A Tempting Proposal

by Dara Girard

  At a small village they stopped to listen to the sound of steel drums and joined the festivities of a weekly fish fry. For a sweet treat, James bought her Grenadian ginger fudge and coconut drops.

  “I know the owners of the resort,” James said on their last day on the island. They walked barefoot along the white sand beach mere steps from the patio of their private cottage and marveled at the natural beauty around them, “They pay careful attention to the environment, recycling plastic bottles to a local medical clinic, using produce from local farms, even using hot water solar heating and more. I like to patronize businesses like this.” He turned to her. “In case you were wondering why I didn’t choose a hotel.”

  Ava looped her arm through his; surprised he’d think she could be disappointed. “I love it here. This has been a wonderful holiday.”

  “I guess we’ll have to come again.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. Another time. Would there be another time for them? She sighed, saying what was truly in her heart for the first time, “I’d like that.”

  Chapter 29

  “Someone is looking extra pretty today,” Flo said one morning when she found Ava in the kitchen with James as they finished strawberry covered pancakes and scrambled eggs before they headed for work.

  Ava blushed.

  “Leave it, Mom,” James said.

  “At least you’re finally acting like the newlyweds I expected you to be,” Flo said without apology. “And when I’m gone, don’t forget how easily it is to put your work before each other.”

  He sighed. “I hate when you talk like that. You haven’t gone anywhere yet.”

  “But I will,” she said with a resigned smile.

  “We’ll remember,” Ava said before James could argue, sensing how much the conversation hurt him.

  She sat down in front of them. “And don’t forget me either.”

  James put down his fork, his patience thinning. “Cut it out.”

  “I’m trying to let you know that you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

  James lifted his fork and continued eating. Flo looked at him, sadness in her eyes. Ava realized his mother didn’t know that James found her words painful rather than comforting.

  “I’m going to go to work late, today,” Ava said. “I’d love to spend some time with you in the garden.”

  Flo’s eyes brightened. “Really? Aren’t you busy?”

  “No,” Ava said pleased she’d eased some of the tension between mother and son. “I can make the time.”

  Later that evening, Ava saw James sitting in the great room reading another manga. He had his back to her so she walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

  “I know your mother’s words bothered you this morning, darling, but she really wants you to know that she’s okay.” She pressed another kiss against his neck, then touched a location where last night she’d made a faint scar. “You must be a fast healer,” she said surprised. “I’m afraid I was extra rough last night, but you know that about me.” She touched the smooth surface again. “But it almost looks like it was never there.”

  Never there.

  Something clicked in her mind and her heart turned cold when she looked down and saw that James’s trousers weren’t his usual grey but rather a deep purple. She hadn’t kissed James, she’d kissed Jackson!

  He turned to her and flashed a knowing smile.

  “The witch has a heart,” Jackson said with a cruel laugh.

  Ava took a step back, horrified. She should have been more careful.

  “You’re in love with him.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Put your arms around me again, maybe I was mistaken, darling.”

  Ava gripped her trembling hands behind her back, it was her fault for laying her heart bare for him to stomp on and mock. She’d never called anyone ‘darling’ before. Nobody had ever been as dear to her as James, and now she was having that fact thrown back in her face. She deserved it. She’d forgotten her place and why she was there. From the triumphant look in Jackson’s eyes, he knew he could hurt her if he wanted to.

  He clicked his tongue in pity and stood. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything.” He patted her on the shoulder. “I’ll save you the humiliation.”

  Ava pulled out her cell phone and showed him a picture of her with a smiling Flo. “I make her happy.”

  “I know. That’s the only reason why you’re still here.” He left the room, leaving the manga behind.

  Ava sunk down into the seat, staring at the illustrated cover that soon grew blurry as tears built behind her eyes. She buried her face in her hands.

  She soon felt arms around her. “Ava, what’s wrong?”

  She knew that voice, that touch. He’d grown too precious to her. How could she have been so foolish as to fall in love with him?

  She let her hands fall and met his kind gaze before she caught a glimpse of Jackson’s smug smile as he passed in the hallway. I’ll save you the humiliation. She had to remember that none of this was real. James would enjoy her as long as she kept his mother happy. Once that was over…plus she had to remember Edgar. Edgar was why she was here. She wiped away her tears and smiled. “How embarrassing.” She lifted up the manga. “A favorite character died,” she lied, feeling as if some part of her had died too.

  Chapter 30

  Pain.

  Ava sat cross the dark booth in the cheap, mostly empty restaurant her father had found so that they could speak without being seen.

  Although Ava knew her father loved her, she always associated him with pain. Pain from regret, betrayal, misery. He’d had a hard life. She knew it was her fault that his marriage had dissolved. Her mother and him had great plans for her, believing her to be brilliant until the year she turned three and failed the entrance exam to a prestigious pre-school. That’s when they realized she was just ordinary.

