Page 67 of Old Flames

She let out a dry laugh. “Like, from the law?”

“The law isn’t the only thing that can push us into hiding.”

“I get that you’re concerned,” she said. “Finding me out there must have been shocking, but you got to live out your Prince Charming fantasies, carrying me up the stairs. That’s a win, and that’s where it ends. I’m fine. Not spiraling. Not in hiding. Not even sleepwalking. All I need is a bath and a glass of wine.”

“I can arrange that.”

“Don’t.” She sat up and slipped her feet into her sandals. “I’ll manage on my own. Thanks.” She froze a minute, her train of thought seemingly rerouting. “How did you find me out there, anyway?”

“Saw you from my tower window.”

She glanced briefly over her shoulder at the winding stairs. “How long did you say that you were staying?”

“A week,” he answered. “You?”

“Same.”

Leo grinned. He couldn’t have dreamed up a better outcome. She had the opposite reaction. Muttering something under her breath, she flopped back onto the bed, defeated.

“Whatever you’ve got going on is your affair,” he said. “You don’t owe me an explanation or even the truth. I was only trying to understand. You still have the option of telling me it’s none of my business, but you can’t stop me from caring.”

This time things would be different. He would not tiptoe around her. Playing it cool hadn’t won him anything. It had allowed her to walk out of his life a second time. There would not be a third.

“I have the option of telling you to leave me alone, Leo White.”

“You could, but who would draw you a bath?” he asked. “This is the only room with a tub.”

July stared at the coffered ceiling as if plotting her next move.

“Do you want me to leave you alone?” he asked, quietly.

“No.”

Then, seemingly giving up an internal struggle, she stripped off the thick hoodie that no one in their right mind would reach for in this tropical climate. Underneath, she wore the thinnest of cotton T-shirts that lightly veiled the curves of her breasts. “I like my baths hot,” she said.

“And your wine?”

“Chilled.”

25

No wonder Ruby hadn’t showed up. She wouldn’t dare appear, not with Leo casting a watchful eye. Her plans were shot; there was no point denying it. Leo was staying the week and whenever she stepped out to the garden, he’d keep watch from his tower. Before, the others were always around to distract him. She could come and go virtually unnoticed. Now it was just the two of them in this big house, and the staff . . . and the odd guests . . . but essentially alone, cat and mouse. Well, he’d soon learn that she was the cat.

Leo was quite the host. He drew the bath and selected a bottle of white wine from the minibar. He called the front desk to order extra towels. The suite’s bathroom was significantly larger than hers, with black-and-white-checkered tile, gold accents, and an inviting claw-foot tub, like the one she had in her new apartment, only hers was a modern replica. Jules undressed and sank into the foaming hot water. She closed her eyes. Leo knocked on the door, which she’d deliberately left open.

“Come in.”

He entered and handed her a chilled glass of white. She reached out and took it from him, their fingers grazing. He was exceptionally handsome when haggard, no denying that. His tired eyes and disheveled chestnut head of hair were a stark departure from his classic daytime looks.

“Housekeeping is bringing up a fresh robe for you as well.”

“Thanks.” When had she ever been so pampered? “This bath smells heavenly.”

He picked up an amber glass bottle off the vanity and read the label. “Lavender and rosemary.”

Jules took a sip of wine. “There’s room enough for two. Care to join me?”

Leo set the little bottle on the marble vanity with a definitive tap. “No, thank you.”