Page 47 of The Rings that Bind


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‘I misunderstood what you meant when you said you wanted more from a marriage,’ he continued. ‘I took it to mean you wanted sex to be a part of it. I did not realise you were looking for something deeper. If I had known of your history I would never have allowed us to sleep together.’

Deep inside her belly all the lovely, warm, mushy feelings that had been swirling there since they had first made love solidified into compacted ice. Her blood thickened into slush; her head was a pounding torment of hammers.

Forcing deep breaths into her lungs, she counted to ten before dredging up a smile. ‘I really don’t know where you got the idea I wanted something deeper, Nico,’ she said. Thank God her vocal cords were working properly. ‘I said I wanted something more than what we had. I never actually said what I wanted, or said I wanted it with you.’ It gave her enormous, bitter satisfaction to witness disconcertion flittering across his features. ‘But you are right in one respect—the last couple of days have been great. I really feel as if I’ve had a proper holiday, so thank you for that. I’ll be sure to include regular breaks in my schedule. And you’re excellent in bed. Congratulations.’

Nico blanched—whether at her saccharinely sweet delivered words or the faux sincere manner in which she was delivering them, she couldn’t have cared less.

‘And congratulations for managing the equivalent of three days with me,’ she continued. ‘Is that a record for you? But, purlease, it was only sex—and, as great as it was, I have no interest in pursuing a deeper relationship with a man who has the emotional maturity of a walnut.’

His eyes glittered, a deep crease furrowing in his brow. ‘Rosa, I never—’

‘A word of advice,’ she interrupted, getting to her feet. ‘When you’re standing in a deep hole, stop digging.’

‘Where are you going?’ he asked as she walked off towards the cabin.

‘To get some suncream,’ she called back over her shoulder. ‘It looks like today is going to be another scorcher and I don’t fancy burning—I’d hate to clash with the life jacket should the yacht capsize.’

* * *

When she had disappeared from view Nico took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

That had been harder than he’d expected. Much harder. Through his extended workout he had been mulling over the best choice of words to use. He had known he could not put it off, but for once there had been inertia in his body’s response. For once the thought of ending a relationship had caused his stomach to cramp.

He hadn’t lied. They truly had been great together. The past three days had been the best of his life. If ever there was a woman he could love, Rosa would be the one.

But he did not know how to love. He did not know how to give a woman what she needed. And the last thing he wanted was to hurt the one woman in the world he liked and respected.

It had hurt his heart to look at her.

When he had said what needed to be said he had forced his eyes to stay locked on her, forced himself to witness the shock she had not been quick enough to hide.

Her shock had not lasted long. He should have known she would not react in the way he’d anticipated. Not for Rosa the tantrums and sulks he had become accustomed to. Apart from her initial shock, she couldn’t have cared less.

Had he really read her so wrong?

Had her childhood hardened her so much that she was incapable of loving too?

The thought should dispel some of his nagging guilt. It did not.

Rosa’s shock had been real. That tiny tic of hers, although barely perceptible, had been revealing.

It was not long before she came back out to the sundeck in a black bikini, white shorts and dark sunglasses. She marched over to him.

‘Could you put some suncream on my back, please?’ She thrust the bottle into the hand he automatically stretched out. Not waiting for an answer, she turned her back to him and lifted her ponytail.

He had no good reason to refuse.

‘Are we going to return to Butterfly Island before schedule?’ she asked whilst he poured the thick cream onto the palm of a hand.

‘I will speak to the Captain shortly.’ Using brisk motions he slathered the cream onto her back, wishing his fingers didn’t delight in the buttery skin. He counted four moles and compressed his lips tightly together. His skin tingled. He was filled with the need to slip a hand round and cup one of those full...

‘Good. It is pointless continuing with this cruise when there is work we can be getting on with. Are you done?’

He blinked and quickly moved his hands away. ‘Yes.’ He clenched them into fists lest he gave in to the urge to slap her perfectly rounded bottom.

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