Enticed by His Forgotten Lover (Pregnancy & Passion #1)(50)

“I’m not even going to ask,” Rafael said. “Tell me about it later. I owe you. I owe you big.”

“Yeah, well, don’t think I won’t collect. Later. After you’ve kissed and made up with Bryony,” Devon said with a grin.

“Need a ride to the airport?” Ryan asked. “My driver’s still outside. I told him I wouldn’t be long.”

“Yeah. Just let me get my wallet.”

“Not going to pack a bag?” Cam asked.

“Hell, no. Bryony can buy me more jeans and flip-flops when I get down there.”

“After she kicks your ass you mean?” Devon asked.

“I’ll let her do whatever she wants just as long as she takes me back,” Rafael said.

“Good God,” Cam said in disgust. “Could you sound any more pathetic?”

Devon laughed and slapped Cam on the back. “Apparently that’s what falling in love does to a guy. Take my advice. Marry for money and connections, like I am.”

“I think the best idea is to never marry,” Cam pointed out. “Less expensive that way. No costly divorces.”

Rafael shook his head. “And you all called me the bastard. Come on, Ryan. I’ve got a plane to catch.”

“Bryony!”

Bryony turned to see her grandmother waving to her from her deck. Silas stood beside her, watching as Bryony stood close to the water’s edge.

She’d been there for a couple of hours, just watching the water, alone with her thoughts. She knew her grandmother and Silas were both worried. She’d given them an abbreviated version of everything that had happened. No sense in them knowing the extent of Bryony’s stupidity.

They knew enough that Rafael had made a fool of her and would develop the land, but then Bryony had been prepared to give up that fight. So the outcome would be the same, only Bryony wouldn’t have the man she loved.

Bryony waved but turned back to the water, not ready to deal with them yet. Mamaw and Silas had both fussed over her ever since she’d gotten back home. She was exhausted and what she really wanted was to go to sleep for about twenty-four hours, but every time she closed her eyes, she heard Rafael’s words. They wouldn’t go away, she couldn’t make herself stop hearing them no matter how hard she tried.

And she was damn tired of crying. Her head ached so badly from all the tears she’d shed that it was ready to explode.

Her cell phone rang in her pocket and she picked it up, just as she’d done the other twenty times that Rafael had tried to call her. She hit the ignore button and a few seconds later, heard the ding signaling that she had a voice mail. One of the many he’d left her.

What else was there left for him to say? He was sorry? He hadn’t meant to deceive her? Was she supposed to forgive him just because he forgot what a jerk he had been? How could she be sure he hadn’t made it all up just to get her to shut up and not make noises that would scare off his precious investors?

If he kept her quiet enough for long enough then the deal would be sealed.

She didn’t like how cynical she’d grown. It would never occur to her before that anyone would be so devious, but Rafael had taught her a lot about the world of business and the lengths that some people would go for money.

She hoped he made a ton off his precious resort and she hoped it kept him warm at night. She hoped it made up for all the sweet baby kisses he’d miss.

The thought depressed her. Money was just paper. But a child was something so very precious. Love was precious. And she’d offered it to Rafael freely and without reservation.

She felt like the worst sort of naive fool.

Finally her feet got cold enough from the surf that she could no longer feel her toes, so she turned to trudge back up to her grandmother’s deck. She’d say her goodbyes, assure Mamaw that she’d be just fine and then she’d go home and hopefully sleep for the next day.

As she got close, she saw Rafael standing on the deck and Mamaw and Silas were nowhere to be found. How the hell had he gotten down here so fast? Why would he even bother? She didn’t react to his presence. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

She walked up the steps, past him to collect her sweater and then she started down the walkway that led to her own cottage.

“Bryony,” he called after her. “Wait, please. We have to talk.”

She picked up her pace. She knew he followed her because she could hear his footsteps behind her, but she blindly went on. When she reached to open her door, his hand closed around her wrist and gently pulled her away.

“Please listen to me,” he begged softly. “I know I don’t deserve anything from you. But please listen. I love you.”

She went rigid and closed her eyes as pain crashed over her all over again. When she reopened them she was grateful that no tears spilled over her cheeks. Maybe she’d finally cried herself out.

“You don’t know how to love,” she said in a low voice. “You have to possess a heart and a soul, and you have neither.”

He winced but didn’t let go of her wrist. “I’m not going to lie to you, Bryony. Neither am I going to sugarcoat what I did.”

“Well, good for you,” she said bitterly. “Does that ease your conscience? Just leave me alone, Rafael. You got what you wanted. You don’t have to deal with me anymore. Just make this easier on both of us. If you’re wanting absolution, see a priest. I can’t offer you any. You should be happy. You got the land. You’ll build your resort. Everyone gets what they want.”