Emerald Island: A Billionaire Bedroom Romance

Chapter 2:

Sophie could feel the wind billowing through her clothes. She gripped Kristen's hand. "I never thought I'd get to ride in a helicopter!" she shouted over the noise of the chopping blades.

The past few days were a blur. She still couldn't quite believe that she was on her way to Emerald Island. Getting everything in order before she left had been a nightmare. She had a few orders to fill, rescheduled meetings with a few investors, and briefly toyed with the idea of hiring temporary help to keep the store open. But the idea was too daunting, and she didn't have the money to pay them, anyway. Ultimately she hung a sign in the window: Sorry, we're closed. She wondered how long before she'd have to hang that sign permanently.

She called her mother with the news, and couldn't help feeling a bit sad. Her mom deserved a vacation, too. One day her business would take off, and she'd take her mom on a round-the-world trip. She stopped and took a deep breath. It took every ounce of her energy to maintain composure.

It didn't matter now. She was off, giddy at the thought of being irresponsible and spontaneous for maybe the first time in her entire life.

After a cross-country flight to Miami and a short hop to the British Virgin Islands, Sophie was helicopter-bound for Emerald Island. She was exhausted, but excited. As the physical distance increased between herself and home, her stress started to melt away ever so slightly.

The island on the horizon grew larger. She saw long, sandy-white beaches surrounded by dense, green jungle. The water was an almost shockingly perfect aquamarine.

Sophie looked over at Kristen, who couldn't contain her grin. Kristen looked chic and relaxed in her aviators and chunky black headset. Somehow, no matter what she was doing, she always managed to look like she had done it a million times before.

The pilot, Jim, was a kind-looking man with an impressive mustache. As he skillfully handled the helicopter lower and lower, more of the island's details began to emerge. Two specks on the beach became bronzed bodies lying on the sand. A few bungalows peeked out from a riot of palm trees and ferns. A giant trampoline floated in the ocean. A man did a backflip into the sparkling water. Sophie had never seen anything like it. She started to wonder if she had brought the right clothes.

What is this place?

The helicopter angled itself towards a helipad. A man and woman stood below, ready to greet them. They wore matching outfits—sleek, simple-but-expensive black tees and black jeans. They looked like the type of people who went to the celebrity-packed LA parties Sophie would never have gotten into, even if she had the time to attend.

Sophie felt a slight bump as the helicopter touched down.

"Unbuckle your seatbelts, ladies," Jim said. "And enjoy your stay!"

Sophie removed her helicopter headset and passed it to Jim. The man in black held out his muscular arms to help Sophie and Kristen down from the helicopter.

"Welcome to Emerald!" he yelled over the roaring helicopter blades. "I'm Sergio. I can take your bags. Julia and I will show you to your villa."

He nodded over to the woman next to him. Sophie and Kristen disembarked the helicopter and followed Julia off the helipad and onto stone steps. Sergio trailed the three women and carried their bags.

"How was your ride over?" Julia asked.

"Pretty spectacular," Kristen replied. Her eyes gleamed, and she cast a quick glance back at Sergio.

Sophie noticed her friend eyeing the rippling muscles of Sergio's arms and back as he shouldered their bags. Well, I guess we are on vacation, Sophie thought.