Like an out-of-body experience, I’m torn between being elated to witness such a pivotal moment and realizing I’m the only one she wishes to put behind her. Bria wants to end things. She must be delusional, one of us must be.
As she passes by me, her eyes burn with anger, all directed at me.
Alexander points a finger in her direction. “If I don’t hear from you, I’ll search and come after you. I’m damn serious.”
I move to follow her but stop to answer him and say over my shoulder, “You won’t find us where we’re going, so you’ll have to wait patiently.”
I grin when his mouth drops, and his jaw clenches.
She’s mine.
DAMIEN
I open the doors to my Porsche Carrera GT as she ducks and settles in the leather chair. I fasten the seat belt around her, clicking it in. She bites her lower lip, muffling a smile, and my mood shifts to lighter. I rush and get into the driver’s seat. I swing my head to hers to reassure myself I’m not imagining things and exhale. I press my finger on the ignition button. One second later, the motor roars to life under us.
Bria punishes me with silence, and I mumble under my breath, “If you imagine this is about ending things, you’re mistaken.”
She rests her elbow on the window, her entire posture leaning toward her side. I run a hand down my face and dial Filip’s number.
“What’s up?”
“I need to ask for a favor.”
“Shoot.”
“I’ll be gone for a while. I need you to manage the company in my absence.”
A pause stretches.
“Filip.”
“You’re serious?” he says, and my patience wears thin.
“Why would I joke?”
“You can count on me.”
“Exactly. I’m taking Bria with me. We have to take care of some things. It’s unclear how long it will take, though.”
“For a moment, I . . . forget it. You’re working together for the new project. Crazy to think of something else. I’ll take care of things, don’t worry.”
“At least one aspect I don’t have to worry about. Thank you. I owe you.”
I hang up, and my muscles relax. I call the pilot to get the jet ready and then Andrea, the person in charge of the island I rented for the next two weeks. Glad I planned ahead, now I hope it’ll be enough. But as I glance at Bria, her eyes burning with defiance, my chances are low, at best.
“Andrea. Everything settled?”
“Good morning, Mr. du Sky. No one will disturb you for your stay. You have Calivigny Island to yourself. Once a day someone will come to clean. A cook and service team are at your discretion. And the clothes you requested for your companion hang in the closet.”
“Well done, thank you.”
“Have a nice flight, Mr. du Sky.”
I end the call, and she snaps her head at me, her eyebrows rising.
“You planned all this? Your confidence is bigger than one would ever guess.” Irritation laces her every word, she crosses her hands over her chest, and my hand grips the wheel.
“This has nothing to do with my confidence as I wasn’t even sure you would show up to begin with, but I hoped, dammit. We had a deal. If you didn’t come back, I’d planned to quit my position. I wanted time to think. A private island spoke to me the most.”
“What if I don’t want to be trapped on an island with you?” she hisses, her fingers massaging her temples as she closes her eyes.
“We need it.”
“You need to take me back. I can’t be without my heart medication.”
Hope shines in her eyes, while my heart deflates.
“Really, Bria? Over the last three months, all I’ve done was think about your heart. I have ten different medications.”
“Maybe you don’t have what I need?”
“What do you need?”
“Aspirin and beta blockers.”
I yank the glove compartment open, and piles of medicine roll to her lap. She stares, and I smirk. They’re a common choice for her condition and the first the doctor recommended.
“You’re incredible.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s not meant as a compliment, you idiot.”
“I love the fire inside you.”
Color creeps up her cheeks, and she presses her legs together. I could never get bored with observing and analyzing her every gesture.
“What about clothes?”
“Clothes?”
She tilts her head to me, her finger drawing a circle over her head.
“I don’t have any luggage with me. Should I spend the next two weeks naked?”
I grin, and indignation spreads over her mesmerizing face.
“A fantastic idea. One I would rather enjoy. Now, I regret charging someone with that task.”
“How would you even know my size, Damien, or the clothes I prefer?”
I arch my eyebrows at her.
“Haven’t you insulted me enough today? I memorized every inch of your body. I’ve spent the better part of my life studying you. Your likes and dislikes are engrained in my brain. You know it, just like you know they will not only fit you, but you’ll love every single piece.”
“I hate you.”
“To my damnation, I love you too much, Bria.”
My admission stirs something in her. She shuts her mouth as if my confession surprises her. I grasp and twirl a strand of her smooth golden hair, getting lost in her. When her eyes seek mine, softness shines inside them.
“You always played with my hair, either when you were angry or anxious.” Her palm caresses my cheek, and I lean against her touch.
“What I feel . . . I can’t even define, but it ranges from anger and despair to anxiety, fear to finally love. My body seems to know what to do for some comfort when I’m incapable of even finding the words to make you understand . . .”
She snatches her hand away, tucking it under her other hand in her lap and hisses.
“There’s nothing to understand. Don’t waste time and energy on something which will bring you only more of these feelings. I won’t give in.” Before the signal turns green, I bend to her and rub my nose to her sensitive neck.
