The Love Island Bookshop by Kate Frost (ebook reader with internet browser .TXT) 📕

She headed for the bar. A few couples were already seated on the deck that overlooked the moonlit ocean. Freya was just about to catch the attention of one of the bar staff when Ingrid waved her over.

‘Freya, sorry to mess you around. Zander’s decided to meet you for dinner on the other side of the island. Adil’s going to take you there now.’ She nodded across the restaurant, and a slender Maldivian man came over.

‘Okay,’ Freya said, and then Ingrid was off to welcome another couple.

Adil greeted her with a smile and a nod, indicating for her to follow him.

The island was small and it only took a few minutes to walk along the sandy path beneath the trees. They emerged on to a moonlit swathe of empty beach with not a villa in sight.

‘Mr Cohen much prefers to eat away from the restaurant,’ Adil said. That was the reason for the candlelit table in the middle of the sand with the backdrop of shallow water foaming on to the beach.

Freya’s nervousness intensified. Surely he didn’t insist on staff referring to him as Mr Cohen rather than Zander? But the idea that he wouldn’t eat at the restaurant and instead wanted them to be on their own didn’t sit easy with her.

She followed Adil across the sand, which was noticeably cooler than it had been during the day. He pulled out a chair and she sat down. There were another two tables set up a good distance apart, each of them ringed by flickering candles in wicker baskets, so it obviously wasn’t unusual for guests to dine on the beach, but she was the only person here so far.

There was no getting away from how romantic the setting was. The night-time heat hugged her and the moonlight and lamps were the only light apart from the candle flickering on the table. This was not how Freya imagined she’d meet Zander Cohen for the first time.

‘Fresh lemonade.’ Adil poured her a glassful and left the jug on the table. ‘Mr Cohen doesn’t drink.’

Freya didn’t quite know what to do with that information. Once she’d been offered the job, she’d read up on Zander, but of course that couldn’t show her the real person. Did he not drink because of a health thing or a drinking problem? And did that mean she wasn’t able to drink either? She could really do with a glass of wine right now. The longer she was left waiting, the more questions she had and the more worried she became about meeting him. The setting should have soothed her but it left her anxious.

It was so peaceful with only the sound of the ocean that she heard Zander arrive and say hello to Adil before she spotted him. Adil led him over to the table. His reputation as one of the world’s most eligible bachelors was not lost on her. He’d embraced the barefoot vibe and his toned and tanned legs were highlighted by cream shorts. As he strolled towards her, she noticed his blue linen buttonless shirt, the open neck showing a hint of chest and a tattoo. He was wearing a chunky watch and had a clean shaven face, which was instantly recognisable. Freya realised she was staring. She gripped the edge of her chair and willed herself to remain calm. As he reached her, she stood and shook his outstretched hand.

‘At last, Freya, we get to meet in person; my barefoot bookseller.’ He kissed her on both cheeks. He smelt delicious, a warm spiced scent that complimented their surroundings.

‘It’s good to finally meet you too, um, Mr...’

‘Zander. Please call me Zander.’

Freya noticed the briefest of looks in her direction from Adil, before he picked up the jug and poured Zander a glass of lemonade.

‘You’re even more beautiful in real life,’ Zander said as they sat down.

Freya had no idea how to reply to that but her cheeks flushed. Her fingers gripped the edge of her chair.

Zander inclined his head. ‘Adil, if you could bring our first course now, please.’

Adil nodded, turned on his heels and silently retreated.

‘This is quite a spot,’ Freya said, choosing to deflect his comment. If it wasn’t for her knowledge of a restaurant-full of guests a few minutes’ walk away, it would truly feel like they were alone on a desert island and that left her feeling rather uncomfortable. A compliment was one thing, but what would she do if he tried to touch her?

‘You haven’t seen Loabi Fushi yet. But I’ve spent the last couple of days in Malé and was longing for some peace. This spot is usually reserved for honeymooning couples, but as no one had opted to dine here tonight, I figured, why not. I thought you might like to see the true beauty of the place.’

Freya had thought she’d done her homework on Zander and his island paradise. She frowned. ‘So, do you own this island as well?’

‘No, but it was the first island I managed. I fell in love with the Maldives and knew I wanted my own slice of paradise out here. I worked hard to get it.’ He picked up his glass of lemonade and took a sip, his eyes not wavering from hers. ‘And you. You gave up your publishing job for this.’

It seemed like a statement rather than a question and there was a tone that made her wonder if he questioned her reasons for having given up her job for a nine-month stint running a bookshop. At the end of the day, it was what the job was, albeit on a tropical island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. He’d gone from being a platinum-selling pop star in a boy band to an entrepreneur and luxury resort owner, surely taking a risk and following her heart was something he’d approve of?

‘Yes,’ Freya said, carefully thinking through how to respond. The job