if she were the sweetest treat.

When he leaned away, Caesar shook his head. “You are addictive, Little girl.”

She grinned, happy he thought so. Isla decided to enjoy every moment with the powerful man. Her Daddy.

“I like whatever that thought was,” he said, watching her face.

“You would have, Daddy,” she said, trying that name out.

Scorching kisses and sweet words rewarded her. She clung to his body, enjoying every exciting exchange. Heat gathered inside her, making her want him more than anyone she’d ever desired.

The racket she suspected was deliberate before Jack reappeared, made Caesar set her back on her bench and pick up his sandwich as if they were only chatting. His assistant’s gaze danced with laughter as he got back to work. Isla didn’t feel a bit self-conscious. Being with Caesar felt right.

“I better get out of here and let you get back to work. Unless you want some help?” she offered.

“You’re here on vacation. Go have fun,” Caesar answered firmly.

“Okay, I’m going to lie by the pool and have one of those drinks with an umbrella.”

“Don’t have too much fun,” Caesar warned.

“I’ll try,” she teased as she left.