“So sure of yourself. We’ll see.” Her mouth parts, and I drink in her moan before she stiffens.
“We’re not in a damn competition.”
“No, we’re in the game of our life where we either lose or win together.”
“I hope you enjoy silence as I won’t talk with you for the next two weeks starting this instant.” Her nose points up and her gaze darts outside.
Her defiance sends my calmness overboard. My hands tighten on the wheel, and I grit my teeth. “Perhaps it’s for the best. If you’d just listen and not try to fight me verbally every minute, we could make this work.”
She swings her head at me and throws daggers at my battered heart, our eyes locked on each other.
“When will the final blow come, Bria? Are you capable of doing it?”
To my utter bewilderment, she zips her mouth and ignores me for the rest of the ride.
***
In the jet, my eyes dart from her to my blue Hublot watch. We’ve been on the plane for two hours, and she hasn’t even glanced once in my direction. With her head tilted to the window for so long, I worry it might cause her some discomfort. I could move instead of facing her the entire time, but I can’t stop myself.
I’ve missed her with a force capable of crushing the world. I grip the armrest and shove my desire to touch that silky body of hers and kiss her in a thousand old and new ways.
Eleanor steps inside the cabin and asks if we would like something to eat or drink.
Bria lifts her chin. Her hazel eyes scan her from head to toe and I suppress a smile. I bet after the scrutiny, she knows more about Eleanor’s body than every man Eleanor’s been with. Then her gaze lands on me burning with accusation. What have I done now?
“A glass of sparkling water, thank you.�
��
I dismiss her, and my eyes partake in their favorite activity—following Bria. She has always been slim but with a hint of curves—pure perfection—except for years her body edged on bony. But now, her body looks toned as if she’s been exercising. Her cheeks display a rosy and healthy complexion, but I still question if she eats properly.
“It’s noon, don’t you want something to eat?”
“Just a glass of water. That’s all.”
The stewardess brings Bria the glass of water, and her eyes drop to mine, and her voice softens, “Are you sure I can’t bring you anything, Mr. du Sky?” I massage my temples, a headache threatening to burst my brain. She isn’t helping me.
“I’m fine. That’s all for now.”
Today isn’t my day.
When we are alone again, I witness anger blaring inside Bria’s eyes. At least one or two thoughts of how to strangle me in a hundred different ways must be crossing her mind.
I turn my chin, my head leaning between my forefinger and thumb.
“What? Please say whatever that mind of yours conjures.”
“What happened to Helena?” If she’d showed any resemblance of interest these past years, she would know. I breathe in a lungful of air. She was ill. Be patient. But she can be angry and jealous, but not me? I’m going bat shit crazy.
“It’s been years since the last time you were in our jet. She is on a prolonged maternity leave.”
Her chin points toward the cabin where Eleanor disappeared, and her nose wrinkles up.
“Yes, and the level of professionalism dropped. Although I’m sure you have no problem with it.”
“Are you kidding me? I never slept with an employee. Never have and never will.” Her eyes squint at me, challenging me.
“Here I thought everything is irrelevant as long as they’re models.”
I run a hand down my face and grunt. “You’re killing me.”
Her chest bends to me as I peek at her cleavage, saliva fills my mouth, and she adds as if we share some secret, “Although you have good taste, it must challenge you never to give in to temptation. But I’m sure there’s no lack of potential conquests.”
“My only enticement right now is to take you in the back and show you exactly what my preference is.”
Raising to her feet, she sets herself between my spread legs. Bria places her palms on either side of my seat, our lips inches apart. Her fierceness mixed with her sweet scent undo me.
“There’s nothing you can show me I haven’t experienced before.”
This is her strategy? I bite down a smile. She’s adorable. My hot breath trails over her lips, across her cheekbone line, and she shivers.
“I know, baby. I was there actively participating in every single experience you had. Every single one.”
Her eyes sparkle with fire. Before she decides on what happens next, my instinct propels me. I scoop her in my arms, rush toward the couch, and plop with her sheltered in my arms on the leather fabric.
“Let me go,” she hisses, her nails digging into my arms.
My mouth sucks on her earlobe, and a moan flees her lips.
“Then why don’t you stand up?”
“Like you would let me go that easily . . .”
“You learn.”
We both halt as we stare at the other, a haze of lust, love, need, and pain enveloping us. I whirl a strand of her hair, and her body softens above mine. This woman’s all mine. Even if she fights against it so damn hard and denies herself to see I’m entirely hers too. If words don’t help, I should show her more.
I cage her between my arms as she rests her head on my shoulder. I stroke her arms, kiss her temple. “Why don’t you want to see what you mean or do to me, Bria?”
“I can’t because it could ruin me again if I do.”
“Explain.” I need to listen to her fears so I can smash them. Her eyes lose the fire, and a defeated expression surfaces.
