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Book: NocC 005 - Caridad Pineiro - Amazon Awakening - Harlequin 2011-12 by Nocturne
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direction until she reached the long floating dock stretching out into the river. The pontoon plane was moored just a bit away, and farther upriver were a series of small buoys and flags, probably marking the fish hatcheries Rey had mentioned.
She walked to the end of the platform and then plopped down cross-legged near the edge. The sun was up, but its heat was not yet enough to be uncomfortable. A slight breeze stirred along the river, keeping away the humidity while the water flowed by, filled with life and a calm that seeped into her in tiny bits.
She’d always been drawn to the water. Maybe some subliminal memory of this magnificent river was the reason why, she thought. While she sat, she considered all that had happened and what little she had learned in the space of one short day.
One short day that had forever changed her life—no matter what decision she made.
If she left, would she always feel guilty that she had ignored her family’s wishes and a duty to a people she didn’t know? Would she regret not exploring what might be possible with Rey?
As angry as she was at his deception, she couldn’t deny that she was drawn to him. That their lovemaking over the last couple of days had been…spectacular. Just the thought of it sent a shiver of need through her. But was that enough for her to sacrifice everything for which she had worked so hard?
She had a life back in New York. A successful life. A financially rewarding career. But she had to confess that even being on the cusp of a partnership, something seemed lacking there. Lately, work alone had not been enough to fulfill her.
As the sun rose higher, she closed her eyes and tilted her face upward, considering all her options until a footfall vibrated from the far end of the floating dock. She didn’t need to turn to know who it was. As each footfall brought him closer, his already familiar scent was carried to her on the breeze. The connection with him created desire and something even more dangerous—a sense of peace and fulfillment difficult to ignore.
Could it be love already? she wondered.
Rey stopped before reaching her and said, “I’m sorry. What happened… You have to believe it had nothing to do with the legacy.”
Paola wanted to believe that. She wanted to think that it had to do with them and only them.
“I wouldn’t blame you for leaving. You have no connection to this place,” he continued.
She laughed harshly and without looking back at him said, “How I wish that were true.” It had only been a day, but it had been enough for this place to sink its roots into her. For him to establish himself in her heart. Leaving would not be an easy thing to do.
The wood creaked as he stood beside her. She glanced up at him and met his gaze, filled with concern and guilt.
“May I?” he asked, gesturing to a spot on the dock next to where she sat.
She answered with a shrug, and he plopped down, mimicking her stance. Legs crossed. His powerful arms wrapped around his knees as he rocked back and forth for a moment, staring out at the river. Then he faced her again.
“You don’t need to worry about your grandmother. I will care for her.”
As he had been caring for her for so many years, Paola realized. As he had been caring for those in the sacred space and on the plantation. Alone for so long.
“Why do you stay here?” she asked, wanting to understand him. Needing to know more about him. About what moved him.
With a hunch of his shoulders, he said, “Duty. Love. I believe in protecting this majestic place while improving the lives of everyone here.”
“Is that what Lopes Industries does? What you oversee?” Although she knew something about it from the Internet searches she had done, she suspected now that the real reason behind their environmental concerns was protection of the sacred space.
He nodded. “We guard the rain forest and the sacred space, but we also use what we can to better the lives of those in the
She walked to the end of the platform and then plopped down cross-legged near the edge. The sun was up, but its heat was not yet enough to be uncomfortable. A slight breeze stirred along the river, keeping away the humidity while the water flowed by, filled with life and a calm that seeped into her in tiny bits.
She’d always been drawn to the water. Maybe some subliminal memory of this magnificent river was the reason why, she thought. While she sat, she considered all that had happened and what little she had learned in the space of one short day.
One short day that had forever changed her life—no matter what decision she made.
If she left, would she always feel guilty that she had ignored her family’s wishes and a duty to a people she didn’t know? Would she regret not exploring what might be possible with Rey?
As angry as she was at his deception, she couldn’t deny that she was drawn to him. That their lovemaking over the last couple of days had been…spectacular. Just the thought of it sent a shiver of need through her. But was that enough for her to sacrifice everything for which she had worked so hard?
She had a life back in New York. A successful life. A financially rewarding career. But she had to confess that even being on the cusp of a partnership, something seemed lacking there. Lately, work alone had not been enough to fulfill her.
As the sun rose higher, she closed her eyes and tilted her face upward, considering all her options until a footfall vibrated from the far end of the floating dock. She didn’t need to turn to know who it was. As each footfall brought him closer, his already familiar scent was carried to her on the breeze. The connection with him created desire and something even more dangerous—a sense of peace and fulfillment difficult to ignore.
Could it be love already? she wondered.
Rey stopped before reaching her and said, “I’m sorry. What happened… You have to believe it had nothing to do with the legacy.”
Paola wanted to believe that. She wanted to think that it had to do with them and only them.
“I wouldn’t blame you for leaving. You have no connection to this place,” he continued.
She laughed harshly and without looking back at him said, “How I wish that were true.” It had only been a day, but it had been enough for this place to sink its roots into her. For him to establish himself in her heart. Leaving would not be an easy thing to do.
The wood creaked as he stood beside her. She glanced up at him and met his gaze, filled with concern and guilt.
“May I?” he asked, gesturing to a spot on the dock next to where she sat.
She answered with a shrug, and he plopped down, mimicking her stance. Legs crossed. His powerful arms wrapped around his knees as he rocked back and forth for a moment, staring out at the river. Then he faced her again.
“You don’t need to worry about your grandmother. I will care for her.”
As he had been caring for her for so many years, Paola realized. As he had been caring for those in the sacred space and on the plantation. Alone for so long.
“Why do you stay here?” she asked, wanting to understand him. Needing to know more about him. About what moved him.
With a hunch of his shoulders, he said, “Duty. Love. I believe in protecting this majestic place while improving the lives of everyone here.”
“Is that what Lopes Industries does? What you oversee?” Although she knew something about it from the Internet searches she had done, she suspected now that the real reason behind their environmental concerns was protection of the sacred space.
He nodded. “We guard the rain forest and the sacred space, but we also use what we can to better the lives of those in the
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