19. Gia

Flowers just because? That's incredible.

The fact that Chloe says he does it regularly for her melts my heart.

How is this man so sweet?

Men my age don't usually do this sort of thing, it always comes with some agenda attached to it.

I follow Chloe up the stairs. She undresses herself as I start the shower for her. She rinses herself off and washes her hair with minimal help from me.

"Will you comb my hair?" she asks.

"Of course, go get into bed and we'll do it there."

She smiles and nods before disappearing into her bedroom. I clean up the towel and water mess before grabbing a detangler and a comb. I follow her and see she's patiently waiting on the bed, with a book in her lap.

I sit behind her, spraying her hair with the detangler before I start to work the comb through it.

"You have such pretty hair, Chloe."

"My mommy had the same hair."

"She did?"

"Uh huh. Daddy says I look like her."

"Well, then I guess your mommy was very pretty."

"Daddy isn't as gentle when he combs my hair," she giggles.

"I have a special touch."

She's quiet as she sits still and lets me comb through her curls. The act of doing so is making me feel a way I never felt before.

What is this?

Love? Caring? Happy?

I've never wanted children and I can't help but think again that I'm missing out on something by not wanting them. Chloe is such a sweet child and makes me want to change my thoughts on the subject.

A CIA agent as a stepmom isn't a good life for a little girl. Especially one who is the granddaughter of the CIA's most wanted criminal. That's all kinds of nepotism and blurred lines.

Put that wall back up around your heart, Gia. You cannot get attached to Chloe or Ryder.

It's way too late for that.

I finish combing her hair, and as I gently tuck Chloe into bed, her eyes still sparkling with the remnants of laughter from our earlier games, I can"t help but feel a surge of warmth in my heart. She looks up at me with those big, trusting eyes, waiting eagerly for her nightly ritual to begin.

"Will you read me a story?" she asks, her voice a soft melody in the quiet of her room.

"Of course, Sweetheart," I reply, my own voice filled with tenderness. I settle down beside her on the bed, pulling the covers up to her chin as she snuggles closer to me, her small hand finding mine.

"What story do you want tonight?" I inquire, knowing full well what the answer will be.

"The one about the brave princess and the dragon!" she exclaims, her face alight with excitement as she hands me the book.

With a smile, I take it from her, its pages worn from countless readings. As I open it, the tale unfolds, and I begin to weave the story of Princess Lily and her daring quest to save her kingdom from the clutches of a fearsome dragon.

As I read, Chloe listens intently, her imagination taking flight as she envisions herself as the valiant princess, battling mythical creatures and overcoming obstacles with courage and grace. Every so often, she interrupts with a question or a comment, her enthusiasm infectious and heartwarming.

"You"re the best storyteller," she murmurs as I reach the final pages of the book, her eyes already starting to droop with drowsiness.

With a soft chuckle, I lean down to press a kiss to her forehead, my heart swelling with love for this precious child who fills my life with so much joy. "And you"re the best listener, " I reply, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

As Chloe finally succumbs to sleep, her breathing steady and peaceful, I sit back and watch her for a moment, marveling at the miracle of her existence. It"s in these quiet moments when the world fades away and it"s just the two of us, that I feel the depth of our bond more than ever.

And then, as if on cue, I feel a presence in the doorway, a familiar warmth. I look up to find Ryder standing there, his gaze fixed on us with a tenderness that takes my breath away. His arms are crossed in front of his chest, his expression soft and affectionate as he watches Chloe sleep.

For a moment, our eyes meet, and in that fleeting exchange, a silent understanding passes between us. It"s a look that speaks volumes, filled with all the love and longing that words could never express.

I get up slowly, trying not to wake Chloe as I do. Ryder is smiling softly at me as I sneak out of the room. He envelops me in a hug and kisses me gently.

"You're so good with her."

"She makes it easy," I shrug nonchalantly.

He laces his fingers through mine, and we walk downstairs to the living room.

"Will you stay with me tonight?"

"I still don't…" I begin.

He puts his hands up to stop me. "Okay. I do have another question though."

"Shoot."

"One of my teammates is getting married in Cozumel this weekend, would you like to join me?"

