Page 136 of Dream Chaser

I was still very far from used to this—his attention, his affection, all the small gestures that showed he cared about me more than anyone ever has.

My gaze fell upon a seashell necklace with a golden charm in the shape of the letter N.

As I took it, the woman asked, “¿Cómo se llama usted?” What’s your name?

“Nova.”

“Nos llevaremos este también.” We’ll also take this one. Alejandro held out a matching necklace with an A.

“Perfect for your suits and button-downs.” I nudged him playfully. He liked jewelry—mainly discreet silver chains and rings—but this was on the brighter, less subtle side.

His mouth quirked as he looked at me over the rim of his shades. “Maybe if I wear it, people will think I’m too laid-back to be a control freak.”

After he paid, and the woman handed us the necklaces in a pouch, I kissed him. “Thank you for the necklace, Mr. Guerrero. It’ll look pretty with my beach dresses.”

“Everything looks pretty on you.” He draped an arm across my shoulders. “I was thinking about dinner by the pool at the villa. Does that sound good?”

“Sounds like the best evening ever.”

“I’ll try to make it great.” He hugged me tighter. “Want to see something else? Clothes?”

I shook my head. “Not tonight. We can go home.”

***

The sun dipped lower, sinking into a wash of crimson and purple as I stood on the deck of our villa.

Alejandro dropped his wallet and key fob onto the low teak table. “I’ll go get everything ready. You can take pictures of the sunset meanwhile.”

“I want to help.”

He crossed to me and pulled me into his arms. “Fine, but there’s not much to do.” His lips skimmed my jaw. “In case I haven’t told you”—he nuzzled my cheek—“I love your smell.”

“You have.” I ran my palm over his shoulder. “But I like when you say it.”

“Then—” A rustling cut off his reply. He stared at something behind me.

My heart beat faster. “Ale?”

“A monkey,” he mouthed.

I’d seen them in the jungle around the villa, but judging by Alejandro’s frown, this one was close.

I turned in his arms. A small capuchin monkey perched on the deck’s railing, eyeing us as though we were the intruders.

“What do we do?” I whispered.

Before Alejandro could answer, the animal jumped onto the deck and bounded toward the table.

“Eh!” Alejandro lunged forward. Too late. The monkey held his wallet up like a trophy and made a sound eerily similar to a laugh. I could swear there was amusement in its eyes.

“Dámelo,” he said. Give it to me.

The monkey jumped onto the table. From there, to the back of a loveseat. My phone buzzed in my hand. An unknown number was on the screen—the new NitroFlow guy with the worst possible timing.

Alejandro took a cautious step toward the monkey. “Dámelo ahora mismo.” Give it to me right now.

The phone kept ringing. “Answer,” Alejandro said, tossing a glance my way. “I’ll deal with the little thief.”