“Is your family always so open like that?”
He shrugged. “I want to say yes, but the truth is, not really. Most have to earn it. I think the fact that Griffin never felt worthy made my mother dig her feet in more to prove him wrong. He was a project in the best way possible. He’s opened up and healed some. Long story. Lincoln felt the same way too, just was very respectful and my mother was determined to get him to lighten up around them.”
“That’s nice. My mother was like that with my friends. I don’t remember having too many friends around my father. What about you? You never talk about close friends. Do you have any?”
“Not like my brothers.” Even if he wished he had. His brothers and he were just distinct personalities. Different lifestyles.
“I haven’t heard many names at all,” she mumbled.
“Most of my friends now are more like acquaintances. I guess it’s easier to say the few that I was close to in adulthood have married and have families. They don’t live in the city but the outskirts. I try to not get close to anyone that I work with.”
She looked up after jabbing him in the side with her finger. “That’s not making me feel any better.”
“We are talking about men, not women. And if we were talking about women, I’ve told you before, you’re the first. If you don’t believe me, you can ask my family. They won’t lie.”
“I believe you. I think that’s why I still question this.”
“I want to tell you to stop, but that’s easier said than done.”
Because he was still questioning it himself.
Would she eventually grow tired of working for him, of answering to him half the day, and pretending none of what they felt for each other mattered the other half?
It wasn’t a game. Not one either of them could win.
More than once, he’d almost slipped and mentioned something from their lifeoutsideof work, but he always caught himself just in time.
She was right. If word got out, no one would say a damn thing to him.
But they’d go after her.
They always went after the softer target.
Which made him want to get it out now, not later. Tackle it head on and put it to rest so they could move forward.
She wouldn’t be on board with that, which meant this had to be the first step.
“It is, but I’m trying. I think I can hear the helicopter? Is that right?”
“Yep,” he said. “Let’s go meet it.”
It was seven thirty, Lincoln was returning some guests from the casino last night, then he’d be back on the island to pick up some tours. This was the easiest way to catch a flight over, even if it was early.
Since he and Nora were normally up and running at this time, he didn’t think it’d be a problem other than they didn’t get their workout in.
They’d be flying back around four and could do it then if she wanted.
As much as he would have liked to spend the night, his parents were there and he’d never had a woman spend the night with others around. The casino was out because Nora was too worried they’d be recognized.
There was too great of an opportunity of someone employed at Bond Enterprises seeing them.
They walked out together, the helicopter coming down on the landing pad and shutting off, everyone departing, then Lincoln climbing out.
“Well, well, well, about time,” Lincoln said.
“Don’t be a dick,” Ethan said, shoving at Lincoln’s arm. “This is Nora Jones.”
“Nice to meet you,” Lincoln said. “Been hearing a bit about you.”
