The Ruthless Gentleman(51)

There was no doubt that every part of my body wanted every part of Avery’s, but I was enjoying her mind too. Her laugh, the stories of the rich and famous on the yachts she worked on, the look of hope in her eyes when she told me her father was doing well.

“How’s your brother doing with your dad being sick?” I asked as we sat opposite each other on the dining terrace of my hotel.

She glanced away from me and out at the darkening sky. “Good, I think. He has a new physical therapist and he’s made progress with her.”

“You said he had an accident. Was it a sporting injury?”

She blinked slowly. “Not really. We were stupid.” She paused, and I didn’t fill the silence. “We were swimming in the river. All the neighborhood kids would go every summer. You’d get all ages, from all different friendship groups, the cool kids mixing with the geeks, you know?” Her gaze flitted back to me for a second before resting on the sky.

“We did it every year. Every now and then we’d get chased away by the landowner, but we always went back—it was too much fun.” She shrugged. “Anyway, one afternoon we went down to the river; we’d swing on this rope attached to a tree and jump off into the river. I fought to go before Michael. I played the older sister card.” She shook her head. “I should have been looking out for him, not competing with him.”

Her eyes didn’t leave the sky, not because she was transfixed by the darkening view, but because she was remembering, or trying not to.

“Then it was his turn and . . . he let go in the right place, just like all the times before. We all ignored the no-swimming signs. But I was older. I should have followed the rules. Kept him safe.” Her words came out fast and desperate and then stopped abruptly.

I reached out across the table and pressed her hand between mine. “It wasn’t your fault. You were just being kids.”

She shook her head. “He hit a rock. His spine fractured. In the beginning he was paralyzed from the neck down.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” I repeated.

She exhaled and looked down at her lap, as if she’d brought herself back to the here and now, away from the memories.

“It’s just easier to live with some days than others. My dad never blamed me. Never seemed angry, just took it all in his stride. We just got unlucky. Even when my mom left I never saw him crack. He must have been heartbroken but he never let it show. He acted like it was all normal.”

I wanted to ask about her brother’s injuries now and ask her why her mother had left. But I’d reminded her of too much pain tonight and I wanted to heal, not hurt. “He sounds like an incredible man.”

Her eyes went glassy and she smiled. “He really is.” She tilted her head. “And Michael too.”

“And you’re here, paying the bills, following the rules, making sure everyone is happy like it’s your responsibility to ensure everyone’s looked after. Are you atoning for your sins or just incredible? A little of both, I think.” She was all about honor and duty—both traits I admired in the people close to me.

“Can I get you anything else?” the waiter asked, interrupting us.

Avery tried to pull her hand from mine, but I tightened my grip.

“Do you want a coffee?” I asked her.

She shook her head, the golden strands of her chestnut-brown hair highlighted by the fairy lights filling the terrace.

“Just the bill please,” I said to the waiter.

“We can’t see Etna anymore,” she said, glancing over at the darkened sky that had swallowed up the volcano.

“I think we can be sure it’s still there.”

“That’s comforting, isn’t it?” she asked. “I’ll probably never sit in this spot again, won’t ever come back here again, but I’ll always know what the view looks like. It won’t change.”

I frowned. “You won’t ever come back? Is it not what you’d thought it would be?”

She reached across the table and slid her palm over the top of our joined hands. “It’s so beautiful, but I’ve been doing the Med season for seven years and this is the first time I’ve been.” She shrugged. “I doubt I’ll make it again.”

My gut churned at her resignation. It was as if she knew that her life wasn’t about pleasure or enjoyment—it was about service and duty. She’d accepted her fate without any bitterness. I struggled to accept that future for her. What was it with this girl? I wanted to fix everything for her, rearrange the world to see that smile on her face. “Never say never,” I said. “Etna will be here in the morning when the sun rises.”

I released her hands, pushed my chair out and stood. It was time for it to be just the two of us. I wanted this selfless woman to myself.

I held my hand out and she paused before accepting it. I led her through the tables. We’d not talked about it, but today we’d morphed into a couple, taking a romantic break together. Going back to my room was the next obvious step, wasn’t it?

“Hayden.” She slowed as I led us into the hotel lobby.

I glanced back at her.

“If anyone was to find out.”

I turned to her. “I promise they’re not going to. But if you don’t want to do this, then I’ll walk you back to—”