AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do we really have to leave?” Jenn asked. “Klein was a hottie. I loved that gorgeous and fancy resort, and I used up all my savings on our dream vacation.”
“I apologize.” Aiden’s voice was stiff. “I will make certain the cost of your vacation is refunded to each of your accounts.”
Chalisa wondered how he’d do that. Was their hotel in his power or in Jorge’s? He’d said he had people who worked there. Nick had brought their passports and suitcases.
Too many questions.
“Chalisa is in extreme danger, and you as well by association,” Aiden explained to Jenn. “If you’ll load up, I’ll let her enlighten you with a long story while you fly home.” He looked at Chalisa and, once again, he wasn’t smiling. He was far too serious.
“Okay,” Jenn conceded, a lot quicker than she normally would. “I’ll let you two say goodbye.” She winked at Chalisa, fanned her face and whispered ‘so hot,’ then hurried to the front seats, sitting down and facing away from them.
“I’ll wait outside, boss,” Jose said, also winking at the two of them.
Aiden turned to her, brushing a hand through his hair. He studied her neck, the pendant he’d given her. Chalisa wanted him to look at her.
“It has been a pleasure, Chalisa Anderson,” he said softly. Then he backed toward the steps.
“You’ll come for me?” she asked.
He stopped and his gaze finally met hers. His blue eyes looked … tortured.
Oh, no.
“You will come for me,” she repeated, a hint of pleading in her voice.
“Ah, Chalisa.” He shook his head and looked over her face as if memorizing every detail. “I cannot.”
“You cannot?” Her voice pitched up. Cannot. So formal. So final. Her body went cold and her heart threatened to stop functioning.
“I hope you can understand. My commitments. My life path. Nothing about my life or career is conducive to …” His gaze fell to her necklace and then met hers again. “Everlasting love.”
Chalisa wanted to yell at him and pound on his chest, but his eyes were already full of agony.
“You played me,” she murmured, begging him with her eyes to say he hadn’t, that he felt the depth of their connection as well and knew they had a chance at everlasting love.
His blue eyes traveled over her, and longing and love filled his gaze. She smiled, joy bursting through her. They did have a chance. He hadn’t played her. Everlasting love. Even if they had to be apart for a short time, he’d come for her. Of course he would.
Then his eyes shuttered, and Aiden gave her an infuriating smirk. That look. That smile. As if she were simply another job or another fling and the two of them and their happily ever after and Chalisa’s already breaking heart meant nothing. She could see the wall he’d thrown up between them. The distance between them was instantly deeper than the Grand Canyon.
“Forgive me, love. Take care.” He lifted a hand to her. Then he whirled and hurried down the steps. He didn’t look back.
Chalisa almost ran after him, but she somehow held herself in check. He didn’t want her and he’d never come for her. Forgive him?
She’d never been more confused, angry, and in love.
How could she have fallen in love in two hours?
She couldn’t have. But she clung to her necklace. Everlasting love. She and Aiden. She was his princess and he was her beetle.
That wasn’t love. That was a tragic romance, and she loathed tragic romance.
She’d never felt so fun, desirable, and perfect in someone else’s eyes. She’d never felt a depth of connection like that, a kiss like Aiden’s. The joy of every moment they’d spent together pounded inside her.
And now he’d walked away.
She’d never felt so betrayed.
The pilot hurried onto the plane, pushed a button, and the stairs and door lifted and sealed into place. He said with a kind smile, “Buckle up, miss, and we’ll have you safe at LAX very soon.”
