I rubbed the back of my neck. “I like cars, or at least I used to. Don’t drive very much these days.”
“No shit,” she said, firing a grin in my direction that I refused to rise to.
I lifted the keys to the SUV from a rack hanging by the door and unlocked it.
Izabelle climbed in the front, and I handed Bandit to her. “I guess I need a harness.”
She nodded. “We can stop at the pet store on the way home and pick one up.”
My insides warmed at the way she’d said “home”. Somehow, over the last couple of months, Izabelle had grown from an irritant that I desperately wanted to eject from my life to someone I hungered to see every morning, and mourned when she left at the end of the day. I’d never tell her, of course, because nothing good would come of it. Besides, after the pain of losing my sister, I wouldn’t risk putting myself through the pain of loss ever again. Love hurt, and I’d go to the ends of the earth to avoid having my heart ripped out for a second time. Better to cut myself off. Loneliness I could cope with.
I cast a sideways glance at Bandit curled up in Izabelle’s arms. A dog I could cope with losing. Just. And I couldn’t deny he provided me with companionship. I’d even laughed a few times since Izabelle dumped him on me.
Being on the road felt strange. Apart from regular visits to my plastic surgeon to discuss the ongoing treatment for my shrapnel injuries, I rarely left the sanctuary of home. This would be one of the few times I’d gone anywhere other than the hospital since Jenna’s funeral.
A vise closed around my heart, and I winced, but Izabelle didn’t notice, her focus on Bandit as she twisted his ear around her finger.
“Are you aware that the running costs on just one of your cars would pay for dog food at the sanctuary for a month?”
I briefly looked at her, then returned my attention to the road. “I meant to talk to you about that. I’d like to make a donation. Who do I call to make that happen?”
As I shot her another glance, her eyes softened, and she smiled. “Ariadne Mills. She runs the place. I’ll text you her phone number. Anything you can give would help massively. Fundraising is a never-ending activity, unfortunately. There’s always too many abandoned animals and not enough money to care for them.”
I nodded, then fell into silence, but it wasn’t awkward, or something I desperately wanted to get away from. Driving along PCH with Izabelle sitting beside me, and Bandit curled in her lap, I realized the tension that gnawed at my gut had lessened. Still there, but instead of a raw, visceral, torturous agony, it had waned into a dull ache.
I’m trying, Jenna. I’m really fucking trying.
10
Belle
I answered Ariadne’s call, anticipating a request to come by this weekend to help out. Instead, she asked, “Are you fucking that guy?”
My jaw flopped about a bit, and then I squeaked out a response. “What guy?”
“The one you gifted the puppy to.”
“No!” I exclaimed. “Jesus, Ariadne, what makes you ask such a thing?”
“Because he just called me and donated a hundred grand.”
My chin hit the floor. “He what?” I whispered. “A hundred thousand dollars?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my God,” I said, thinking back to what I’d said yesterday about how many cars he owned. “I made a comment to him about his wealth, but I didn’t expect him to do that as a result.”
I heard a snuffle, and then a sob. “You know what this means, Belle.”
“Yes,” I said, my own tears arriving. “It secures the future of the sanctuary for the next two years.”
“Exactly. Tell him thank you for me.” She hiccupped. “He kind of caught me off guard, and I’m not sure I thanked him. In fact, I’m almost certain I didn’t.”
“I will.” I sniffed and dabbed at my nose with a tissue. “I’m leaving for work in a few minutes. I’ll be sure to tell him.”
I hung up and wandered into the kitchen in a kind of daze. I put salt in my coffee instead of sugar, only realizing my mistake after I’d taken a mouthful and spat it into the sink.
Zak appeared at that precise moment. “I agree. I always want to spit out coffee when you make it, too.”
I made a face at him and rinsed out my cup, then made a fresh one. “Upton just donated a hundred Gs to the animal sanctuary.”
Zak’s eyebrows shot up. “Fuck me.”
I nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”
“Jeez, sis, you must have done something right.”
“It’s not me, it’s Bandit. I knew he’d fall in love with that puppy, given the chance.” A smile formed on my lips as I thought of the two of them together. “He’s a good man, deep down. He’s hurting, that’s all.”
“Don’t underestimate your influence,” Zak said, giving me a rare compliment. He usually preferred insults. It was the way we’d rolled our entire lives. “Credit where it’s earned.”
“You’re only being nice to me because your electric wheelchair is due at the store this weekend.”
When my second paycheck came through at the beginning of last week, it meant I had enough money put aside to afford a super-duper top-of-the-range chair for Zak. He’d vehemently refused until I’d taken him to the store and let him try them out. Then, he’d had to concede that it would make his life easier, and he’d capitulated.
“That’s true,” he said, nodding.
I laughed. “Jackass.”
The unplanned call with Ariadne, and then updating Zak left me running late, and I had to sprint for the bus, only just making it in time. I sank into my seat, out of breath, hair an unholy mess. I smoothed it with my hands, then settled back for the ride to Upton’s home. I virtually skipped up the long driveway, unable to remove the smile plastered on my face. He was changing. He might not see it, but I did. Despite what Zak said, I gave most of the credit to Bandit, but then again, getting Upton a puppy had been my idea, and it seemed to have paid off.
Humming to myself, I entered the house and made my way to the kitchen. I’d usually find Upton there or outside by the swimming pool playing tug with Bandit, or watching the little pup race around, a faint smile curving his lips upward. Today was no different, and I stood by the back door watching him. I liked these moments when he didn’t know I was there. It allowed me to see him at his most vulnerable.
He brushed a hand down the back of his head, and his T-shirt rose, exposing a sliver of toned skin. A deepening ache filled my chest, and my stomach tightened. I was attracted to Upton, and if he ever kissed me again, I wouldn’t hold back. Not this time. But since that one occasion when, despite his denials, he’d kissed me in the hope I’d quit, he’d shown no interest in me whatsoever. At least he didn’t grunt at me these days. Well, not too much, anyway.
I stepped onto the patio. “Hi.”
He turned his head, and I held my breath, waiting for the scowl. Instead, he smiled. A real smile, not the fake one I’d seen him bestow more times than I cared to count.
“Hey,” he said. “Come watch this.”
He bent to pick up a ball at his feet and tossed it a fair way. “Bandit, fetch.”
A tan-and-white blur raced across the lawn, returning with the ball. He plopped it at Upton’s feet and sat, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. Upton shot me a triumphant grin.
“You can call me the dog whisperer,” he said, laughing.
Oh God. His laugh. I’d give a kidney to hear that again.
He threw the ball, and Bandit took off again. I closed the space between us, stood right in front of him, raised myself up on tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. The scarred one. I chose that side on purpose. Whatever Upton thought, I didn’t care about his scars. I cared about him.
He flinched a little, and then he pressed his fingertips to the spot where I’d kissed him. “What’s that for?”
“Ariadne called me. You have no idea the difference that will make to her and all the animals she cares for.”
“Nothing?” I shook my head. “It’s an insane amount of money that is going to do so much good, Upton. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Ariadne wanted me to make sure I told you thank you from her, too. I think she was too stunned to say it herself.”
“No problem.” He bent to throw the ball for Bandit again, who’d patiently waited at his feet. “It’s no use to me.”
“That doesn’t change the generosity, at least in my opinion.”
“Then you’re welcome.” He took a seat and gestured for me to do the same. “I need a favor.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” He fiddled with the hem of his T-shirt, his eyes cast downward. “I need you to take Bandit for a few days.”
“Why?”
He rubbed his fingertips over his lips and breathed out heavily. “I have to go into the hospital for an operation. Tomorrow.”
Fear lodged in my throat, a huge lump I couldn’t swallow past. Please don’t let him be ill. “What operation?”