"Cozumel? With Chloe?"

"No kids are allowed so she'll be staying with Josh and Rosa and the kids. It'll be a weekend getaway for just us. It'll give you the opportunity to meet my teammates."

I gaze up into his gorgeous eyes for a minute before I smile and nod.

"I'd love that."

"Great, I'll take care of everything and let you know the specifics later on."

He leans down and covers my mouth with his.

"You make it hard to not want to stay," I tease breathlessly.

"I can continue convincing you…" he chuckles in a husky voice.

"You're a bad influence."

"You like it though."

"I won't deny that."

"I'll walk you to your car, I guess."

"You don't have to. I appreciate that you do though."

He laces his fingers through mine, and we make our way outside.

"There's something else I need to ask you. Did you know the woman on the boardwalk who was giving you dirty looks?"

"No," I sigh, feeling as though I need a story so that he doesn't question why that same woman followed us throughout town. "She's probably one of the many women my ex cheated on me with though. It's happened before that they follow me to confront me or whatever. It's also… he has a habit of telling them lies about me like that I won't leave him alone so they can be together and so on. He gets off when a woman is jealous and shows it. I'm assuming anyway. She doesn't look familiar to me. I've noticed her before and just ignore her."

"Your ex…"

"Yeah, I'm not proud of this but… he's a bad dude. He's a lot like my dad was in that he's manipulative and leads a double life. A con artist for sure and I fell for it."

"I'm sorry."

"There's no need for you to be sorry. I'm working through it and I see him for what he is now. I apologize that he brought it to you today."

"I'm just glad you're safe. I'm hopeful that since she saw you with me she'll leave you alone and report back to him to do the same."

"Me too," I breathe as I step into him for a hug.

I don't like lying to him. It's absolutely killing me to not tell him that the woman following us is my ex-partner who's also borderline psycho. I can't tell him anything about my life in the CIA because it will put him and Chloe at more risk than they're already in and I can't risk that.

He wraps his arms around me and hugs me tightly. It's almost as if his arms can protect me from all the bullshit and chaos in my life.

I want to believe that.

He kisses me hungrily before releasing me and opening my car door for me.

"Text me when you get home."

"It's two minutes."

"I don't care," he chuckles.

He kisses me again before I climb in the car. He shuts the door for me. I start the engine and drive away while he watches me. I glance back in the rearview mirror and see that he's still standing there watching me drive away.

I've never felt so much love and care from someone before in my life.

He's so different from any man I've ever dated. Is it because of his age?

Whatever it is, I like it.

***

The moment we step off the plane onto the sun-kissed tarmac of Cozumel, I"m immediately struck by the warm embrace of the tropical air. It"s as if the very essence of this beautiful island envelops me, filling my senses with the heady scents of exotic flowers and the rhythmic melody of crashing waves.

Ryder"s hand finds mine, his touch grounding me as we make our way through the bustling airport. I steal a glance at him, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I take in the sight of him in this paradise setting. His hair ruffled by the ocean breeze, his eyes alight with excitement and anticipation.

"We"re finally here," he murmurs, his voice filled with a sense of wonder as he gazes out at the azure waters stretching out before us.

I nod in agreement, my heart swelling with gratitude for this precious moment shared with the man I love. Together, we make our way to the awaiting taxi, the driver greeting us with a warm smile as he helps us load our luggage into the trunk.

As we wind our way through the palm-fringed streets of the island, Lush greenery spills over the roadside, vibrant blooms painting the landscape in a riot of color.

"I'm so in awe of everything here," I sigh.

"There"s a sense of serenity and tranquility here, like you can't help but feel peace."

Soon, we arrive at our destination, a luxurious resort nestled along the pristine coastline. The moment we step through the grand entrance, I"m dazzled by the opulence that surrounds us. Towering palm trees sway in the breeze, their fronds casting dappled shadows over the cobblestone pathways. The scent of tropical blooms hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the salty tang of the ocean.

The resort itself is a sight to behold, a sprawling oasis of luxury and indulgence. Imposing archways lead to lush gardens, where cascading waterfalls spill into crystal-clear pools. Everywhere I look, there are signs of meticulous attention to detail, from the intricately carved wooden furniture to the delicate mosaic tiles that adorn every surface.

