I nodded at the eyedrops resting on the coffee table.

“They’re not mine. Maybe housekeeping left them accidentally.”

That wasn’t good. I’d have a word with Allie.

I kept eating. He sat beside me, his muscles flexing. I wanted to touch him. To explore those intriguing dips and ridges.

He handed me a glass of wine, then sank back on the couch and sipped his own wine.

“You look relaxed,” I noted.

“I should be.” He toyed with my hair. “I haven’t come that hard in a long time.”

Warmth filled me.

He toyed with my hair. “I haven’t taken the time to slow down in…”

“A long time?”

“Right.”

“Taking over as CEO of a large company will do that.”

“The Maldives deal hit some roadblocks. I can’t afford to lose it.”

I tilted my head. “Would it be the end of the world if it didn’t work out? There are other deals, right?”

He played with the skin on my neck. “I want it. I go after everything I want.”

I ate another mouthful of steak and swallowed. “I know.”

“My father would rub my face in it if I lost.” Ro’s face hardened.

“Do you really care what he thinks?” I asked quietly.

Ro stilled. “No. Consciously, no.” A groove formed in his brow. “Unconsciously…”

I didn’t want thoughts of his father to ruin our evening together. “Are you going to make me eat alone?”

“More bread first.” He grabbed another hunk. “Then I’ll try your fish.”

I sipped my wine. “You’ll get the Maldives deal done.”

“Yes, but I might need to suffer a few more migraines to close it. Maybe I should set you on to them?”

“Me? I’m not big into confrontation.”

He snorted.

I slapped his arm. “I’m not. I’m a fixer and a people pleaser. Allie is always telling me not to be a pushover.”

“Allie? Housekeeping supervisor.”

I nodded. “And one of my best friends. We went to school together. Sierra and Jazz round out our group.”

“Allie thinks you’re a pushover? Please, I remember every tart email you’ve ever sent me.”

I blushed. “I was polite.”

“And you have a skillful hand with subtext. The ‘go fuck yourself’ kind.”

My lips twitched.

He reached over and pulled one of my legs over his. “Your emails made me laugh. I realized I hadn’t been laughing a lot lately.”

I grabbed his hand. “You’re doing good work and you take care of your employees. More than I realized. I thought you were all about the profit.”

“And soulless hotels?” he teased.

“I said some were nice.” I rubbed my thumb over his palm. “I was worried you’d knock this place down.”

“I know.”

“But now, I know you’re going to do what’s best for the Windward. And all over the company. Like giving your staff increased opportunities, pay raises, health benefits⁠—”