‘I know. Too high-handed.’ He grinned. But a long flight now—even by private jet—was too much for her. ‘We need to work things through. You need privacy and rest. You look wiped out.’
‘Thanks,’ she said sarcastically.
He wasn’t about to apologise; it was true. And no wonder when she’d been so isolated for so long. Her prickliness, her determined independence, now made sense. Abandoned by her family, she’d lost trust and developed a ferocious need for independence as defence. Aside from simply needing to survive, when her own family didn’t value her, how did she find value within herself? Through work.
He knew the drill. He’d tried that himself. But where she’d succeeded, he’d failed. Because she was fundamentally worthy, whereas he was not.
He wished she would just be shallow and say yes to everything—not just this trip, but to marrying him. Why couldn’t she simply accept the lifestyle he could offer? She and the baby could be secure within the Hearnshawe gates. He would set her up with everything she needed, just as he’d done for Emiliano. Only she didn’t seem to want that so now he felt forced to try to convince her—toprovewhy it could work. He feared she wanted more than what his money could buy. That she wanted the things he didn’t and would never have. It was too bad, because the die was cast and the sooner they settled into it, the better.
‘Honestly, I need a break, too,’ he added huskily. He actually bloody did. He was damned tired.
She studied him searchingly, no doubt seeing the shadows beneath his eyes; plus, he’d not yet bothered to shave. Seeing that abrasion on her neck, he would in a moment. For now he waited, enduring her scrutiny until at last she nodded.
He smiled ruefully. Of course she was more comfortable with the idea if she thoughthegot some benefit as well. Then it wasn’t all about her. Was she so used to not being considered that she almost felt threatened when she was?
‘What will you have for breakfast?’ he asked.
‘Umm…’ She glanced sideways at the tray at the end of the table, her nose wrinkled. ‘Actually, do you think it’s possible for me to see a doctor? Not because there’s anything wrong—but just have a check-up, make sure my nutrition is everything it should be. That sort of thing.’
‘Of course.’ It was already on his list, but that she’d raised it first was good. She’d not replied to his texts through the weekend, but she needed to learn that when she did ask, he would deliver. Starting now. ‘I’ll arrange for one to come to the hotel in Sentosa. We’ll leave as soon as you’ve dressed.’
‘Amazing, thank you.’
He grabbed his phone to message instructions while she went hunting for her dress. Within a half hour the car arrived.
‘Don’t you want to drive?’ she murmured.
‘Not when I can be in the back seat with you.’ He winked.
‘But you raced for a while. You won several of the karting grades year on year in England. Why did you stop?’
He quelled his discomfort. He couldn’t tell her what had happened the last day he’d gone racing. ‘I needed to concentrate on my education. After my father died, I knew I would take over Hearnshawe sooner and I needed the skills to succeed.’
‘Surely, driving is one of those skills.’
‘I knew all I needed to. There were other areas I had to focus on.’ He was relieved when they arrived at the hotel.
He watched an element of panic enter her wide eyes as she walked into their private villa.
‘This place is amazing,’ she murmured.
The villa was lovely but Massimo’s home on the edge of an Italian lake had more space. He would take her there later. He didn’t want to overwhelm her too soon—she was skittish enough of howspoilthe was. Her expectations were shockingly low. She liked the cosiness of a damned cramped caravan. A gradual introduction to his world would definitely be best. Plus, in this neutral space, she couldn’t hide from him.
‘It must cost—’
‘Don’t.’ He leaned against the wall. ‘You know you can withdraw my all-access pass again at any time. Or not. This isn’t a transaction. People sometimes do things for each other without expecting or demanding something in return.’
‘I can’t give to you in the same way.’
‘I don’t want you to. You don’t have to give me anything.’ She didn’t understand that just her smile gave him satisfaction.
‘Just my hand in marriage,’ she pointed out.
Oh yeah, there was that.
‘I won’t marry you, but I’m still going to say thank you,’ she said proudly. ‘I don’t take this for granted. I know your time is precious.’
‘No more precious than yours. Time is a complete leveller. Finite for everyone, and none of us knows how much we’ll really have.’ He scooped up her bag but she stepped in front of him.