  Her mother couldn’t bare her disappointment and left, a sting Ava still felt. She worked hard trying to prove herself, wanting to be great enough so that her mother would come back one day and say, “I was wrong”, but that day hadn’t arrived yet.

  Because of her mother’s desertion, her father never remarried, although at times Ava dreamed of him doing so or finding a woman with children of her own so that she could have siblings to play with. Instead, it was always just the two of them living in a cold dark apartment wherever he managed to get an appointment because of his erratic behavior from one university to another, before having to move on.

  Every moment he could he told her about the Fortunes—how they were the reason she was without spending money, how they were the reason she’d have to work after school, how they were the reason his life, and thus hers, was one of struggle. Growing up she’d envied the Fortune’s familial bond based on the stories her father managed to share about them, plus the online clippings she read of their various accomplishments and over the years her desire for revenge grew.

  After the mistake with Jackson, Ava was more cautious and was eager to finally put her father’s plan into action; she’d been preparing for the role for years. (She knew she didn’t have much time.) Before meeting Jackson she’d spent hours learning as much as she could about him—what he liked, didn’t like—and used it to seduce him. His betrayal by switching places with his brother was very clever; but marrying James as a countermeasure had proven to be more of a problem than a solution. Yes, she was now a member of the Fortune family, but she hadn’t planned on her feelings.

  Her heart would give her no relief. As much as she wanted to continue to despise James, fueled by years of hate, he seemed to dilute her resolve every day with a word, a touch or a look. And the nights she’d spent with him had proven to be dangerous.

  For the first time, when he took her to Grenada, she felt guilty. She’d never felt that way before, not with Jackson and she knew she owed the Fortunes nothing. They owed her.

  But as she spent time with Flo
and Rudy she kept wondering where the monsters were. Where were the beasts her father had described all these years?

  Ava picked up the paper menu that was missing a corner and was stained with ketchup. “Let’s order something.”

  Her father snatched the menu from her, motioned to a waiter, and said, “Two coffees,” before handing the menus to the young man with tiny hooped earrings. “I didn’t come here to eat,” Walter said. There was no anger in his voice, but it was reflected in his angular, handsome face. He had skin the color of caramel, but there was nothing sweet about him.

  “I just thought—”

  “It’s been nearly two months.”

  “I’m still—”

  “You haven’t spoken to Lortis yet,” her father said.

  “I will.”

  He shook his head. “That’s not what I want to hear.”

  “I’m still settling in.”

  “You’ve had more than enough time.”

  “Rudy was sick and I was worried about Flo—” The feel of her father’s hand against her cheek stopped her words. Ava stared at him stunned. He’d never hit her before. He’d pinch her as a child, until he brought tears to her eyes; he’d sometimes kick her in the ankles when he felt she was talking back or not paying attention, but he’d never slapped her.

  His eyes burned. “Have you forgotten who you belong to? You may have married a Fortune, but you’re a Hughes. Is that clear?”

  “Yes.”

  “You will fly to New York within two days.”

  “I can take the train.”

  “You will fly and secure the shares we need. Understood?”

  “Yes.”

  “And if I see you grow soft like that again, I will finish this myself.”

  She nodded.

  He softened his tone and reached out and touched her hand. “You’re all I have. I can’t let them take you away from me too. I’m sorry.” He tenderly touched her cheek. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lost my temper.”

  “It’s okay. I won’t disappoint you.” It was her fault. Her father provided for her and was good to her. She’d let him down, just as she had years ago as a child. James would forget her, but her father was all she had. The only person who truly loved her.

  Chapter 31

  “What happened to your face?”

  Ava jumped when she entered the foyer and saw James. He wasn’t supposed to be home yet and her dark skin hid bruises well. Only a sharp eye would notice. How could he see it so quickly? She lightly touched her cheek. Was there swelling?

  “What are you doing home?”

  He folded his arms. “What happened?”

  She thought of telling him that she’d been clumsy but knew he’d see through such a lie. She had to make him angry instead. “I told you I liked it rough and I found someone who liked it too.”

  His eyes darkened with an emotion she couldn’t read—she wanted anger but what she saw looked like something too close to hurt and disappointment. She inwardly grimaced hoping it was the former. If he hated her, that would make her job easier.

  He nodded then walked away.

  Ava let out a breath and headed towards the stairs.

  James grabbed her wrist and spun her to him, his eyes blazing. “I will let you get away with that once, but while you’re married to me you stay exclusive. Understood?”

  She welcomed the hard grip of his hand, the rage in his eyes. Yes, hate me James. Hate me for your own good. She blinked, pretending to look bored. “Understood.”

  “Do you think I’m kidding?”

  “No.”

  “I think you do.” He lifted his hand to strike her then stopped and swore. “You lied.”

  Her heartbeat throbbed in her ears. “What?”

