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“I don’t want to hear it. You know nothing about me anymore, Clarissa. We haven’t spoken in years.” He spun on his heel, dismissing her, and strode away, holding on to my arm. I had to almost run to keep up with his long strides. We reached the edge of the room, and he slowed his steps, letting go of me.
“I’m sorry.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t mean to drag you away.” His troubled gaze met mine. “I can’t believe she was so rude to you. First my mother; now Clarissa. I’m so sorry for putting you in this position. Maybe this was a bad idea.”
“Come with me.” Grabbing his hand, I moved towards the door, and he had no choice but to follow me. We entered a darkened corridor, and I blinked until my eyes adjusted to the light.
“Umm…let me see.” I tried the first door handle we came to. Locked. Thankfully the second door opened with a creak, and we found ourselves in a small sitting room. The curtains were open, and moonlight illuminated the space. I spied a low table with a lamp, and letting go of Ethan’s hand I crossed to it, fumbling around until I found the switch. Perching on the edge of the sofa next to the table, I crossed my legs, inclining my head towards Ethan. With a sigh, he sank down next to me, stretching out his long legs in front of him.
I angled my body so that I could see him. “I thought we could both use a break to cool off.” Our eyes met, and I could see the unease still plain in his gaze. “I want you to know that you have nothing to apologise to me for. I can handle it.”
“Yes, but you shouldn’t have to. If they knew you like I do, they’d know what a beautiful woman you are, inside and out.”
My stomach flipped at his words. “You think I’m beautiful?” My voice came out as an unsure whisper.
He studied my face intently, then reached out to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. His thumb traced the side of my cheek.
“Avery. None of these women here could hold a candle to you.” He withdrew his hand, and I gathered my courage.
“What’s going on here? Are we still acting?”
His voice came out as a low rasp. “Do you see anyone here we need to put on an act for?”
My heart rate kicked up, and I felt short of breath. I opened and closed my mouth a few times.
We stared at each other for a long, charged moment, before I lowered my gaze.
The corner of Ethan’s mouth turned up. “Come on.” His voice was back to normal. “Let’s rejoin the others. I think we can get away with”—he glanced at his watch—“calling it a night after another half an hour or so of socialising.”
Later, lying in my huge bed in our suite, I couldn’t help analysing everything in my mind. There was no denying that I was attracted to Ethan. But on his part—how much had been real, and how much had been an act?
7
Avery
I glanced at my phone, yawning, then flew up in bed when I noticed the time. 9:42 a.m. I never slept this late. I threw on the hotel robe and hurried into the shared lounge area of the suite. No sign of Ethan. My eyes scanned the room, and I noticed the note propped up against a glass on the table that held the complimentary teas and coffees, a jug of orange juice standing next to it.
Avery,
Gone to the rehearsal & have lunch plans with family that I can’t get out of. Booked you a spa appt. for 10:30. Massage & pedicure.
Sorry if the phone woke you. Needed to make sure you got up in time for the spa.
Buffet lunch in the dining room between 12 and 1:30, help yourself.
Meet me in the foyer at 2:40 for the wedding.
- E
As if on cue, the room phone started ringing, and I fumbled to pick it up, a smile spreading across my face.
Ethan booked me a spa appointment.
Warmth filled me. Quickly followed by panic. I was going to be late if I didn’t get a move on.
Relaxed after my massage and full from my lunch, I finished dressing for the wedding. I pinned my fascinator into place in my hair and slipped on the same nude heels I’d worn the previous night. After applying one final coat of red lipstick, I checked my reflection, twisting around to try and view the back of the dress. Duck-egg blue and midi length, it had a high neckline and a fitted top half that cinched in at the waist, with a flowing skirt. It was backless—maybe a little daring for a wedding, but I draped a gauzy shawl over my shoulders to cover my exposed skin. I headed out of the room, dropping the key inside my little clutch bag.
Gripping the smooth wooden banister for support, I descended the wide staircase carefully, concentrating on where I was placing my feet. Glancing up for a moment, my eyes met a pair of dark ones and I sucked in a breath. Ensnared by his gaze, I couldn’t have looked away even if I’d wanted to. His eyes raked over me, a slow, leisurely perusal, and I boldly stared back at him, noticing the way his polished black Oxfords shone, his tailored morning suit fit like a glove, and his hair was perfectly parted and styled. He looked so handsome standing there, confident and commanding. A giddy excitement filled me. The way he was looking at me…surely he couldn’t be faking it. Could he? Was I reading too much into his actions because I wanted them to mean something?
As I came to a stop in front of him, he reached out and touched my arm and bent his head to kiss my cheek. Butterflies took flight, and I grasped his other arm for support. His scent surrounded me, some kind of spicy, woodsy smell, and I breathed in deeply.
