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Macey chatted for a few minutes with the delightful head cook Grace who brought the promised ice cream. Grace reminded her of Agatha and made her temporarily miss all of her friends at Sutton’s home.
She ate a few bites after Grace bustled away, listening to the waterfall feature in the nearby solarium and birds twittering, as she relaxed in a heated tile bed. The bed was surprisingly comfortable and the ice cream was delicious. She wanted to do the entire spa experience like they had her first night here but much slower, enjoying every part and hopefully doing it with Ray.
Would he really come? Usually Macey valued her alone time, but right now all she wanted was Ray. She would never forget how tough and appealing he’d looked as he fought today or how it had felt to have him pin her hands to his chest and then when she took his knees out how he’d rolled to keep her from being hurt.
He was the perfect combination of protective, tough, warm, and thoughtful. She felt the anticipation of a heroine waiting for her forbidden love. T seemed to approve of them being together. Could they not be forbidden any longer?
She heard footsteps and quickly set her ice cream to the side. Maybe she shouldn’t have eaten it. Would she have milk breath when Ray kissed her? Her stomach hopped in anticipation. Would he kiss her? She put a hand to her stomach. Yep, she shouldn’t have eaten the ice cream.
Ray slowly walked into the spa. Macey stood and hurried over to greet him. He was in a t-shirt and joggers. Was he not planning to swim? Fine. They could go back to the solarium and watch the sunset.
His gaze swept over her in only her swimming suit, and heat filled her. Something about this man made her feel she was ‘brave, bold, and beautiful.’
“You came.” She grinned. “T said you would.”
It was time to throw caution to the wind. They were finally alone; she must act on all the feelings building within her. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled herself onto her tiptoes.
“Macey.” Ray pushed out a heavy breath. “Ah, Macey.” He gently removed her arms and stepped away. What was he doing? “You have to stop being so … irresistible.”
“I do?” At least he thought she was irresistible.
Ray glanced around at the pool, the view of the mountains, everything but her. “Macey, I …” His gaze met hers, full of torment, and Macey’s stomach pitched for an entirely different reason. “The media are claiming T and I switched places for the press conference.”
“Dang.” Not really ‘claiming’ because it was true, but … dang.
“Yeah. All three of us are on an American talk show at nine tonight, noon their time. We have to prove you’re in love with T.”
That was the last thing she wanted to do. She tried to push her glasses on tighter. They weren’t there. Why had she let Sutton take them? She folded her arms across her chest instead. Ray’s gaze flitted to her and quickly away. His fists clenched.
“That’s why you’re here, after all,” he reminded her quietly. Gently. Ray wasn’t reprimanding her, but she felt it all the same. “And to help me find who’s threatening T, who killed our mum, and to keep T safe.”
Macey swallowed but couldn’t form words. He was right. She was failing at her job. She’d found nothing that really helped, no leads, and all she selfishly wanted was for Ray to hold her close.
“I’m sorry,” she managed.
“No.” Ray shook his head and his blue gaze warmed as he studied her face. “This isn’t on you, Macey. I lost focus. I apologize. It won’t happen again.”
Macey drew in a sharp breath and fought the emotion making her throat feel raw and her eyes sting. She blinked quickly and looked away. She wasn’t a crier. She would not cry.It won’t happen again.Ray wouldn’t let his guard down and flirt with her, grow closer to her, touch her, kiss her, and make her feel comfortable, confident, appreciated, loved.
She should say something. If only she could give him a final kiss before he walked away and her heart ripped out. If she threw her arms around him again and he gently removed her arms and stepped away … she’d fall apart. She didn’t want him to see her cry.
“Do you need me to protect T before the show?” she asked in a mostly level voice. Focus on the job. Not on losing the man of her dreams.
“No. I’ll stay with him. You enjoy your spa time. You earned it.” He flashed his incredible smile at her.
She’d earned her spa time by surprising him and sort-of pinning him to the ground in front of his men. That had felt … insanely incredible. Right now, it felt … insanely awful.
“Where are we meeting for the interview?” she asked.
“We hadn’t talked about it. T and I will figure it out and come get you about ten minutes before nine. Does that work?”
“Perfect.” Nothing was perfect.
She couldn’t focus on his blue eyes any longer and not beg him to admit that he cared deeply for her, beg him to kiss her and love her behind closed doors. Couldn’t they only pretend she loved his twin in public? Ray was too honorable to sneak around, and he would stay in control from here on out. He’d probably soon realize that Macey wasn’t right for him anyway. Saying this general prince was out of her league was a laughable understatement.
She spun away from him, hurried to the edge of the Olympic pool, and did a shallow dive into the water. Liz was an incredible swimmer and had taught her how to be proficient in a few strokes. Macey would swim until she was exhausted and the tears stopped mixing with the pool water. Then she’d get ready for that interview, pray for divine help, and focus on being ‘brave, bold, and beautiful.’ Without Ray’s hand holding hers.
Surfacing for a breath, she was surprised to see Ray hadn’t moved. He was studying her with piercing intensity in those blue eyes she loved.
