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PROLOGUE

“OUR GUEST IS early, Miss Ashley Ooh, that boat is sweet,” Clea, the housekeeper, said and gave a squeal of laughter that rang through the hall “You should see Louis running down the dock to get a closer look”

“It must be quite a boat,” Ashley said Clea’s husband didn’t move fast No one did on Inez Key Their faentle rhythm of island life

Ashley took a step outside and stared at the scarlet red boat The sharp and draainst the lazy waves of the ocean The boat said a lot about the owner Loud and attention seeking She squinted and noticed that there was only one person on the boat “Dale”

Clea patted Ashley’s bare arm “I’m sure he won’t require that much work”

Ashley rolled her eyes “Single guests are the worst They expect to be entertained”

“I can e into a dress,” Clea said as she headed down the hill to the dock

Ashley followed her “No, thanks I’uests anyht I was included in the weekend package”

Clea gestured at Ashley “And what is thisto think when he sees you dressed like that?”

Ashley looked down at the bright yellow tank top that didn’t quite reach the frayed cutoff shorts Her worn sandals were so old they clung lovingly to her feet and her long hair was gathered up in a messy ponytail She only wore makeup or jewelry for a special occasion A ory “That we aren’t formal around here”

Clea clucked her tongue and stared at Ashley’s long brown legs “You don’t know much about men, do you?”

“I’ve learned ot her education whenever her father had been around during the tennis off-season What she didn’t discover froe

She had finally used all that knowledge to secure a generous loan froe risk She didn’t trust the aging playboy and kneas going to find a way to have her repay hi to happen

Unfortunately, she was behind on her loan payment and she couldn’t miss anotherdown her spine as she considered the consequences Just a fewprivacy on her island—okay, quite a few more—and she would be free of the threat

Ashley walked down the hill with renewed deter the bright sun with her hand as she took a closer look at her guest, Sebastian Esteban

Theto be swarainst her chest She noticed the thick dark hair ruffling slightly in the wind and the T-shirt stretched against his broad chest His powerful legs were encased in faded jeans She felt an unfaeous stranger

“Huh,” Clea said as she walked alongside Ashley “There’s so familiar about that man”

“Is he famous? An actor?” Ashley iood looks would make Hollywood lay down the red carpet for him, she sensed Sebastian Esteban wasn’t the kind ould trade on his harsh, masculine features The blade of his nose and the slash of his h, slanted cheekbones and the thrust of his angular jaw indicated that he fought for every inch of his territory

“Can’t say for sure,” Clea muttered “I feel like I’ve seen him before”

It didn’tto be starstruck Ashley had intentionally cut herself off froo She would probably recognize a few superstars, but she didn’t keep up with the current celebrities Yet she didn’t think she could tolerate another faht basic manners applied to everyone else and not them