Free The Sanctuary (Playa Luna Beach Romance) by Sarah Collins

sanctuary?”
    Alejandro turned and walked toward the cliff. He gazed intently at the beach below, and then turned his sights up toward the stars. “My mother knows Pablo was married on that beach, and that’s the last place she’s ever heard from him. She is intent on leaving it untouched, as a memorial to him. She is immovable on this issue, and refuses to speak about it. She was the one who sent the denial before I’d even seen it.”
    Cassie gasped, the vision of the cold woman on the dais in front of her. “Your mother?”
    “Yes. She believes she is doing the honorable thing on behalf of her beloved, lost brother. I have not been able to deter her, and I have tried. I’ve been trying for three days now, and she will not discuss it any further.” Turning toward Cassie, he brushed away a wisp of hair blowing in the warm night breeze. “She controls the board, and this afternoon they voted against the sanctuary. I’m so sorry.”
    Cassie had been standing too long, and her leg buckled once more and the flames came closer as she fell toward them. Alejandro grabbed her waist as she fell, bringing her toward him with one swift pull. She threw her arms around his neck, grabbing tightly for balance. Her pulse raced after her near miss with the fire and as her breath returned to normal, she rested her head on his shoulder.
    “I don’t know what to do, Alejandro,” she whispered, her warm tears wetting his shirt.
    Alejandro enveloped her in his embrace, rocking her softly. She felt his chin resting on the top of her head as he reached under hers, tilting her face toward the moonlight, toward him. He stood still, his eyes searching hers. Slowly, she stood on her tiptoes, pulling his head toward hers.
    His eyes flashed as he leaned into her, his warm lips soft on hers. His arms tightened around her waist as the kiss deepened, his scent make her wonder if her knee would give out again. Her head spun as she gave her heart to him in a way she never thought she could, to anyone.
    He pulled away from her abruptly, his hands still on her waist, making sure she was steady. Taking a step back, he took her hand. With a slight bow, he said, “I promise I will make it right, Miss Lewis. For you, for the vaquita…and for me.”
    He brought her hand to his lips once more, lingering for a moment. “Buenas noches, Senorita. I will see you tomorrow at the press conference?”
    “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Alejandro.” She watched him walk to his car in the moonlight, the flames of the bonfire now turning to ash. She looked out over the ocean, wondering what he could possibly be able to do now.

 
    Chapter Seventeen
     
    Cassie and Taylor scored a front row seat after they pushed their way through the throng of reporters standing outside the door. Taylor pulled Cassie through them once again as they heard shouts of, “Any statement, Miss Lewis?” from at least 20 different directions. The commotion left them breathless and they took their seats, both laughing.
    “That was bizarre,” Taylor said, turning her head to the back of the room where the photographers covered the doorway. “I feel like Beyonce or something.”
    “Well, you don’t look like Beyonce,” Cassie said, grinning. She was grateful to Taylor for the levity, as her heart had been heavy all night. She couldn’t sleep, and morning hadn’t come soon enough. The butterflies in her stomach hadn’t subsided with daylight, and the program she held in her hands was twisted beyond recognition.
    “So, what do you think he’s going to do?” Cassie said, leaning back in her seat and eyeing the dais at the front of the room. It sat empty, with 10 minutes until the press conference was scheduled to begin.
    Cassie leaned forward, her hand on Taylor’s knee. “I don’t know. I have absolutely no idea.” She glanced around the room, recognizing many sympathetic faces from the ceremony yesterday, their presence gratifying.
    “Do you believe he can fix