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“You lost the bet.” T grinned. “You owe me two days of sitting in meetings while I play with Macey.”
Ray growled. He was going to pummel his insensitive jerk of a brother.
Before his fist could connect with T’s eye and give him a shiner that might distract the talk show host, T said, “I’m sorry, bro, but you’re doing this to yourself. We’ll find a way if you will just admit you love Macey.”
Ray forced himself to straighten away from the wall, stare into his twin brother’s blue eyes, and say, “I don’t love Macey.” It was true. He couldn’t possibly love someone he’d met days earlier. He loved a lot of things about Macey, but that was different than loving her.
His heart thudded dully in his chest, as if him not loving Macey hurt it.
He didn’t love her. He really didn’t.
“Denial.” T shook his head morosely.
Ray probably should hit him.
“Well, I’m done listening to your lies. I’m heading to dinner. And you need to get your butt up to the spa and tell Macey what’s happening. Tell her why you can’t act on your love … yet.”
Ray deflated. He should force T to tell her. Was he strong enough to be alone with her and not tell her everything he was feeling, why he couldn’t act on it, and how stirred up he was inside?
He glared at his brother. T couldn’t stop smiling. Maybe just one more solid punch to that handsome face. It would ruin Ray’s chances of switching his brother places again, but their last fail had already ensured that. Might as well get the satisfaction of getting the last hit in.
Chapter Eleven
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.
