Read Online [Invitation to Eden 15.0] Return to Sender by Steena Holmes - Free Book Online

That’s what he said? Honestly? He joined her at the railing, where she was half leaning, and handed her the bag in his hands.
    “Thanks.” She set the bag down and leaned her elbows on the wood rail to stare out over the ocean.
    He couldn’t take his gaze off her. She was beautiful. Her dark brown hair shimmered in the sunlight; the length of it rested on her shoulders and curled down around the tops of her arms. She wore a beautiful white sundress with soft pink sandals and her skin glowed.
    She was a goddess and he so much wanted to kiss her.
    He turned and stared out over the water as well, hoping to find something there to hold his attention but there was nothing. Just...water. So he turned back to her, not caring if she noticed.
    “Have you had breakfast?” he asked. They could talk about why she took off last night later. Right now, all he wanted was to spend time with her. He realized last night that he needed to try a different tactic with her.
    Six years ago, there had been an instant connection. He needed to prove to her that it was still there. He’d seen it last night between them before everything had fallen apart. He planned to go slow, to show her that he was still the same guy she’d fallen in love with in Paris.
    “Not yet. I was...I was going to see if you wanted to join me?” A brief smile kissed her lips and his heart swelled.
    “Funny, I was about to do the same. I figured if this island is as magical as it’s made out to be, we should be able to find a proper croissant or baguette somewhere, right?”
    Lauren groaned. “I would kill for a Parisian baguette right about now. American bread just isn’t the same.”
    His brow lifted. “Is that right? Well then, let’s go find one, shall we?” He held out his hand and caught the way she hesitated before she reached out and placed her hand in his.
    “We need to talk—” she began but he cut her off.
    “Breakfast first. We can talk about last night later. There’s no rush, okay?” He needed her relaxed, not all tense and apprehensive.
    “Okay.” Her shoulders relaxed and when she took in a deep breath and then let it out, he knew there was a chance.
    “Let me just put this bag back inside.” She glanced down inside the bag and hesitated. “I forgot about this.” She pulled out a box with a brown colored bow and held it up. “Tyler gave this to me last night and I was going to open it after my massage.”
    Marc stilled...he knew what was in the box and he wasn’t sure if he wanted her to open it right now.
    “Oh, I wonder if it’s more chocolates.” She bit her lip as she played with the brown ribbon. “Although, more chocolates would be a bit of a letdown, especially after getting Paul’s gold boxed chocolates.”
    “You got one of those?” Who would have given them to her? Paul? The guy who owned the island? What was written on it?
    Her face lit up. “I did. And I’m not sharing.” Her eyes twinkled and he was reminded about her love for chocolate. “Unless...any way you could convince Paul to send me more of those boxes?”
    Marc took his time answering that. His friendship with Paul was the reason she took off last night.
    “I can’t even get these.” He decided to be honest.
    She scrunched up her nose at that but when her stomach grumbled, she placed the box back in the bag. “I’ll worry about this after breakfast.”
    Marc waited for her to open her cottage door and slip the bag inside.
    “How did you know where I was staying?” he asked.
    She lifted her shoulder. “I had a hunch after something Tyler said last night.”
    “What was that?”
    She looked as if she were about to answer but then stopped. There was something in her gaze, mischievous but happy. Satisfied even. He knew he could prod but didn’t want to. She’d tell him eventually. He hoped.
    They walked down the boardwalk and made their way along the beach. More buildings were off in the distance. Not in a rush, Marc made sure his pace was