We"re greeted warmly by the staff, their smiles as bright as the sun that bathes the island in its golden glow. Ryder exchanges a few words with them in fluent Spanish, his voice a melodic cadence that blends seamlessly with the rhythm of the island.

As we"re escorted to our room, I can"t help but marvel at the breathtaking views that greet us at every turn. Our suite is a sanctuary of luxury, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic vistas of the turquoise sea stretching out to the horizon. A king-sized bed draped in billowing white linens takes center stage, flanked by plush armchairs and a marble-topped coffee table.

I glance at Ryder, a sense of wonder and gratitude welling up inside me. "It"s perfect," I whisper, my voice barely above a breath as I take in the beauty that surrounds us.

He smiles back at me, his eyes alight with the same sense of wonder. "Just like you," he replies, his voice a soft murmur that sends a shiver down my spine.

"You're so corny and adorable," I tease as I find myself in his arms, stealing a kiss.

"I'm excited to get to spend alone time with you in a tropical paradise."

"I'd rather not leave this room the entire trip but I guess that's a nonnegotiable."

"We are here for a wedding," he laughs as he kisses me on the forehead.

"Do we have anywhere we need to be right now?"

"Yes, drinks in the cocktail lounge in…" He glances at his phone. "Thirty minutes. We can change really quickly."

"I'd love to go down to the water before we hit the lounge, is that okay?"

"Perfect."

The two of us change quickly. He puts on khaki shorts and a dark blue polo shirt that shows off his muscular upper body. I change into a floral sundress.

"You're beautiful, have I mentioned that today?"

"Maybe a few times," I grin back at him.

He laces his fingers through mine as we make our way out of the resort. The sand is soft beneath our feet, warm and inviting as we stroll hand in hand along the water"s edge. The gentle lapping of the waves provides a soothing soundtrack to our footsteps, a melody that seems to echo the rhythm of our hearts.

I steal a glance at Ryder. His eyes are fixed on the horizon, a look of quiet contentment gracing his features.

"It"s beautiful here," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that sends a flutter of warmth through my chest.

I nod in agreement, unable to tear my gaze away from the breathtaking scene unfolding before us. The sky is ablaze with color. The sea stretches out before us, a vast expanse of shimmering blue that seems to stretch on for eternity.

As we continue our leisurely stroll along the shore, I feel safe. The cares of the world seem to fade into the background, leaving only the two of us, lost in the beauty of this moment.

No one followed us here. My job didn't follow me here. I can rest.

I reach down to slip off my sandals, relishing the feel of the warm sand between my toes. Ryder follows suit, his movements fluid and graceful as he kicks off his own shoes, his hand never leaving mine. Together, we wade into the gentle surf, the cool water lapping at our ankles as we walk.

"It"s like something out of a dream," I whisper, my voice barely above a breath as I take in the sheer beauty that surrounds us.

Ryder smiles down at me, his eyes alight with a warmth that makes my heart skip a beat. "Not as beautiful as you," he replies, his voice a soft murmur that sends a shiver down my spine.

I laugh softly, the sound mingling with the gentle rush of the waves. "Flatterer," I tease, giving his hand a playful squeeze.

But even as the words leave my lips, I can"t help but feel a rush of warmth at his words. At this moment, with the soft sand beneath our feet and the ocean breeze in our hair, I feel more alive than I ever have before.

I've never had anyone just compliment me for no reason before. I'm not used to a man that goes out of his way to make sure his actions speak louder than his words, but the words and actions always align.

As we walk, we talk, sharing stories and dreams, laughter and secrets. The conversation flows easily between us, a natural extension of the bond that binds us together. And with every step we take, I feel myself falling more deeply in love with this man who fills my life with so much joy and happiness.

"We should probably go up to the lounge," he smiles as his phone vibrates. "Jack just asked where we're at."

"Let's go then," I grin back at him.

I'm not sure how I feel about meeting his teammates and spending the weekend with people I don't know, but for Ryder I'd do anything he asks.