He rolled back his shoulders and then cricked his neck. “There’s a piece of shrapnel they need to remove.” He moved his gaze, staring off into the distance where Bandit was digging a hole, lumps of soil flying into the air from his efforts. “It’s shifted, enough for my surgeon to want to take it out. It was supposed to be in a few weeks, but following the results of my last scan, he decided to bring the appointment forward. Hence the last-minute request.”
My chest ached, and my vision blurred. I blinked several times, grateful that Upton’s attention was elsewhere. If I’d learned anything about him it was that he abhorred pity. And I didn’t pity him. I hurt for him. I wished I could take his pain and mine and bury it inside that hole Bandit had dug.
“How long will you be in the hospital for?”
“Couple of days. But I’ll be a bit stiff afterward, and having him leap on me as he regularly does isn’t ideal.”
He met my gaze then. Thankfully, my eyes were clear, and I schooled my expression.
“I have a better idea,” I said. “I’ll come to stay. That way, Bandit isn’t ripped from his home at a time he’s still settling in, and I can be on hand in case you need anything.”
“No.”
His rebuttal came instantly, and it irritated me. I squared my shoulders, readying myself for battle.
“Yes,” I hit back. “It isn’t fair to Bandit. He’ll only get confused.”
“You are not staying here.”
“Why? What are you so afraid of?” I asked.
His face bloomed with color, his eyes cold and hard, the way they used to be when I first arrived. “Fuck you, Izabelle. I’m not afraid of anything. I just don’t want you here. You foisted the damned dog on me. You fix this.”
He launched to his feet so fast, his chair keeled over. He left it where it lay and stomped inside the house, Bandit speeding after him, his little legs a blur as he ran to be by his master’s side. I let out a deep sigh. He didn’t fool me. Upton’s fear was allowing me to witness his pain, his suffering, to see him in a weakened state. He was a proud man, and despite his reclusive nature, he wanted to be seen as strong and in control. Laid up in bed after an operation with me fluffing his pillows was right up there with his worst nightmare.
Well, too bad. Barbara had her own family to take care of, and Paolo wouldn’t be any use. A nice guy, but not exactly nursemaid material. Mom and Zak would be fine for a few days. Upton wouldn’t. He needed me, and dammit, he’d have to suck it up.
Zak’s warning about taking over and ignoring what Upton wanted came back to me, but on this occasion, I disagreed with his assessment. Upton was letting his stubbornness get in the way, and a back operation wasn’t anything to take lightly.
I went into the house and found him sitting in the living room, his eyes closed, Bandit on his lap, and rock music blasting from the speakers. I turned off the music.
His eyes snapped open. “I was listening to that,” he bit out.
“And you can listen to it again in a moment—after you’ve damn well listened to me. Here are your choices. I’m staying over for a few days. Or I quit.”
The words came out before I’d properly thought them through, and if he accepted, I was well and truly screwed. But something… I don’t know… an instinct told me he wouldn’t accept my resignation. Not anymore. He liked having me around, not that he’d ever admit it.
He set Bandit on the couch beside him and got to his feet. Three steps brought him right in front of me. His jaw ticked dangerously, but I refused to budge.
“You won’t quit. You need this fucking job too much.”
“Not enough to pander to your childish antics, I don’t.”
“My childish…”
He broke off, annoyance swimming in his amber eyes. And then he muttered, “Fuck it.”
He moved fast, his large hand clasping the back of my neck, and he yanked me into his hard body. His mouth crashed down on mine, his tongue demanding entry. Unlike last time when I’d sapped every ounce of energy in order to resist him, on this occasion, I capitulated. I wound my arms around his neck and opened my mouth beneath his. A groan rumbled through his chest, and the sound weakened my knees. I sank a couple of inches, and his strong arms held me in place.
Damn, the man could kiss. Butterflies swamped my stomach, and a heavy ache settled between my legs. He cupped my ass, tugging me closer. His thick erection bumped against my belly.