I kiss every inch of her perfection getting drunk on her unique sweet scent. With her glued to me, I’ve no other wish left. Her fingers circle the buttons of my shirt, and she whispers, “I was in this dark place, Damien, for a very long time. While I was spending my days and nights in utter darkness, you were spending them between someone else’s legs, wrapped around bodies that kept you afloat. You moved on and found a way of living when I was slowly but surely fading away. The worst part is this insane jealousy locks the love I have for you inside. I can’t get rid of it. I keep asking myself if you knew what I was going through, would you have been there for me or rather celebrated my downfall?”
My strength vanishes, and my grip on her loosens.
She scrambles to her feet. I’m incapable of either holding her or picking myself up.
If I tell her the complete truth, will she understand?
We spend the rest of the flight in silence only stealing glances at each other. Sadness and devastation mirrored in our eyes.
***
We disembark from the plane while the sun beats down on us and halt in front of a waiting black Escalade, security placed on each side. Andrea greets us, as we force smiles on our faces. Our postures draw lines of defeat and weariness.
Her eyes narrow at us, two enigmatic dark pools hidden behind thick, black lashes. We follow her into the car where the awkwardness lingers, and I shove my growl back to the pit of my stomach.
After a ten-minute boat trip, we arrive at our residence, a salty breeze encompasses us. We hop off the boat onto the island stretching around us—a small circle of paradise in an endless ocean. A hulk of a security guard extends his hand to help Bria. A smile appears in the corners of her mouth as I stare him down. He clears his throat and apologizes while she grabs my hand. Can I be more of an asshole and caveman?
She wiggles her toes in the white sand, her eyes shimmering at the turquoise water. The view offers me one moment of peace.
“Welcome to Calivigny Island,” Andrea chimes and continues her presentation. “The island spreads over eighty acres and has two sandy beaches along with a view of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. You’ll be staying in the beach house decorated in French colonial and Balinese style, with ten suites at your disposal, each with an en suite bathroom with either a view of the ocean or of the garden with an opulent freshwater free-form pool. There are gym and billiard rooms, and in the master suite there’s a private Jacuzzi room.”
She glances from me to Bria, her lips curving into a heartfelt smile. “I hope you have a fantastic time.”
“That remains to be seen,” I grumble and Bria shrugs in indifference.
I thread my fingers through my hair and throw my head back. What now?
My eyes find her, and my heart jolts. Her toes dance on the shore, her luscious lips curled into a bright smile as she takes in the exotic location. I drop onto the sand and rest my face in my palm. Only when she passes by me do I rise and follow her to the villa with Andrea trailing behind.
The residence is lavish and opulent with an enormous open space. Artisanal wooden statues adorn every corner, windows are wide and spotless. The home is decorated in rich, red tones and wood can be seen everywhere.
“Let me guide you to the master bedroom.”
“Thank you, but it’s unnecessary. We won’t be sharing a room,” Bria says, sending another blow in my direction.
“I’m sorry for my false assumption. If you chose a suite, Miss du Mont, I’ll send someone with your clothes.”
“Thank you.”
The fight vanishes from me as she builds another wall between us. Tiredness creeps into my brain, and my mood plummets with every second.
“Andrea, Miss du Mont will stay in the master suite.”
Bria huffs, “I don’t want it, Damien.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “It’s yours. But if you insist, then choose one of the ten available suites.”
“That’s exactly what I’ll do.”
I gesture toward the stairs and snap, “Fine.”
/> Andrea’s chin dips, and she backtracks a step. “I should let you settle in, but please contact me anytime. I’ll make sure everything is as perfect as it can be for your vacation.”
I nod, and she rushes through the door, leaving us alone.
I amble to the bar and pour myself a whiskey. Andrea’s tip just increased as I detect my favorite bottle of Macallan whiskey on the bar. My knees hit the couch, and I sink into the cushioned red material while Bria stares at me dumbfounded.
“What is it?”
She strides to me, her finger dangles in my face, and her body fumes.
“Nothing, everything’s great. Why did you even bring me here? To watch you drink?”
I slam the glass on the table and jump up with only a breath between us. “Do you want to hear what I originally planned? Or better yet, should I do all the things that run through my head instead?”
“You disgust me,” she spits, and my heart tears.
Will I ever be immune to her?
“At least you feel something toward me.”
Her mouth hangs, and she shakes her head at me. Does she even know?
“I assume if I don’t stay in the master suite, you’ll take it? I’ll find one at the opposite side of the villa.”
I dip my chin, and when our eyes collide, I state, “Nice try, feel free to find ways to escape me, but I’ll find and follow you like a fucking shadow.”
She storms up the stairs. The wood cracks with her fury.
Bria’s pissed.
Well, so am I.
BRIA
Why am I allowing this madness? Because right now I live in hell with Damien as my neighbor, and still I have no intention of going away.
I left him in the living room with the big sculptures as his companions as I couldn’t bear to watch his pain anymore. It weakened my resolve. The waves crash in the distance at the shore while I crash on the inside, surrounded by a paradise kind of beauty.
As I search for a suite, this sick curiosity to glimpse inside the master bedroom and torment myself with another impossible option—the two of us sharing a room, a bed, and a life together—takes over me.
Healing Love: A Billionaire Romance (Forever Us Book 2) Page 8