  He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “I’m sorry,” he said with feeling. “I had to see for myself.”

  Mixed feeling surged through her. What was he doing? Why was he holding her like this? Why did she want him to? Why did she want to bury her face in his neck and cry? She steeled herself against the desire and kept her voice steady. “What are you talking about?”

  He drew away and met her gaze. “You’re not used to being hit in the face. I just saw fear in your eyes.”

  She pushed him away, feeling exposed and vulnerable. “I said I won’t be with anyone else again. At least until we end this charade.”

  “Who did this to you?”

  Ava turned away. “I have lovers. There’s no need to be jealous.”

  James grabbed her chin and searched her eyes. “There’s that look again. That fear. What are you hiding?”

  She struggled to release herself. “Let go. You’re hurting me.”

  He tightened his grip. “Why? I thought this is what you liked.”

  She tried to spin away; he pulled her back against him, but his grip didn’t hurt. He trapped her with casual restraint, but not pain, and that hurt more. She wanted to free herself from his tender embrace.

  “Tell me who hurt you,” he whispered, his voice warm against her ear.

  She blinked back tears. Don’t pretend to care about me, I can’t bear it.

  “Ava? What are you afraid of?”

  She searched her mind for another lie. “I told an old lover I didn’t want to see him again. He didn’t take it well and that’s all you need to know.”

  James fell silent for a moment then said, “Why did you lie to me?”

  “Because…I was embarrassed.”

  “Will he bother you again?”

  “No.”

  He kissed her behind the ear. “Tell me his name.”

  “No.”

  “Please.”

  The childishly insistent tone of his voice made her reluctantly smile. “No.”

  He released her. “Okay.”

  She bit her lip then turned to him. “I have to go on a business trip, but I’ll be back in a day or two.”

  “Okay.” He gently touched her bruised cheek. “Could you give me his initials?”

  She playfully pushed his hand away. “I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

  “I know that.” His smile fell. “But I’m a big boy who doesn’t like his things being touched.”

  “I’m a thing?”

  “You’re my woman.”

  “In name only.”

  James shook his head. “No, I didn’t say my wife. I said my woman.”

  “There’s a difference?”

  He looked at her for a long moment then he kissed her on the forehead. “Have a safe trip.”

  Chapter 32

  Someone had hit her and she’d lied to him. He didn’t know which bothered him more.

  James walked into the library and sat with a book he’d pulled from the shelves, but couldn’t settle his mind to read. He closed the book and set it aside.

  “What’s on your mind?” Jackson asked, picking up the book. He read the complicated scientific title and frowned, “Are you trying to put yourself to sleep?”

  James took the book from him and replaced it on the shelf, annoyed. His brother had never stopped by the house as many times as he had over the past couple of months, but James suspected the reason. “Ava’s hiding something,” he said.

  Jackson’s brows shot up. “You’re only figuring that out now? She’s a conniving, manipulative—”

  James pinned him with a look. “What are you hiding?”

  “Nothing.”

  “I get this feeling that you two know something I don’t.”

  Jackson shrugged.

  “Is she in trouble?”

  “No.”

  “Are you?”

  “We all are, but I don’t have proof so don’t ask me any more questions. Just be careful. Don’t fall for her.”

  “Why not?”

  “That’s a joke, right? She told me…” He stopped and shook his head.

  “What?”

  “Forget about making her fall for you. She told me how much she feels trapped h
aving to pretend for Mom.”

  James’s brows rose in amazement. “She said that?”

  He nodded.

  James accepted the stinging truth of his brother’s words. No matter how much he cared about her, being with him and part of his family wasn’t what she’d bargained for. Was that why she’d lied to him? She wanted to be free, but he didn’t want to let her go.

  Jackson watched his brother take another book from the shelf, feeling a twinge of guilt. He’d never seen a lie have such an impact. He hadn’t meant to hurt his brother, but knew James was becoming too attached to Ava. He hadn’t realized how much until that moment.

  Jackson glanced at a light fixture, making a personal note to remind Abigail to have it dusted, then stole a look at James again. He told himself he was lying for James’s sake. That it was the only way to keep him safe. He’d rather hurt his brother than let Ava get the chance to.

  Success!

  Ava returned from her trip to New York brimming with joy. She stepped out of the car and stared up at the Virginia mansion, seeing it in a new light. It wasn’t her home, it was just another step to her true destiny. One day her father could afford a place like this and he’d be happy again.

  She had a lot to tell her father and was eager to find her way back into his good graces. He hadn’t spoken to her since they’d seen each other at the restaurant, now she had a reason to make him proud.

  The trip had given her the distance she needed to see everything with clarity. She’d gotten too close to the Fortunes and that had clouded her view. Especially, James. She’d become a little too complacent. Now she was back on track. Victory was in sight.

  Abigail met her at the door with a somber expression. “I hope your journey was good?” she asked, taking her bags.