Oh God. More.
He tore away, his chest heaving, a mirror image of mine. I licked my lips, then rubbed my fingertips over them. Both of us stared at each other in silence, neither able to muster the right words.
Upton broke first. “Still sure you want to come to stay, Izabelle?”
“Yes,” I rasped, my voice thick with desire.
“Really?” he questioned. “Because I can’t guarantee that’s the last time I’ll kiss you. I opened the door, but you allowed me to walk through it when you could have—should have—slammed it shut.”
His words sent a tremor racing up my spine. He was warning me off while at the same time reeling me in. Giving me an exit strategy while letting me know what would happen if I chose not to take it.
I locked my eyes on his. “Yes,” I reiterated.
His eyes gleamed with a mixture of triumph and trepidation. “I’ll ask Barbara to make up one of the spare rooms.”
And then he brushed past me with Bandit hot on his heels, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
11
Belle
“The house feels weird without Upton here,” I said, flopping into a chair at the kitchen table while Barbara kneaded freshly made dough. He’d spent the last two nights at the hospital having his operation, and he’d made it very clear he did not want me to visit him. As difficult as it had been to stay away, I’d abided by his wishes. I wasn’t going to lie, though, I couldn’t wait for tomorrow when the hospital was expected to release him.
Barbara chuckled. “Someone sounds as if they’re missing someone,” she said.
I arched a brow. “Yeah, like I’d miss a toothache.”
Liar.
I missed him more than I cared to admit. And so did Bandit. The poor little thing spent his time wandering from room to room, looking for Upton, his big soulful eyes sad and lost. Even letting him sleep on my bed hadn’t cheered him up. Only one thing would achieve that—Upton returning home.
Once dogs fell in love, that was it. No escape for the owner. And no substitute for them, either. Bandit tolerated me, but it was Upton he wanted.
“You don’t fool me,” Barbara stated. “I’ve got too many years behind me. I see the way you look at him—and I see the way he looks at you, too.”
My fingers automatically went to my lips. After Upton kissed me the day before his hospital visit, he’d studiously avoided me. By the time I’d arrived for work the following morning, suitcase in hand, he’d already left, and Barbara had p
assed on the message that I was to stay here taking care of Bandit and under no circumstances was I to go to see him at the hospital.
“Where is his family, Barbara?” I asked, more willing to ask questions now I knew for certain Upton wouldn’t appear on silent feet and castigate me for butting into his private life. “Apart from Sebastian and Antonio, he’s had no visitors since I started working here. And we all know he doesn’t leave the house unless he absolutely has no other choice.”
Barbara’s lips thinned. I’d come to recognize that as a sign that something displeased or disappointed her.
“His mama died when he was eleven, God rest her soul.” She crossed herself. “His father remarried, and he and his new wife had Jenna. After what happened… well, his stepmother disowned him. She blames him, you see, but nowhere near as much as he blames himself. And, well, his father was caught between two people he loves. He does come by occasionally, but not very often.”
My chest tightened. Poor Upton. He’d lost the two most important women in his life, and then his father basically abandoned him at a time he had needed him the most.
The parallels with my own life sucked the breath from my lungs. The only difference was the experience. Zak and my mom could have blamed me for what happened to Zak, but instead, they’d cocooned me in love and care, and Mom, in particular, had pulled us both through a horrendous time.
Not once had either of them uttered a single word of recrimination.
Unlike what Upton had gone through.
“How awful,” I murmured. The need for some fresh air came over me, and I got to my feet. “I might take Bandit for a walk.”
“All right, dear,” Barbara said, shaping the raw dough ready for the oven.
I fetched Bandit’s lead and went in search of him. I found him curled up outside Upton’s bedroom, waiting for his master to return. He brightened when he saw the lead and jumped up, allowing me to clip it to his collar.
“Come on, boy. Let’s get some steps in.”
Enchanted: A Billionaire Romance (The ROGUES Series Book 4) Page 7