Raw, A Dark Romance Read Online Free Page A

her.
    “She’ll be joining you as soon as she’s well enough to travel.” Tonya gave me a kind smile. “If there’s nothing else I can do for you, I think I’ll head out. I could use some sleep myself.”
    “Oh, yes. Absolutely. Thanks for everything.”
    She nodded and left.
    I did a three-sixty, marveling at the luxury all around me. After years of starvation, struggle, misery, and hell, how had I gotten to this point? Never, in my wildest dreams, did I imagine that one day I would be staying in a luxury hotel in Spain, flown by private jet, a billionaire paying a crap-ton of money to meet me--a girl who had clawed her way out of the gutter one inch at a time. A girl who was still trying to claw her way out.
    If he was expecting a woman who was classy and sophisticated, born with a silver spoon in her mouth and gold-plated diapers on her ass, he was in for a big surprise. But at least I would be getting a paid vacation out of the deal.
    I hurried through my getting-ready-for bed routine. Squashing the temptation to dash out to that glorious ocean and dip my feet into the softly lapping water, I sank into the most comfortable bed I’d ever laid on and let my dreams carry me away.
    Tomorrow I would meet the mysterious billionaire who had forked out a zillion dollars to fly me out to his country. I smiled as visions of dark-eyed, dark-haired Spaniards flashed through my mind. What were the chances that he was younger than fifty? Probably none. And what were the chances that we would fall madly in love in one week and live happily-ever-after? Absolutely none. But I let my imagination run wild. If nothing else, this trip would make great inspiration for my next book.
    The scent of salt in the air, carried through the open window on a gentle breeze, and the distant sound of the waves lulled me to sleep.
    * * * * *
    The sun soaking through my eyelids, turning black to red, woke me the next morning. Being totally out of whack, thanks to the time zone change and the lingering effects of that mild sleeping pill, I had no idea what time it was. I checked the clock. It said it was a little after eight in the morning. I yawned, swallowing huge gulps of fragrant, warm air.
    So far, so good. Despite Sid getting sick, I had no regrets yet. Back at home it had been a blustery, bitter-cold fifteen degrees. Here, even early, it felt so much warmer. I couldn’t wait to get outside, to feel the sun heating my skin. To feel the wet sand oozing between my toes and the water lapping at my ankles.
    Once again I hurried through my routine, this time my morning ritual. I showered and shaved every inch of my body smooth. Wearing my bathing suit under a flowy skirt, tank top and a lightweight sweater, I was ready to hit the beach within a half hour. I grabbed a towel to dry my feet, stepped into a pair of flip-flops and unlatched one of the French doors leading out to a patio and pool area. Not a single guest was swimming in the pool when I flip-flopped around it. The brilliant sun glinted off the clear blue water as I hurried by, my focus on getting to the beach.
    God, it was heaven out here.
    Sid was going to love it. I actually sent up a little thank you to her for talking me into this trip. I hadn’t been here for long and already I could feel the tension unfurling from inside my body, knots loosening. I hadn’t realized how uptight I’d become until I stepped out on that beach and took a long, deep breath.
    I kicked off my sandals. The sand was warm underfoot. The air heavily perfumed with a mixture of fragrant flowers, plants and the tang of sea salt.
    The blue of the sky and water was breathtakingly brilliant. I didn’t think I’d ever seen water or sky so beautiful. But even the million-dollar view of the shoreline could not keep me from looking at the two men down by the water. They were…I squinted…were they fighting? No, not exactly. They were both shirtless. Their arms and legs were moving. They were striking each other.